Family: Polypodiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1085 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Polypodium
Vegetable: False
Observations: Madeira, Morocco, Temp. Eurasia, S. Africa, Kerguelen Is.
Description
Common polypody, scientifically known as Polypodium vulgare, is a historically significant and widely distributed fern. It was first identified and documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753. Occupying a key place within the family Polypodiaceae, this fern is noted for its resilience and ability to thrive in a variety of environments.
Geographically, the common polypody spans a broad range of habitats, from the temperate regions of Eurasia to the subtropical zones of Madeira and Morocco. Its range extends further into the southern parts of Africa and even reaches the remote Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, showcasing its adaptability to different climates and soil conditions.
In terms of appearance, the common polypody is easily recognizable by its pinnatifid fronds, which grow directly from slender, creeping rhizomes. The fronds, often evergreen, provide a lush and verdant display that adds an aesthetic charm to the habitats it occupies, including woodlands, rocky slopes, and shaded cliff faces.
The fern’s ability to colonize a variety of substrates from soil to rocky crevices is a testament to its hardiness. Often, it is found in shaded, humid environments where it benefits from the moisture necessary for spore dispersal and germination. The interplay of its green fronds against the often-damp, shaded forest floors or rocky landscapes creates a picturesque setting that contributes significantly to the undergrowth diversity.
One of the ecological roles of Polypodium vulgare includes providing habitat and food for various insects and microorganisms. Its fronds may also serve as a cover for small animals. Historically, parts of this fern have been used in traditional medicine, although today it is more commonly appreciated for its ornamental value and contribution to biodiversity in its native habitats.
In summary, the common polypody, Polypodium vulgare, is a notable member of the fern family Polypodiaceae. Its widespread distribution and adaptability to several different climates and environmental conditions underscore its ecological importance and resilience. Whether observed in the dense forests of temperate Eurasia, the sun-dappled slopes of Madeira, or the unique biosphere of the Kerguelen Islands, this fern species exemplifies nature’s versatility and enduring beauty.
Common Names
Eng: adder’s fern, common polypody, golden-maidenhair, polypody, wall fern
Dan: almindelig engelsød
Deu: gemeiner tüpfelfarn, gewöhnlicher tüpfelfarn
Nld: gewone eikvaren
Nor: heil-søta, sissel-rood, steensøt-root, steensøte
Fin: pohjankallioimarre
Swe: pohjankallioimarre, stensöta
Fra: réglisse des bois
Nno: sisselrot
Nob: sisselrot
Sme: báktegáiski
Cym: llawredynen gyffredin, llawredynen y derw, llawredynen y fagwyr, marchredyn y derw, marchredyn y fagwyr, rhedyn y derw, rhedyn y fagwyr
Lat: polypodium
En: Common polypody, Golden-maidenhair, Polypody, Adder’s fern, Wall fern, Polypody of the oak
Ar: سرخس شائع
Az: Adi şirinkök
Be: Мнаганожка звычайная
Bg: Сладка папрат
My: ဆေးပိုးတီ
Ca: Polipodi, Polipodi comú
Zh: 欧亚多足蕨
Kw: Reden ke
Cs: Osladič obecný
Da: Almindelig Engelsød
Nl: Eikvaren, Gewone eikvaren
Eo: Ordinara polipodio
Et: Kivi-imar
Fi: Kallioimarre, Pohjankallioimarre
Fr: Réglisse des bois, Polypode commun, Réglisse sauvage, Polypode vulgaire
Gl: Fento dos valos
De: Gemeiner Tüpfelfarn, Gewöhnlicher Tüpfelfarn, Engelsüß
Hu: Közönséges édesgyökerű páfrány
Is: Köldugras
Ga: Scim choiteann
It: Felce dolce, Polipodio comune, Polipodio commune
La: Polypodium
Lt: Paprastoji šertvė
Mk: Слатка папрат
Se: Báktegáiski
No: Sisselrot, Heil-søta, Sissel-rood, Steensøt-root, Steensøte
Nb: Sisselrot
Nn: Sisselrot
Fa: پلیپدیوم ولگر
Pl: Paprotka zwyczajna
Qu: Hanachiwa
Ru: Многоножка обыкновенная
Sr: Слатка папрат
Sk: Sladič obyčajný
Es: Polipodio común, Pulipuli
Sv: Stensöta, Pohjankallioimarre
Zh-tw: 歐亞水龍骨
Uk: Багатоніжка звичайна
Cy: Llawredynen gyffredin, Llawredynen y Derw, Llawredynen y Fagwyr, Marchredyn y Derw, Marchredyn y Fagwyr, Rhedyn y Derw, Rhedyn y Fagwyr
Synonyms
- Ctenopteris vulgaris ((L.) Newman)
- Polypodium vulgare var. obtusum (Wallr.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Free State (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kerguelen (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2021 by Hélène (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Giulia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2017 by marco (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2021 by 49 Maya (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2020 by Matteo Palazzi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 4, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2021 by Hélène (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Lionel F (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2017 by Bastien Jorigné (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2019 by Lander Lander (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5274951)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300720-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Polypodium vulgare L.)