Ophioglossum

Kessler, Michael & Smith, Alan R., 2017, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. V. Ophioglossaceae, Phytotaxa 327 (1), pp. 90-94 : 92

Ophioglossum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1062. 1753.

Ophioglossum is a distinctive genus of mostly small, terrestrial ferns with fleshy, usually undivided blades, anastomosing veins, and the sporangia joined to form a synangial spike. The species often reproduce by proliferous stolons and can form extensive colonies in grassy or marshy habitats. They are frequently overlooked because the plants are small, superficially resemble small simple-bladed angiosperms, often grow in disturbed vegetation, and are commonly concealed by other vegetation. Many species are variable and have disjunct distribution ranges. Correspondingly, the species limits are not well understood. A genus of worldwide distribution with about 30 species.