Lygodium flexuosum
(maidenhair creeper)

Preferred Scientific Name

• Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw.

Preferred Common Name

• maidenhair creeper

Other Scientific Names

• Hydroglossum flexuosum (L.) Willd.
• Ophioglossum flexuosum L.
• Ramondia flexuosa (L.) Mirb.

International Common Names

• German: Bogenkletterfarn

Local Common Names

• China: qu zhou hai jin sha
• India: kopow-lota
• Malaysia: akar sidin; ribu-ribu gajah
• Vietnam: bong bong

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Pteridophyta
•             Class: Filicopsida
•                 Family: Schizaeaceae
•                     Genus: Lygodium
•                         Species: Lygodium flexuosum

Lygodium is a small genus of climbing ferns with about 35 species, mostly with a pantropical distribution and with a few species extending into temperate areas (Flora Mesoamericana, 2019). The genus comes from the Greek word ‘lygodes’ meaning flexible, in reference to its twining rachis (Flora of North America, 2019). All species of the genus have an elongated climbing rachis with indefinite growth, often reaching lengths of several metres.

The following description is from Flora of China (2019):

Rhizome shortly creeping and densely covered with roots, stipes very close together; apex of rhizome covered with dark brown to nearly black hairs. Juvenile fronds once or twice dichotomous, each branch bearing a single pinna deeply palmately 3-7-lobed, lobes almost equal, base of whole pinna cordate, margins serrate and sometimes crenately lobed. Rachis of scandent fronds narrowly winged, flattened and puberulent on adaxial surface between wings; primary rachis branches up to 3 mm (lower ones longest), dormant apex covered with pale brown hairs; secondary rachis branches pinnate to somewhat bipinnate, narrowly ovate to deltoid in outline, commonly ca. 15 × 8 cm; sterile pinnae of lower branches palmate, often 5-lobed, base strongly cordate; higher secondary branches bearing 3-5 (sometimes up to 7) pinnae on each side and an apical one, apical and lower pinnae asymmetrical or ± lobed at base, lowest of branches with 2 or 3(-6) separate quaternary pinnae at base; sterile pinnae 3-10 × 8-15 mm above lobed base, margin serrate, apex subacute, lower pinnae stalked, upper pinnae sessile, lamina rather thin; costae usually with scattered long hairs, less often with dense short hairs, veins often with scattered short hairs on abaxial surface, lamina sometimes similarly hairy; fertile pinnae smaller than sterile pinnae, sorophores 3-5 mm (rarely up to 10 mm), at apices of small triangular lobes; indusia glabrous or with a few hairs like those of abaxial surface of lamina; spores finely evenly verrucose.

L. flexuosum is only reported as introduced in Nigeria and Guyana (Pemberton and Ferriter, 1998; Nwosu, 2002). No details for its means of introduction are available for either country. The species is used as an ornamental and in the production of baskets, hats and bags, which could be the pathways for moving into these countries (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2009; Araflora, 2019). It can spread into nearby areas through wind-borne spores and vegetatively through its rhizomes (Yadav et al., 2012).

Soil drainage

• impeded

Soil reaction

• acid
• neutral

Soil texture

• heavy
• light
• medium

Natural Dispersal

The spores of L. flexuosum are wind dispersed (Russell-Smith and Lee, 1992; Yadav et al., 2012). The species can also spread through its rhizomes growth and by climbing over vegetation (Yadav et al., 2012).

Accidental Introduction

Although there are no details of the introduction of L. flexuosum to Nigeria and Guyana; it is possible that it was brought in accidentally by its use in the production of baskets, hats or bags (Yadav et al., 2012).

Intentional Introduction

L. flexuosum is cultivated at some parts of its range; with reports of it being sold at nurseries and online (Huttleston, 1972; USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2009).

L. flexuosum is an agricultural weed in its native range (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2009). It is reported as causing reductions of rice yields, interfering with harvesting operations of rubber trees and oil palm plantations, and competing with tea plants for resources.

Very little information is available on the effects of L. flexuosum in natural habitats. It is reported as a weed of natural lowlands in Asia, without further details (Yadav et al., 2012).

Apart from the effects of L. flexuosum on cultivated species (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2009), there are no reports of the species effects on the biodiversity of an area.

There are no reports of toxicity related to the consumption of L. flexuosum but many ferns contain thiaminase which can deprive the body of the vitamin B complex. Cooking the leaves will destroy the thiaminase (Useful Tropical Plants, 2019).

• Invasive in its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
• Tolerant of shade
• Long lived
• Fast growing
• Has high reproductive potential
• Gregarious
• Reproduces asexually

• Negatively impacts agriculture

• Competition - monopolizing resources
• Competition - shading

• Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately

Economic Value

L. flexuosum is used as an ornamental, being available in nurseries and on Internet websites (Huttleston, 1972; USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2009). The stems are used in the production of different articles such as baskets, boxes, hats and bags (The DNA of Singapore, 2019; Useful Tropical Plants, 2019).

Social Benefit

Some of the medicinal uses reported for L flexuosum are to treat female infertility, gonorrhoea, herpes, ringworm, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, chills, night sweats, inflammation, fractured bones, scabies, ulcers, eczema, cuts, haemorrhoids, rheumatism, jaundice, sprains, carbuncles, and as an expectorant, a pain killer and a diuretic (Puri, 1970; Siddiqui et al., 1989; Colfer et al., 1997; Nwosu, 2002; Yadav et al., 2012; The DNA of Singapore, 2019). In India, L flexuosum is used in Ayurveda medicinal practices (Yadav et al., 2012). Extracts of the species have hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiproliferative and apoptotic properties (Yadav et al., 2012).

L flexuosum is also used as an ornamental, especially to cover unattractive structures, and to provide shade. The stems are used to manufacture baskets, hats, handbags, fancy boxes and to tie rice bundles (The DNA of Singapore, 2019; Useful Tropical Plants, 2019).

The young fronds are eaten as a vegetable (The DNA of Singapore, 2019). L flexuosum is used as famine food, forage for cattle, for making ‘bidi’ (a type of hand rolled cigarette) and as part of religious beliefs in India (Yadav et al., 2012).