American Climbing Fern
Lygodium palmatum (Bernh.) Sw.
Lygodium palmatum is the only species in the genus Lygodium native to North America. Commonly known as the American climbing fern, it is hardy in temperate regions. The name 'Hartford Fern' comes from its historical abundance in Hartford, Connecticut. It was widely used as a Christmas decoration by early settlers, prompting the first U.S. law to protect a plant species in 1869.
Description
Lygodium palmatum (Bernh.) Sw. is a species in the family Lygodiaceae. It is native to parts of the eastern United States, including Vermont, Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Known for its hardiness in temperate climates, it was historically prevalent in the Hartford area, leading to its common name 'Hartford Fern.' Its use as a Christmas decoration in the 19th century led to overharvesting, which resulted in the first legal protection for a plant species in the United States in 1869.
Other common names
American Climbing FernCreeping FernHartford FernWindsor Fern
Distribution
SB · Vermont-US · Alabama · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Indiana · Kentucky · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Mississippi · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Rhode I. · South Carolina · Tennessee · Vermont · Virginia · West Virginia
Synonyms
Gisopteris palmataHydroglossum palmatumCteisium palmatumRamondia palmataCteisium paniculatum