The rabbit’s paw

‘Rabbit’s foot’ is the nickname given to the fern Davallia canariensis, in reference to the appearance of its numerous shaggy aerial rhizomes, which creep along the ground. In fact, depending on your point of view, this morphology might remind you more of tarantula legs than rabbit paws, especially when there are lots of them! This plant is extremely prolific in this respect: within two or three years, the rhizomes can not only colonise the entire surface of the growing medium, but also completely cover a 12 cm pot from top to bottom!

Davallia canariensis then expands its growing area, as fronds regularly emerge from the rhizomes. An advantage over underground roots is that it limits the spread of competing plants in the vicinity of the plant. The dense covering of hairs is necessary to store as much moisture as possible above ground (one of the primary roles of roots!), to protect against external threats (various pests), and to provide better anchorage.