Japanese Climbing Fern – Identification

Japanese climbing fern

Q: I found an odd vine growing in the neglected landscape of a small office building in Buckhead. Is this Japanese climbing fern?

A: You’re exactly right! This invasive vine, Lygodium japonicum, can smother nearby perennials. I suspect it is brought into our area on baled pine straw.

Because it burns so fast when dry, in the pine plantations of Florida it is an extreme fire hazard. Gardeners should pull it out whenever seen and keep an eye on the spot for escapees afterwards.

Japanese Climbing Fern 

Japanese climbing fern

Japanese climbing fern

Japanese climbing fern

Japanese climbing fern

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