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THE GENUS OPHIOGLOSSUM FROM WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA

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Indian Fern J. 31: 17-24 (2014) : ISSN 0970-2741

THE GENUS OPHIOGLOSSUM FROM WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA

SACHIN PATIL1* AND MEENA DONGARE1
Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
*Email – sach2010d@yahoo.co.in

(Received August 11, 2013, Revised Accepted )

ABSTRACT

The present paper deals with study of the genus Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of
India. It reports eight species of Ophioglossum along with a key to the species of Ophioglossum
is also provided.

Key Words: Botrychium, Mankyua, Eusporangiate, AOO.

INTRODUCTION

The Order Ophioglossales is a natural group of premature vascular plants which reveal the
most simple and most intricately mixture of characters compared to bryophytes, progymnosperms,
gymnosperms and angiosperms (Goswami, 2007). It includes a single family Ophioglossaceae,
which is of eusporangiate ferns discovered by Bauhin (1620) and is a cosmopolitan in distribution.
The family consists of 3 genera viz. Botrychium Sw., Helminthostachys Kaulf., Ophioiglossum L.
(Clausen 1938) and the recently described genus Mankyua (Sun et al., 2001). The present work focus
on the genus Ophioglossum, was described by Bauhin (1620) and validated the generic status by
Linnaeus (1753) and included it in his 'Species Plantarum'. More than 45 species and a few varieties
the genus Ophioglossum are known so far worldwide (Pichi-Sermolli 1958, Yadav & Goswami,
2010). In India the genus is represented by 12 species (Goswami et al., 2008).
As far as South India concerned, the genus Ophioglossum has been reported 5 species by
Manickum and Irudayraj in 1992 from Southern Western Ghats, whereas 6 species were reported by
Bhuskute in 1999 from Maharashtra. For them, there is no authenticated studied was carried out on
the genus Ophioglossum. During the frequent survey of petridophytes the authors collected eight
species from Western Ghats (Fig. 1). A note on the genus Ophioglossum along with the modified key
(Panigrahi and Dixit, 1964) to the species is also given for easy identification.

TAXONOMIC TREATMENT

Key to the Genera of Ophioglossaceae

1a. Sterile lamina simple or ribbon-like ................................................................... Ophioglossum
1b. Sterile lamina branched Spike branched .................................................................................. 2
2a. Spike simple, sporangia dehiscing longitudinal slit ……..………. Helmmintostaches
2b. Spike branched, sporangia dehiscing transverse slit …………………….. Botrychium
18 Indian Fern Journal Volume XXXI (2014)

Key to species of Ophioglossum L.

1a. Plants up to 10 cm tall ............................................................................................................. 2
1b. Plants 10-30 cm tall …............................................................................................................. 5
2a. Sterile lamina linear, grass-like .................................................................... O. gramineum
2b. Sterile lamina ovate-elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate……...................................................... 3
3a. Rhizome subglobose, trophophyll ovate-elliptic ……………………………………. 4
3b. Rhizome tuberous, trophophylls elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute …...… O. lusitanicum
4a. Trophophills ovate or elliptic, apex obtuse, base cuneate ……..…… O. nudicaule
4b. Trophophills ovate, apex acute - apiculate, base cuneate ……...… O. parvifolium
5a. Rhizome globose or bulbose ............................................................................ 5
5b. Rhizome not globose ....................................................................................... 6
6a. Sterile trophophyll small, lanceolate, obtuse-ovate ………... O. costatum
6b. Sterile trophophyll large, elliptical-oblong, glabrous …… O. polyphyllum
7a. Lamina codrate ............................................................... O. reticulatum
7b. Lamina lanceolate ........................................................... O. petiolatum

