Mississippi Fern

Sometimes in the 70's my Dad and aunt drove from Mississippi to Georgia to visit us and Dad brought me a pot full of fern from his yard. One pot. We planted this one pot on the side yard of our house in Clarkston and it grew and spread all along the side of the house. Then we moved to Lawrenceville and in the contract to sell the Clarkston house we stated that we would have the right to dig up some of the fern to move to Lawrenceville. From Lawrenceville to Jefferson, the same thing. When we moved to our house in Jefferson in 2000 we hauled fern and planted it on the backside of the house that gets morning sun and evening shade. It has spread along this space. And this year, with all the rains it is taller than it has ever been. Sweetman measured a piece the other day--48 inches tall. This fern comes back every year and can be dug up and planted most any place that gets afternoon shade. I asked my Dad where he got this fern. With a grin on his face he said, "Some place where you are not suppose to remove plants from". Now he had that fern for years at his house so I am sure he "borrowed" it in the early 50-60's. In his later years I asked again and he told me the Natchez Trace north of where we lived. Today, you can go to jail for removing anything from a Federal or State park. Do you think that applies to the second generation? Need fern--call me.