Polypodium — 14 species

Polypodium is a wide-ranging genus of true ferns found across temperate forests worldwide, from the common polypody (P. vulgare) of European woodlands to the licorice fern (P. glycyrrhiza) of the Pacific Northwest. They prefer partial to full shade and consistently moist, well-draining soil, tolerating brief dry spells between waterings better than most ferns. Leathery fronds emerge from creeping rhizomes, making them good candidates for hanging baskets or rock gardens. Toxicity varies across the genus; verify the specific species if pets are present.