plant · GBIF taxon 5274951
Common Polypody
Polypodium vulgareAlso known as Adder's Fern, Wood Licorice, Golden Maidenhair, Wall Fern
Common polypody is a resilient evergreen fern that anchors itself to mossy rocks, tree trunks, and stone walls via creeping, scale-covered rhizomes. Its deeply divided, leathery fronds remain vibrant throughout the winter, providing vital green cover in temperate woodlands. During late summer and autumn, bright yellow-orange circular spore cases called sori develop in neat rows on the undersides of the leaves.
EvergreenEpiphyticShade-Loving
- diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
- family
- Polypodiaceae
- threats
- Habitat destruction, over-harvesting for horticulture, extreme droughts
- life Span
- Perennial (Rhizomes can live for decades)
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Check the undersides: Look beneath the fronds in late summer to see the bright orange, circular spore cases arranged in neat rows.
- Examine the rhizome: Notice the creeping, scale-covered rhizomes that allow this fern to scale vertical rock faces and tree trunks.
- Observe winter resilience: Look for this plant during winter hikes, as its evergreen fronds stand out when other vegetation has died back.