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Plant Profile

Serpent Fern (Deparia kaalaana)

Global Rank: GH - Possibly Extinct
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Athyriaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 141384
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Categories of Interest: Ferns
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

The last observation of extant serpent ferns in Kaua`i and Hawaii occurred in the 1900's, so it is unknown how many individuals are growing in this species' native range. Originally discovered in 1965, this fern species has been mistaken as other species and as members of other families throughout the past few decades. This may be due to its wide distribution and adaptation to thrive in various habitats.

Where is Serpent Fern (Deparia kaalaana) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This small fern can be found along streambeds in wet forests and in deep gorges. It has adapted to grow is various habitats, from dry, basalt lava flow areas to areas on Kaua`i and Maui with heavy to low rainfall, respectively.

Distribution:

Historically, this Deparia species is endemic specifically to the islands of Kaua`i, Maui and Hawaii. Today, if observed, it is predicted to only be found on the island of Maui.

States & Provinces:

Serpent Fern can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Serpent Fern (Deparia kaalaana)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

10/14/2020

The Olinda Rare Plant Facility on Maui is in the process of growing these ferns in their nurseries.

10/14/2020

Tissue cultures at the Lyon Arboreturm Micropropagation Laboratory on O`ahu may provide new spores for future reproduction.

10/14/2020

Efforts to harvest plants from collected spores were too old to successfully reproduce and no gemmae was found on fronds to attempt reproduction by those means.

Clarice Mendoza

09/08/2017

Main ecological threats to D. kaalaana are invasive species introduced to the fern's native range. Notably, these invasive species include Delta maidenhair fern, soapbush, Kahila garland-lillies, selfheals, sawtooth blackberries, and glorybushes. Feral pigs have also done their damage in degrading habitat and introducing harmful weeds to these fragile habitats. Non-native slugs and effects of global climate change are also threats.

Clarice Mendoza

09/08/2017

Efforts to harvest plants from collected spores were too old to successfully reproduce and no gemmae was found on fronds to attempt reproduction by those means. Tissue cultures at the Lyon Arboreturm Micropropagation Laboratory on O`ahu may provide new spores for future reproduction. The Olinda Rare Plant Facility on Maui is in the process of growing these ferns in their nurseries.