Pleopeltis michauxiana
(Resurrection Fern)

resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana growing on an oak tree branch
resurrection fern growing on a live oak tree branch

Common Names, Latin Name, and Family

Other common names for the resurrection fern include little gray polypody, scaly polypody, and tree polypody.

The Latin name is Pleopeltis michauxiana.

It is found in the Polypodiaceae, or polypody, family of plants. Some are epiphytic and some are terrestrial, but all in this family are characterized by creeping hairy rhizomes.

The name is derived from the Greek “poly” meaning many and “podos” foot.

resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana botanical illustration
resurrection fern botanical illustration

Form

Resurrection fern is actually an epiphytic fern which means it grows on surfaces other than soil and derives its nutrients from the air.  It can be found on live oak trees in forested areas with high humidity.

It can be found growing on bark, rocks, roof shingles, old rotting wood, stumps, clay banks, and other objects if the light and humidity is right for their growing conditions.

Leaves

Fronds (leaf): The fronds are leathery and evergreen and can reach 12 inches in length but are generally a little shorter. They curl up when they are dry and the plant appears dead, but once a little rain hits the leaves they reopen and are resurrected hence the name given to this fern.

Petiole (leaf stalk): The petiole length is about 3 inches  and grooved.  The surface is scaly especially when young. 

Rachis (leaf stem):  The rachis is green and scaly.

Blade (leaf blade):  The leaf blades have an overall shape of an elongated triangle. 

Pinnae (leaflets):  The leaflets are deeply lobed and bright to dark green.  They are not hairy on the upper surface but are below.

resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana leaves
resurrected resurrection fern leaves after a rain
resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana with shield lichen (Parmelia sp.) and Leucobryum glaucum (pincushion or cushion moss) growing on the same tree
dry resurrection fern with shield lichen and cushion moss growing on the same tree.

Spores

The sori are round and produce a conspicuous bump on the upper surface of the leaflet.

The sori is the structure on the leaflet that contains the spores.

On the resurrection fern the sori are located along the leaflet tips and margins, but not directly on the edge.

resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana sori showing the spores
resurrection fern sori
resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana magnified spores
resurrection fern under side of the leaflets showing the sori stuctures with several spores
resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana upper leaf surface showing sori bumps
resurrection fern upper side of the leaflets showing the sori bumps

Habitat

Resurrection fern’s preferred sites are in hammocks on old oak trees and cypress trees.  But can be found growing on other trees and garden plants.

It is usually found growing alongside Spanish moss, other Tillandsias like wild pine, and lichens and cushion mosses that like to grow on tree bark.

Native Range

Resurrection fern is documented for every county in Florida except for Bradford, Miami-Dade, and Union Counties.

It can be found in the following states: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.

It is also found in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Landscape Use

Resurrection fern works great in humid and shady areas of the landscape.

It is a wonderful fern to grow on the limbs of large oak trees, tree stumps, or fallen logs.

It is best for naturalized areas of your green space although it can be wired onto pieces of oak bark and used for decorations.  If it is on a porch, or lanai, you may need to keep it sprayed with water if it’s not getting enough humidity.

It also works well in reptile and amphibian enclosures that are high in humidity.  It gives a wonderful area for your pet to rest in and forage in.

resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana growing on live oak bark
resurrection fern growing on live oak limbs

Wildlife Use

Ferns of all types provide hiding, and foraging, places for a variety of wildlife such as frogs, lizards, damsel flies, and dragonflies.

They also provide a soft cushion for resting mammals such as opossums, squirrels, and raccoons.

a raccoon resting on a bed of resurrection fern Pleopeltis michauxiana
a raccoon resting on a bed of resurrection fern

Human Use

“American Indians used ointment of the heated stem and leaves for sores, ulcers. Leaf tea used for headaches, dizziness, thrush, sore mouth, and bleeding gums.” [1]

Propagation

Transplanting is usually always successful if you can obtain plants with sufficient roots and place it on the same substrate such as tree bark. Many times pieces of bark with resurrection fern growing on them fall down during storms and the bark pieces, with the ferns attached, can be placed in shady and humid areas of the garden and will continue to grow.

Further Reading

The United States Forest Service has a great article called Fern Structure if you’re interested in learning more about ferns.  Check out –
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/ferns/structure.shtml#:~:text=Sori%20(singular:%20sorus)%20are,indusia%20(singular:%20indusium).

The University of Florida has a great article called Natural Area Weeds: Distinguishing Native and
Non-Native “Boston Ferns” and “Sword Ferns”
(Nephrolepis spp.)
https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/IR/00/00/41/78/00001/AG12000.pdf

Footnote

[1] Foster, Steven and Duke, James A.. Peterson Field Guide To Medicinal Plants & Herbs Of Eastern & Central N. America: Third Edition. Mariner Books. 2014

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