Lygodium microphyllum


Lygodium microphyllum is a climbing fern originating in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, Melanesia and Australia. It is an invasive weed in Florida where it invades open forest and wetland areas. The type specimen was collected in the vicinity of Nabúa, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines by Luis Née.

Distribution

Lygodium microphyllum is native to much of tropical Africa and South Africa; tropical Asia, China, Ryukyu Islands of Japan, Australia, Fiji, the Mariana Islands and Caroline Islands.
Lygodium microphyllum has become naturalized in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.

Effects on the environment

Lygodium microphyllum causes problems in the environments where it is invasive. The plant damages wetland ecosystems, harming endangered species. The fern's ability to grow up and over trees and shrubs and to form dense horizontal canopies allows it to cover whole communities of plants, reducing native plant diversity. Old World climbing fern can grow in many diverse ecosystems. Lygodium microphyllum poses problems for fires, both natural and man-made, because it can lead fire into the tree canopy, killing trees. The fern is rapidly spreading in South Florida's public conservation lands.

Containment

Recently, the USDA approved the use of insects to keep the fern contained. Insects and mites have been released in several state parks to control the fern. Although some populations were devastated by a bout of cold weather, recently, reports of new activity have been made.

Ethnobotany

Lygodium microphyllum has been used locally in folk medicine to treat skin ailments and problems, swelling and dysentery.

Other uses

Lygodium microphyllum fibers, known as nito, are used to weave traditional salakot hats in the Philippines.