Common polypody (Polypodium vulgare) underside of frond to show sori. These are the capsules that are collections of sprangia that contain the spores. is a species of fern developing in isolation from along a horizontal rhizome. The fronds with triangular leaflets measure 10 to 50 centimetres and are divided all the way back to the central stem in 10 to 18 pairs of segments or leaflets.

The leaflets become much shorter at the end of the frond. The leaflets are generally whole or slightly denticulated and somewhat wider at their base, where they often touch each other. They have an alternating arrangement, those on one side being slightly offset from those on the other side. The petioles have no scales.

The sori are found on the lower side of the fronds and range in colour from bright yellow to orange. They became dark grey at maturity. The species is widespread and common in Wetsren and central Europe. Orvieto, Umbria, Italy Deecember 2020