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Polypodium glycyrrhiza

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Licorice fern, Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Polypodiaceae), is a native western North American fern with evergreen foliage and sweet, licorice-flavoured rhizomes.

Licorice fern commonly grows epiphytically on tree branches or as a lithophyte (on rocks) in the coastal forest. Trunks and larger stems of Acer macrophyllum (big-leaf maple) are the licorice fern's favoured habitat in the Lower Mainland. The rhizomes contain ostadin, a steroidal compound 3000 times sweeter than sucrose. Coastal native peoples used the rhizomes as a sweetener and for treating throat ailments. The name Polypodium means "many feet", alluding to its branched rhizomes; glycyrrhiza translates as "sweet root".

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