Amid the gloom of January in Western Washington, one can find welcome splashes of vibrant green in coastal forests. The evergreen Licorice Fern emerges from its dormancy to produce bright green fronds throughout the winter. This cheering trait has earned Licorice Fern the nickname “winter delight.”
Often found in tree trunks – especially on Big-leaf Maple, this outer coast species seldom occurs far from salt water. Its range extends from the Queen Charlotte Islands in BC south to the northern California coast, generally within 100 miles of the ocean or sound.
A true epiphyte, Licorice Fern grows on the surface of tree trunks and mosses. It obtains moisture and nutrients from the air, water and debris where it lives just like air plants such as orchids and bromeliads. In fact, Licorice Ferns have very similar habitat requirements, except they are found in the temperate instead of tropical rainforest.
Licorice Fern is named for its licorice-flavored rhizomes. Coastal tribes 
including the Squamish, Sechelt, Comox, Nuxalk, Haida and Kwakwaka’wakw chewed them for their taste and utilized them as medicinal treatments for colds and sore throats. A Norwegian housemate of mine named Bjorn used to keep a kettle of Licorice Root and Lemongrass tea brewing on the stove all winter long. He referred to his concoction as “swamp water.” It soothed sore throats better than any other tea I have had. I still brew a version of swamp water as a remedy for bronchitis and strep throats. It works, even though the flavor is an acquired taste. You can buy Licorice Root at health food stores. Please do not try to harvest it from mossy trees!
Next time you hike in the wet forests of the Pacific NW in winter, look up for the arboreal “winter delight.” It not only can provide relief for light-starved souls but also for sore throats.
Sources:
1. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, Pojar, Mackinnon
2. The Flora and Fauna of the Pacific Northwest Coast – Collin Varner
