Gardening sheet polypodium glycyrrhiza
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The licorice fern is a small, spreading perennial fern native to coastal North America from Alaska to California. It grows less than 1 foot tall and 1-3 feet wide, sending up fronds from stout rhizomes that can be exposed above ground or underground. The rhizomes have an intense, sweet licorice scent and flavor. Traditionally, the rhizome was chewed or used as a flavoring and medicine for colds, coughs, and chest congestion. The licorice fern prefers part shade to quite shady areas with moist, acidic soil and moderate watering.
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Gardening sheet polypodium glycyrrhiza
- 1. *Licorice fern – Polypodium glycyrrhiza (poly-PO-dee-um GLISS-er-EYE-zuh) Family: Polypodaceae (Polypody Fern Family) Native to: Coastal North America from AK to about the San Francisco Bay; mostly coastal, on tree trunks, mossy logs & rocks, moist banks in Redwood, Mixed Evergreen or Yellow Pine Forest. Growth characteristics: spreading perennial fern mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft. Small, rather simple fern that sends up fronds (leaves) from stout rhizome (which may be exposed above ground or if growing on log). Leaves drought-deciduous, emerging again with rains. Rhizomes have an intense, sweet licorice scent and flavor. Blooms/fruits: No blooms (it’s a fern). Sporulates late fall to winter. Uses in the garden: Often used in natural gardens in its native range. Nice addition to a fern garden or fern grotto; its small size and spreading form makes a nice cover fern (can even grow vertically). Interesting accent plant in a pot on a shady porch or around a cool, shady fountain. Rhizome was traditionally chewed or used as flavoring; makes a nice tea. Traditionally also used as treatment for colds, cough, sore throat and chest congestion (rhizome chewed & juice swallowed). Sensible substitute for: Non-native ferns. Attracts: Provides some cover for small creatures like tree frogs. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Part-shade to quite shady. Soil High in organics; acidic soils Water Needs moist soil – Water Zone 2-3 to 3 to stay green; mist plants daily to weekly in hot dry times. Let plants die back in late summer-fall. Fertilizer ½ strength fertilizer 2x/month during growing season, especially in containers. Other Leaf mulch or moss growing as mulch. Management: The big trick in S. CA is keeping plants sufficiently watered. Propagation: from spores: requires moist conditions by cuttings: easy Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 13, many on-line sources 3/27/18 * California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND