This is a very interesting fern family with three species native to Tennessee. 

There are a few distinguishing traits of this family that can be easily identified in the field. First, members of this family are often epiphytic (growing on trees) or epipetric (growing on rocks). Second, the fronds are monomorphic and perennial. Lastly, the sporangia are lacking an indusia and are grouped into circular clusters ("Guide").  

In Tennessee, there are three native species: Pleopeltis michauxiana, Polypodium appalachianum, and Polypodium virginianum. P. michauxiana and P. appalachianum are both fairly common, while P. virginianum is less common ("Guide"). Distribution maps for them can be found here: 

• Pleopeltis michauxiana

• Polypodium appalachianum

• Polypodium virginianum

P. michauxiana is one of the coolest ferns from an ecophysiological perspective. It is one of the few vascular plants that can completely dry out, or desiccate, and then rehydrate and be fine ("Ressurection"). This amazing act of rebirth is what gives this fern it's common name. 

This species is the most common, out of the Polypodiaceae family, according to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Herbarium. It has been documented in the following counties.

To distinguish this fern from other members of the family, you will need to look for a few characteristics. First, on mature fronds, you will see tiny, circular, raised bumps that correspond with sori underneath. This characteristic is shared by both P. michauxiana and P. appalachianum but not P. virginianum. Next, to distinguish P. michauxiana from P. appalachianum, you can either look at size or scales. P. michauxiana is smaller on average, with fronds measuring 2 to 6 inches tall. Additionally, P. michauxiana has distinctive whitish-grey scales coating the abaxial side ("Guide", Evans). 

In the Guide to Vascular Plants of Tennessee, P. appalachianum is listed as common, but the UTK Herbarium has it documented in fewer counties than P. michauxiana. 

The identification of this species is easy, if you can find a three of its distinct characteristics. First, P. appalachianum often has the same tiny, circular, raised bumps on mature fronds; this will distinguish it from P. virginianum. Next, if you are dealing with P. appalachianum, you will notice a lack of abaxial grey scales, which are characteristic of P. michauxiana. This can be seen in the image to the left. Lastly, this fern tends to have larger fronds than P. michauxiana, but it has a greater range of lengths- from 3 inches to a foot ("Guide", Evans). 

Evans, A. Murray. Ferns & Fern Allies of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains Association, 2005. 

Guide to the Vascular Plants of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, 2015.

“Resurrection Fern.” National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Resurrection-Fern.