Fern Identification

9 years ago

I have found a fern growing in the fork of a large oak tree near Melrose, FL. For those who may not know, Melrose is at the junction of State Rd. 26 and State Rd. 51, about 25 miles East of Gainesville and about 50 miles South of Jacksonville.

I know these ferns have been there for over 2 years, and the property owner does not know how or when they appeared there. There is a lot of resurrection ferns in the oak trees, but only these as a second variety and they are only in this one fork.
I apologize for the photo quality however my phone is not cooperating. There are two more photos at the below link.

BTW, I've checked Gil Nelson's "The Ferns of Florida" and did not identify them. The fronds are up to 53 inches long and about 14 inches wide. They appear to be rooted in decaying leaves accumulated in the tree fork.

Hopefully, the photos can point you in the right direction. Many thanks for your thoughts.

Tom

Here is a link that might be useful: Ferns

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Comments (6)

samtom_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
The link via the word "phone" is an add apparently inserted by GardenWeb or someone else without my knowledge.
Tom
garyfla_gw
9 years ago
Hi
there is a huge family of these epiphytic ferns the genus name is polypody. Look closely at where the fronds begin
and you'll see a flesh fuzzy root. I tend to call the smaller ones squirrels foot and the larger bears foot
They reproduce by airborne spore so can pop up anywhere
Often see them growing on palms
real pest in hanging orchid pots !!! gary
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eric_9b
9 years ago
It is Golden Polypod Fern, Phlebodium aureum. They are a native epiphytic fern. They are very common growing in the crown or leaf bases of native Cabbage Palms, Sabal palmetto.
samtom_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
Mystery solved, plus more education. All tree type ferns I had been familiar with previously were resurrection and had seen Boston fern growing in the pockets of palm trees where the old fronds wre cut off and trash accumulates, giving them a place to grow. But, never had I seen any of this size in a tree before.

A big thanks to you all.
Tom
garyfla_gw
9 years ago
Hi
There is well over 500 species of ferns that grow in this manner .Interesting side note are the so called "ant ferns "
they have a commensal relationship with ants provide a place to live while ants feed and protect the fern .
The wonderful world of epiphytes lol gary
petrushka (7b)
9 years ago
when i saw this climbing monster in miami, fl i was quite stupefied. it was on a street sidewalk. i couldn't tell if smbody planted it or it just seeded itself.
looks like phebodeum aureum, but was much glossier.