Killarney fern  (Trichomanes speciosum)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Threats

During the Victorian period in the UK, there was a craze for collecting ferns from the wild, in order to grow them for ornamental purposes. It is likely that the rare Killarney fern was over-collected, and has not been able to recover its populations back to former numbers.

Today, there may be further threats from eager collectors and photographers, and activities which alter the humidity and the water quality of the sites.

Conservation

Discovery of the differing forms of the plant has lead to an increased interest in the Killarney fern. It is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plans (UKBAPs), and included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme (SRP).

Surveys across the country have revealed new sites of the fern, and genetic research has enabled more effective conservation measures. Although the sporophytes are still rare, there are fewer fears now about the future survival of the Killarney fern. However, it could still fall prey to collectors, and the fern is strictly protected by law.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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