In the Netherlands Ophioglossum vulgatum occurs in a wide variety of habitats, like dune slacks, wetlands, unfertilized grassy pastures and pits. Records from woodlands were scarce. After the reclamation of the IJsselmeer polders thousands of acres have been planted with trees; in these woodlands Ophioglossum has been recorded at 11 localities, mostly growing under a canopy of Ash, on calcareous soils consisting of fine sand, boulder clay or clay.