Ophioglossum lusitanicum
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Ophioglossum lusitanicum

Least adder's-tongue · Least adder's-tongue fern

Tier 2 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: full_shade
Water every
7 days
Temperature
15–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 7–10
Click count
48
Observations
63

Description

Source: leafsnap

Ophioglossum lusitanicum, the least adder's-tongue, is a small fern of the family Ophioglossaceae. It is a pan-tropically species categorised as least concern by the IUCN (2001).

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days
Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full shade

Least adder's-tongue is native to habitats such as forest understories or rocky areas that provide natural shade. It prefers Full Shade but can tolerate Partial Sun.

Ideal: Full shade
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Least adder's-tongue does best in forest thickets. It is very sensitive to temperature and humidity; high heat, dry conditions, and strong sunlight can all make Least adder's-tongue uncomfortable. In summer it needs adequate shading and a humid environment. Generally, Least adder's-tongue does not require special care in winter, but an extended winter drought can still be fatal to the plant.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The least adder’s-tongue requires careful management, which includes early spring pruning to remove dead fronds. This practice promotes growth and improves air circulation. To ensure the plant remains healthy, avoid heavy pruning, as it can cause stress. Proper pruning not only enhances the plant’s appearance but also minimizes the risk of disease and supports its vitality and longevity.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Fern
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Ophioglossum
Family
Ophioglossaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Mature Height
5 cm to 15 cm
Mature Spread
2 cm to 5 cm
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Native Area
Tunisia, Turkey, Mauritania, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Morocco, Lebanon, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Albania, Azerbaijan, United Kingdom, Algeria, France

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Least adder's-tongue
en Least adder's-tongue fern