Ophioglossum costatum

Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum costatum R.Br.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/115299

Rhizome erect, globose, bearing numerous, fibrous roots. Fronds erect, 4–25 cm tall; leaf bases not persistent. Common stipe 7–50 mm long. Sterile lamina sessile, ovate, 2.5–9 cm long, 7–25 mm wide, pale green, with a paler median band; base cuneate to truncate; apex acute or obtuse; venation double, except for elongated areoles in median zone; primary areoles with a finer network of secondary ones. Sporophore 1–6 cm long, on a 5–25 cm long stipe. 

Scattered across tropical WA, NT and QLD. Also widespread across Palaeotropics.

Terrestrial, usually in shallow soil pockets over rock growing exposed in full sun.

This species dies back to an underground tuber each year.

Best grown in a small container of free draining material. Plants seem to benefit from being allowed to dry out in cool weather.

Ophioglossum costatum can be identified by the presence of a mid-rib like pale band in the middle of the lamina and by the rounded underground tuber with roots emerging from the top surface.