Ophioglossum reticulatum

Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum reticulatum L.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/120306

Rhizome erect, ovoid; roots few, spreading, sometimes producing vegetative buds. Fronds 1 or 2, 4–30 cm tall. Common stipe 2–16 cm long. Sterile lamina variable, 8–105 mm long, 5–50 mm wide, membranous, ovate to round or obovate, obtuse or acute; base broadly acute, truncate to cordate; venation single order of areoles or double (primary areoles with a finer series of secondary areoles within them), without a distinct midrib; areoles variable in shape, as long as wide or distinctly elongate, with few to many free included veinlets. Sporophore 5–60 mm long, on a stipe 3–17 cm long, arising from the lamina base; sterile tips 0.5–1.5 mm long. 

Scattered across tropical and subtropical Australia. Also widespread in tropical and subtropical areas of the Neotropics and Palaeotropics.

Terrestrial, usually in shallow soil on rock shelfs exposed to full sun but also in a vareity of forested and open woodland habitats.

The variation present in this widespread and polymorphic species requires further investigation.

As for O. lusitanicum.

Ophioglossum reticulatum is similar to Ophioglossum lusitanicum but usually has a thinner lamina with more obvious venation.