Rock cap ferns can grow on rocks in winter. ... I’ve found a plucky little fern. It stays green all winter, waiting for any warm sunny day to start photosynthesizing.

This common little fern (Polypodium virginanum) is called the “rock cap fern” or the “common polypody fern.” As the name suggests, it is very common, ...

A rock cap fern as seen growing on a cliff in December. The dry air causes the fronds to curl. The brown clumps on the undersides of the fronds are where the reproductive spores develop.

The fern Mr Mifsud found brings the number of such species in Malta to 10, some of which are protected and rare. Ferns are primitive plants that evolved during what is known as the Triassic period ...

Rock cap ferns can also survive dry spells - they dry out and then rehydrate quite rapidly when there is enough moisture. The fun thing to look for right now are the spores. Next time you are out ...