A perennial species of fern found throughout the eastern United States and all three regions (mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain) of North Carolina.  It is found in woodland areas and can form spreading colonies through its brown-black scaly, trailing rhizomes.  They are common in sunny patches found from gaps in the overhead canopy.  This fern is a wetland indicator and can survive and outcompete other species in soil pH below 4.  It makes a good addition to a woodland garden or naturalized areas filling in gaps when spring wildflowers fade and providing shelter for toads. Commonly found in mesic forests, bottomland forests, bogs, and submesic forests.