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 ); 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

"Take the stinking oil drawn out of polypody of the oak by a retort, mixed with turpentine and hive-honey, and anoint your bait therewith, and it will doubtless draw the fish to it."

From The Compleat Angler by Walton, Izaak

The church stands above the road, and beside it a large old tree, whose lower branches are so abundantly covered with polypody that the fronds hang like long fringes from either side of each branch.

From Devon, Its Moorlands, Streams and Coasts by Northcote, Rosalind

Two of the others, the polypody and Aspidium marginale, are evergreen also, but they are coarser in texture and of a less lively color.

From A Rambler's lease by Torrey, Bradford