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)