hart's-tongue

or harts-tongue

[ hahrts-tuhng ]

noun

1. a fern, Phyllitis scolopendrium, having long, leathery, wavy-edged leaves.

hart's-tongue

noun

1. an evergreen Eurasian fern, Asplenium scolopendrium, with narrow undivided fronds bearing rows of sori: family Polypodiaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of hart's-tongue¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, hart's-tongue is from Middle English hertis tonge. See hart, 's ¹, tongue