Japanese climbing fern

Polypodiales > Lygodiaceae > Lygodium japonicum (Thunb. ex Murr.) Sw.
Japanese climbing fern is a perennial climbing fern that can reach lengths of 90 ft. (30 m). Vines are thin, wiry, green to orange to black and usually die back in the winter. The fronds (leaves of a fern) are opposite, compound, usually triangular in shape, 3-6 in. (8-15 cm) long, 2-3 in. (5-8 cm) wide and finely dissected. Fertile fronds bear sporangia that produce tiny, wind-dispersed spores. Plants are also spread by rhizomes. Japanese climbing fern often invades disturbed areas such as roadsides and ditches, but can also invade natural areas. It generally is scattered throughout the landscape, but can form dense mats that smother understory vegetation, shrubs and trees. Japanese climbing fern is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States during the 1930s for ornamental purposes.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Selected Images

View All Images

Number:2122082
Description: Foliage; Fertile fronds
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2307223
Description: Plant(s); September
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1373011
Description: Foliage; Spore-producing fronds.
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5238094
Description: Feature(s);
Photographer:Richard Old, XID Services, Inc.
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1264006
Description: Feature(s); Vines and Fronds. Tift County, GA
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2307221
Description: Feature(s); September
Photographer:Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1264035
Description: Plant(s); Tift County, GA
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5302045
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5177036
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5005025
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2307225
Description: Infestation; July
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1343001
Description: Infestation; Infesting a planted pine stand, GA
Photographer:Wayne Williamson,
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2154019
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2307224
Description: Feature(s); January
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5302046
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5078024
Description: Prescribed Fire;
Photographer:Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1264040
Description: Infestation; Tift County, GA
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1264047
Description: Control; glyphosate mixture. Tift County, GA
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1264055
Description: Control; Backpack sprayer, glyphosate treatment. Tift County, GA
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1197027
Description: Dispersal;

Plant in a pine straw bale

Photographer:Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5308003
Description: Diagram or Graphic; USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Photographer:USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 

External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

  • Alabama - Noxious Weed Law
  • Alabama - IPC List
  • Florida - EPPC list
  • Georgia - EPPC list
  • South Carolina - EPPC List
  • Texas - Invasive Plant List
  •  
  • Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control
  • Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South
  • USDA Forest Service Fire Effects

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/