NEcology #71 - The Curious Climbing Fern

Everyone knows the traditional fern, right? Heavily segmented, emerging in early spring, and carpeting the floor or damp, rich forests, right? Well, not all ferns take on such a form factor. In the tropics and remote locations around the world, ferns can be massive, sprawling things, vines, or even trees! Shockingly, here in New England, we have one such oddity! Lygodium palmatum, the "Hartford Fern" or "American Climbing Fern" sprawls along swamp edges. Please join me for an expose on its bizarre morphology and sad story of decline!
Plants of interest:
Coptis trifolia - "Three-leaved Goldthread"
Panax trifolius - "Dwarf Ginseng"
Kalmia latifolia - "Mountain Laurel"
Equisetum arvernse - "Field Horsetail"
Lygodium palmatum - "American Climbing Fern"