Southern lady fern is a 2-3 foot fern with lacy, broad deciduous leaves in the fern (Aspleniaceae) family and is native to central and eastern USA including NC. It is found growing in meadows, open thickets, moist woods, and occasionally in swamps and is often found in the understory of cedars, firs and hemlock woodlands.

It spreads by underground rhizomes and will form a dense ground cover over time.