Climbing Features of Lygodium

摘要

The climbing prowess of Lygodium is remarkable. This fern genus climbs by means of leaves, in sharp contrast to twining species of flowering plants, such as morning glories (Ipomoea), which have stems that climb. Half of its 26 species have leaves that can extend at least ten meters (33 ft.), while L. microphyllum and L japonicum can reach 30 meters (almost 100 ft.). [1,10] Its leaf has a thin, wiry rachis (Gk. lygodes, flexible) and an indeterminate growth form, i.e., one that grows indefinitely until its tip dies because of some external factor. Other features of Lygodium include the following.