old world climbing fern

Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Lygodium microphyllum is a perennial climbing fern that can reach lengths of more than 90 ft. (27.4 m).
Foliage
Vines are thin, wiry, and remain green throughout winter. The fronds (leaves of a fern) are opposite, singly compound, 2-5 in. (5-12.7 cm) long with thick, usually unlobed leaflets. Fertile fronds have lobes around the margin, where sporangia are covered with rolled leaf tissue. It has two types of leaflets on its climbing leaf. The leaflet with the simple (unlobed) outline is a normal vegetative leaflet. The more convoluted leaflet has sporangia along its margin.
Flowers
This plant does not produce flowers.
Fruit
The sporangia produces spores leading to the development of gametophytes. The gametophytes are usually small, and difficult to spot.
Ecological Threat
Lygodium microphyllum is a serious invader of swamps, glades, and hammocks. It can form dense mats that smother understory vegetation, shrubs and trees. This plant also increases fire risks. Thick mats of dead fronds that grow into trees act as fire ladders, bringing the fires into the tree canopies. It is native to Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia and was first found naturalized in the United States in 1965.

Resources

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Infestation
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Underside of spore-bearing leaflets of Old World climbing fern. Some leaflets produce spores; others don't. Spores can be carried by the wind to start new infestations.
Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Fertile fronds
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seedling(s)
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Control
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Control
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Entomologist Robert Pemberton observes invasive Old World climbing fern overtaking cypress trees in southern Florida.
Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Old World climbing fern growing on cypress trees in southern Florida. The weed forms huge skirts that fires can climb to reach tree tops. Trees without the fern usually survive fire.
Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Control Post Treatment, Everglades National Park, Florida
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Miami-Dade County, Florida
Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Control
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Prescribed Fire
Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Distribution