Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Lygodium microphyllum

Lygodium microphyllum

9.9
A tropical climbing fern that grows fast and harms native plants
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lygodium microphyllum
  • The fronds of Lygodium microphyllum can grow rapidly and smother native vegetation.

Examples

  • Scientists are studying methods to control the spread of Lygodium microphyllum in natural reserves.

  • Lygodium microphyllum has become a problematic invasive species in parts of Florida.

  • The Lygodium microphyllum is known for its rapid growth.

  • Have you seen the Lygodium microphyllum in the garden?

  • Lygodium microphyllum is an invasive fern that is rapidly taking over many areas in Florida.

  • In Florida, Lygodium microphyllum poses a threat to local ecosystems by overrunning native plants.

  • Environmentalists are concerned about the spread of Lygodium microphyllum, as it disrupts local flora.

Synonyms

climbing maidenhair fern
vsLygodium microphyllum
  • UK
9.1

A fern with thin, delicate leaves that climbs or trails over rocks and walls

focuses on species identity and its invasive spread in new regions
climbing maidenhair
vsLygodium microphyllum
  • UK
9.9

A tropical fern with thin climbing stems and delicate leaves

stresses this plant is a species now invasive in Jamaica and Florida

Surface Forms

Lygodium microphyllum singular
Lygodium microphyllums plural

Morphology

Lygodium + microphyllum

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet): 'Lygodium' names a climbing-fern genus, while 'microphyllum' contains classical roots (micro- 'small' + -phyllum 'leaf') but is not a common English word and is marked as not found in the provided data. A learner who knows taxonomic naming conventions or these classical roots could infer 'a small‑leaved Lygodium', but the scientific form and unfamiliar epithet make the meaning only partially predictable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Lygodium microphyllum comes from old Greek words that describe the plant: Lygodium refers to its twining, climbing stems and microphyllum means 'small leaf'. So the name gives a clear picture — a climbing fern with many small leaves — and helps you remember the species.