Ophioglossum lusitanicum

Adder's Tongue at Canberra Central, ACT

Ophioglossum lusitanicum at Canberra Central, ACT - 15 Aug 2016
Ophioglossum lusitanicum at Canberra Central, ACT - 15 Aug 2016
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Identification history

Ophioglossum lusitanicum 9 Sep 2016 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 15 Aug 2016 petersan

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8 comments

TonyWood wrote:
   16 Aug 2016
Not sure, the leaves look a bit like Eriochilus. In the second photo the leaves look more like Caladenia (Arachnorchis), but a bit too wide, and some of the other leaves also look orhidaceous. I think its worth keeping an eye on these sightings to see how they develop.
CathB wrote:
   16 Aug 2016
I wonder if it might be the fern Ophioglossum rather than an orchid.
dcnicholls wrote:
   24 Aug 2016
I think we need to wait until it does something. Could well be an Ophioglossum.
   24 Aug 2016
Peter can you please go back to this site in about two -three weeks and see whether it has put up a spike such as in sighting http://canberranaturemap.org/Community/Sightings/Details/26675 - we don't have many records of Adders Tongue so would appreciate the effort.
   9 Sep 2016
Peter given that the plant appears to have been eaten and that an adders tongue was recorded nearby two weeks after this photo was taken. I will confirm it as Adders Tongue as it seems the most likely. Thanks for your efforts and posting.
petersan wrote:
   9 Sep 2016
I was back there yesterday and although the original plants had gone, I located and photographed other examples nearby. I hope they survive as I will keep an eye on them. Interestingly in this area I previously photographed a number of Caledenia but yesterday could find only two - seem there is high attrition rate
waltraud wrote:
   9 Sep 2016
Unfortunately both, fern and Caladenia are heavily grazed; Mt Majura would look different if rabbits, hares and roos were managed to the point were natural regeneration could happen...
dcnicholls wrote:
   9 Sep 2016
This provides prima facie evidence of the damage being done by uncontrolled feral pests and roos. It could be the basis for a strong case for the government to act. One of the major benefits of CNM.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • Less than 10cm Plant height

Species information

  • Ophioglossum lusitanicum Scientific name
  • Adder's Tongue Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-invasive or negligible
  • Up to 4050.8m Recorded at altitude
  • 44 images trained Machine learning
  • In flower
  • Synonyms

    Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. coriaceum

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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