Ferns🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -25°C

Common adder's-tongue

Name: Common adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum)
Brand: HSMN Planten
SKU: 6a8b54645e18c5d0b30524c1

Ophioglossum vulgatum

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Adder's-tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) is a small, native spore-bearing plant that usually produces a single, undivided oval leaf. From this leaf rises a narrow fertile spike resembling a snake's tongue, where the spores are formed.

Specific care needed

Adder's-tongue is very difficult to keep as a garden plant due to its dependence on soil fungi. Do not transplant this species and use only responsibly grown material. Avoid fertilization, soil cultivation, and dense, tall vegetation.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Pruning period

Do not prune. Allow the foliage to die back naturally and do not disturb the soil.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade

Soil type: Clay, Sand, Loam, Peat

Moisture need: Moist, Wet / marshy

pH: Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5), Neutral (6.5–7.5), Chalky (>7.5)

Nutrient richness: Nutrient-poor, Moderately nutrient-rich

Humus content: Humus-poor, Moderately humus-rich, Peaty

Water drainage: Moisture-retentive, Poorly draining

Appearance & season

Mature height: 5-30cm

Bloom: Niet van toepassing

Autumn colour: The leaf often disappears by summer and does not have a notable autumn color.

Properties

Salt sensitive: No

Edible: No

Historical medicinal use makes this species unsuitable for consumption.

Scent: No notable scent. The small leaves emit almost no fragrance.

Creeping rhizome: No

Ecological value

Adder's-tongue is an important indicator of species-rich, nutrient-poor, and undisturbed grasslands. The underground plant parts live in symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi, forming a specialized part of the soil food web.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesUseful

🪲 Beetles & insectsUseful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsVery useful

Its most important food web relationship is the partnership with specialized soil fungi. Small soil organisms and invertebrates thrive in the moist and undisturbed habitat. Due to its small size, the plant provides little food or cover for larger animals.

Distribution in the Netherlands