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Old
world climbing fern, also called lygodium, is an exotic plant that
originated in Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. This member of the
climbing fern family (Lygodiaceae) was first seen in Florida in the
1950's, but no one is sure how it was introduced here. The
ferns climb over native vegetation and high into the tree canopy. Aerial
roots grow off of the stem and find their way to the ground, where dense,
tangled mats of rhizomes may form. These impenetrable mats may be several
feet thick. Lygodium rhizome mats smother the native groundcover plants
and alter the species composition of the plant community. The climbing
vines and leaves also smother many bromeliads and orchids that grow on the
tree trunks. As
the ferns climb into the tree canopy, they create a path for fire to reach
the tops of the trees. Serious and destructive crown fires often result.
Even in cypress swamps, where water usually provides a natural barrier to
fire, crown fires are a problem, if lygodium is present.
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Old
world climbing ferns spread rapidly since they continue to grow and
reproduce year-round. The abundant spores are dispersed by wind. Plants
establish easily in moist soils and are hard to control. The ferns will
die back from fire, but quickly re-grow from rhizomes afterwards. These
ferns are considered a serious threat to swamps and tropical hammocks in
South Florida. Old
world climbing fern is quickly spreading in south Florida and the Keys. It
is not currently known to grow farther north.
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