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Golden Polypody Fern (Phlebodium aurreum)
Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Swamp
Our golden polypody fern is an ephiphytic fern,
a plant that lives on other plants but, unlike
parasitic plants, does not harm the host tree.
Commonly found growing at the base of dead
sabal palm fronds, called "boots," the polypody
also grows on trunk cavities or on branches
where organic matter accumulates. Rainwater
sitting in the boot provides nourishment for the
fern as well as for a variety of small wildlife.
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Netted Chain Fern (Woodwardia aerolata)
Oak Hammock, Swamp
Called chain fern due to the chain like pattern of
veins seen along the midrib of the underside of
the leaf, these ferns are common in swampy
woods. Sometimes confused with the sensitive
fern, the netted chain fern is easily recognized
by its unique vein pattern. The fertile, spore
bearing fronds grow on separate narrow stalks.
As with many ferns, the chain ferns spread by
creeping rhizomes.
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Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
Oak Hammock
Resurrection fern is an epiphyte that grows on
live oak trees which it uses for support and to
reach sunlight. During periods of drought these
ferns curl up and roll inward, exposing as little
surface area as possible and preventing water
loss due to evaporation. With just a little water
the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to
"resurrect." Unlike parasites, this epiphytic plant
gets its nutrients from rain and dust and causes
no harm to the tree that supports it.
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Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Swamp
Growing to 3" tall, the royal fern is one of our
largest swamp ferns. Ferns, along with mosses
and clubmosses, produce from spores, unlike
most plants that produce from seed. Ferns reproduce
through the release of spores from tiny
sacs (sporangia), commonly occurring in clusters
(sori) found on the underside of the frond (fern
leaf). One way to identify the royal fern is to
look for the brown sori on the underside of the
fertile (seed bearing) leaflets atop the fern
fronds.
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Water Fern (Salvinia minima)
Swamp, Marsh
SPECIES ALERT! Exotic
A free floating, rootless aquatic fern, this small
(1/4") plant grows in thick mats on the waters
surface. Seen floating just below the water is the
flat, horizontal rhizome (stem) to which pairs of
leaves are attached. On each pair there is a third,
submersed leaf, often mistaken as a root, that is
brown, much divided, and dangling beneath.
This third leaf can grow quite long and acts to
stabilize the plant. Whitish, bristly hairs covering
the upper surface of the leaves create a water
repellent shield. An invasive exotic from Central
America, salvinia has quickly spread.
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