THE POLYPODIES. 
THE COMMOH POLYPODY, 
Polypodium vulgare .—• Linnaeus. 
The name of polypodium, meaning many-footed , is 
given to this genus, on account of the many branch¬ 
ings of its rhizome or creeping stem. The Common 
Polypody 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 similiar in appearance. 
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 
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