Ophioglossum Vulgatum, Linn. 
ADDER’S TONGUE. 
Root — Long, branching, and brittle. 
Fronds — Of two kinds, barren and fertile on one stalk ; 
the barren one being a fleshy, ovate, pointed leaf, rising 
from a thin succulent stipes. The stipes is about twice 
the length of the frond, rooted deeply in the earth, and 
showing, at its base, the detached bud of next year’s frond. 
The spore-bearing frond consists of a narrow, spike-shaped 
single or branched tongue, rising from the base of the 
barren frond, lying in the hollow of it, and becoming 
eventually taller. The spike consists of two parallel rows 
of globular capsules, filled with fine dusk-like spores ; 
bursting, when ripe, in the same manner as Botrychium 
Lunccria. 
Habitat — Pastures and meadow land, common. Matlock- 
Bath and other places. 
