Family: Polypodiaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives and spreads in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on all main Hawaiian Islands, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius and probably elsewhere
  
• Established in, and a potential environmental weed, of mesic forests in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Tolerates deer (likely unpalatable to browsing animals)
  
• Tolerates shade and higher light environments
  
• Climbing, epiphytic habit (could compete with native epiphytes)
  
• Reproduces by spores and vegetatively from rhizomes
  
• Gametophyte stage is self-fertile
  
• Spores dispersed by wind, water, as a pot contaminant, and through intentional cultivation
  
• Prolific spore production
  
• May resprout or regrow from rhizomes if fronds are damaged or removed

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite widespread naturalization, negative impacts have not been specifically identified
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic