Resurrection Fern
Pleopeltis polypodioides var. michauxiana
Family: Polypodiaceae
Resurrection fern on a tree trunk
Photo credit: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
Natural History
Resurrection fern is a fascinating plant that's very common in the Southeast and found from Florida to New York and west to Texas.
The fern is an air plant, which means it attaches itself to other plants and absorbs the water and nutrients that collect on the outer surface of bark. Resurrection fern lives on the branches of large trees such as cypresses and live oaks. It is often found in the company of other air plants such as Spanish moss and wild pine.
The resurrection fern gets its name because it can survive long periods of drought by curling up and appearing dead. When just a little water is present, the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to resurrect. This tiny plant has even been taken on a space shuttle mission to watch it resurrect itself in space!