Polypody fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Polypody
• adder's fern
• common polypody
• golden-maidenhair
• wall fern
• Common Polyploidy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ctenopteris vulgaris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Polypodiaceae and falls under the genus Polypodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of Europe. Within Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends to the island territories of the Faroe Islands, known as Føroyar. Additionally, the species is documented throughout the various regions of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range reaches as far north as the rugged terrain of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Polypodium vulgare is characterized by its preference for shaded, moisture-retentive environments, typically thriving within forest ecosystems. It is commonly found growing in stony places, where it colonizes rocky outcrops, crevices, and stone walls, often utilizing these substrates as anchor points for its rhizomes. This fern prefers habitats that provide stable microclimates, often favoring deciduous or mixed woodlands where the canopy provides filtered light and prevents excessive desiccation. Its ability to inhabit rocky terrains allows it to exploit niches with minimal competition from larger vascular plants, provided there is sufficient humidity and organic matter accumulation within the stony fissures to support its growth.

Habitat :

forest, stony places

Life history

The life history of Polypodium vulgare is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface or just beneath it, protected by leaf litter or soil. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning that while it retains its foliage throughout much of the year, its leaves may be replaced or shed in a manner that preserves a constant green presence. As a hemicryptophyte, its survival strategy relies on these protected buds to endure unfavorable environmental conditions, ensuring its continued existence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Polypodium vulgare is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, classifying it as a herb. This species typically presents as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, with an average height of approximately 0.3 m. As a terrestrial organism, it grows independently and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behaviors.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Polypodium vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of approximately 62.46 cm², providing a substantial surface area for light interception and gas exchange. In terms of nutritional strategy, it is classified as non-carnivorous, relying on autotrophic processes for sustenance rather than the capture of prey. Furthermore, its Specific Leaf Area (SLA) has a mean value of 123.5 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and contributing to its overall structural and functional adaptation to its environment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

62.46 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

123.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Polypodium vulgare is characterized by a specialized lifecycle that relies on abiotic processes. Its flowering period typically begins in August and concludes in September, though the timing can be variable. The pollination syndrome is categorized as abiotic, specifically utilizing wind as the primary mechanism for pollen transfer. Regarding its dispersal strategy, the plant is anemochorous, meaning its reproductive units are dispersed by the wind. While it does not produce traditional fruit types such as berries or capsules, its reproductive structures fall under the classification of "other." Furthermore, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making it dependent on its sexual reproductive cycle for propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

other

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Polypodium vulgare has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 17,21-Epoxyhopane, 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, 31-Norcycloartanol, 31-Norcyclolaudenol, 9(11)-Fernene.

17,21-Epoxyhopane

1. Dr. Duke

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Dr. Duke

31-Norcycloartanol

1. Dr. Duke

31-Norcyclolaudenol

1. Dr. Duke

9(11)-Fernene

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Caoutchouc

1. Dr. Duke

Citrostadienol

1. Dr. Duke

Cycloartanol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Polypodium vulgare has 252 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acetylcholinergic, Adrenocorticotropic, Aggregant.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenocorticotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiestrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Polypodium vulgare has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oxidative stress, seizures, wound healing.

Most Reported Uses