A delicate fern that grows on mossy tree trunks or on rocks. The rhizomes taste like black licorice (hence the name) and has medicinal properties to soothe sore throats and coughs.

Stems moderately stout, not white-pruinose; scales dense, lanceolate, brown; sweet licorice taste.

Leaves to 60 cm; petiole slender, to 20 × 0.2 cm.

Blades to 40 cm, pinnatifid, narrowly ovate to oblong, not leathery, adaxial surface with whitish multicellular hairs (at least along the rachis); scales sparse on the rachis abaxially, brown, narrow, and hair-like, mostly less than 3 cells wide.

Source: Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest

Additional Resource: Oregon Flora Project