Old World Climbing Fern (Lyngodium microphyllum) is rapidly invading flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and cypress swamps in Central Florida. It smothers other plants, including young and old trees, and creates thick mats on the ground. It helps carry fires into the tree canopy, wetlands and forested swamps and hammocks where fire is normally excluded.
Experts tell us that this is a more serious pest than the dreaded Kudzu vine! If you are a hiker or outdoors person and have noticed this vine please help stop the spread by reporting the sighting to Rosalind Rowe (863) 635-7506 rrowe@tnc.org or Brian Nelson at 800-423-1476 brian.nelson@watermatters.org. Special efforts are being made to stop the vine from taking over the Green Swamp and surrounding area.
Take note that there is a Japanese Climbing Fern in the same genus that is not invasive and looks similar. Visit www.floridainvasives.org/greenswamp/ to learn more!
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