polypody

/ˌpɑliˈpoʊdi/

Other forms: polypodies

Definitions of polypody

1. noun

   any of numerous ferns of the genus Polypodium
   types:

   Polypodium glycyrrhiza, licorice fern

   fern having rootstock of a sweetish flavor

   Polypodium polypodioides, gray polypody, grey polypody, resurrection fern

   fern growing on rocks or tree trunks and having fronds greyish and scurfy below; Americas and South Africa

   Polypodium scouleri, coast polypody, leatherleaf, leathery polypody

   stiff leathery-leaved fern of western North America having ovate fronds parted to the midrib

   American wall fern, Polypodium virgianum, rock brake, rock polypody

   chiefly lithophytic or epiphytic fern of North America and east Asia

   Polypodium vulgare, adder's fern, common polypody, golden maidenhair, golden polypody, sweet fern, wall fern

   mat-forming lithophytic or terrestrial fern with creeping rootstocks and large pinnatifid fronds found throughout North America and Europe and Africa and east Asia

   type of:

   fern

   any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores