Invasive Sword Fern


The invasive sword fern is a sneaky plant, as it looks almost exactly like a Florida native fern. To make matters worse, they share a common name—sword fern! The invasive sword fern can take over and displace all other ferns, ground covers and low growing plants by forming impenetrable dense stands. Luckily, there are a few signs you can look for in order to distinguish the unwelcome imposter.
UF/IFAS Resources
- Natural Area Weeds: Distinguishing Native and Non-Native "Boston Ferns" and "Sword Ferns" (Nephrolepis spp.)
- Nephrolepis Brownii Asian Sword Fern -- Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas.
- Nephrolepis cordifolia Sword Fern -- Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas