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