Part 20

Ophioglossum vulgatum

Canada to New Jersey and Kentucky, in moist meadows. Two inches to one foot high.

Sterile portion.--An ovate, fleshy leaf.

Fertile portion.--A simple spike, usually long-stalked.

The unprofessional fern collector is likely to agree with Gray in considering the Adder's Tongue "not common." Many botanists, however, believe the plant to be "overlooked rather than rare." In an article on O. vulgatum, which appeared some years ago in the Fern Bulletin, Mr. A. A. Eaton writes:

"Previous to 1895 Ophioglossum vulgatum was unknown to me, and was considered very rare, only two localities being known in Essex County, Mass. Early in the year a friend gave me two specimens. From these I got an idea of how the thing looked. On the 11th of last July, while collecting Habenaria lacera in a 'bound-out' mowing field, I was delighted to notice a spike of fruit in the grass. A search revealed about sixty, just right to collect, with many unfruitful specimens. A few days later, while raking in a similar locality, I found several, within a stone's throw of the house, demonstrating again the well-known fact that a thing once seen is easily discovered again. On the 23d of last August, while riding on my bicycle, I noticed a field that appeared to be the right locality, and an investigation showed an abundance of them. I subsequently found it in another place. This year, on May 28th, I found it in another locality just as it was coming up, and I have since found three others. I consider it abundant here, only appearing rare because growing hidden in fine grass in old mowing fields, after the red top and timothy have died out, and the finer species of Carex are coming in. A good index plant is the Habenaria quoted. I have never found it except when associated with this plant, on a cold, heavy soil. The leaf is usually hidden, or, if not, is easily passed by for Maianthemum or Pogonia."

In the "Grete Herbal" of Gerarde we read that "the leaves of Adder's Tongue stamped in a stone mortar, and boiled in oyle olive unto the consumption of the juice, and until the herbs be dried and parched and then strained, will yeelde most excellent greene oyle or rather a balsame for greene wounds comparable to oyle of St. John's-wort if it do not farre surpasse it."

It is said that "Adder's Spear Ointment," made from the fresh fronds of this plant is still used for wounds in English villages.

ADDER'S TONGUE]

The Adder's Tongue was believed formerly to have poisonous qualities, which not only injured the cattle that fed upon it, but destroyed the grass in which it grew.

9. RATTLESNAKE FERN. VIRGINIA GRAPE FERN

Botrychium Virginianum

Nova Scotia to Florida, in rich woods. One or two feet high, at times much smaller, when it becomes B. gracile.

Sterile portion.--Usually broader than long, spreading, with three main divisions which are cut into many smaller segments, thin, set close to the stem about half way up.

Fertile portion.--Long-stalked, more than once-pinnate.

On our rambles through the woods we are more likely to encounter the Rattlesnake Fern than any other member of the Botrychium group. It fruits in early summer, but the withered fertile portion may be found upon the plant much later in the year. Its frequent companions are the Spinulose Shield Fern, the Christmas Fern, the Silvery Spleenwort, and the Maidenhair.

10. TERNATE GRAPE FERN

Botrychium ternatum or dissectum

Nova Scotia to Florida, in moist meadows. A few inches to more than a foot high.

Sterile portion.--Broadly triangular, the three main divisions cut again into many segments, on a separate stalk from near the base of the plant, fleshy.

Fertile portion.--Erect, usually considerably taller than non-fruiting segment, more than once-pinnate.

Of late some doubt has existed as to whether B. ternatum has been actually found in this country, although the standard Floras give no evidence of this uncertainty. Dr. Underwood is convinced that the true B. ternatum is found only in Japan and China, and that our species is really B. dissectum, a species, not a variety. He says that this species is very common in the vicinity of New York City, and thence southward and westward; that it is also found in various parts of New England; that it reaches its fullest development in moist, shady woods; that in mossy meadows of New England and Central New York the plant assumes a more contracted habit. He believes its segments are more apt to be divided in shady situations than in open, sunny ground.

The Ternate Grape Fern fruits in the fall.

TERNATE GRAPE FERN]

11. LITTLE GRAPE FERN

Botrychium simplex

Canada to Maryland, in moist woods and in fields. Two to four inches high, rarely a little taller.

Sterile portion.--Somewhat oblong, more or less lobed, occasionally 3-7 divided, usually short-stalked from near the middle of the plant, thick and fleshy.