Origin
Australia, Africa to Southeast Asia, and South Pacific islands
Ecological Impact
Forms a blanket of growth which when caught on fire, spreads rapidly, resulting in the loss of canopy trees and native bromeliads. Can climb over sawgrass in standing water. Listed as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Invasive Species Council.
Description
A climbing fern with dark brown rhizomes that can grow up to 90 feet long. The main rachis is wiry and stemlike. Branches contain leaves are that are once compound and oblong in shape. There are 2 kinds of leaflets on the climbing frond (leaf): one has a simple (unlobed) outline and the other has sporangia along its margin (Langeland and Burks, 1998).
Identification Tips
Resembles Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) whose pinnae are often twice compound.
History
Introduced to Florida in the early 1990s.
Florida Range
Found throughout the state of Florida, including the Keys.
Prevention/Management Strategies
For small vines, pull out by the roots and discard the plant material in tightly sealed bags along with household waste. Large patches will need to be cut and disposed of. When in contact with this fern, change out of clothing immediately and bag until clothing can be washed. Remove all fern material from shoes and equipment used.
If you live in or north of northern Hillsborough, northern Polk, Orange or Volusia Counties and suspect that Old World climbing fern is infesting your property, e-mail Cheryl Millett at (cmillett@tnc.org) or call (863) 635-7506 x 205. The Nature Conservancy may be able to treat it for you.