Ophioglossum gramineum Willd. Nov. Act. Acad. Erfurt. 2: 18. t. f. 1 (1802); Beddome,
Handb. Suppl. Ferns Brit. India 108. 1892; Balakrishnan et al., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 2: 337
(1960); Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India 35: 250 (1969); Nayar and Kaur, Comp.
Beddome, Handb. 106 91974); Dixit, Cens. Indian Pterid. 23. 1984; Nair et al., J. Econ. Tax.
Bot. 12: 207 (1988); Manickam and Irudayaraj, Pterid. Fl. W. Ghats 48. t. 26 (1992.
Ophioglossum clietrichiae Prantl, Ber. Deut. Bot. Ges. 1: 352 (1883);
Ophioglossum dietrichiae Prantl, Ber. Deut. Bot. Ges. 1: 352 (1883).
Ophioglossum gregarium Christ, Nova Guinea Bot. 8: 164 (1909);
Ophioglossum inconspicuum (Rac.) v.A.v.R., Bull. Dep. Agr. Ind. Neerl. 21: 9 (1908);
Ophioglossum indicum Khandelwal in Fras.-Jenk., New Sp. Synd. Ind.Pterid. 185 (1997).
Ophioglossum vulgatum var. gramineum (Willd.) Hook. f., Fl. Nov. Zel., 2: 50. (1854).
Ophioglossum moluccanum Schlechtend. f. incospicum, Rac. Nat. Tijd. Ned. Ind., 59: 237, t. 2, f.
5 (1900)
Terrestrial herbs, 2 - 4 cm long; rhizome tuberous, 2 - 4 mm wide, with fleshy roots;
tropophylls 1 – 2 cm long, 0.5 – 3 mm dia., linear, grass-like, apex acuminate, margin entire,
soft, green; veins anastomosing; common stalk 1 – 1.5 cm long; fertile segment 1 – 2 .5 cm long,
0.5 - 2 mm wide; fertile segment arising from the base of the sterile blade; strobilli 0.7 – 1.5 cm
long, 0.3 – 0.7 mm diam., 5 – 8 pairs of sporangia, arranged in two alternate rows, globose;
spores 25 – 40 µ dia., trilete, exine reticulate.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, East Borneo, East Java, New Guinea, Vietnam, Africa and
Sri Lanka.
Sachin Patil & Meena Dongare : The Genus Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of India 19
20 Indian Fern Journal Volume XXXI (2014)

India – Western Himalaya, West Bengal, Rajastan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerela.
Western Ghats: Durgawadi, Bhimashankar, Mahabaleshwar, Patan, Sawantawadi, Amba,
Kolhapur, Panhala, Karad, Kas, Appachiwadi, Ajara, Amboli, Khanapur, Belgaum, Goa, Molem,
Castle Rock, Kasaragod, Thirunelveli.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum gramineum Willd. is collected from many

plateaus situated in Western Ghats of India. A population of about more than 2000 individuals
was found. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as least
concerned (LC) species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Collected from grassy plateaus associate with O. nudicaule, O. petiolatum and O.
costatum.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: MAHARASHTRA: Kolhapur Dt., Shivaji University, campus, alt.

700 m., Patil S. S. (SUK); KARNATAKA: Belgaum Dt., Adi, alt. 800 m., Mahamuni R. J.
(SUK); ANDHRA PRADESH: Karimnagar Dt., Aklaspur, Subbarao (MH20238); KERALA:
Kasaragod Dt., Kasaragod, Ansari (MH67990); Idukki Dt., Thekkady, Vivekananthan
(MH67990); TAMIL NADU: Tiruchirappally Dt., Nerthamalai, Ramamurthy (MH25941).
Thirunelveli Dt., Main falls, Corutallum, alt. 160 m., Subramanyan (MH3748).

Ophioglossum lusitanicum Linn. sp. Pl., 2: 1063, 1753; Clausen, Mem. Torry Bot. Club, 19 (2):
159, 1938; Mahable, Bull. Bot. Surv. India, 4: 71, 1962; Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci.
India 35: 251, 1969.
Plant terrestrial; rhizome subterranean, very short, erect, tuberous, bearing many long
fleshy roots; trophophyll 2 – 3 cm long, 0.5 – 0.7 cm broad, green, long, elliptic - lanceolate,
entire margin, blunt or acute apex, cuneate at base; venation reticulate; fertile segment 0.5 – 2 cm
long without strobilii, unbranched, green at younge, yellow brown at maturity; strobilli 0.5 – 1
cm long, 8 – 12 spornagia in two rows; sporangia dehiscing via median slits transverse to the
axis; spores 20 – 25 µm dia., trilete.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, Algeria, Morocco; Portugal (Azores); Spain (Canary Is.);
Tanzania, United Republic of; Tunisia; Uganda
India – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Jammu-Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
Western Ghats: Patan, Mahabaleshwar, Radhanagri, Trivandram.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum lusitanicum Linn. is collected from Patan,

