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Resurrection Fern
Pleopeltis polypodioides
30.4722, -88.3465
Field Notes
Description:
"This remarkable plant can lose about 75 percent of its water content during a typical dry period and possibly up to 97 percent in an extreme drought. During this time, it shrivels up to a grayish brown clump of leaves. When it is exposed to water again, it will “come back to life” and look green and healthy. The plant gets its name from this supposed “resurrection,” but it never actually dies during the process. By contrast, most other plants can only lose 10 percent of their water content before they die."
Habitat:
"Due to its ability to withstand drought, it can be found in variety of habitats, but it needs a host plant or other substrate on which to anchor. Resurrection fern often favors oak trees."
Notes:
We came across several old oak trees in southern Alabama that were covered in ferns. I pasted some information from a website that I linked in 'Add a reference'. I particularly like that this fern does not feed off of its host but simply lives on it, without any apparent harm to the host.
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