Appearance
Perennial. Rhizome elongate, often above ground, densely covered with rusty scales. Fronds distich, 5–30 centimetres, glabrous, deltoid in outline; petiole yellowish green, shorter than the pinnatipartite limb. Segments 5-28 on each side; margin dentate, marked with a strong midrib. Sori round, 2–4 millimetres in diameter, orange-yellow, arranged on each side of the midrib of segments. The fruits bloom from February to July.Naming
This species has been widely known by the more apt name ''P. australe'' Fée. However, since Linnaeus did mention the species, albeit in the aberrant ''cambricum''-form, that name must have priority. Polypodium is derived from the Greek ''Polus'', many, and ''podion'', small foot, since the rhizome bears numerous roots.The specific epithet ''cambricum'' means "Welsh", from the Latinized form of ''Cymru'', the Welsh name for Wales.
''Australe'' comes from the Latin ''auter'', wind of the south, for in Europe, this species grows largely in the Mediterranean Basin.
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