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Resurrection Fern

Ferns and Fern Allies

Resurrection fern, Pleopeltis polypodioides, is a small epiphytic fern of the family Polypodiaceae native to the Americas and Africa, commonly seen growing on the bark of live oak and other large trees across the southeastern United States. It earns its common name from its extreme desiccation tolerance, curling up and appearing shriveled and brown during dry periods, only to unfurl and turn green again within hours of receiving rain, a survival strategy that lets it persist through repeated drought as an epiphyte with no soil access.

Facts
Classification
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Scientific Name
Doryopteris concolor 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Pteridophyta, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Resurrection Fern
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Pleopeltis
Wikipedialead paragraph (habitat realm), EntityId 316735
Quote, lead paragraph (habitat realm), EntityId 316735
They are epiphytic, epipetric (growing on rocks), or rarely terrestrial ferns, with a creeping, densely hairy or scaly rhizome bearing fronds at intervals along its length.
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Wikidata: Resurrection Fern
Child Taxon Of: Pteridophyta, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ11179077, descriptionView the Source
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