If you live in (or have ever been to) the Southeast, chances are that you have seen trees that appear to be “growing” ferns. What you’re observing is the “resurrection fern,” one of the many air plants that inhabit the region. The fern acquired its name from the way it comes “back to life” after a rainfall. During long periods without water, it survives by curling up and appearing dead. The fern will curl the bottom side of the leaf upward because the plant absorbs water from the underside of the leaf, enabling the plant to take in water quickly. With a little rainfall and even high humidity, the fern uncurls, opens its leaves, and turns a vibrant green, thus “resurrecting” itself.
To survive, the resurrection fern must have a host plant or rock layer. While in our area we often see the ferns attached to live oak tree trunks and branches, because they favor oak trees, it’s not uncommon for the fern to also attach itself to cypress trees, palm trees and sometimes large rocks. With the host as a support, the fern receives nutrients from the tree’s surface, rain, and wind, without harming or taking nutrients away from the tree. The tree aids the fern’s quest to find the best place to be exposed to sunlight, water, and wind. Contact with water allows the plant’s spores to germinate, starting its growth process. Since the fern does not have an aggressive growth pattern, it is also considered non-invasive.
Air plants will grow in clusters in the crevices of trees where they are able to collect more water and nutrients. Some additional air plants (also known as Tillandsia) found in the Southeast include Spanish Moss, Greenfly Orchid, Bartram’s air plant, Wild Pine, Quill-leaf air plant, Ball-moss, and Needle-leaves air plant.
One very interesting fact about the resurrection fern is the plant can tolerate losing up to 97% of its water (where most plants can only tolerate losing 10%) and live in its dried state for over 100 years. This plant has an average life span of between 200 and 250 years! WOW! In 1997, the resurrection fern was taken aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. While in space, the scientist observed the fern was still able to resurrect itself under the conditions of zero gravity.
The next time you are out and about, look at the trees around you and see if you can spot the resurrection fern then notice what state it is in. You will be amazed at how much resurrection fern you will see!
By Misty Johns, Coastal Greenery, Inc.
