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P. interjectum, Dryopteris aemula, D. affinis subsp. affinis, D. dilatata, Athyrium filixfemina,
Blechnum spicant and Huperzia selago, in addition to the two filmies
Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and H. wilsonii.
Our next stop was Brandon Point (01/527173), magnificent cliffs where choughs and other
sea birds wheeled away below us. We saw Asplenium marinum here, as well as stunted
Dryopteris dilatata, D. aemula, and Athyrium filix-femina growing in the short cliff grass.
Polypodium vulgare grew in the dry-stone walls.
After mending a puncture caused by a slightly too close encounter of the stone wall kind we
joined the rest of the group to explore a lane three miles further south (01/520127). The
roadside verges were fascinating; almost any one could have been explored in depth. Athyrium
filix-femina, Dryopteris filix-mas, Polystichum setiferum, Asplenium scolopendrium,
A. trichomanes and Pteridium aquilinum were common but we also spent some time
examining an unusual Asplenium adiantum-nigrum that might have been A. onopteris or even
A. x ticinense; it turned out to be the hybrid. We also saw Dryopteris affinis subsp. borreri and
different forms of subsp. affinis, one of which had ‘cut-off’ and very congested pinnae, very
scaly, rather narrow fronds and well developed triangular basal pinnules with a prominent lobe
at the base and might have been var. kerryensis. It is worth noting that during the week several
forms of D. affinis were seen that did not appear to fit any of the hitherto described entities.
Stephen had given us yet another excellent day in this botanically rich and varied country.
Valentia (Valencia) Island (Friday) Bridget Laue
The party met five miles west of Killorglin, travelling on the Ring of Kerry road to the
Valentia Island ferry to Knight’s Town. We were fortunate to have a display of gannets and
cormorants diving for fish alongside the ferry during the crossing. Once on Valentia Island
we drove the short distance to Glanleam sub-tropical gardens (00/404773).
The gardens, which have Dingle Bay running along their north-east edge, were planted in
Victorian times and have a wonderful selection of Southern Hemisphere plants including
many fern species. The garden is quite overgrown in places and gives a wonderful
impression of being out in the wild. The following list gives the species we found but there
were probably others hidden from view. Native species were Polystichum setiferum,
P. aculeatum, Dryopteris dilatata, D. affinis, D. aemula, Blechnum spicant, Athyrium filixfemina,
Asplenium scolopendrium, A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens, Polypodium
interjectum and Equisetum arvense. Foreign species were Blechnum chilense, B. nudum,
Polystichum munitum, P. polyblepharum, Paesia scaberula, Todea barbara, Selaginella
kraussiana, Phymatosorus diversifolius, Matteuccia struthiopteris, and a fine stand of
Woodwardia radicans spreading well by bulbils. Tree-ferns were represented by Dicksonia
antarctica, D. squarrosa, Cyathea brownii, C. medullaris and C. dealbata.
Jim and Val Dennison, members from Limerick, joined us midway through the morning. A
delicious lunch was taken in the wonderful dining room of Glanleam House.
In the afternoon we looked at a derelict part of the garden where bamboos and tree-ferns
thrived and many colonies of Hymenophyllum tunbrigense were seen. Interestingly, there were
also naturalised populations of Woodwardia radicans and Polystichum polyblepharum.
Some of us travelled to the nursery at Kells House on the south side of Dingle Bay. The
grounds of the house are private but the owner allowed us to view more magnificent
dicksonias planted in Victorian times. A number of interesting ferns and flowering plants
were purchased before heading back to the accommodation.
Many thanks are due to Steve for a superbly organised and most enjoyable meeting during
which we saw a great variety of pteridophytes in a range of wild habitats and amazing
gardens. Thanks too to Karen and Gill for admirably demonstrating their catering skills!
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