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Rare Fern Blooms Again in Highland Glen
26 Feb
Summary
- Hundreds of rare oblong woodsia planted in Glen Affric.
- The fern was nearly lost to collectors in the 1840s.
- Conservation efforts aim to re-establish 10 threatened species.
A significant conservation effort is underway in Scotland's Glen Affric to save one of Britain's most endangered ferns. Around 250 oblong woodsia ferns have been planted on a slope in this picturesque glen, a step towards reviving the species.
The oblong woodsia faced near extinction in the late 1840s, largely due to intense collecting during the Victorian era's plant craze. This current planting is a collaborative project between Forestry and Land Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
As part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Scottish Plant Recovery project, these efforts aim to increase the numbers and spread of ten native species at risk. Glen Affric is already a site for other species like wych elm and wild apple.
