It is believed to prefer damp places. Its reproductive spores, like those of other ferns, can be transported long distances by wind and even by vehicles. How To Identify Japanese Climbing Fern Japanese climbing fern is a fern with climbing fronds . The leafy branches off the main stem are 4-8 inches long. The leaflets of Japanese climbing fern are lobed and dissected.
Leaflets are on stalks.
Sporangia produce spores which lead to the development of gametophytes. Gametophytes are separate small plants that produce sexual cells, which unite to form an embryo and ultimately a new climbing fern. This alternating of vegetative and reproductive plants as separate generations is typical of most ferns.