Category Archives: Native to eastern US and Canada

Common Rockcap Fern

September 17, 2025

A surprising fern that grows on large boulders and smaller rocks, ledges, decaying logs and tree roots, sometimes in a location that has no soil at all. Its roots aid in breaking down rocks to create soil.

This evergreen fern is Common Rockcap Fern (Polypodium virginianum), native to the eastern United States and Canada. Its fronds are 10 to 12 inches long. Along with its ability to live where there is no soil, it also can lose most of its water content during a dry spell by going dormant. Once the dried out plant gets rained upon, it will unfurl, and turn green again.

Quite the plant!

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Pure Green Sweat Bee

May 28, 2025

Pure Green Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura), native to the eastern United States and Canada. They’re active April through September. Size is about 1/3 inch. Females carefully build their nests in moist, decaying wood, often under the loose bark of stumps, rotten trees, and logs.

They’re attracted to sweaty humans, licking up our sweat for the moisture and salt content. These jewel-like bees are generally not aggressive and will only sting if they sense a threat or are trapped.

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