Lygodium japonicum

(Thunberg ex Murray) Swartz

J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 106. 1801.

Common names: Japanese climbing fern
IntroducedIllustrated
Basionym: Ophioglossum japonicum Thunberg ex Murray Syst. Veg. ed. 14, 926. May–June 1784
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2. Treatment on page 116.

Stems creeping. Leaves to ca. 3(-30) m. Petioles borne 2-7 mm apart, 10-35 cm. Sterile pinnae on 1.5-3.5 cm stalks, triangular to lanceolate, 2-3-pinnate, 6-15 × 5.5-15 cm; ultimate segments lanceolate, lobed or divided proximally; lobes usually acute at tip and directed toward apex; segment apices long-attenuate to acute; segments not articulate to petiolules, not leaving wiry stalks when detached; blade tissue pubescent abaxially with short, curved hairs. Fertile pinnae on 1-2 cm stalks, lanceolate-triangular, 2-3-pinnate, 5-18 × 4-14 cm; ultimate segments ovate to lanceolate, fringed with fertile lobes, otherwise similiar to sterile segments.


Habitat: Terrestrial in woods, marshes, roadside ditches, riverbanks, and other wet, disturbed sites in circumneutral soil.

Distribution

V2 184-distribution-map.gif

Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Asia in China, Japan.

Discussion

Lygodium japonicum is native to eastern Asia. It is commonly naturalized or escaped from cultivation. It has been reported as weedy in southern Alabama and Florida where its dense canopy can eliminate underlying vegetation.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Lygodium japonicum"
Clifton E. Nauman +
(Thunberg ex Murray) Swartz +
Ophioglossum japonicum +
Japanese climbing fern +
Ala. +, Ark. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, Miss. +, N.C. +, S.C. +, Tex. +, Asia in China +  and Japan. +
Terrestrial in woods, marshes, roadside ditches, riverbanks, and other wet, disturbed sites in circumneutral soil. +
J. Bot. (Schrader) +
Introduced +  and Illustrated +
Lygodium japonicum +
Lygodium +
species +