Lygodium palmatum — American climbing fern
![Plant form: Lygodium palmatum. ~ By Lucien Taylor. ~ Copyright © 2024 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Schizaeaceae/lygodium-palmatum-ha-ltaylor.jpg)
![Leaf: Lygodium palmatum. ~ By John Lynch. ~ Copyright © 2024 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Schizaeaceae/lygodium-palmatum-le-jlynch.jpg)
![Leaf: Lygodium palmatum. ~ By William Cullina. ~ Copyright © 2024 William Cullina. ~ bill[at]williamcullina.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Schizaeaceae/lygodium-palmatum-le-wcullina.jpg)
![Detail of leaf and/or divisions: Lygodium palmatum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Schizaeaceae/lygodium-palmatum-ld-ahaines.jpg)
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Facts
American climbing fern is found in forests, forest edges and swamp margins, mainly on peaty, acidic, sandy soils. Its fronds twine around other vegetation and can attain lengths of 15 feet (4.5 m). This attractive and unusual fern has the further distinction of having been the first plant protected by law in the United States. This occurred in 1869, when Connecticut passed legislation to curb rampant collection for Christmas decorations. Alas, the species never recovered its former abundance due to habitat loss from expanding agriculture.
Habitat
Forest edges, forests, swamps
New England distribution
Adapted from BONAP data
Native: indigenous.
Non-native: introduced (intentionally or unintentionally); has become naturalized.
County documented: documented to exist in the county by evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
State documented: documented to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within the state. Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
Note: when native and non-native populations both exist in a county, only native status is shown on the map.
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enlargeCharacteristics
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
-
Leaves
- Features of leaves
- the leaves are palmately lobed
-
Place
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Specific habitat
-
- edges of forests
- forests
- swamps
Wetland status
Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally in non-wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACW)
In New England
Distribution
- Connecticut
- present
- Maine
- absent
- Massachusetts
- present
- New Hampshire
- present
- Rhode Island
- present
- Vermont
- present
Conservation status
Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.
- Connecticut
- uncommon (S-rank: S3), special concern (code: SC)
- Massachusetts
- uncommon (S-rank: S3), special concern (code: SC)
- New Hampshire
- extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
- Rhode Island
- rare (S-rank: S2), concern (code: C)
- Vermont
- extirpated (S-rank: SX), endangered (code: E)
From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key
1. Lygodium palmatum (Bernh.) Sw. N
American climbing fern. Gisopteris palmata Bernh. • CT, MA, NH, RI, VT. Low forests, forest edges, and swamp margins, mainly on peaty, acid soils overlying sand.