Lygodium

This vine-like fern has flexible, slender fronds which twine together as they climb trees and other objects. Fronds have been known to reach a height of as much as 15'; 3-8' is more typical. The evergreen, hand-shaped leaves add to the distinctive appearance of the plant. The fertile leaflets, which grow at the top of the plant, are much more finely divided than the sterile lower leaflets. Can spread to form a colony. Fronds were formerly gathered for Christmas decorations. The resulting severe depletion of the climbing fern population in Connecticut led that state to pass the first plant protection law in the U.S., banning picking of the plant. Prefers sandy, moist or wet, acidic soil. Quite tolerant of shade, but grows best with plenty of light, and will grow even in full sun as long as the soil is moist.