Appearance:  Licorice Fern is a small fern, generally with only one or two foot-long fronds growing from a rhizome.  About one-third of this height is composed of the naked stalk, and on the upper two-thirds grows small (2 to 3 inch), lancolate pinnae which decrease in length towards the top of the stalk, forming a pyramid shape at the tip.  The translucent-fleshed rhizome is dark brown, scaly, and travels along horizontally.  It has an overripe, sweet licorice taste.

Habitat:  Inhabiting the moist temperate rain forests of the Pacific Coast, Licorice Fern can be found from as far south as Marin County all the way to coastal Alaska, and inland into the Columbia Gorge, the western Cascades, and the valleys of British Columbia.  As an epiphyte, it prefers moss-covered logs, trees, rocks, and slopes, and is seldom found outside the ranges of coastal and river fog.

Gathering:  Collect the rhizomes in late summer to mid-fall, clean them of fuzz, and dry.  The dry root is the best form to use, as the fresh root can cause mild nausea when taken internally.  It is important to refrain from gathering roots in the spring because it both prevents the fern from reproducing by spore and the high sugar content of the quickly growing plant can cause molding in the drying rhizomes.

Medicinal Properties:  A strong decoction of Licorice Fern roots is most helpful in decreasing inflammatory and hypersensitivity states, including lung irritations, stomach and colon irritability, inflamed throat, mouth, and gums, and (to a lesser degree) to counter cervix and prostate irritability.  It is an alternative to antihistamines, which are efficient but have many side effects.  Licorice Fern has no side effects, though it is less efficient.

Warnings:  Because Licorice Fern may contain salicylates, it should not be used with aspirin allergies, anticoagulant drugs, or blood dyscrasias.  It is best not to use during pregnancy since thorough knowledge of its constituents is not complete.