fern - any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

genus Polypodium, Polypodium - a genus of ferns belonging to the family Polypodiaceae and having rounded naked sori

licorice fern, Polypodium glycyrrhiza - fern having rootstock of a sweetish flavor

gray polypody, Polypodium polypodioides, resurrection fern - fern growing on rocks or tree trunks and having fronds grayish and scurfy below; Americas and South Africa

coast polypody, leatherleaf, leathery polypody, Polypodium scouleri - stiff leathery-leaved fern of western North America having ovate fronds parted to the midrib

American wall fern, Polypodium virgianum, rock polypody, rock brake - chiefly lithophytic or epiphytic fern of North America and east Asia

adder's fern, common polypody, golden maidenhair, Polypodium vulgare, sweet fern, wall fern, golden polypody - mat-forming lithophytic or terrestrial fern with creeping rootstocks and large pinnatifid fronds found throughout North America and Europe and Africa and east Asia