Christmas fern is a rhizomatous subterranean, decumbent, woody, densely scaly- scruffy evergreen in the Polypodiaceae family. Found growing in rich rocky woods, along stream banks, in swamps or thickets to a height of 2 to 3 feet in a fountain-like form.

The leaves are known as fronds and these fronds have many leaflets and grow directly from the ground in a clump, so no bark is present. No flowers are produced. The fern produces black spores on the underside of the leaf but not all fronds are fertile. The fertile fronds are narrower at the tip. Curled fiddleheads of new leaves emerge silvery in the spring.

It is best grown in organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. This fern will not spread or naturalize; however, its clumps will increase in size over time.

It provides winter cover near the ground for songbirds who also use parts and scale- like hairs in nest construction.

In mass plantings, it makes an excellent plant to combat soil erosion on slopes.