These are called Resurrection Ferns (ones that grow from random places- cracks in steps, walls, etc) after a good rain.

People often ask me what my favorite thing about New Orleans is (because I annoyingly somehow find a way to work the topic into every conversation I have).

I have one reply: “If you stand on a street corner for any amount of time, something will settle on you and start growing. A spore will land in your ear and you’ll have a 3″ fern growing out of your head by the time the bus comes.”

The rich delta soil spits out life in alarming volume. When the city is gone I will come fish its ruins, because it is the city that will not stop giving.

Originally Published Dec 2008