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Polypodium vulgare - L.

Common Name Polypody, Adders Fern, Golden Maidenhair Fern, Wall Fern, Common Polypod Fern
Family Polypodiaceae
USDA hardiness 3-6
Known Hazards Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172].
Habitats Rocks, walls and trees, as well as on the ground, in a variety of habitats[187] but especially in humid shady conditions[31].
Range All of Europe, the Mediterranean, temperate Asia and eastern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Polypodium vulgare Polypody,  Adders Fern, Golden Maidenhair Fern,  Wall Fern, Common Polypod Fern


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:499_Polypodium_vulgare.jpg
Polypodium vulgare Polypody,  Adders Fern, Golden Maidenhair Fern,  Wall Fern, Common Polypod Fern
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Jeffdelonge

 

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Summary

Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Polypodium vulgare is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; North Wall. In. East Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root. Very sweet, it contains sugars, tannin and oils[13]. It is used as a liquorice adulterant[7]. The root has a unique, rather unpleasant odour and a sweet (cloying) flavour at first though it quickly becomes nauseating[222]. The root contains 15.5% saccharose and 4.2% glucose[218].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Anthelmintic  Cholagogue  Demulcent  Diuretic  Expectorant  Pectoral  Purgative  
Tonic

Polypody stimulates bile secretion and is a gentle laxative. In European herbal medicine it is traditionally used as a treatment for hepatitis and jaundice and as a remedy for indigestion and loss of appetite[254]. It should not be used externally since it can cause skin rashes[254]. The root is alterative, anthelmintic, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, pectoral, purgative, tonic[4, 238, 240]. It can be used either fresh or dried and is best harvested in October or November, though it can be collected until February[4]. The leaves can also be used but are less active[4]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of pleurisy, hives, sore throats and stomach aches and as a mild laxative for children[222]. It was also considered of value for lung ailments and liver diseases[222]. The poulticed root is applied to inflammations[222]. A tea or syrup of the whole plant is anthelmintic[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Insecticide  Potash

Plants can be grown as a ground cover in a shady position[188, 200]. They form a spreading carpet and are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. The ash of burnt leaves is rich in carbonate of potash[4].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Easily grown in most light soils[187]. Prefers a soil of leaf mould and a cool but not too moist clay[1]. Prefers a cool damp shady position[1]. Thrives in dry shade[28, 188]. Established plants are drought tolerant[208]. They grow well on drystone walls[200]. Plants often grow as epiphytes[28, 31]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. A rather variable plant, it is considered to be an aggregate species of several very similar species[187]. Only the roots should be planted, the rhizome being fixed to the surface of the soil[1, 187]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, There are no flowers or blooms. Polypodium virginianum (Polypodium vulgare subsp. virginianum (L.) Hultén is a synonym of Polypodium virginianum L.) commonly know as rock cap fern, or common polypody tolerates hardiness zones down to 3. It prefers acidic soil. It 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 nature. A small rhizomatous fern with narrow leaves 8–40 centimetres (3.1–15.7 in) long and 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) wide. Polypodium virginianum typically grows on boulders, cliffs, and rocky slopes and does not need well-developed soil. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be sown in the spring. Sow them on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division. This is best done in the spring but it succeeds at most times of the year[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polypodium glycyrrhizaLicorice FernFern0.5 6-9  LMHSNM12 
Polypodium lineare Fern0.3 -  LMHSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

17200

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