Old World Climbing Fern By Linda Tucker
Feb 16, 2016
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?