VU

Ray Fern

Actinostachys pennula

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Ray Fern faces significant pressure from habitat destruction as coastal and wetland areas are converted for agricultural use and urban development throughout its range. The species' specialized requirements for consistently moist, shaded environments make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes caused by drainage projects and altered water flow patterns. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased drought frequency and shifting precipitation patterns that could dry out the humid microhabitats essential for this fern's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ray Fern inhabits moist, shaded environments including swamp margins, wet hammocks, and the edges of freshwater wetlands, typically growing in organic soils with consistent moisture. The species requires humid microhabitats with filtered sunlight, often found beneath canopy cover in coastal plain regions and low-lying wetland areas.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ray Fern classified as Vulnerable?
Ray Fern is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Ray Fern faces significant pressure from habitat destruction as coastal and wetland areas are converted for agricultural use and urban development throughout its range. The species' specialized requirements for consistently moist, shaded environments make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes caused by drainage projects and altered water flow patterns. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased drought frequency and shifting precipitation patterns that could dry out the humid microhabitats essential for this fern's survival.
Where does Ray Fern live?
Ray Fern occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ray Fern?
The main threats to Ray Fern are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.