Radhanagri, Mahabaleswar, Panchgani plateaus situated in Western Ghats of India. A population
of about 500 individuals was found. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is
assessed as critically endangered (CE) species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria
(IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Very rare species, collected from grassy plateaus, associated with O. nudicaule and
O. costatum.
 Sachin Patil & Meena Dongare : The Genus Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of India 21

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: INDIA – KERALA: Trivandram, forest between thura and

Bonasoore, alt., 525 m, J. Joseph (MH90512).

Ophioglossum nudicaule L. F. Suppl. Pl. Syst. 443 (1781); Beddome, Handb. Ferns Br. India,
464, t. 228 (1883); Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India 35. 252 (1969); Beddome
Handb. 106 (1974); R.D. Dixit, Cens. Ind. Pterid. 23 (1984); Manickam & Irudayaraj, Pterid. Fl.
West Ghats: 48-49. t. 27 (1992); Chandra, Ferns India 9 (2000); Pullaiah et al., Pterid. Andhra
Pradesh. 29 (2003). Type - South Africa: Cape of Good Hope.
Ophioglossum capense Sw., Schard. Journ. 1801(2): 308 (1803).
Ophioglossum capense Schlech. var. nudicaule (L.) Schlech., Fil. Prom. Bonae Sp.: 9 (1825).
Ophioglossum ellipticum Hook. & Grev.Icon. Filic. t. 40 A (1828).
Ophioglossum lineare Schlechter et Brause, Bot. Jerb., 49: 59, fig. 3F (1912).
Ophioglossum luersseni Prantl, Ber. deut. Bot. Ger. 1: 352 (1883).
Plant terrestrial, 4 – 8 cm height; rhizome subglobose, bearing many soft fibrous roots;
tropophylls 0.5 – 2 mm long, touft ovate or elliptic, apex obtuse, base cuneate; veins reticulate,
with free veinlets at margins; fertile segment 2 – 6 cm long, 0.1 – 0.4 mm broad, green at young,
yellow at maturity; strobilli 1 – 2 cm long, 10 – 20 sporangia; spore 30 – 40 µm dia., trilate, with
reticulate ornamentation.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, China, Indonesia; Malaysia; Thailand

India: Darjiling, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Jharkand, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim,
Tamil Nadu.
Western Ghats: Patan, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Karad, Sawantawadi, Apachiwadi,
Castle Rock, Khanapur, Tilari Nagar, Radhanagri.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum nudicaule L. is collected from platues situated in

Western Ghats of India. A population of about 500 individuals was found. The area of
occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as vulnerable (V) species following the
IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Very common species, grows in patches on fully exposed localities of open
grassland habitats in Western Ghats of India.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: INDIA – MADYA PRADESH, Hoshangabad Dist. Kesla, alt.

500m., 22/07/1961, J. Joseph (MH25305); TAMIL NADU, Rmnad Dist., Erani forest, alt.
100m., 19/08/1964, R. D. Dixit (MH39459); Tirunelvel Dist., way to falls, alt. 400m.,
25/07/1951, K. Subrahamanyaum (MH17579); Coimbatore Dist., Aliyar, submergible area, alt.
350m., 27/07/1962, K. M. Selastive (MH29569).

Ophioglossum parvifolium Grev. & Hook. Bot. Misc. 3: 218, 1833.

O. nudicaule var. macrorrhizum (Kunze) Clausen, mem. Torry Bot. Club, 19 (2): 150, 1938;
Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India 35: 260 – 262, 1969; Bhuskute, Ind. Fern Jour., 16:
51 – 54, 1999.
22 Indian Fern Journal Volume XXXI (2014)

Terrestrial herbs, 4 – 5 cm height; rhizome 3-4 mm dia., erect, soft, tuberous, branched,
bearing few fertile and sterile leaves at the apex; trophophyll 0.4 – 1 cm long, 0.4 – 0.6 mm
broad, ovate - lanceolate, apex acute to apiculate, margin entire, base cordate; veins obscure, four
or five veins passing up through the stalk of the blade; fertile segment 2 - 4 cm long, linear
oblong; strobilli 0.5 – 1 cm long, 0.3 mm broad, 3 – 6 sporangia, alternate on either side; spores
25 – 45 µm dia., trilete, exine reticulate.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, China, South America, Sumatra, Malaysia, Thailand.

