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Japanese Hollyfern

Cyrtomium falcatum

Other Common Names

Japanese Netvein Hollyfern, Hollyfern

Plant Category

Perennial

Invasive Description

Japanese Holly Fern is native to east Asia. It is an upright fern that forms a rounded mound up to 2 ft (60 cm) high and 3 ft (1 m) wide. It sports glossy, very dark green fronds on slender, arching stems. The leaflets on the frond are leathery, serrated with sharp points, and have a remarkable resemblance to holly leaves. Spores are on the bottom of the leaf. The plant is evergreen in frostfree areas, but loses its fronds in colder climates

Ecological Threat

Japanese Holly Fern has widely escaped from cultivation. Where it occurs in natural habitats, it can displace native species, including rare bryophytes and ferns. It has been recognized by the US National Park Service as invasive in much of its naturalized range.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions