| Ophioglossaceae is a family of the [[order]] [[Ophioglossales]] of the sub-class [[Eusporangiatae]] of the [[class]] [[Filicinae]] of the [[Pteridophyta]] [[Division]] (phyllum) of the [[plant]] kingdom.{{SCH}} | | Ophioglossaceae is a family of the [[order]] [[Ophioglossales]] of the sub-class [[Eusporangiatae]] of the [[class]] [[Filicinae]] of the [[Pteridophyta]] [[Division]] (phyllum) of the [[plant]] kingdom.{{SCH}} |
− | Ophioglossaceae (from the genus Ophioglossum, adder's tongue, in reference to the fruiting spike). Adder's-tongue Family. Plants small or of medium size, often somewhat fleshy: leaves various, entire or often much divided, not circinate in vernation; veins forking or netted; base of leaf cap-like, enclosing the succeeding leaf: sporangia scattered, borne on the margin of the much modified fertile portion of the leaf, which is usually separated from the sterile by a stalk, globular in form; the walls several cells in thickness; annulus wanting; dehiscence by a straight horizontal or vertical fissure: prothallium subterranean, tuber-like, chlorophylless, containing mycorrhizal fungi, saprophytic. | + | Ophioglossaceae (from the genus Ophioglossum, adder's tongue, in reference to the fruiting spike). Adder's-tongue Family. Plants small or of medium size, often somewhat fleshy: leaves various, entire or often much divided, not circinate in vernation; veins forking or netted; base of leaf cap-like, enclosing the succeeding leaf: sporangia scattered, borne on the margin of the much modified fertile portion of the leaf, which is usually separated from the sterile by a stalk, globular in form; the walls several cells in thickness; annulus wanting; dehiscence by a straight horizontal or vertical fissure: prothallium subterranean, tuber-like, chlorophylless, containing mycorrhizal fungi, saprophytic.{{SCH}} |
− | Three genera and about 50 species occur, of general distribution. Several species of [[Botrychium]] and one of [[Ophioglossum]] are found in the eastern [[United States]]. The sheathing base of the leaf, the solitary, thick-walled sporangia without an annulus, and the subterranean saprophytic prothallia are important characteristics. | + | Three genera and about 50 species occur, of general distribution. Several species of [[Botrychium]] and one of [[Ophioglossum]] are found in the eastern [[United States]]. The sheathing base of the leaf, the solitary, thick-walled sporangia without an annulus, and the subterranean saprophytic prothallia are important characteristics.{{SCH}} |
− | Two genera are sometimes grown in North America: Botrychium (Moonwort Ferns, Grape Ferns) and Ophioglossum (Adder's Tongue). | + | Two genera are sometimes grown in North America: Botrychium (Moonwort Ferns, Grape Ferns) and Ophioglossum (Adder's Tongue).{{SCH}} |