Ferns of the Azores with Fred Rumsey
Sitting close to the mid-Atlantic ridge are the nine small volcanic islands of the Azores. Officially discovered by the Portugese navigators in the 1430s and progressively settled over the next hundred years, the islands may only support a small number of native species but these show a high degree of endemicity. Floristically part of the Macaronesian region, along with Madeira and the Canaries, the rich fern flora shows greatest affinities to Europe but there is also a significant neotropical element. Curiously though, in contrast to the normal expectation, the endemic taxa are distributed across the archipelago and narrow single-island or point endemics are unknown. Still geothermally active the Azores are younger than the other Macaronesian islands and far more remote. Dispersal to these islands has clearly been easier for spore-bearing plants and they accordingly dominate the vegetation.
In this talk I will introduce you to the islands, their landscapes and vegetation and the very special ferns to be found there. While concentrating on the native flora I will also look at some interesting invasive species and take a tour around some of the spectacular gardens which showcase the potential of these “favoured isles”.
Join Fred Rumsey, PhD, Bsc. (Hons.), Senior Curator in Charge, Historical Collections in the Department of Life Sciences at the Natural History Museum in London as he shares with us the Ferns of the Azores. Fred brings a vast knowledge of ferns, coming from his many years of professional work and time spent on committees and in botanical societies including the British Pteridological Society.
This Zoom lecture is a free benefit for members of the Hardy Fern Foundation and the British Pteridological Society, but registration is required. A recording of the webinar will be available to those who register for four weeks after the webinar date. Members will receive an email to register.