Resurrection Fern - Pleopeltis polypodioides
Resurrection Fern - Pleopeltis polypodioides
Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern; syn. Polypodium polypodioides) is a species of creeping, coarse-textured fern native to the Americas and Africa.
This fern is an epiphyte, or air plant, which means it attaches itself to other plants and gets its nutrients from the air and from water and nutrients that collect on the outer surface of bark. The resurrection fern lives on the branches of large trees such as cypresses and can often be seen carpeting the shady areas on limbs of large oak trees. However, it is known to grow on the surfaces of rocks and dead logs as well. It is often found in the company of other epiphytic plants such as Spanish moss.
The P. polypodioides resides in the hardwood forests of southeastern United States in areas including Delaware, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. This fern can also be found in areas such as subtropical America and parts of southern Africa.
The resurrection fern gets its name because it can survive long periods of drought by curling up its fronds and appearing desiccated, grey-brown and dead. However, when just a little water is present, the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to "resurrect" and restoring itself to a vivid green color within about 24 hours.
When the fronds "dry", they curl with their bottom sides upwards. In this way, they can rehydrate the quickest when rain comes, as most of the water is absorbed on the underside of the leaf blades.
At least one study has shown association between P. polypodioides and moss,indicating that this fern may rely on moss for some of its water needs.
The Resurrection fern has spores on the bottom of the leaves, as all ferns do. At certain parts of the year, when the fern is dry, the spores fall from the plant and grow into new plants.
.The resurrection fern is also known by the common names of little gray polypod, scaly polypody and miracle fern.
This plant has been taken on a space shuttle mission to watch its resurrection in zero gravity.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleopeltis_polypodioides
Resurrection Fern - Pleopeltis polypodioides
Resurrection Fern - Pleopeltis polypodioides
Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern; syn. Polypodium polypodioides) is a species of creeping, coarse-textured fern native to the Americas and Africa.
This fern is an epiphyte, or air plant, which means it attaches itself to other plants and gets its nutrients from the air and from water and nutrients that collect on the outer surface of bark. The resurrection fern lives on the branches of large trees such as cypresses and can often be seen carpeting the shady areas on limbs of large oak trees. However, it is known to grow on the surfaces of rocks and dead logs as well. It is often found in the company of other epiphytic plants such as Spanish moss.
The P. polypodioides resides in the hardwood forests of southeastern United States in areas including Delaware, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. This fern can also be found in areas such as subtropical America and parts of southern Africa.
The resurrection fern gets its name because it can survive long periods of drought by curling up its fronds and appearing desiccated, grey-brown and dead. However, when just a little water is present, the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to "resurrect" and restoring itself to a vivid green color within about 24 hours.
When the fronds "dry", they curl with their bottom sides upwards. In this way, they can rehydrate the quickest when rain comes, as most of the water is absorbed on the underside of the leaf blades.
At least one study has shown association between P. polypodioides and moss,indicating that this fern may rely on moss for some of its water needs.
The Resurrection fern has spores on the bottom of the leaves, as all ferns do. At certain parts of the year, when the fern is dry, the spores fall from the plant and grow into new plants.
.The resurrection fern is also known by the common names of little gray polypod, scaly polypody and miracle fern.
This plant has been taken on a space shuttle mission to watch its resurrection in zero gravity.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleopeltis_polypodioides