How resurrection ferns live up to their name

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Orchids and bromeliads, many of which are epiphytic, are perhaps the most beautiful examples of plants that grow in trees. But some of the ferns are more fascinating to me. Resurrection fern, Polypodium polypodioides, now with a new name but the old one is so much fun to say that I’m sticking with it. When it dries up it is about the deadest-looking plant you’ve ever seen, but it springs back to its beautiful green and plump state when it gets hydrated. This one grows on trees here and if you’re lucky enough to find a broken branch with it on it, take it home and share that fascinating process with others. If you run water over a dried specimen and put it in a plastic bag, it’ll rehydrate during a dinner party!