old world climbing fern	USDA PLANTS Symbol: LYMI U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Vines Ferns
Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br.

Jump to: Resources | Images | Distribution Maps | Sources

Taxonomic Rank: Filicopsida: Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae
Synonym(s): small leaf climbing fern
Native Range: Africa, SE Asia, S. Pac. Islds., Australia (); Not Found (BAIL)
Old world climbing fern, an aggressive invader in southern Florida, is a perennial climbing fern that can reach lengths of more than 90 ft. (30 m). Vines are thin, wiry, and remain green throughout winter. The fronds (leaves of a fern) are opposite, singly compound, 2-5 in. (5-12 cm) long with thick, usually unlobed leaflets. Fertile fronds have lobes around the margin, where sporangia are covered with rolled leaf tissue. Old world climbing fern is a serious invader of swamps, glades, and hammocks. It can form dense mats that smother understory vegetation, shrubs and trees. Old word climbing fern also increases fire risks. Thick mats of dead fronds that grow into trees act as fire ladders, bringing the fires into the tree canopies. Old world climbing fern is native to Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia and was first found naturalized in the United States in 1965.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
Management Plan - Florida EPPC

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

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org