Family: Dennstaedtiaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (temperate to tropical regions)
- Escaped or naturalized in Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands (recently confirmed)
- A short-lived, weedy fern of disturbed habitats, open sites, gardens, and urban environments
- Mistakenly identified as a native fern (Hypolepis hawaiiensis); may be having detrimental effects in the natural environment. Further determination of its current distribution is required.
- Other species are weedy
- Reported to be a short-lived, ephemeral fern in most areas, but capable of forming dense stands on Macauley Island (southern Kermadec Islands)
- Reproduces by spores and vegetatively by rhizomes
- Hybridizes with other Hypolepis species; could potentially cross with native Hawaiian fern (Hypolepis hawaiiensis)
- Spores dispersed by wind, water, as a garden contaminant, and intentionally cultivated in some areas
- Prolific spore production
Low Risk Traits:
- A short-lived fern in much of its natural range; distribution and negative impacts in the Hawaiian Islands currently unknown
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)