Lygodium microphyllum (commonly known as, variously, climbing maidenhair fern,[3]Old World climbing fern,[3]small-leaf climbing fern,[3] or snake fern[3]) is a climbing fern originating in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, Melanesia and Australia.[3] It is an invasive weed[7] in Florida[8] 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.[9]
Lygodium microphyllum is native to much of tropical Africa and South Africa; tropical Asia, including China, Ryukyu Islands of Japan; Australia; Fiji, the Mariana Islands and Caroline Islands.[3]
Lygodium microphyllum causes problems in the environments where it is invasive. The plant damages wetland ecosystems, harming endangered species.[10] The ferns 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.[11]Lygodium microphyllum poses problems for fires, both natural and man-made, because it can lead fire into the tree canopy, killing trees.[12] The fern rapidly spread in South Florida's public conservation lands.[11]
Recently, the USDA approved the use of insects to keep the fern contained. Insects (Austromusotima camptozonale, Neomusotima conspurcatalis) and mites (Floracarus perrepae) 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.[10]
Lygodium microphyllum fibers (as well as other species of Lygodium), known as nito, are used to weave traditional salakot hats in the Philippines.[14][15]
^Volin, John C.; Kruger, Eric L.; Volin, Valeria C.; Tobin, Michael F.; Kitajima, Kaoru (2009). "Does release from natural belowground enemies help explain the invasiveness of Lygodium microphyllum? A cross-continental comparison". Plant Ecology. 208 (2): 223. doi:10.1007/s11258-009-9700-6. S2CID38267539.
Jeffrey T. Hutchinson, Kenneth A. Langeland, Gregory E. MacDonald and Robert Querns, 2010; Absorption and Translocation of Glyphosate, Metsulfuron, and Triclopyr in Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum). Weed Science 58:2, 118-125 Online publication date : 1-Apr-2010 (abstract)
Pemberton, Robert W.; Ferriter, Amy P. (1998). "Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum), a Dangerous Invasive Weed in Florida". American Fern Journal. 88 (4): 165–175. doi:10.2307/1547769. ISSN0002-8444. JSTOR1547769.