polypody
- noun
- /ˈpɒlɪˌpoʊdi/
- Specialized
:
polipodio
- In moist shady areas, the polypody fern spreads with its creeping rhizomes and intricate leaves.
- polypody fern
- rock polypody
Examples
-
During our nature walk, we discovered a lovely patch of polypody ferns growing near the stream.
-
Does the liver seek its medicament in sugar, manna, honey, or a polypody fern?
Fiction book (1991) -
The garden was filled with various plants, including the vibrant polypody fern that clung to the rocks.
Synonyms
A fern with round patches under its leaves that is often kept for decoration
Compounds
- Specialized
A small fern with spreading roots and divided leaves that grows on rocks and tree trunks in shady damp places
- Specialized
A stiff fern with thick leaves split near the middle that grows on dry rocky ground in western North America
- Specialized
A fern that grows on trees and stays attached with long creeping roots
Surface Forms
Etymology
Polypody comes from Greek parts poly- 'many' and pod- 'foot', so it originally meant 'many-footed'. A helpful image is a fern with many small, foot-like roots or stalks under its leaves, which is why gardeners call these ferns polypody today.
