Wilson's Filmy Fern
Hymenophyllum wilsonii
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
13
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenophyllum_wilsonii
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Polypodiopsida
Order
Hymenophyllales
Family
Hymenophyllaceae
Genus
Hymenophyllum
Wilson's Filmy Fern belongs to the family Hymenophyllaceae, order Hymenophyllales, within the Polypodiopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Wilson's Filmy Fern faces severe threats from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized oceanic environments. The species' extremely limited distribution and dependence on specific humid microclimates make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the precise moisture and temperature conditions this delicate fern requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Wilson's Filmy Fern inhabits humid, shaded rock crevices, cave entrances, and sheltered coastal cliffs in oceanic climates, typically in areas with consistent moisture and protection from direct sunlight. The species requires very specific microhabitat conditions with high humidity and stable temperatures, often found in maritime environments with persistent fog or mist.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Wilson's Filmy Fern faces severe threats from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized oceanic environments. The species' extremely limited distribution and dependence on specific humid microclimates make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the precise moisture and temperature conditions this delicate fern requires for survival.
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Habitat destruction and fragmentation
Air pollution and atmospheric changes
Human disturbance and trampling
Invasive species competition
Found in 13 Countries
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). Wilson's Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum wilsonii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/wilsons-filmy-fern