'Extinct' Kiwi fern found

A native fern thought to be extinct has made a surprise reappearance in Hawke's Bay.

Nine maidenhair spleenwort ferns were discovered in a 15 square metre patch by Te Papa botany curator Leon Perrie. Dr Perrie said he was elated when the ferns were found during a field trip with the Manawatu Botanical Society specifically arranged to hunt for them.

"I didn't think our chances of finding it were very high, if at all, and was rapt when a team member called me over to positively identify it. I couldn't stop smiling" he said.

The last-identified maidenhair spleenwort ferns were recorded in the 1950s but their exact location was never noted, Dr Perrie said.

The Conservation Department has been told of the find, but the exact location is being kept secret because the plants are so rare.

Any more finds of the ferns would be "very significant", and should be reported to DOC, said Dr Perrie.

Maidenhair spleenworts differ from similar ferns because they have a straight, black, almost smooth stem.

The ferns are most likely to be found on limestone.

- © Fairfax NZ News