Cyathea dregei

[Ruwart]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but hope someone can assist me.

We live in the mountains around Sabie South Africa. Contrary to popular beleif, ferns is not only found in tropical climates, and our environment is a very good example. Due to our altitude we rarely see 30 degree Celcius or higher as is common in the rest of South Africa. Around us we have numerous fern species and sub-species. The most commonly known, the South African Tree fern.

As fires are common in the forests around us, mainly being Pine and Bluegum. We also see our ferns burnt frequently or at least once a year! With great surprise they recover quickly and continue to grow. However, the forest floor of these plantations are void of any plant growth except for the mosses. In adjacent natural habitats we find our tree ferns.

This is where my question comes in. Does anyone know the legislation regarding lifting these specimen plants as they are at least 2 or three mtr high.

Thank-you for your response.

Ruwart.

[jaknouse]

Not a direct reply -- just to note: of course you have ferns! They're almost everywhere! And your area has at least one genus peculiar to the region: Mohria. Is there a current popular fern guide to South Africa?

[Ruwart]

Hi jaknouse,

We most probably have a book on fern varieties. I stumble on new ferns virtually everyday! We live on the Drakensberg escarpment on the "coastal side" and 1300 mtrs above sea level. Our climate is virtually moderate to cool to cold, even in summer. I work in the garden with a fleeced jacket at times and have to take it of around 11:00 in the mornings, other days we may climb to about 30 Celcius. In winter our temps drop to about -2 to -4, at the most--still very or too cold for me.

Although I have Msc Bot, my area of expertise was mostly in conifers and as such limited to certain varieties. My thesis was done in the Kruger National Park and in particular on the environmental impact of Elephant and Buffalo.

Now as for the other varieties of ferns, apart from the "junk" or the invader ferns, which we eradicate using Round-up, I collect daily new specimens. Obviously, in our country to transport indigenous plants is stricktly prohibited. So we do our "environmental shopping", hide the plants and fetch them with the car, for a quick in and out.

I think for someone to identify all the varieties, I would need to compile a dok, with pics and rather send by e-mail. If you are agreeable, my e-mail is: ruwartdejong@live.com. We can then correspond frequently.

Best regards.
Ruwart

[fgtbell]

Hi,

This is where my question comes in. Does anyone know the legislation regarding lifting these specimen plants as they are at least 2 or three mtr high.

Hi Ruwart,

Lifting them for resale in South Africa is most likely just down to the land owner - plus any purely local legislation, e.g. if National Parks have local by-laws. But moving plants around within one country is rarely a problem from a legal point of view. I am therefore guessing that you are asking about export and import.

I don't think that C. dregei is restricted by CITES regulations, so that's one less worry. But most countries have pretty strict phytosanitary rules that mean that you can import plant material, but only after all pathogens are removed. Typically this means some sort of insectiside drench or fumigation. Plant diseases must be eradicated too. No country wants an infestation of new and possibly harmful insects, nematodes, centipedes or anything else for which a natural limiter (=predator) might not exist in the destination country.

Typically the cost of the phyto procedures and the required inspections on entry make this a financial non-starter for all but the most expensive palms and tree ferns; and when it is done, it tends to be a whole shipping container full of plants to make the job worth while. If you can legally source a container full of trunked specimens and want to speak to a possible importer in the UK, try Chris Canaan at Akamba, he specialises in African things. http://www.akamba.co.uk/

Hope that helps.