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small-leaf climbing fern

Scientific Name: Lygodium microphyllum

Family: Lygodiaceae

Category: Fern

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Lygodium microphyllum: Old World Climbing Fern

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a climbing fern with rhizomes.
  • Ferns reproduce via spores, which are contained in structures on the underside of the leaves.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is a climbing fern and can grow up to 90 feet long.
  • Fertile leaflets have tiny lobes of enrolled leaf tissue.

Common Names

  • Accepted scientific name: Lygodium microphyllum
  • Common names: climbing maidenhair fern, Old World climbing fern, small-leaf climbing fern, snake fern
  • Other common names: osuchedechui (Palau)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Fern
  • Family: Lygodiaceae (also referred to as Schizaeaceae or Curly-grass Fern Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Lygodium scandens (L.), Ugena microphylla Cav. R.Br., Lygodium scandens, Lygodium scandens var. microphyllum, Ugena microphylla
  • Taxonomic Rank: Polypodiopsida: Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.
  • Also found in the South Pacific Islands and Australia.
  • Specifically mentioned as present in Florida, USA.

Ecological Role

  • Considered invasive in some regions.
  • The FLEPPC considers Old World climbing fern to be invasive.
  • It covers native vegetation, including trees.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Perennial forb/herb vine.
  • Climbing fern with dark brown rhizomes.
  • Can grow up to 90 feet long.
  • Main rachis is wiry and stemlike.
  • Fronds (leaves) are opposite, singly compound, and 2-5 inches (5-12.7 cm).
  • Leaves are thin and herbaceous, nearly dimorphic bi-pinnate, pinnas numerous.
  • Fertile leaflets are fringed with tiny lobes of enrolled leaf tissue along the leaf margin.
  • True stems are underground rhizomes.
  • Leaflets are roughly triangular.
  • Develops vine-like leafy branches (modified leaves).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Covers native vegetation, including trees, when invasive.

Further Information

  • USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center species profile for Old World Climbing Fern.
  • PLANTS Database - Small-leaf Climbing Fern.
  • Encyclopedia of Life (EOL).