Small Adder's-tongue
Ophioglossum azoricum
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophioglossum_azoricum
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Polypodiopsida
Order
Ophioglossales
Family
Ophioglossaceae
Genus
Ophioglossum
Small Adder's-tongue belongs to the family Ophioglossaceae, order Ophioglossales, within the Polypodiopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Small Adder's-tongue faces severe threats from habitat destruction and degradation across its extremely limited range in the Azores. Its specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes, invasive species, and human activities that alter the delicate ecosystem conditions it depends upon.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Endemic to the Azores archipelago, this species occurs in humid grasslands, pastures, and grassy areas with specific soil moisture conditions. It typically grows in semi-natural grassland habitats and disturbed areas with appropriate microclimate conditions at various elevations across the islands.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Small Adder's-tongue faces severe threats from habitat destruction and degradation across its extremely limited range in the Azores. Its specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes, invasive species, and human activities that alter the delicate ecosystem conditions it depends upon.
Agricultural expansion and land use changes
Habitat destruction and fragmentation
Invasive plant species competition
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Trampling and disturbance from human activities
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Small Adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum azoricum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/small-adders-tongue