Plant · GBIF taxon 2650496
resurrection fern
Pleopeltis polypodioidesAlso known as Miracle Fern, Resurrection Plant, Scaly Polypody
Resurrection ferns cling to the rugged limbs of live oaks and bald cypresses, anchoring firmly with creeping rhizomes without parasitizing their host trees. During extended dry spells, the fronds curl inward, turn brittle brown, and lose up to three-quarters of their water content to survive extreme drought. A single soaking rain causes these withered fronds to unfurl into bright green, lush carpets across the forest canopy within just a few hours.
EpiphyticDrought-TolerantNative
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Atmospheric moisture
- Nutrient-rich rainwater runoff
Predators
- Herbivorous insects
- Snails
- Slugs
ThreatsLoss of mature host trees, severe climate shifts, deforestation
HabitatsSubtropical forests, oak hammocks, moist river swamps
Life spanPerennial (decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPolypodiaceae
- SpeciesPleopeltis polypodioides
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observing After Rain: Visit host trees shortly after a rainstorm to watch curled fronds rapidly rehydrate and turn green.
- Examining the Underside: Look for brownish protective scales on the frond undersides that reduce water loss during droughts.
- Tree Respect: Enjoy fronds on boughs without pulling or peeling rhizomes away from the host tree's bark.
Desiccation Partner Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Host Tree Homer Edward Price / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
Epiphytic Neighbor (c) Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor Jorge · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · cc-by
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