Only Hartstongue (Polypody Family) has completely undivided leaves, the rest being either deeply lobed (Rusty-back in Polypody Family) or 1-3 pinnate. Western polypody, Intermediate polypody, Polypodium vulgare var. Polypodium Polypodium. The spores are contained in minute cases, which are grouped into raised brown heaps (sori), covered by an indusium, on the back or edges of the leaves, except in the Royal Fern (Royal Fern Family). The branching rhizome and its roots appear many-footed. New fronds emerge in summer. Fronds may be used as nesting material by rodents or in dens of larger animals. Polypodium hesperium Maxon Western polypody ( Fertile tetraploid) The pinnatifid character of the blades of this fern is distinctive. Species. Wildlife Value: Ferns have very little value for wildlife. attenuatum, olypodium vulgare subsp. The broad elliptical sori without indusia are also definitive. Genus. Ferns are classified into several different families: The Wood Fern Family–Dryopteridaceae. It is native to the contiguous United States and Canada . Others think it refers to the many stipe bases on the upper side of the stem. The branching rhizome and its roots appear many-footed. Polypodium hesperium (Western Polypody) is a species of perennial herb in the family Polypody. prionodes. Etymology Polypodium is from the Greek: polys, many, + podion, foot. Polypody (a fern) - the underside This species of fern was growing on a tree, beside one of the paths in the woodland walks at Ardardan. It is a photoautotroph .

Fronds are occasionally browsed by deer, hare or grouse. P. interjectum - P. interjectum is a vigorous, terrestrial, evergreen fern with arching, narrowly ovate, pinnate, mid-green fronds divided into narrowly oval pinbae.