Family: Davalliaceae
Davallia solida var. fejeensis (syn. Davallia fejeensis; rabbit’s foot fern), is an epiphytic and terrestrial fern native to Fiji. This fern is popular in horticulture and is cultivated in many parts of the world, including in the Hawaiian Islands. The name “rabbit’s foot fern” is derived from the fuzzy, creeping rhizomes that resemble a rabbit’s foot. It is naturalized on Oahu, Hawaii, and perhaps other islands, and can spread by means of its wind-dispersed spores and creeping rhizomes. Although it currently occurs in landscaping and non-native habitats, it could potentially compete with epiphytes in native forest ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives and can spread in regions with tropical climates.
- Naturalized on Oahu and Hawaii islands, and possibly elsewhere in the tropics.
- A potential landscaping or greenhouse weed.
- Shade tolerant.
- Tolerates many soil types.
- Reproduces by spores and vegetatively by rhizomes.
- Spores dispersed by wind and water, and possibly through other means.
- Also spread through intentional cultivation.
- Prolific spore production.
Low Risk Traits:
- Generally valued as an ornamental plant, and currently of limited or ambiguous negative impacts where naturalized.
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
