Sword FernSword FernNephrolepis cordifolia Nephrolepis cordifolia

(L.) Dryopteridaceae(L.) Dryopteridaceae

Biology Biology • True fernTrue fern

• Reproduces via sporesReproduces via spores– Year round in south FloridaYear round in south Florida

• Grows in woodland areasGrows in woodland areas

• Possibly introduced as an Possibly introduced as an ornamentalornamental

Distribution & ImpactsDistribution & Impacts

• Found in 23 counties from the Gainesville Found in 23 counties from the Gainesville (Alachua county) area south(Alachua county) area south

• Wooded areas, shaded moist Wooded areas, shaded moist environmentenvironment

• Aggressive spread, forming dense standsAggressive spread, forming dense stands

• Quickly displaces native vegetationQuickly displaces native vegetation

• Spores readily dispersed by wind & waterSpores readily dispersed by wind & water

Sword Fern Distribution in FloridaSword Fern Distribution in Florida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Fronds Fronds

grow up to 3 grow up to 3 feet in feet in heightheight

• Both sterile Both sterile and fertile and fertile (spore (spore producing) producing) frondsfronds

LeavesLeaves• Over 100 leaflets Over 100 leaflets

(pinnae) per frond(pinnae) per frond

• Auricle overlaps rachisAuricle overlaps rachis

• Sori (spore containing Sori (spore containing structures) produced structures) produced between midvein and between midvein and marginmargin

Rhizomes & StolonsRhizomes & Stolons• Rhizomes are Rhizomes are

orange-brown with orange-brown with hair-like scaleshair-like scales

• Stolons form small Stolons form small underground underground tubers - tubers - distinguishes this distinguishes this fern from native fern from native fernsferns

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Avoid mechanical disturbance in Avoid mechanical disturbance in forested areas – logging, rouging, etc. forested areas – logging, rouging, etc. where sword fern is presentwhere sword fern is present

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace sword fernreplace sword fern

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationthis plant and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for sword fern agents available for sword fern management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all stolons with tubers, repeated pulling all stolons with tubers, repeated pulling for resproutsfor resprouts

2.2. Mowing or cutting is effective, although Mowing or cutting is effective, although likely impractical, but must be likely impractical, but must be repeated to control resproutsrepeated to control resprouts

ChemicalChemical1.1. Over-the-top applications of Over-the-top applications of

glyphosate at 1 to 2% solution plus glyphosate at 1 to 2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant 0.25% surfactant

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide

3.3. Retreatment will likely be necessary Retreatment will likely be necessary for complete eradicationfor complete eradication

4.4. Limited testing with other herbicidesLimited testing with other herbicides

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

Useful LinksUseful Links• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United

States: http://www.invasive.org

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov

Literature CitedLiterature Cited• Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998.

Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp

• Langeland, K. A. 2001. Natural Area Weeds: Langeland, K. A. 2001. Natural Area Weeds: Distinguishing Native and Non-Native "Boston Distinguishing Native and Non-Native "Boston Ferns" and "Sword Ferns" (Nephrolepis spp.). Ferns" and "Sword Ferns" (Nephrolepis spp.). EDIS Publication SS-AGR-22. Agronomy EDIS Publication SS-AGR-22. Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.Florida.