Hart’s tongue fern

Hart’s tongue fern is native to the eastern United States. It is currently considered to be threatened in New York and is one of a handful of plants in New York protected by the Endangered Species Act. Around 90 percent of the known wild specimens of this plant are found in the Empire State. Unlike most ferns, Hart’s tongue fern fronds are smooth and undivided, which is what led it to be compared to a deer (that is, hart) tongue.