Lygodium

Lygodium is a genus of climbing ferns whose fronds grow indeterminately and twine around supporting vegetation. Its species reproduce by spores rather than seeds.

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Fern: A vascular plant that reproduces by spores and has neither flowers nor seeds. Lygodium belongs to the ferns, though its fronds climb rather than forming a compact crown.
Lygodium microphyllum: An Old World climbing fern that is invasive in parts of the southeastern United States. This species is among the best-known examples of Lygodium's ecological impact.
Schizaeales: An order of ferns that includes the families Schizaeaceae, Anemiaceae, and Lygodiaceae. Lygodium is classified within this fern order.
Lygodium venustum: A climbing fern native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It represents the New World diversity of the genus.
Indeterminate growth: Growth that continues without a fixed final size, as long as conditions permit. Continued frond growth lets Lygodium extend far beyond the size of a single supporting plant.
Lygodium japonicum: An East Asian climbing fern that has become invasive in parts of the southeastern United States. Its spread shows that invasive concern is not limited to one Lygodium species.
Lygodiaceae: A family of ferns containing the genus Lygodium. This family-level grouping places Lygodium among its closest taxonomic relatives.
Lygodium palmatum: A climbing fern native to eastern North America, known as the American climbing fern. Its limited regional distribution contrasts with the broader ranges of many tropical congeners.
Circinate vernation: The coiled arrangement of a developing fern frond before it unfurls. Lygodium fronds begin as coils before extending into long climbing structures.
Invasive species: A non-native organism that spreads and causes ecological, economic, or other harm. Some introduced Lygodium species spread aggressively beyond their native ranges.