Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)

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(Lygodium japonicum) Patrick J. Minogue, Stella Jones, Kimberly K. Bohn, and Rick L. Williams2 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern, a common invasive plant in pine plantations of the Coastal Plain, has climbing, twining fronds that can grow to 90 feet long. (Photo: Ronald F. Billings, Bugwood)

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 2 Lygodiummicrophyllum Japanese climbing fern is distinguished by its feathery, light green fronds, with triangular, compound leaf branches (pinnae) and lobed, stalked leaflets (pinnules) on wiry, twining, stems (rachises), often orange to brown in color. (Photo: Ted Bodner, Bugwood) Prescribed fire alone has not been successful in controlling Japanese climbing fern, which is a ladder fuel that allows fire to climb into the forest canopy, potentially worsening the severity of wildfire and compromising the safety of prescribed burning programs. (Photo: Chuck Bargeron)

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 3 The three patches of light green vegetation among the dark green junipers in this landscaping are infestations of Japanese climbing fern, which was introduced from commercial pine straw. (Photo: Pat Minogue) Austromusotima camptozonal Floracarus perrepae Neostrombocerus spManobiasp. Neomusotima fuscolinealis Lygodium japonicum Imperata cylindrica

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 4 Fertile leaflets (pinnules) are contracted in shape with two rows of sporangia along the leaf margin. The light brown spores are nearly microscopic. (Photo: Pat Minogue)

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 5

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 6

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Biology and Control of Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 7 Herbicide control measures as described by Miller (2003). All foliage must be thoroughly covered with the spray. Escort XP1 (metsulfuron methyl) 1-2 oz product /acre Mix 0.3 to 0.6 dry oz per 3 gallons water, and as a mixture with glyphosate Aresenal AC2 (imazapyr) 1% in water Mix 4 fluid oz per 3 gallons water Glyphosate3, Garlon 3A4, or Garlon 45 (triclopyr) 4% in water Mix 16 fluid oz per 3 gallons water, or a combination of these herbicides 1Escort XP contains 60% metsulfuron methyl as the active ingredient. 2Arsenal AC contains 4 lb acid equivalent imazapyr per gallon as the active ingredient 3Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, Accord, and many other products. 4Garlon 3A contains 3 lb active ingredient per gallon as an amine salt of triclopyr. 5Garlon 4 contains 4 lb acid equivalent triclopyr ester per gallon as the active ingredient.