Resurrection Fern

Pleopeltis polypodioides (Linnaeus) E.G. Andrews & Windham ssp. michauxiana (Weatherby) E.G. Andrews & Windham

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

This evergreen fern is fairly common throughout the Carolinas on rock outcrops and is well know for also growing on trees, sometimes seeming to bring dead or dormant trees back to life, resurrecting them.

Durham Co., NC 4/11/2009.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

Formerly known as Polypodium polypodioides (Linnaeus) Watt or Polypodium polypodioides (L.) Watt var. michauxianum Weatherby.

Durham Co., NC 4/11/2009.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

Durham Co., NC 4/11/2009.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

Underside detail.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

Fertile frond underside detail.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

Underside detail, showing the distinctive scales.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)

In the process of "resurrecting" a tree.

Robeson Co., NC 6/8/2008.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.