[Ferns of the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Licorice Fern

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale

Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale) - Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Licorice fern observed at left on a mossy basalt outcrop along trails in the Labyrinth, Klickitat County, WA......January 19, 2019. The photo at right shows licorice fern along the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail adjacent to the old Convict Road, Columbia River Gorge......January 18, 2021..

Dorsal frond surface of Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Dorsal frond surface of licorice fern as seen on the steep, north-facing slopes of the McCord Creek Trail in the western Columbia River Gorge.........November 10, 2009.

Ventral frond surface of Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Ventral frond surface of licorice fern as seen on the steep, north-facing slopes of the McCord Creek Trail in the western Columbia River Gorge.........November 10, 2009.

Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Licorice ferns growing in thick moss on a bigleaf maple along the Angel's Rest Trail, Columbia River Gorge........February 9, 2010.

Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale) - Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Young licorice fern fronds emerging at left from mossy ground on a cut bank along the highway at Catherine Creek.........September 27, 2013. Note that the pinnae are at least 4 times longer than wide, which helps separate this species from Polypodium hesperium. The photo at right shows licorice ferns growing under mosses covering the lower trunk of a deciduous tree (either alder or maple) at the western tip of Hamilton Island (formerly Strawberry Island), Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.....November 29, 2023.

Licorice Fern: Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Synonyms: Polypodium aleuticum, Polypodium falcatum, Polypodium occidentale, Polypodium vulgare var. falcatum, Polypodium vulgare var. occidentale)

Licorice fern on a rocky roadcut just east of the Catherine Creek parking area, Columbia River Gorge..........January 3, 2015.

Paul Slichter