Japanese climbing fern: Lygodium japonicum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae)

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Japanese climbing fern	USDA PLANTS Symbol: LYJA USDA ARS GRIN: 403435 ITIS: 17983 NAPIS: PQBQBQB
Lygodium japonicum (Thunb. ex Murr.) Sw.
Taxonomic Rank: Filicopsida: Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae
Japanese climbing fern is a perennial climbing fern that can reach lengths of 90 ft. (30 m). Vines are thin, wiry, green to orange to black and usually die back in the winter. The fronds (leaves of a fern) are opposite, compound, usually triangular in shape, 3-6 in. (8-15 cm) long, 2-3 in. (5-8 cm) wide and finely dissected. Fertile fronds bear sporangia that produce tiny, wind-dispersed spores. Plants are also spread by rhizomes. Japanese climbing fern often invades disturbed areas such as roadsides and ditches, but can also invade natural areas. It generally is scattered throughout the landscape, but can form dense mats that smother understory vegetation, shrubs and trees. Japanese climbing fern is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States during the 1930s for ornamental purposes.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Images, Video and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

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Developed by The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Last updated on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 02:43 PM