Golden polypody fern (Phlebodium aureum) most often is found growing in the boots of cabbage palm trees (Sabal palmetto). Like all ferns, golden polypody fern reproduces via wind-borne spores. Above check out the very beginnings of this native fern.
On our walk at Bird’s impoundment at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR) on 10/8/2023, we saw some freshly emerged fronds as we strolled through the smidge of hammock adjacent to the nearby parking lot …
Fresh fronds are bright green, soft, and on their way to being pinnatifid. Pinnatifid means that the lobes of the fronds reach at least halfway to the central axis. Mature leaves can be up to 4′ long.
Cabbage palm fern and golden foot fern also are common names for this plant. The fronds emanate from a creeping stem (rhizome) that is covered with golden brown hair-like scales. During droughts, the fronds sometimes fall off the rhizomes, as shown below at Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area …
Fertile fronds have sori, spore-producing receptacles, along each side of the midrib …
Sometimes, as at PINWR, strangler figs (Ficus aureum) co-habitate with the golden polypody ferns …
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 