Japanese Climbing Fern Lygodium japonicum is a perennial vine-like fern native to East Asia and was introduced into Florida in the 1930s. This plant is a true fern that climbs using light-green, feathery, twining fronds. It spreads by spores and rhizomes. Japanese Climbing Fern is classified by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a Tier I invasive species defined as “currently causing severe or widespread negative impacts on wildlife or natural communities in Louisiana”.
It is widespread within forest lands throughout Louisiana. It climbs into trees and over shrubs and herbaceous plants in the understory depriving native plants of sunlight. Host plants also can be damaged by girdling. Japanese Climbing Fern can spread into relatively undisturbed forests, but it is much more prevalent in disturbed forest, utility right-of-ways, and along forest edges and roadsides. This species is not a landscaping plant and generally not sold today.
Landscape With These Native Plants Instead:
