Licorice Fern is an epiphytic fern of the Pacific Northwest that grows on the mossy branches and trunks of big-leaf maples, bigleaf alders, and rocky cliffs. Its rhizomes taste of licorice and were chewed medicinally by Pacific Coast indigenous peoples. It is deciduous in summer drought but greens up dramatically with fall rains.
Best time to see a Licorice Fern
The best time to see a Licorice Fern is October–March, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,260 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Licorice Fern? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Licorice Fern sightings near you
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