Polypodoides amoeana var. amoeana

Himalayan Polypod Polypodiaceae

A handsome Himalayan polypody with deeply pinnatifid, leathery fronds arising from a creeping, scaly rhizome. The mature fronds are dark green and elegantly divided, with the lobes becoming progressively narrower towards the tip. Particularly attractive when grown where the fronds can arch naturally over rocks or a bank. The venation is distinctive, with the secondary veins forming conspicuous elongated areoles towards the midrib and the marginal veins remaining free.

This is the collection from Phawngphui, Mizoram at 2000m. We also have a collection from Reiek,northern Mizoram at 1200m that has shorter fronds and is later into growth.

A plant of moist woodland, rocky banks and shaded slopes, occurring through the Himalaya and adjoining regions of South and Southeast Asia. Its distribution includes northern India, Nepal, Bhutan and southern China, extending eastwards into Myanmar and beyond. It is principally a plant of humid, mountainous country.

The nomenclature is decidedly complicated. The species was originally described from material collected by Nathaniel Wallich and has subsequently been treated under several genera. Polypodiodes amoena is the combination used in modern treatments, while Goniophlebium amoenum is a frequently encountered synonym; Polypodoides amoena is also found in recent literature, but is best regarded as a spelling/usage associated with the same taxon. Recent morphological work supports the close relationship between Polypodiodes amoena and Goniophlebium argutum, while specifically noting Goniophlebium amoenum as a homotypic synonym of Polypodoides amoena. 

var. amoena represents the typical form of the species; the varietal epithet is therefore not a cultivar name, but identifies the nominate variety.

• Hardiness: H5, -15 to -10°C
• Height: 30–60 cm
• Spread: 45–75 cm
• Fronds: evergreen, produced mainly spring–summer