Indigenous Perennial Ferns
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Walking Fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllus)
A small unusual single-leafed fern whose leaf tips form new rooted plants. It grows on moss covered rocks, many of which may be precariously overhanging a brook or stream. I believe that they can only grow where salamanders feel safe enough to eat the slugs and snails that feed on the new growth of this plant without the salamanders themselves being eaten by their predators. The only Walking Ferns I've seen could only be reached by boat.
Walking Fern

About this photo: 4" cultivated plants taken in June 1995, in Alexandria, VA. They were growing on the tip of a moss covered brick. Even with slug poison repeatdly applied to their growing area many leaf tips still got eaten which prevented the propogation and growth of the plant.

Distinctive features: Oblong triangular leaves form roots and evenually new plants where there tips hit moist soil or moss. Several plants may be connected by the leaves that they originated from. Singli leaves only about 3/8" wide and 6" long.

Hardiness: Growing zones: NA. Common winter damage: NA.

Winter protection: NA.

Habitiat: Indigenous to: NA.

Known established specimens: Cedarcrest Country Club, Centreville, VA
  Last updated: 06/28/1998
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