Back in early July I needed to pick-up Andrew after a fishing adventure (his, not mine) and parked right next to a downed tree with a lot of moss on it. Our weather had been dry, so the moss was dormant, I grabbed some anyway figuring it would green-up with watering. There was one piece that was attached to a short bit of branch, I laid it here, at the base of our fence and as the moss started to turn green fern fronds started to unfurl...
At first there was just one...
But then others started to appear.
I believe this is our native
Polypodium glycyrrhiza, aka Licorice fern. This fern goes dormant in the summertime, but reappears with the rains in the fall, it's often seen growing on the branches of trees. The tall metal rectangle is planted with a Holboellia coriacea 'Cathedral Gem'.
It's growing up this piece of expanded metal, but not showing any signs of flowering.
I figured the mossy branch would add an extra-nice bit of green at it's base, the ferns are an unexpected bonus.
Weather Diary, Sept 1: Hi 75, Low 58/ Precip 0
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Ah, another minor miracle of the kind you can't find in SoCal. Ferns growing in trees sounds magical.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time we saw it upon moving here we both were amazed and thought that tree was special. Then we started seeing it all over town.
DeleteThat is absolutely SO COOL! I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky!
DeleteThis post was slowly 'unfurling' to reveal a plant waterfall. Very nice. Love the Licorice fern surprise - how lucky are you?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see a close-up of the planted wooden knob situated in top-center metal screen. It looks like something straight out of the dg shop.
Ha, actually I planted another, slightly larger version I planned to list three, but decided to let the plant grow a bit first. I'll do a vignette with a close up of that piece so you can see it better (soon).
DeleteHow exciting. I love gift surprises like this. Surprise mosses started growing on my hypertufa pot in the hidden garden. I was as thrilled as I am sure you are.
ReplyDeleteYep, that sounds fabulous!
DeleteAah, isn't Nature amazing? Like finding a corn plant growing out of a plant pot - courtesy of a kernel of corn dropped into the backyard by some anonymous critter. Or seeing a tomato plant growing out of a crack in the sidewalk...The Will to Live is powerful indeed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent comparisons. I've also had an oak grow out of a container plant's pot thanks to a squirrel "planting" the acorn.
DeleteFun bonus and a great find, Loree. Ma Nature is the best!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteI love licorice fern! Congrats on grabbing a piece for yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanne!
DeleteBeautiful variety of mosses.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/08/garden-affair-love-for-caladiums.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Arun, I'll try to get over there.
DeleteA little serindipitous surprise in the moss. Fun. Adds to the interesting plant-scaping on your great fence.
ReplyDeleteNature's cramscaping (plants growing on plants)
DeleteWhat a fabulous treat. And nothing is more soothing than the combo of moss and ferns.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. We were supposed to vacation up in Washington this year and visit the Hoh Rainforest but sadly that didn't happen.
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