Ophioglossum pusillum
Northern adder's-tongue
(c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Ophioglossum pusillum (Northern adder's-tongue) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by high elevation mountain habitat.
Northern adder's-tongue is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) native perennial found in eastern Klamath Ranges (Siskiyou County), northern Coast Ranges (Lake and Mendocino counties), and northern Sierra Nevada (El Dorado County) in marsh edges, low pastures, and grassy roadside ditches at elevations of 1,100 to 2,000 meters. This distinctive fern-like plant has a small pale green leaf blade with a single fertile sporophore emerging from a diminutive caudex less than 10 millimeters wide. Growing with a compact form, it produces a unique reproductive structure featuring 10 to 30 pairs of sporangia arranged in rows along its fertile stalk. Its leaf blade appears flat and pale green, with the fertile portion extending 1.3 to 3 times the length of the sterile section. The plant's most remarkable feature is its unusual chromosome count, with approximately 960 chromosomes in its genetic makeup.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by high elevation mountain habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marsh edges, low pastures, grassy roadside ditches, vernal pool margins
Elevation: 1100-2000 m
Outside California: to Alaska, northeastern and north-central North America
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Botrypus: Ophioglossum has a simple, undivided oval blade; Botrypus has finely divided, lacy leaves.; vs Sceptridium: Ophioglossum's leaf is completely simple and tongue-shaped, not divided like Sceptridium's compound blade.; vs Botrychium: Check for a simple, entire leaf blade - Botrychium always has divided, compound leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ophioglossum pusillum native to California?
Yes. Ophioglossum pusillum is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Ophioglossum pusillum belong to?
Ophioglossum pusillum is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Ophioglossum.
Is Ophioglossum pusillum rare or endangered?
Ophioglossum pusillum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Ophioglossum pusillum grow in?
Ophioglossum pusillum grows in Marsh edges, low pastures, grassy roadside ditches, vernal pool margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.