1. Ophioglossum.] 7. OPHIOGLOSSACE^. 



1. OPHIOGLOSSUM, L. Adder's Tongue. 



Small terrestrial ferns or larger and epiphytic. Terrestrial forms 

 with a simple undivided linear to broadly cordate barren segment of 

 the single frond, epiphj^tic forms with a dichotomously divided or 

 palmately lobed barren segment. Sporangia situated laterally in 

 two rows on the edges of a very narrow linear spike -like stalked 

 spiciform segment of the frond, in the lamina of which they are sunk 

 and open by a transverse fissure reaching the axis of the spike (spor- 

 angiophore). The sporangiophore arises at the base of the barren 

 lamina (in our species) and is erect, or it may arise on the lamina 

 above the base, or even there may be several sporangiophores from 

 the stipes and lower part of the lamina (not in our area). Venation 

 reticulate. 



A. Barren part of frond usually over 2" placed half-way up or 



more : 

 Barren segment of frond broadly ovate cordate, v/lth a short 



stalk above jimction with fertile portion, membranous . 1. reticulatum. 

 Fronds with barren segment 2-4" ovate or ovate-oblong 



not stipitate or cordate, somewhat coriaceous. Spike stout 



with short peduncle ....... vulgatum 



(pp. 1214, 



B. Frond with barren segment 2" or less, placed near base, not 1215.) 



stipitate. Peduncle and spike very slender . . .2. nudicaule. 



1. 0. reticulatum, L. Syn. O. vulgatum according to D' Almeida. 

 Whole plant 6-12" high with a short narrow erect rootstock. 



Sterile frond sub-coriaceous when fresh, membranous when dry, 

 ovate or broadly ovate, 1 • 5-3" by 1 • 1-2 ■ 5", cordate and the base 

 below the sinus produced into an obcuneate often sheathing stalk 

 (of same texture as frond) up to -5" long to the junction of the 

 fertile segment ; point of branching of the two segments one-third 

 to less than half whole height of plant from the ground. Sporangial 

 spike 1-2" on a slender stalk. Venation of barren segment reticulate 

 with a more or less distinct central vein but no midrib. 



Under dense shade. Ranchi (Ichadagh), 2500 ft. ! Hazaribagh (Parasnath), 

 3500 ft. ! Fr. Aug.-Dec. 



Prof. J. F. D' Almeida {Journal of Indian Botany, December, 1922) gives reasons 

 for uniting 0. reticulatum with 0. vulqatum, L. Compared with my Enghsh speci- 

 mens of 0. vulqatum the two appear to be very distinct, but apparently numerous 

 intermediate forms occur. 



2. 0. nudicaule, L. Syn. (J parvifolium, Hook. Sf Grev. 



A very small fern only I -4 high with a short erect somewhat 

 tuberous rootstock and frequently 2-3 fronds. Barren segment of 

 frond placed one-third the way up »i irom quite near the base, linear 

 lanceolate or ovate, acute or subobi-nse, sessile and tapering at the 

 base, -5-2" long (-5-1" long only, BeAii.) by -25- -6" wide, texture 

 rather thin, venation mostly reticulate with hexagonal areoles but 

 not very distinct. Sporangial spike -4- -7" long, slender (only -07" or 

 less wide), and on a long slender peduncle greatly exceeding the barren 

 segment. 



Manbhum, Campbell ! 



Tills is called 0. vulgatum in the Cal. Herb, and appears to have been accepted 



1214 



