380 
New Zealand Ferns 
(155 ) O.Vulgatum (common). “Adder's Tongue.” 
Somewhat like O. lusitanicum, but rather larger; easily 
overlooked among the grass and bushes. Once only did 
1 find a specimen — near St. John's Lake, Auckland. 
Description . — Root short, cylindrical, often knotty. Fronds, 
one to two from a root, 4 to 12 inches long over all. Barren leaf 
placed near the middle, fin. to 3 inches long by Jin. to 1J inches 
broad, pale-green, very smooth, rather fleshy in texture. Fertile 
spike fin. to 1J inches long, on a slender stalk, much longer than 
the barren leaf. 
From the North Cape to Foveaux Strait, in moist grassy 
places by margins of swamps, etc. Sea-level to 2,000 feet. 
A cosmopolitan plant, split up into a number of spe- 
cies bv many authors. 
