Ophioglossum lusitanicum
Least adder's-tongue · Least adder's-tongue fern
Description
Source: leafsnapOphioglossum 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
☀️ 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.
🌡️ 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.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 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