Polypodium glycyrrhiza
Licorice fern
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ed Alverson · licence
Family: Polypodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Licorice fern) is a native California herb in the Polypodiaceae family, recognized by coastal epiphytic habitat, sweet-licorice rhizome taste, and lanceolate blade shape.
Licorice fern is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Range, North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, and San Francisco Bay bioregions on rocky coastal banks, mossy logs, and moist rocky surfaces at elevations up to 600 meters. The fern produces distinctive fronds 8 to 23 centimeters long with lanceolate blade segments that have serrated tips and acute edges. Growing with a sweet licorice-flavored rhizome 3 to 6 millimeters in diameter, this fern develops summer-deciduous leaves that are membranous to somewhat firm. Its leaf blades feature free veins and a midrib with fine hairs, with segments typically having sharp, pointed tips. The fern's sporangia form small round sori 1 to 2.5 millimeters in diameter, often accompanied by short, branched glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by coastal epiphytic habitat, sweet-licorice rhizome taste, and lanceolate blade shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally near coast, on pls, rocks, moist rocky banks, mossy logs
Elevation: < 600(1200) m
California counties: Humboldt, Siskiyou, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Trinity, Santa Clara, Amador, El Dorado, Del Norte, Lake, Butte, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Monterey, Los Angeles, Ventura, Nevada, Alameda
Outside California: to Alaska (including Aleutian Islands), reported from Asia (Kamchatka Peninsula)
How to tell it apart
vs Polystichum: Polypodium sori are completely naked; Polystichum sori have umbrella-like covers attached at the center.; vs Dryopteris: Polypodium sori lack any covering; Dryopteris sori have kidney-shaped covers attached at the side.; vs Pentagramma: Polypodium sori are on the upper leaf surface; Pentagramma has powder on the lower leaf surface.; vs Pteridium: Polypodium sori are round and exposed; Pteridium sori are hidden under rolled-back leaf margins.; vs Woodwardia: Polypodium has round sori; Woodwardia has elongated chain-like sori in parallel rows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polypodium glycyrrhiza native to California?
Yes. Polypodium glycyrrhiza is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Polypodium glycyrrhiza grow?
Polypodium glycyrrhiza occurs in Humboldt, Siskiyou, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Trinity, Santa Clara, Amador and other counties, at elevations of < 600(1200) m.
What plant family does Polypodium glycyrrhiza belong to?
Polypodium glycyrrhiza is in the Polypodiaceae family, genus Polypodium.
What habitat does Polypodium glycyrrhiza grow in?
Polypodium glycyrrhiza grows in Generally near coast, on pls, rocks, moist rocky banks, mossy logs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.