Old WorldClimbing Fern

By Linda Tucker

Background Lygodium microphyllum

Member of Schizaeaceae family

Native to tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia

Introduced as an ornamental plant

First appeared outside cultivation in 1960

Currently restricted to central and southern Florida

Related to invasive L. japonicum and native L.

palmatum

Fern Anatomy

Leaflets

Effects on the Ecosystem

Ferns can climb trees and block out sunlight

Dead fronds attached to trees form a ladder that can lead fire into the canopy

Can form dense mats on ground over 4 feet thick

Prevents germination and survival of other plants

Can impede water flow in creeks and wetlands

Spreads rapidly

Management Options Can be hand-pulled or cut

Sprayed with glyphosate

Controlled burning

Biocontrols

Neomusotima conspurcatalis

Austromusotima camptozonale

Floracarus perrepare

Stem-borers

Biocontrols

References Kaufman, S. R., & Kaufman, W. (2007). Invasive Plants.

Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books. Lygodium Task Force. (2006). Old World Climbing Fern

Management Plan for Florida. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/Lygo_micro_plan.pdf

University of Florida. (2012). Old World Climbing Fern. Retrieved September 30, 2012, from Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/255

University of Georgia. (2008). Old World Climbing Fern. Retrieved September 29, 2012, from Invasive.Org: http://www.invasive.org/weedcd/species/3046.htm

Questions?