| Menu list goes here |
Herbal Database Search Results
Back
to: Pathways Main Search
Page For Metaphysical uses
visit The Witchs Haven
Polypodium vulgare
| Common name: |
Polypody |
Family: |
Polypodiaceae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
17, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200].
Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172]. |
| Range: |
All of Europe, the Mediterranean, temperate Asia and eastern N. America. |
| Habitat: |
Rocks, walls and trees, as well as on the ground, in a variety of habitats[187] but especially in humid shady conditions[31]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
3 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| P. virginianum[B,E,G,P]
P. vulgare auct. p. p. non[P]
P. vulgare var. virginianum[B,P]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Brake Root [H], Common Polypody [H,MS], Gewone Eikvaren [D], Oak Fern [H], Pespaye [E], Polipodio [E], Polypody [L,E], Polypody Of The Oak [H], Rock Brake [H], Rock Of Polypody [H], Rock Polypody [B,P], Wall Fern [H], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
vulgare = common
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Polypodiales. Polypody family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Canada(Salish)
Europe Spain Turkey Us Us(Salish)
|
Physical Characteristics
An evergreen fern growing to 0.3m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 3. It is in leaf all year. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland).
It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade, Walls, Ground Cover.Edible Uses
Root.
Root. Very sweet, it contains sugars, tannin and oils[13]. It is used
as a liquorice adulterant[7]. The root has a unique, rather unpleasant odour
and a sweet (cloying) flavour at first though it quickly becomes
nauseating[222]. The root contains 15.5% saccharose and 4.2% glucose[218].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Alterative
Anthelmintic Cholagogue Demulcent Diuretic Expectorant Pectoral Purgative Tonic.
Polypody stimulates bile secretion and is a gentle laxative. In
European herbal medicine it is traditionally used as a treatment for
hepatitis and jaundice and as a remedy for indigestion and loss of
appetite[254]. It should not be used externally since it can cause skin
rashes[254].
The root is alterative, anthelmintic, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic,
expectorant, pectoral, purgative, tonic[4, 238, 240]. It can be used either
fresh or dried and is best harvested in October or November, though it can be
collected until February[4]. The leaves can also be used but are less
active[4].
A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of pleurisy, hives, sore
throats and stomach aches and as a mild laxative for children[222]. It was
also considered of value for lung ailments and liver diseases[222]. The
poulticed root is applied to inflammations[222].
A tea or syrup of the whole plant is anthelmintic[222].
Other Uses
Ground cover Insecticide Potash.
Plants can be grown as a ground cover in a shady position[188, 200].
They form a spreading carpet and are best spaced about 30cm apart each
way[208].
The ash of burnt leaves is rich in carbonate of potash[4].
Cultivation details
Easily grown in most light soils[187]. Prefers a soil of leaf mould and
a cool but not too moist clay[1]. Prefers a cool damp shady position[1].
Thrives in dry shade[28, 188]. Established plants are drought tolerant[208].
They grow well on drystone walls[200].
Plants often grow as epiphytes[28, 31].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].
A rather variable plant, it is considered to be an aggregate species of
several very similar species[187].
Only the roots should be planted, the rhizome being fixed to the surface of
the soil[1, 187].
Propagation
Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be
sown in the spring. Sow them on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil.
Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot
on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and
keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the
ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered
position.
Division. This is best done in the spring but it succeeds at most times of
the year[1].
Cultivars
- ''
- There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [L] Scientific and Common Names (some photos)
from Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Polypodium virginianum (a possible synonym).
References for polypodium vulgare (a possible synonym).
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[28] Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
A small but informative booklet listing plants that can be grown in shady positions with a few cultivation details.
[31] Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
[172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[222] Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990 ISBN 0395467225
A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
Readers Comments
Main Search Page
Help
Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Polypodium+vulgare
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Polypodium+vulgare
|
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
(You can copy, distribute, display this works but: Attribution is required, its for Non-Commercial purposes, and it's Share Alike (GNUish/copyleft) i.e. has an identical license.)
We also ask that you let us know (michael@thewitchshaven.com) if
you link to, redistribute, make a derived work or do anything groovy with this information.
|
|
& (c) 2007 