Resurrection
Ferns favor sites with lot of moisture. At least this is what we are typically taught about them. However, this is our local fern that most strongly defies such a characterization. First, resurrection fern is not at all common in northeastern Kentucky; I usually feel like I really found something when I discover a new locality for the plant. Usually, when I encounter Pleopeltis, it is on limestone outcrops; however, at this site it is on a sandstone exposure.
Poikilohydry, the ability to tolerate/survive significantly varying levels of hydration/dehydration is an ability I think of as reserved, plant-wise, for many bryophytes (it should be noted here that many vascular xerophytes such as cacti, stonecrops, and others exhibit poikilohydry as well.).. Definitely not an ability where I have ferns uppermost in mind. This particular site in central Rowan County, KY, is one I see on a frequent basis, due to the ease of observation and my proclivity for outdoor activity in the Daniel Boone National Forest. A majority of the time, the fronds have a curled-up appearance. After a period of rain, however, the fronds rehydrate and once again actually look like a fern. Based on my observations, and some comments made by others, it takes several hours for the fronds to fully "open up" after having a low water content.
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