It does look like a fern, one that I used to know the name of but it escapes me just now. Young fern fronds unfurl like a (bishop's) crozier and that's one way knowing if plants are ferns.

Just learned that it's Cyrtomium falcatum (holly fern).

Fyi....also learned it's considered an invasive in the US by the National Park Service.

Glad you found it, that's the name I know it by, Holly Fern, (when my memory doesn't fail me). And it does tend to be invasive, it's a tough plant that copes with adverse conditions, basically a 'survivor'.