Species: Ophioglossum vulgatum
English name: Adder’s Tongue
Chinese name: 箭蕨、瓶爾小草、一枝箭
Family: Ophioglossaceae.
Description:
Grows from a rhizome to 10-20cm tall. It consists of a two-part frond, separated into a rounded diamond shaped sheath and narrow spore-bearing spike.
Traditional European folk used leaves and rhizomes as a poultice for wounds – “The Green Oil of Chanty”. It is also used as tea for controlling internal bleeding and vomiting. Roots and leaves are antiseptic, detergent, emetic and styptic.
Photos used under a Creative Commons license
References:
– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author