Polypodium virginianum L.

Common Polypody

© DETenaglia

Family - Polypodiaceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Abaxial surface of fertile leaf.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Flowers - No flowers, plant reproducing by spores.

	Close-up of some of the sori.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - June - August.

Habitat - Ledges and crevices of bluffs and boulders, typically on acidic substrates.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This species can be found mostly in the southeastern 1/4 of Missouri. The plant slightly resembles another species, P. polypodioides (L.) Watt, but the latter is more epiphytic, has smaller leaves, and shrivels greatly when lacking water.
P. virginianum is believed to be a fertile hybrid of two other species, P. appalachianum Haufler & Windham and P. sibiricum Sipliv., neither of which is found wild in Missouri.

Photographs taken at Hanging Rock State Park, NC., 3-22-03.