Scented Oakfern
Gymnocarpium robertianum
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Polypodiopsida
Order
Polypodiales
Family
Cystopteridaceae
Genus
Gymnocarpium
Scented Oakfern belongs to the family Cystopteridaceae, order Polypodiales, within the Polypodiopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Scented Oakfern faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized limestone environments. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the cool, moist microclimate conditions this species requires, while human disturbance from quarrying and recreational activities further degrades its already limited suitable habitat.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Scented Oakfern occupies cool, moist crevices and ledges on limestone cliffs, rocky slopes, and cave entrances, typically in shaded areas with alkaline soils. The species requires specific microclimate conditions with consistent moisture and protection from direct sunlight, often found in association with other calciphilic plants.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Scented Oakfern faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized limestone environments. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the cool, moist microclimate conditions this species requires, while human disturbance from quarrying and recreational activities further degrades its already limited suitable habitat.
Climate change altering microclimate conditions
Habitat destruction and fragmentation
Limestone quarrying and mining
Competition from invasive plant species
Recreational disturbance and trampling
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Scented Oakfern (Gymnocarpium robertianum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/scented-oakfern