Adiantum Capillus-Veneris Dainty Maiden-Hair

PLANT Adiantum capillus-veneris Dainty Maiden-hair

AUS SA AMLR Endemism Life History Isaac 1986).3,4 One known extant population in VIC and a single record from NSW.3 - V V - Perennial Outside of the AMLR, there are records from MU, YP Family ADIANTACEAE and SE regions.2

In the AMLR now scarce and no longer found in a number of areas where collections have been made in the past (T. Croft pers. comm.). Now extinct at Hindmarsh Falls (T. Jury pers. comm.).

Post-1983 AMLR filtered records from the outer eastern and southern suburbs of Adelaide, around Magill, Black Hill CP, Anstey Hill CP, and Onkaparinga River NP (single records only).1 Records have been confirmed at Anstey Hill RP and Black Hill CP (K. Brewer and J. Smith pers. comm.).

Pre-1983 AMLR filtered records consist of a single record from Cleland CP.1 Also historic records from Waterfall Gully. 2

Habitat Usually grows on limestone or sandstone rock on alkaline soils.4

Photo: © Anon (Source: Wikipedia) In the AMLR, restricted to soaks dominated by limestone soil (T. Croft pers. comm.). Recorded AMLR Conservation Significance habitats include: The AMLR distribution is disjunct, isolated from other  Anstey Hill: approximately 50 plants growing on extant occurrences within SA. Within the AMLR the mineralised rock face restricted to a small area, species’ relative area of occupancy is classified as growing in damp crevices of a small waterfall on ‘Extremely Restricted’. Relative to all AMLR extant a perennial creek in a shaded position species, the species' taxonomic uniqueness is  Onkaparinga River RP: on calcareous bank under classified as ‘Very High’.1 Gahnia trifida by a spring  Torrens Gorge: roadside, in crevices on a Long cultivated and capable of becoming limestone cliff.2 naturalised, thus there is some debate as to whether some sub-populations in SA, VIC and NSW are Within the AMLR the preferred broad vegetation naturally occurring (Archer 1986, Carr and Bostock groups are Wetland and Riparian.1 pers. comm.).3 Within the AMLR the species’ degree of habitat Description specialisation is classified as ‘Very High’.1 Rock-dwelling fern, rhizomatous, tufted, to 36 cm high with delicate, bright, light green leaves.2,5 May be Biology and Ecology confused with the Common Maidenhair, Adiantum Slow growing. aethiopicum (Duncan and Isaac 1986).3 Aboriginal Significance Distribution and Population Post-1983 records indicate the AMLR distribution occurs Occurs in all Australian states and territories except in eastern Kaurna Nation, bordering Peramangk TAS and ACT, but is uncommon (Bostock 1998). Also Nation.1 occurs overseas in various climates (Duncan and

Further information: Biodiversity Conservation Unit, Adelaide Region Phone: (61 8) 8336 0901 Fax: (61 8) 8336 0999 http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/  Department for Environment and Heritage FIS 90346 May 2008 Prepared as part of the Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia 2009 - 2014

Threats Available from http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au. In the longer term, due to its preference for wet habitats, populations may be threatened by climate 4 Kerrigan, R. and Albrecht, D. (2006). Threatened Species of change.4 In the AMLR, other threats include changes the Northern Territory. Venus-hair fern Adiantum capillus- veneris. Northern Territory Government. Department of in hydrology and weeds (e.g. Blackberry), and for Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Available from one sub-population, mining (K. Brewer and J. Smith http://www.nt.gov.au. pers. comm.). 5 Western Australia Herbarium and Department of Approximately half its known AMLR distribution occurs Environment and Conservation (1997). FloraBase: the Western within 2 km of confirmed or suspected Phytophthora Australian Flora. Government of Western Australia. Available infestations. from http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au (accessed April 2008).

Additional current direct threats have been identified and rated for this species. Refer to the main plan accompanying these profiles.

Regional Distribution

Map based on filtered post-1983 records.1 Note, this map does not necessarily represent the actual species’ distribution within the AMLR.

References Note: In some cases original reference sources are not included in this list, however they can be obtained from the reference from which the information has been sourced (the reference cited in superscript).

1 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Pilot Project Database. Unpublished data extracted and edited from BDBSA, SA Herbarium (July 2007) and other sources.

2 Department for Environment and Heritage (2007). State Herbarium of South Australia Database. Unpublished data, extracted October 2007.

3 Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003). Flora & Fauna Guarentee Action Statement #16. Dainty Maidenhair Adiantum capillus-veneris. Victoria