Adder's Tongue Fern

Plants with very different fertile and sterile leaves (or at least, seeming so, and the the peculiar fertile leaf is in any case sometimes accompanied by one or two sterile blades), or with no clear distinction into fertile and sterile leaves (i.e., if the solitary fertile leaf is “correctly” interpreted). The fertile leaves having the appearance of a stem with a terminal fertile portion and a single lateral leaf, but actually comprising two pinnae, the upper fertile, stalked and not green, the lower sterile, sessile, green and laminate (the sterile blade ovate to ovate-lanceolate or oblong). The sterile green blade with free vein endings within the network. The lower, sterile part of the fertile leaf simple and entire, and the upper, fertile part unbranched. Leaves 3–10 cm long (in “O. azoricum”), or (4–)8–20(–45) cm long; dying in the autumn; not circinnate. The petioles vascularised via a single strand (this representing a single leaf trace arising from the lower angle of the leaf gap). Leaves supposedly compound (when fertile, see above, though the green blade is simple), or simple and compound (when sterile leaves occur). The venation of the lamina reticulate.

Common Name:	Adder's Tongue Fern
Botanical Name:	Ophioglossum vulgatum
Other Names:	English Adder's Tongue
Habitat:	England and other temperate zones
Medicinal Uses:	Emetic which can be used to induce vomiting. Use as a skin emolient to reduce ulcers and tumors. Valuable in treating Tuberculosis and Scurvy. Prevents hiccups and dropsy. An astringent to prevent bleeding
Preparation and Dosage:	As an emetic; 1tsp of juice taken orally. Ulcers and Tumors; crush leaves and apply directly to area. Tuberculosis and Scurvy; steep 5 leaves in hot water until taste is tolerable and drink daily. Hiccups and Dropsy: drink 1c of tea as made above. Astringent: dry and powder bulb and apply directly to area.
Parts Used:	The underground bulb, and the leaves
Location:	England and temperate zones
Classification:	Flowering Plant
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs Joseph Kadans, N.D., Ph.D.© 1970 Parker Publishing Company Inc. pp.21-22 The Ferns (Filicopsida) of the British Isles L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz