American climbing fern is a climbing, herbaceous perennial fern in the fan-fern family (Lygodiaceae). It is native to the Eastern United States and is considered threatened in many states. Native to North Carolina, where it is considered rare, this species is found primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. The species epithet describes the palmate lobes on the sterile leaflets. It grows well with constant moisture and acidic soils and is found in thickets, bogs, marshes, and open and closed woods. It grows in partial shade to full sun. Preferred soil type is loam or clay. Its fronds can grow in length 8 feet or more, twining around other vegetation. It is known as Hartford fern because it was the first plant to be protected by law in the United States, in Hartford, Connecticut, where it was gathered for Christmas decorations. This fern can grow in boggy areas, near ponds, woodlands and in naturalized areas. It can also be grown in native or winter gardens. Excercise care when using this species in the garden, as it can climb exuberantly over other plants. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or pest issues. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
3-7 lobed leaflets are palmately divided (appear hand-like). Leaves are 1-2 inches long and 2-4 inches wide and sterile. The fertile leaves are at the top of the plant and the leaflets are much more finely cut and have spores on the back.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern United States
Distribution
AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , ID , KS , KY , MA , MD , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV