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.