Common polypody, Wall fern
Polypodium vulgare

Family: Polypodiaceae

What it is like

A small fern. It grows 15-38 cm high and spreads indefinitely sideways. The rhizome is tough and creeping. The fronds are sword shaped, leathery and dark green. They rise from the rhizome. It can grow in soil or attached to other plants or objects. The fruiting bodies or sori are large and round. They are bright orange to reddish-brown.

There are about 75 Polypodium species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places. It is frost hardy. It can grow in both dry and damp places as long as the drainage is good. It suits hardiness zones 3-5.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria Canada, Caucasus, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The roots are used to obtain flour for bread or porridge. The rhizomes are also chewed raw. They are used as a sweetener fresh or dried.

The rhizomes are often sucked by children.

Edible parts

Root, rhizome

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Birtivu, Edesgyuker, Komez, Lagrits, Magusjuur, Navadna sladka koreninica, Oakfern, Polypody, Sisselrot, Sladic, Sladicka, Slatka paprat, Suhkrupuu, Tree fern, Wall polypody

Synonyms

Ctenopteris vulgaris (L.) Newman