Ferns that, in New Brunswick, grow almost exclusively on rock or thin soil over rock (rarely tree trunks or stumps) and have once-divided leathery evergreen leaves (fronds) arising from a widely creeping, branching, and extremely scaly underground stem (rhizome); includes only 2 species of Polypody and their hybrid. 
Spores produced on the underside of the leaf in prominent pale yellow to brown circular structures (sori) lined up along both sides of many of the central leaflet veins. With magnification, these round structures can be seen to have no protective covering (indusium) and consist.of clusters or heaps of smaller spore-producing structures. 
Leaves are hairless. Leaf stalk may be sparsely hairy and scaly.

Spores large and round with no covering. Lowest leaflet divisions of fertile leaves lack spores.

Evergreen fern found in rocky areas. Ferns form colonies. All polypodys like rocky habitats and have deeply lobed, scattered leaves, and large, round, uncovered sori.
Leathery leaves up to 35 cm long. Pointed leaf tip; leaflets widest at base. <span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Fertile and sterile leaves similar shape and size.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Fertile and sterile leaves similar shape and size.
Spores large and round with no covering. Lowest leaflets of fertile leaves lack spores.
Scales of rootstock golden brown.
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tn-polypodium-appalachianum_kinnie-bk_fnp_nb-2-2013-09-11-accdc-david-mazerolle

TN Polypodium appalachianum_Kinnie Bk_FNP_NB (2) 2013-09-11 ACCDC David Mazerolle

Polypodium appalachianum_Kinnie Bk_FNP_NB 2013-09-11 ACCDC David Mazerolle

Polypodium appalachianum_Kinnie Bk_FNP_NB (2) 2013-09-11 ACCDC David Mazerolle

Polypodium appalachianum_Lower Mill Brook_NB (4) 2014-06-19 ACCDC David Mazerolle

Polypodium appalachianum_Patapedia River_NB (4) 2016-08-01 ACCDC David Mazerolle

Polypodium appalachianum

Common on damp ledges and boulders, especially those covered with leaf mould

Evergreen fern found in rocky areas; sometimes find on logs. Forms large colones from creeping rhizomes. All polypodys like rocky habitats and have deeply lobed, scattered leaves, and large, round, uncovered sori.
Leathery leaves usually widest near middle. Leaflets deeply lobed with irregular margins and rounded tips.
Stem scales may be both light and dark brown, on the same plant. Rootstock scales usually dark centered.
<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Spores large and round with no covering. Lowest leaflet divisions of fertile leaves lack spores.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Spores large and round with no covering. Lowest leaflet divisions of fertile leaves lack spores.
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Polypodiaceae

Polypody Family