Grape fern

Family Ophioglossaceae. Within the family are the most ancient and primitive modern ferns, predominantly terrestrial herbs with short non-scaly rhizomes, distinct in appearance, internal structure, and biological characteristics.

Leaves solitary or few, slightly fleshy, not spirally twisted when young, entire or dissected, developing slowly, often taking up to three or more years. Fertile leaves usually consist of a sterile leaf-like segment and a fertile part shaped like a narrow spike or panicle. The sterile leaf segment ranges from lobed or nearly entire to thrice pinnately divided; the fertile segment is paniculate-branched. Sporangia are not embedded in the tissue of the panicle axes and are arranged in two rows. In nutrition they are mycorrhizally associated with soil fungi. In the territory of the former USSR — 8 species. Species are very variable; hybridization between different species is possible.

All species are difficult to grow in cultivation. The plants are capricious and require constant care. When planting, it is recommended to disturb the root system as little as possible and to avoid unnecessary transplanting. A well-drained loam is best suited for cultivation. Water stagnation causes root rot; prolonged drying leads to plant death. Grape ferns prefer bright partial shade. Spore propagation in cultivation is difficult; vegetative propagation is poor.