Plant Profile: Lygodium japonicum

The Japanese Climbing Fern is a terrestrial, subterranean, and creeping plant that can reach lengths of up to 90 feet, often enveloping surrounding shrubs and trees. Its rhizomatous root system develops dense mats that can extend as deep as 10 feet. Spores are carried by the wind for dispersal. In tropical regions, this fern remains evergreen, while in frost-prone areas, it becomes deciduous. It is commonly used in outdoor landscapes in the southern United States and shows marginal hardiness in protected locations around Raleigh.

**Quick Identification Tips:**

**Pests, Diseases, and Other Issues:** The Japanese Climbing Fern is classified as rank 2 on the NC Native Plant Society's invasiveness list. It is recognized as an invasive species in several southern states and is deemed a noxious weed in Florida.