Polypodium sibiricum : Rock Polypody

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Pteridophyta (spore bearing)

Class: Polypodopsida (fern class)

Family: Polypodiaceae (Polypody Family)

Genera: Polypodium (Polypody) (Gk. polys=many + pous=foot; referring to the numerous foot-like divisions of the rhizomes)

Species: sibiricum (of Siberia)

Synonym(s): P.virginianum, P.vulgare, P.glycyrrhiza

English Name(s):

Rock Polypody, Wall Fern

First Nation Names:

Description:

Sori (spore clusters) round with no inducium (covering).

Natural History:

Family Size:

World:

Genera: 8

Species: 500 (Polypodium = 100)

North America:

Genera: 7

Species: 25 (Polypodium = 11)

Yukon:

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Central Yukon:(CYSIP study area)

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Structure:

• From widely creeping branching, chaffy rhizomes (root stalk).
• Fronds evergreen, up to 35 cm long, pinnately lobed.
• Small to medium sized ferns.

Leaves:

• Margins entire (smooth) to remotely dentate (toothed).
• Viens not reaching leaf margins.

Reproductive Parts:

• Sori (spore clusters) round, without inducium (covering).
• Sori located on upper leaf (frond) segments, situated midway between leaf midvein and margin.

Seed:

• Reproduces by spores.

Not to Be Confused With:

Physiology:

• Can interbreed and create viable or nonviable hybrids with a few very closely related species. None of which occur in our area.

Life Cycle:

• Perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Fronds evergreen.

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• In shallow humus on rocks, in crevices, and on woodland banks or mossy ledges.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: