Resurrection Fern

The rest of the country is getting snow but we are getting rain, rain, rain. I tried to dash out for a quick walk to stretch my legs this mornings and spotted this lush growth of resurrection fern thriving in the damp on a fallen oak tree limb.

This remarkable plant can lose about 75 percent of its water content during a typical dry period and possibly up to 97 percent in an extreme drought. During this time, it shrivels up to a grayish brown clump of leaves. When it is exposed to water again, it will “come back to life” and look green and healthy. The plant gets its name from this supposed “resurrection,” but it never actually dies during the process. 

Stay dry out there, kids!