India: Madya Pradesh, Gujrat, Maharashtra.
Western Ghats: Panchgani, Kas, Pahhala, Kolhapur, Gadhinglaj, Apachiwadi, Ajara, Amboli,
Sawantawadi, Tilari Nagar, Castle Rock.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum parvifolium Grev. & Hook. is collected from

platues situated in Western Ghats of India. A population of about 2000 individuals was found.
The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as least concerned (LC)
species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Very common species, grows in patches on fully exposed in Western Ghats of
India.

Ophioglossum costatum R. Br. Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 163 (1810). Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat.
Inst. Sci. India 35: 249 (1969); Frazer Jenkins Taxo. Rev. Three Hund. Ind. Pterido. 19 (2007).
Type - Australia:Queensland, Arnhem North Bay.
Ophioglossum brevipe Bedd., Ferns. Southern India 23. t. 72 (1863).
Ophioglossum bulbosum Bedd. Ferns. Brit. India Supl. t. 28, (1876).
Ophoglossum fibrosum Schum., Bedd., Handb. 465. t. 289 (1883); and Suppl. 109 (1892).
Ophioglossum pedunculosum Desv., Mag. Nat. Fr. Berlin 5: 306 (1811).
Rhizome 1 – 2 cm dia., tuberous, unbranched, bearing numerous long unbranched,
slender, fleshy roots; tropophylls 1.5 – 2.5 cm long, 1.5 – 2 cm broad, lanceolate, ovate with
obtuse apex - mucronate, base cuneate, margin entire, thick fleshy, green when fresh, glabrous
on both sides, coriaceous, midrib prominent, simple, tufted, all bearing fertile segment; fertile
segment 6 – 10 cm long, 1 – 3 mm thick; strobilli 3 – 5 cm long, 2.5 – 4 mm broad, 20-35
sporangia in two alternate rows; spores 25 – 30 µm dia, trilete, amb circular, exine feveolate.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Philippines, Thailand, South Africa,
Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Australia, Peninsular Malaysia,
Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Guinea, Angola, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Brazil.
India – Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, S – India, to, NE-India.
Western Ghats: Idukki, Kas, Pahhala, Kolhapur, Amba, Vaibhavwadi, Goa, Molem,
Gadhinglaj, Apachiwadi, Ajara, Amboli, Sawantawadi, Tilari Nagar, Castle Rock.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum costatum R. Br. is collected from platues situated

in Western Ghats of India. A population of about 500 individuals was found. The area of
occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as vulnerable (V) species following the
IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
 Sachin Patil & Meena Dongare : The Genus Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of India 23

ECOLOGY: Rare fern, collected from grassy plateau of Western Ghats of India. The population
is varies according to the water content of the soils.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: SPECIMEN STUDIED: INDIA – TAMIL NADU: Tounelveli

Dt., way to Thulukkamparair, alt. 300m., 06/09/1969, B. V. Shetty (MH62410); Tirichinappalhi
Dt, Narthamalai, alt. 333 m., 12/09/1958, K. Sulenamanyaml (MH17577); KERALA: Idukki Dt.,
Pindimedu Pooyamkutty, Bhargavan (MH87404).

