Leathery polypody facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leathery polypody |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Polypodium (plant)
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| Species: |
scouleri
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| Synonyms | |
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Goniophlebium scouleri (Hook. & Grev.) J.Sm. |
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Polypodium scouleri is a type of fern often called the leathery polypody. Other common names include Scouler's polypody and coast polypody. This fern is special because its leaves feel tough and leathery.
You can find this fern growing along the coast of western North America. It lives from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to Guadalupe Island near Baja California, Mexico. It loves places like rocky cliffs by the ocean, forests near the beach, and even sand dunes. It often gets a lot of fog and sea spray, which it seems to enjoy!
This fern has a special underground stem called a rhizome. This rhizome is waxy and scaly, and it helps the fern stay anchored. The leaves of the leathery polypody can grow quite large. They can be up to 85 centimeters (about 33 inches) long and 27 centimeters (about 10 inches) wide.
Each leaf is made of many smaller parts called segments. These segments are usually stiff and feel like leather. They have slightly rounded edges. On the underside of these leaf segments, you'll find small, round bumps. These bumps are called sori (SOH-rye). Each sorus is about half a centimeter wide. Inside these sori are the fern's spores, which are like tiny seeds that help the fern reproduce.
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Where the Leathery Polypody Lives
The leathery polypody fern is a true coastal plant. It thrives in areas where it can feel the ocean's influence.
Coastal Homes of the Leathery Polypody
This fern grows in many different coastal spots. You might see it in cracks on ocean bluffs. It also likes to live in forests right next to the sea. Sometimes, it even grows in beach dunes. The constant fog and sea spray from the ocean are important for its survival. These conditions provide the moisture it needs.
How the Leathery Polypody Grows
The leathery polypody has unique features that help it grow and spread.
Understanding the Rhizome
The fern anchors itself with a special stem called a rhizome. This rhizome grows underground or along the surface. It is covered in a waxy, scaly layer. This helps protect it and store nutrients.
Leaves and Spores: The Fern's Structure
The leaves of the leathery polypody are quite distinctive. They can be triangular or oblong in shape. Each leaf is divided into many smaller parts called segments. These segments are usually stiff and have a leathery feel. Their edges are often slightly toothed.
On the underside of the leaf segments, you can see small, round structures. These are called sori. Sori are like little clusters that hold the fern's spores. Spores are tiny, dust-like particles. They are how ferns reproduce and create new plants.
