Question 1

True or false: Resurrection ferns are only found in tropical rainforests with constant high humidity.

Accepted Answer

False. They thrive on tree bark in dry, rocky areas across the southeastern U.S. and Central America, not just rainforests.

Question 2

True or false: The resurrection fern gets all its nutrients from the soil through deep roots.

Accepted Answer

False. It’s an epiphyte growing on tree branches or rocks, absorbing water and nutrients from rain and air, not soil.

Question 3

True or false: When rehydrated, a resurrection fern can go from brown and brittle to fully green in under an hour.

Accepted Answer

True. Its cells rapidly absorb water and restart photosynthesis, often turning green within 20-30 minutes.

Question 4

True or false: These ferns can survive total submersion in saltwater for weeks without damage.

Accepted Answer

False. Saltwater would dehydrate and kill them; they only tolerate freshwater and dry air, not saline conditions.

Question 5

True or false: Resurrection ferns are actually a type of moss, not a true fern.

Accepted Answer

False. They are true ferns (Pleopeltis polypodioides), with vascular tissue and spores, not mosses which are non-vascular.

Question 6

True or false: The resurrection fern can lose up to 97% of its water content and still survive.

Accepted Answer

True. This extreme desiccation tolerance lets it appear dead for years, then revive within hours after rain.

Question 7

True or false: Resurrection ferns produce a special sugar called trehalose that stabilizes cell membranes during drying.

Accepted Answer

True. Trehalose replaces water in cells, preventing collapse and preserving structure until rehydration.

Question 8

True or false: These ferns curl their fronds inward during drought to protect chlorophyll from sun damage.

Accepted Answer

True. Curling reduces surface area and shields photosynthetic cells, preventing UV and oxidative stress.

Resurrection Fern Trivia Questions