Ophioglossum petiolatum Hook., Exot. Fl. 1: t. 56 (1823); Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Natl.
Inst.Sci. 35. 260-61 (1969); Beddome Handb. 106 (1974); R.D. Dixit, Cens. Ind Pterid. 24
(1984); Manickam, Fern Fl. Palani Hills 14. 1986; Manickam & Irudayaraj Pterid. Fl. W. G. 52.
t. 30 (1992);
Ophioglossum cordifolium Roxb. Hort. Bengal. 75 (1814).
Ophioglossum pedunculosum sensu Hotft; Rev. Fl. Malaya 2: 39 (1954).
Ophioglossum pedunculatum Nakai Bot. Mag. Tokyo. 39: 193 (1925).
Ophiglossum reticulatum (non Linn.) sensu Hosokawa. J. Jap. Bot. 18: 200 (1942).
Ophioglossum vulgatum (non Linn.) sensu Hosokawa, occasional paper
Bishop Museum 13: 608. 1937
Rhizome 0.5 – 1.3 mm diam., short erect, dark brown, cylindrical bearing one or more
tropophylls; tropophylls 2 – 4 cm long, 1 – 2 cm broad, erect to spreading, gray-green, dull,
shortly stalked, lanceolate, apex acute, margin slightly thickened, base cuneate or subcordate;
veins anastomosing, 6-10; fertile segment 3 – 12 cm long, 1 – 2.5 mm thick; strobilli 3 – 4 cm,
1.5 – 3 mm, simple linear, lanceolate, up to 30 pairs of sporangia; spores 35 – 45 µ dia., finely
reticulate.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, Nepal, Japan, Bhutan, Borneo, China, Philippines, Sumatra,
Sri Lanka, England, Fiji, Japonica, Java, Madagascar, Florida, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand,
Africa.
India – Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Kumaon, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra.
Western Ghats: Kas, Dajipur, Amboli.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum petiolatum Hook.. is collected from platues viz.

Kas, Dajipur and Amboli situated in Western Ghats of India. A population of about 100
individuals was found. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as
critically endangered (CE) species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Grows in moist exposed grassy areas.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: TAMIL NADU: Nilgiris Dt., Kundha, Deb 31732 (MH); Nilgiris
Dt., Kundha, Deb (MH31732); MADHYA PRADESH, Kerkal, alt. 567m., 17/11/1958, K.
Subramaniayam (MH17583).

Ophioglossum reticulatum L. Sp. Pl. 2: 1063 (1753); Beddome, Ferns. Southern India 23. t. 70.
1863; Beddome, Handb. Ferns. Bri. India, 465. t. 290 (1883); Panigrahi & Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst.
24 Indian Fern Journal Volume XXXI (2014)

Sci. India 35. 257 (1969); Bedd., Handb. 107. 1974; R.D. Dixit, Cens. Ind. Pterid. 24 (1984);
Manickam & Irudayaraj, Pterid. Fl. West Ghats: 51. t. 29 (1992). Type – Mauritius.
Ophioglossum peruvianum Presl, Suppl. Tent. Pterid 52. 1845.
Ophioglossum petiolatum sensu Wieffering, Blumea, 12: 327. 1964.
Ophiglossum cordifolium Roxb., Hort. Bengal, 75. 1814;
Ophioglossum vulgatum L. var. reticulatum (L.) D. C. Eaton., Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 218
(1861).
Rhizome 1 – 6 mm long, cylindrical, tuberous, bearing few long, thick fleshy unbranched
roots, with 1–2 tropophylls; tropophylls 7 – 12 cm long, subterranean, cordate, broadly ovate,
rarely broadly elliptic-oblong or broadly ovate, apex rounded, base cordate to broadly cuneate;
veins reticulate, several lateral veins passing to the base of the blade, the ultimate areoles with or
without included free veinlets; fertile segment 12 - 17 cm. long, linear, lanceolate; strobilli 20 -
25 pairs, 0.5 – 1.5 mm thick, globose sunken arranged in two alternate compact rows; spores 30
– 45 µ dia., spherical, trilete, exine hemispherical.

DISTRIBUTION: World – India, Malay Peninsula, Tropical America, Africa, Philippines and
Sri Lanka.
India – Andra Pradesh, Madya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.
Western Ghats: Tirunelveli, Idukki, Nilagiri, Kas, Pahhala, Kolhapur, Gadhinglaj, Apachiwadi,
Ajara, Amboli, Sawantawadi, Tilari Nagar, Castle Rock.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum reticulatum L., is collected from platues viz., Kas,
Dajipur and Amboli situated in Western Ghats of India. A population of about 1000 individuals
was found. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as least
concerned (LC) species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: Very common, found in under beneath of tree in the forest or grassy plateaus.

