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Common polypody

Common polypody

Polypodium vulgare

Identify the Common polypody from a photo and log your finds with Florapass.

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How common: Very common

Common polypody is an evergreen fern known for its leathery, shiny green leaves. It grows on rocks, boulders and in rock crevices, often in shaded woods. It is native across much of Europe and also found in parts of Asia and North America.

Did you know?

  • Its underground stem has a mild liquorice-like taste, which inspired folk names meaning “sweet root”.
  • In frost the leaves shrivel as they lose water, then plump up again when temperatures rise.

About the species

Identification

A low to mid-sized fern with single leaves 12–35 cm tall, rising alone or in small tufts from a creeping underground stem. Leaves are narrow, tough and slightly shiny on top, divided once into many evenly narrow side pieces. The side pieces are blunt-tipped with smooth edges. The underside often shows neat round orange‑brown spore dots. Unlike many ferns with finely feathered leaves, this one is only once divided and the segments are smooth, not toothed.

Plant group

Ferns, horsetails and clubmosses

Habitat

rock

About the habitat

Prefers shady places on stones, cliff faces and rock crevices; also on mossy boulders and the bases of trees. Well adapted to dry spells and can grow where little soil collects on rock. Occurs throughout Finland; locally scarce in Lapland.

Sources

Photo: Androschko, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tüpfelfarn mit überjährigen Sori.jpg

Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Metsät: kalliometsät, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Pinkka: Kasvien talvi - Koululaisille: talvivihreät kasvit, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Pinkka: Metsälajintuntemus - Sanikkaiset, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Pinkka: A Pohjolan kasveja - Saniaiset ja liekokasvit, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Pinkka: BIO-515 Etelä-Suomen putkilokasvit - Saniaiset ja liekokasvit, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Pinkka: Kasvien talvi - Talvivihreät luonnonkasvit, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.37796

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallioimarre

See also