This rhizomatous fern has congested wiry stems that scramble or climb over structures or into trees forming a dense cover. It has bright to dark green divided fronds with small leaflets and the fertile fronds produced fringed spore bearing leaflets during summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Lygodium microphyllum is naturally found widespread from a tropical Africa to south-east Asia and northern Australia growing in rainforests and in the areas of felled trees or in open swampy regions. It has also naturalised in many parts of the world including southern North America where it forms dense thickets and is regarded as a noxious weed. 

It prefers an open sunny to partially shaded protected humid position and grows in well-drained to boggy-wet acidic peaty soils that are high and organic material and is a drought tender but slightly frost hardy.

The Climbing Maidenhair is grown for its foliage and climbing habit. It is grown on wire fences in small or tropical gardens for screening or used as a ground cover on embankments. It is discouraged from growing into trees as it becomes rampant and smothering the tree. It can be used in large pots or planter boxes and trained over lattice under glass and cold regions. 

It is suitable for the coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 1-2 years and is long-lived. Care should be taken when cultivating this plant as it can infest other parts of the garden or the adjoining bushland. ID 2564

Lygodium (ly-GO-dee-um)  microphyllum (my-kro-FIL-um)

Schizaeaceae (she-zar-AY-see-ee)