Species · GBIF taxon 5274962
California Polypody
Polypodium californicumAlso known as California Licorice Fern
California polypody carpets shady canyon walls, mossy boulders, and tree trunks across western North America. These resilient ferns are summer-deciduous, curling up and appearing dead during the dry season only to unfurl into vibrant green fronds with the first winter rains. Creeping, licorice-scented rhizomes anchor them securely to steep banks and damp rock faces.
Summer-DeciduousEpiphyticShade-Loving
1 / 7- diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- family
- Polypodiaceae
- threats
- Habitat loss, climate change, and invasive weeds
- life Span
- Perennial (Rhizomes can live for decades)
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Look for spores: Examine the undersides of the fronds in winter to see the bright yellow-to-orange circular spore cases.
- Observe seasonal changes: Watch how the fronds curl up and dry out in summer, only to unfurl beautifully after the first winter rains.