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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Polypodium scouleri

Polypodium scouleri Hook. & Grev.

Leathery Polypody, Rock Polypody

Polypodiaceae (Polypody Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: POSC4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The bold, simply divided, leathery fronds of this fern are dark evergreen and up to 30 in. long. The branching rhizomes are often exposed and are effective tumbling over rocks and logs.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 30 inches long, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Near the coast from s. B.C. to s. CA
Native Habitat: Exposed cliffs, banks & tree trunks often within reach of salt spray

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Thrives in salt spray. Considered the most attractive of the west coast polypodies but is regarded as the most difficult to cultivate.

Propagation

Description: Divide the rhizome or propagate by spores.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Polypodium scouleri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polypodium scouleri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polypodium scouleri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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