Polypodium vulgare L.
common polypody
Rhizomes long-creeping. Stipes 2-20 cm long, lacking scales except at very base. Laminae ovate or narrowly elliptic, 1-pinnate, 10-25 × 5-9 cm. Primary pinnae in 10-25 pairs, oblong, obtuse, decurrent, minutely serrate, to 5 × 1 cm. Sori round or elliptic, in 2 rows either side of midrib.
S.: Canterbury (Port Hills).
Europe, Asia 1980
Rock faces, road banks.
In Europe the P. vulgare agg. consists of 3 cytologically and morphologically distinct spp. The N.Z. plants are not entirely consistent with any of these 3 taxa, but their tetraploid nature and micro-morphological characters suggest that they are referable to P. vulgare sens. strict. [Lovis, J. D., Canterbury Bot. Soc. J. 14 : 55-57 (1980)]. They can be recognised by their pinnate fronds and round, naked sori (Fig. 1).
