Scolopendrium (skolopendrium)

[NL. = Gr. σκολο (Smith, 1791), ped: see scolopendra. ] A genus of asplenioid ferns, closely allied to the genus Asplenium, from which it differs in having the sori linear, and confluent in pairs, opening toward each other. The fronds are usually large, and coriaceous or subcoriaceous in texture. The genus, which is widely distributed, contains 7 or 8 species. S. vulgare, the only species found in North America, is also found in England, Gothland to Spain, Madeira, the Azores, Caucasus, Persia, Japan, and Mexico. It has entire or undulate fronds that are oblong-lanceolate from an auricled heart-shaped base. They are 6 to 18 inches long and from 1 to 2 inches wide. The plant is commonly called hart's - tongue, but has also such provincial names as adder's - tongue, buttonhole, fox tongue, lamb's- tongue, snake- leaves, etc. See finger-fern. scolopendroid (skol-o-pen'droid), a. [