Lygodium palmatum is the only species of its genus native to North America. Unlike most species in the genus, this one, called the American climbing fern, Hartford fern (after Hartford, Connecticut), or Alice's fern, is extremely hardy in temperate zones (other species tolerant of temperate climates include New Zealand's Lygodium articulatum and the Japanese Lygodium japonicum, which is now highly invasive in Florida).The name "Hartford Fern" being derived from its former prevalence in Hartford and the surrounding Connecticut area. It was extensively used as a Christmas decoration by early settlers, leading to the first law protecting a plant species in the United States in 1869.

This fern is on endangered or threatened species lists in several states. It requires constant moisture, high light levels, and intensely acid soil to thrive. Where these conditions are present, it grows in abundance. This leads to a pattern of abundant, but rare and localized populations throughout its range. Its range is essentially Appalachian, ranging from New England down through the Appalachians, Piedmont and Appalachian plateaus into the American south.

Like other rare Lygodium species (such as Lygodium articulatum), their spores have a relatively meager viability, with even immediately sown spores having less than a 50% germination rate, and spores sown after 6 months of storage having less than 5%.

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