The life history biology of the fernLorinseria areolatawas studied at three sites adjacent to the Escambia River, Florida, which represented part of its habitat diversity in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Site 1 was dominated byPinus elliottiiand was flooded only during hurricanes. Site 2 was dominated byMagnolia virginianaandGordonia lasianthusand was flooded for 3–5 months of the year. Site 3 was dominated byNyssa sylvaticavar.bifloraandTaxodium distichumand was flooded for 9–12 months of the year.Lorinseria areolatacoverage was 92, 61, and 16% of total understory at sites 1, 2, and 3. Rhizome length varied 5‐fold between sites. Microtopography varied little at site 1. Microtopography at sites 2 and 3 consisted of distinctive hummocks and hollows. Association analysis documented thatL. areolatawas distributed randomly with regard to microtopography at site 1, and was strongly associated with hummocks at sites 2 and 3. Seven life history classes (LHCs) forL. areolatawere discriminated based on field collections and seasonal observations over three years. Density of LHCs decreased logarithmically, with the exception of older LHCs whose age could not be determined beyond 30 months. Spore storage in dead erect sporophylls allowed the establishment of gametophytes throughout the year. Up to 25% of the gametophyte population survived the cold and relative drought of winter. More than half of field collected gametophytes were small males, and up to a third were larger bisexual gametophytes. Safe sites for completion of the life cycle were limited to decayed pine stumps and twigs at site 1, and to hummocks at sites 2 and 3. It was hypothesized that the acidifying action ofPinus elliottiilitter on soil contributed to the abundance ofLorinseria areolataat site 1, and that parts of the microhabitat mosaic at sites 2 and 3 which most closely approached edaphic characteristics of site 1 provided safe sites for the fern.