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Ferns and Horsetails (Monilophytes)
Clubmosses and Quillworts (Lycophytes)
Ophioglossum
Adderstongue Ferns

Mostly small, terrestrial ferns; a few epiphytic. Rhizomes usually short, erect, fleshy; fronds appear dimorphic but are in fact formed of a blade and an extension of the stipe forming the fertile spike which usually develops after the blade, although often only the sterile blades appear; blades fleshy, lacking midrib, varying shapes: most terrestrial species have simple and entire blades; epiphytic species often strap-like, branched, fan-shaped, etc; veins netted; sporangia sunken in sides of fertile spike which openns in horizontal slits.

About 30 species, distributed world-wide. Three species in Britain, two in Ireland.
Ophioglossum azoricum Small Adderstongue Ophioglossum azoricum thumbnail, link to O. azoricum page
Ophioglossum lusitanicum Least Adderstongue Ophioglossum lusitanicum thumbnail, link to O. lusitanicum page
Ophioglossum vulgatum Common Adderstongue Ophioglossum vulgatum thumbnail, link to O. vulgatum page
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