Standard
English Name(s): licorice fern
Local English Name(s) (if different from above):
Scientific Name(s): Polypodium glycyrrhiza D.C. Eaton
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s): tl’esip (Chelahis and Chilliwack),
st’ooslayu (Chelahis and Chilliwack)
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s): tl’usip
Island Halkomelem Name(s):
tl’usip
Description, Habitat,
Ecology, & Distribution:
This fern is a small to medium-sized plant
with evergreen leaves. It grows on wet, mossy ground, logs and rocks
and is often found growing on the trunks and branches of trees, especially
those of bigleaf maples. It occurs throughout the coast of the province.
Upriver Halkomelem Cultural
Role(s):
The rhizomes were chewed for their flavour
and sweetness, and for colds, asthma, and as a cough medicine.
Downriver Halkomelem
Cultural Role(s):
This plant was used for colds and stomach
ulcers.
Island Halkomelem Cultural
Role(s):
The root-like stem is sweetish with a
flavour similar to that of licorice and is chewed for sore throat.