SPECIMEN STUDIED: INDIA – TAMIL NADU: Tirunelveli Dt., near Kanni forest rest
house, alt. 800m., 28/08/1963, A. N. Henry (MH39280); Salem Dt.,Craigmoor swamps, yercund,
06/06/1953, E. Vairaveha (MH140424); Kondaiampatti, alt. 270 m., Subramanyan (MH7780);
Nilagiri Dt., Birola, way to Jhorapalli, alt. 850, 26/10/1972, K. Uivekanathan (MH83036);
Coimbatore Dt., Akkamalai, R.F., Joseph 15549 (MH); KARNATAKA: Chamarajanagar Dt.,
Way to Bandipur, Naithani, (MH21230). ANDHRA PRADESH: Kurnool Dt., alt. 270 m.,
Gundlabrahmeswaram (MH16950);

Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun ex Seubert., Fl. Azor. 17 (1844); Pichi Sermolli, Webbia
9: 632 (1954); Panigrahi and Dixit, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India 35 B(3): 255 (1969); Dixit, Indian
Fern J. 6: 146 (1989).
Ophioglossum cuspidatum Milde, Bot. Zeit. 22: 107 (1864);
Ophioglossum aitchisonii (Clarke) d’ Almeida, J. Indian Bot.Soc. 3: 63 f. 12-13 (1922);
Mahabale, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 4: 71 (1962).
Plant up to 15 cm long, terrestrial or semiaquitic; rhizome bulbous or tufted, unbranched,
rhizoids numerous, bearing three – four trophophylls; trophophyll 4 – 12 cm long, 1 – 2 cm
 Sachin Patil & Meena Dongare : The Genus Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of India 25

broad, touft, elliptical – oblong, glabrous, narrowed at base and apex, wider medially, apex acute
– mucronate, margin entire; texture thin but firm; veins without free endings, anastomosing with
simple included veinlets; fertile segments 4 – 6 cm long without strobilii, arise from the base of
each sterile leaves under the soil; strobilli 1 – 2.5 cm long, green at young, yellow at maturity;
spore trilate with circular amb. ca. 30 – 40 µm dia. with fine reticulated exine.

DISTRIBUTION: World: India, Ethopia, Kenya, South-West Africa, North America.

India: Utter Pradesh, North-East Himalaya, Maharashtra.
Western Ghats: Appachiwadi.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun ex Seubert., is collected

from single locality situated in Western Ghats of India. A population of about 100 individuals
was found. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 1-2 km2/per locality. It is assessed as critically
endangered (CE) species following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).

ECOLOGY: it grows in moist soil in grassland habitat of Sindudurg associated with O.

graminium, O. nudicaule, O. costatum and other Gramminae members of angiosperm.

DISCUSSION
The consistency and additional records of pteridophytes, keeps the update of ferns and
ferns-allies wealth of India. In India, like the Eastern Himalayas, the Western Ghats and the
Eastern Ghats having more diversity of pteridophytes. The Western Ghats is one of the hottest
hotspot of biodiversity. The floristic studies on pteridophytes have been carried out time to time
by workers viz. Beddome (1884), Blatter and d’Almedia (1922), Naiknaware (1994), Manickum
and Irudayaraj (1992), however, in connection to the generic level studied was not yet been
carried out from Western Ghats of India. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to
study the genus Ophiglossum from Western Ghats of India. It reports eight species of
Ophioglossum from Western Ghats of India. Amongst these three species are least concerned
viz. Ophioglossum gramineum, O. parvifolium and O. reticulatum, three species are critically
endangered (CE) viz. Ophioglossum lusitanicum, O. petiolatum and O. polyphyllum, and two
species are vulnerable (V) viz. Ophioglossum costatum and O. nudicaule.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to The Head, Department of Botany, Shivaji University Kolhapur for
providing the laboratory facilities.

LITERATURE CITED
Bauhin, C. (1620). Ophioglossum and Lunaria. In: Prodromus Theatri Botanici, Frankfurt,
Germany. pp. 354-355.
Bhuskute, S. M. (1999). Ophioglossums of Bhandara district, Maharashtra state, India. Indian
Fern Journal 16, 51-4.
 26 Indian Fern Journal Volume XXXI (2014)

Clausen, R.T. (1938). A monograph of the Ophioglossaceae. Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical
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