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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