THE 
POLYPODIES. 
THE COMMON POLYPODY. 
Polypodium vulgare . — Linnaeus. 
The name of Polypodium , meaning many-footed , is 
given to this genus, on account of the many branchings 
of its rhizome (or creeping stem). The common Poly- 
pody is an evergreen (the fronds, even in severe frosts, 
lasting till new ones are produced), growing luxuriantly 
on tree trunks, moist rocks and walls, and mossy banks, 
easily distinguished by its large round patches of orange 
or tawny-brown spore-cases, no other of our native • 
ferns having its fructification at all similar in appear- 
ance. 
The rhizome of the Common Polypody is often as 
thick as a man’s little finger, covered with light brown 
chaff-like scales, tapering to a point, sometimes droop- 
ing so as to leave the upper surface smooth and greenish. 
From this upper surface spring the fronds, and from 
the lower side chiefly the densely-matted fibrous roots 
by which it clings for support. The stipes (or stalk) is 
c 2 
