Polypodium glycyrrhiza have random placement, originating at various points. The rhizome appears reddish-brown, and is a sweet licorice-flavored. The name "glycyrrhiza" refers to this flavor--"glykys" in Greek means sweet, with "rhiza" meaning root. Since it is a fern, "P. glycyrrhiza" reproduces by spores; the spores grow in a pattern of spots on the undersides of the leaves. These sori may be oval in immaturity. Licorice fern may grow over the ground, rocks, or as an epiphyte. The plant prefers moist environments, so it is typically found on wet ground, rocks, and logs. Occasionally it can be seen on fallen trees. It is
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants is known to consider open and un-restricted access to the genetic resources of protected plant varieties to be important to the continued development of new varieties. This opinion is indicated in the "breeders' exemption" clause of the Convention, as described above, and was reinforced in October 2005 in a reply to a notification from the Convention on Biological Diversity. In April 2003, the Convention on Biological Diversity asked the UPOV for comment on the use of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (also known pejoratively as 'terminator genes') as they relate to the promotion of intellectual property rights. In the summary of