polypody

American  

[pol-ee-poh-dee] / ˈpɒl iˌpoʊ di /

noun

plural

polypodies

1. any fern of the genus Polypodium, as P. vulgare, having creeping rootstocks, deeply pinnatifid evergreen fronds, and round, naked sori.

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polypody British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌpəʊdɪ /

noun

1. any of various ferns of the genus Polypodium, esp P. vulgare, having deeply divided leaves and round naked sori: family Polypodiaceae

2. any fern of the family Polypodiaceae, all having opaque leaves that are divided in most species

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Etymology

Origin of polypody

1400–50; late Middle English polypodye < Latin polypodion < Greek polypódion (> New Latin Polypodium ); see poly-, -pod, -ium

Example Sentences

I learned that the roots of the polypody do a great impression of licorice, and that Scotch pine is also called “Finnish rosemary.”

From Washington Post

I learned that the roots of the polypody do a great impression of licorice, and that Scotch pine is also called “Finnish rosemary.”

From Washington Post

He plucked a few of the ferns growing in the spray and discoursed on them, comparing them with the common European polypody.

From Poison Island by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

There could not be a more perfect castle, and though there were no windows in the sides, the light came in from the top, where the polypody hung over like a fringe.

From A Great Emergency and Other Tales by Ewing, Juliana Horatia Gatty

As these are to be split up for masonry, the experiment of transferring the polypody is no sin, though it savours somewhat of the process of skin-grafting.

From The Garden, You, and I by Wright, Mabel Osgood