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Polypodium vulgare 'Elegantissimum'



Martin Rickard says this is the correct name for 'Cornubiense'. I grow plants under both names and they are certainly very similar. His description says:

"'Elegantissimum' syn. 'Cornubiense', 'Whytei', 30-38cm (12-15in), was found in Cornwall in 1867 by the Rev. J. R. Whyte. A remarkable cultivar that produces fronds of three types: perfectly normal fronds, very finely cut tripinnatifid (or even quadripinnatifid) fronds, togeter with bipinnatifid ones. By happy chance the very finely cut fronds usually predominate. One could be forgiven for thinking thast different cultivars have become mixed except careful scrutiny will usually reveal two or more characters mixed on the same frond. This is a beautiful fern, but unfortunately rather rare. As far as I am aware it is unique among polypods in occasionally producing bulbils on the upper surface of the frond. So far no-one has succeeded in raising plants from these bulbils. One frond up to 1cm (1/2 in) long is produced but never any roots. Rare."



6th August 2017



23rd February 2013



  • Rickard, Martin - Gardening with Ferns, David & Charles 2005