Lygodium Swartz. Common name: Climbing Fern.
A genus of about 40 species, mostly tropical, with a few temperate species.
ID notes: Lygodium in our region consists of two non-native and invasive species and an uncommon native. All species have underground rhizome and very long leaves with wiry petiole and rachis that can climb into shrubs and trees or sprawl over the ground and lower vegetation. These "leaves with pinnae" are often mistaken for "stems with leaves" because of their surprising length and the distancing between the pinnae.
References: Nauman (1993b) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Yawn et al. (2024); Zhang & Hanks in FoC (2013). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Keith Bradley | Lygodium japonicum | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Lygodium palmatum | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Lygodium microphyllum | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Lygodium microphyllum, Highway 66, Hardee County, Florida 3 by Alan Cressler | Lygodium microphyllum source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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