''Polypodium'' is a genus of

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...

s in the family

Polypodiaceae Polypodiaceae is a family of ferns. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), the family includes around 65 genera and an estimated 1,650 species and is placed in the order Polypodiales, suborder Polypodiineae. A broader ...

, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the

Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who collaborate to establish a consensus on the classification of pteridophytes (lycophytes and ferns) that reflects knowledge about plant relation ...

classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest species diversity in the

tropic The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

s. The name is derived from

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic peri ...

''poly'' (πολύ) "many" + ''podion'' (πόδιον) "little foot", on account of the foot-like appearance of the

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

and its branches. They are commonly called polypodies or rockcap ferns, but for many species unique vernacular names exist. They are terrestrial or

epiphytic An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

ferns, with a creeping, densely hairy or scaly

bearing fronds at intervals along its length. The species differ in size and general appearance and in the character of the fronds, which are evergreen, persisting for 1–2 years, pinnate or pinnatifid (rarely simple entire), and from 10–80 cm or more long. The sori or groups of spore-cases (

sporangia A sporangium (; from Late Latin, ) is an enclosure in which spores are formed. It can be composed of a single cell or can be multicellular. Virtually all plants, fungi, and many other lineages form sporangia at some point in their life cy ...

) are borne on the back of the frond; they are globose and naked, not covered with a membrane (indusium). Polypodies have some use in

herbalism Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern reme ...

, but are today most important in

horticulture Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

where several species, hybrids, and their

cultivar A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture, ...

s like ''Polypodium'' 'Green Wave' are commonly used as

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that i ...

s for shady locations. ''Polypodium'' have a bitter-sweet taste and are among the rather few ferns that are used in

cooking Cooking, cookery, or culinary arts is the art, science and craft of using heat to Outline of food preparation, prepare food for consumption. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely, from grilling food over an open fire to using electric ...

; in this case as a spice e.g. for nougat.

Species

Several of the species form

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

s with other species in the genus; these may often be distinguished by being sterile, with very small "blind" sori. , ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' accepted the following species and hybrids: *''

Polypodium abitaguae ''Polypodium abitaguae'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed ha ...

'' Hook. *''

Polypodium aequale ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Maxon *''

Polypodium alavae ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' A.R.Sm. *''

Polypodium amorphum ''Polypodium amorphum'' is a species of fern with the common name irregular polypody, which grows near the northwest coast of North America. Description ''Polypodium amorphum'' grows from a creeping rhizome, usually creeping along rock crevices. ...

'' Suksd. *''

Polypodium appalachianum ''Polypodium appalachianum'' is a fern species native to eastern North America. Sometimes called the Appalachian polypody or Appalachian rockcap fern, it is very similar in appearance to ''Polypodium virginianum''. For years, ''P. virgini ...

'' Haufler & Windham *''

Polypodium arcanum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Maxon * ''Polypodium'' × ''aztecum'' Windham & Yatsk. *''

Polypodium californicum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Kaulf. *''

Polypodium calirhiza ''Polypodium calirhiza'' is a species of fern in the polypody family. Its common names include nested polypody and habit polypody. It is found in California and Oregon in the U.S., and several states of Mexico: Colima, Jalisco, Mexico State, Oax ...

'' S.A.Whitmore & A.R.Sm. *''

Polypodium cambricum ''Polypodium cambricum'', the southern polypody, limestone polypody, or Welsh polypody, is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae, native to southern and western Europe where it grows on shady rocks, near the coasts of the Mediterranean Ba ...

'' L. *'' Polypodium castaneum'' Maxon ex Tejero *''

Polypodium chionolepis ''Polypodium chionolepis'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. References

Polypodi ...

'' Sodiro *''

Polypodium chirripoense ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Lellinger *''

Polypodium christensenii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Maxon *''

Polypodium colpodes ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Kunze *''

Polypodium conterminans ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Liebm. *''

Polypodium diplotrichum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mickel & Beitel *''

Polypodium eatonii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Baker *''

Polypodium echinolepis ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Fée * ''Polypodium'' × ''encumeadense'' (Neuroth, Jäger & Bennert) F.J.Rumsey, Carine & Robba *''

Polypodium ensiforme ''Polypodium ensiforme'' is a species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which ...

'' Thunb. *''

Polypodium eperopeutes ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mickel & Beitel *''

Polypodium exsul ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mett. ex Kuhn *'' Polypodium fauriei'' Christ *''

Polypodium fissidens ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest ...

'' Maxon *''

Polypodium flagellare ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Christ * ''Polypodium'' × ''font-queri'' Rothm. *'' Polypodium fraternum'' Schltdl. & Cham. *''

Polypodium glycyrrhiza ''Polypodium glycyrrhiza'', commonly known as licorice fern, many-footed fern, and sweet root, is a summer deciduous fern native to western North America, where it is found in shaded, damp locations. Spores are located in rounded sori on the u ...

'' D.C.Eaton *''

Polypodium haitiense ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Urb. * ''Polypodium'' × ''hemipinnatum'' (Tejero, Mickel & A.R.Sm.) comb. ined. *''

Polypodium hesperium ''Polypodium hesperium'' is a species of fern known by the common name western polypody. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, and the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico, where it grows in rocky habitat types. ...

