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The Resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides) is a species of creeping, course-textured fern very common in the Southeastern United States, being found as far east as Florida north to New York and west to Texas.
The fern is an epiphyte, or air plant, which means it attaches itself to other plants and gets its nutrients from the air and from water and nutrients that collect on the outer surface of bark. Resurrection fern lives on the branches of large trees such as cypresses and can often be seen carpeting the shady areas on limbs of large oak trees. However, it is known to grow on the surfaces of rocks and dead logs as well. It is often found in the company of other air plants such as Spanish moss and wild pine.
The Resurrection fern gets its name because it can survive long periods of drought by curling up and appearing grey-brown and dead. However, when just a little water is present, the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to resurrect and restoring itself to a vivid green color.
The gametophytes (haploid gamete producers) of this plant emerge from very small spores that float in the air and are deposited on a moist tree branches. These spores are produced in sporangia that develop on the leaves of the fern's sporophyte. The fern can also reproduce by the dividing of its rhizomes.
This tiny plant has even been taken on a space shuttle mission to watch its resurrection in zero gravity.
It is also known by the common names of Little Grey Polypod and Miracle fern.
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