Polypodium glycyrrhiza very often associated with Acer macrophyllum. The fern is mycorrhizal, meaning it can form root associations with the hyphae of fungi. The sweet flavor of the rhizome was once attributed to the glycoside glycyrrhizin. However, a study has shown that the flavor may actually be due to polypodoside, which is 600 times sweeter than 6% sucrose solution. Licorice fern is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. The cultivar 'Longicaudatum' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The licorice fern is sometimes valued for its licorice-flavored rhizome. Occasionally it is chewed, and it can also be brewed into
Phyllostegia glabra perhaps in rugged habitat that has not been surveyed recently. Phyllostegia glabra Phyllostegia glabra is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name ulihi phyllostegia. It is endemic to Hawaii. One variety of this species, var. "lanaiensis", is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States. It is a perennial herb with reddish or red-veined green leaves and white or white-tinged flowers. It differs from the variety "glabra" in the size of its sepals and leaves. The rare variety "lanaiensis" has not been seen since a single specimen was recorded on Lanai