'' Maxon *''

Polypodium hispidulum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Bartlett * ''Polypodium'' × ''huancayanum'' G.Kunkel * ''Polypodium'' × ''incognitum'' Cusick *''

Polypodium interjectum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Shivas *''

Polypodium iranicum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mazooji *''

Polypodium kamelinii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Shmakov *''

Polypodium khasyanum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Hook. *'' Polypodium longipetiolatum'' Brade *''

Polypodium macaronesicum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Bobrov * ''Polypodium'' × ''mantoniae'' Rothm. *''

Polypodium martensii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mett. *''

Polypodium moricandii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mett. *''

Polypodium moritzianum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Link *'' Polypodium otites'' L. *''

Polypodium oxylepis ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' C.Chr. *''

Polypodium pellucidum ''Polypodium pellucidum'' (''ʻAe'') is a species of fern which grows on lava flows in Hawaii. Description It is one of the first plants to colonize a new lava flow and is often found growing in small cracks. Range It is found only in the Hawaii ...

'' Kaulf. *''

'' Kaulf. f. opacum (Hillebr.) D.D.Palmer *''

Polypodium pinnatissimum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' R.C.Moran *''

Polypodium plectolepidioides ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Rosenst. *''

Polypodium plesiosorum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Kunze *'' Polypodium pleurosorum'' Kunze ex Mett. *''

Polypodium praetermissum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Mickel & Tejero *''

Polypodium puberulum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Schltdl. & Cham. *'' Polypodium rhodopleuron'' Kunze *''

Polypodium riograndense ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Lindm. * ''Polypodium'' × ''rothmaleri'' Shivas *''

Polypodium ryanii ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Kaulf. *''

Polypodium saximontanum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest ...

'' Windham * ''Polypodium'' × ''schneideri'' G.Schneid. *''

Polypodium scouleri ''Polypodium scouleri'' is a species of fern known by the common names leathery polypody, Scouler's polypody, coast polypody and leather-leaf fern. It is native to coastal western North America from British Columbia to Guadalupe Island off Baja C ...

'' Hook. & Grev. *''

Polypodium sibiricum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Sipliv. *''

Polypodium subpetiolatum ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Hook. *''

Polypodium trinidadense ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest ...

'' Jenman *''

Polypodium ursipes ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest s ...

'' Moritz ex C.Chr. * ''Polypodium'' × ''vianei'' Shmakov *''

Polypodium virginianum ''Polypodium virginianum'', commonly known as rock polypody, rock cap fern, or common polypody, is a small evergreen species of fern native to the Eastern United States and Canada. It generally grows on rocks and occasionally on tree roots in nat ...

'' L. *'' Polypodium vulgare'' L. A number of species formerly included in the genus have recently been transferred to other genera, including '' Campyloneurum'', '' Cyathea'', '' Microgramma'', ''

Nephrolepis ''Nephrolepis'' is a genus of about 30 species of ferns. It is the only genus in the family Nephrolepidaceae, placed in the suborder Aspleniineae (eupolypods I) of the order Polypodiales in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 ...

'', '' Pecluma'', '' Phlebodium'', '' Pleopeltis'' and '' Serpocaulon''. Species placed elsewhere include: * ''Polypodium argyrolepis'' = ''

Serpocaulon lasiopus ''Serpocaulon lasiopus'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is widespread in South America. Under the synonym ''Polypodium argyrolepis'', it was regarded as endemic to Ecuador and threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruc ...

'' * ''Polypodium mindense'' = ''

Serpocaulon eleutherophlebium ''Serpocaulon eleutherophlebium'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Under the synonym ''Polypodium mindense'', it was regarded as endemic to Ecuador Ecu ...

'' * ''Polypodium mixtum'' = ''

Pleopeltis murora ''Pleopeltis murorum'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to parts of Central and Southern America (Costa Rica, Hispaniola, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador). Under the synonym ''Polypodium mixtum'', it was regarded as ...

'' * ''Polypodium piligerum'' = ''

Moranopteris achilleifolia ''Moranopteris achilleifolia'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to Brazil and Argentina. It is also placed in the genus ''Grammitis''. Under the synonym ''Polypodium piligerum'', in 2003, it was regarded as endemic ...

'' * ''Polypodium punctatum'' Thunb. ex Murray = ''

Hypolepis punctata ''Hypolepis punctata'', Synonym (taxonomy), synonym ''Polypodium punctatum'', is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to China and East Asia. References Arctos Database entries
Dennstaedtiaceae Plants described i ...

'' * ''Polypodium quitense'' = ''

Pecluma dulcis ''Pecluma dulcis'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It has a widespread native distribution from Mexico to Southern America. Under the synonym ''Polypodium quitense'', it was regarded as endemic to Ecuador and threatened by habit ...

'' * ''Polypodium rimbachii'' = ''

Serpocaulon sessilifolium ''Serpocaulon sessilifolium'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to Costa Rica and northern and western South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Guyana). Under the synonym ''Polypodium rimbachii'' ...

'' * ''Polypodium scutulatum'' = ''

Serpocaulon fraxinifolium ''Serpocaulon fraxinifolium'' is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to Mexico, Central and South America. Under the synonym ''Polypodium scutulatum '', it was regarded as endemic to Ecuador and threatened by habitat loss ...

References

* Haufler, Christopher H.; Windham, Michael D.; Lang, Frank A. & Whitmore, S.A. (1993)
2. ''Polypodium'' Linnaeus
''In: Flora of North America North of Mexico'', Vol. 2 (Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms): 315-323. * Hyde, H.A.; Wade, A.E. & Harrison, S.G. (1978): ''Welsh Ferns''. National Museum of Wales. * Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) (2007): Digital Flora Europaea
''Polypodium'' species list
Retrieved 2007-NOV-26. *

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the United States federal executive departments, federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, ...

(USDA) (2007a): Germplasm Resources Information Network
''Polypodium''
Retrieved 2007-NOV-26.

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q1135685 Fern genera Epiphytes