Endemic Plants

Endemic plants are species found nowhere else on Earth. Ascension Island’s endemics evolved in isolation, adapting to its unique volcanic landscape and climate. Because their entire global population exists here, they play an irreplaceable role in the island’s natural heritage. Protecting them is vital for preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance, and safeguarding species that depend on Ascension’s fragile habitats.

Anogramma ascensionis

Ascension Island Parsley Fern

A tiny fern with small parsley-like fronds that grows on moderately dry to wet banks and outcrops on the exposed south-facing slopes of Green Mountain.

Asplenium ascensionis

Ascension Island Spleenwort

A small, creeping fern generally found in crevices on damp to moderately dry cinder banks and rock faces around the middle elevations of Green Mountain.

Euphorbia origanoides

Ascension Island Spurge

A perennial, dwarf shrub that forms low hemispherical domes, occuring on arid cinder plains and scoria cones at lower elevations.

Ptisana purpurascens

Purple Fern

This imposing fern is the largest of Ascension Island’s endemic plant species, with dark green, twice pinnate fronds up to 1m in length.

Pteris adscensionis

Feather Fern

A small to medium-sized fern forming shuttlecock shaped tufts, generally found growing in rock crevices or on cliffs in sheltered valleys around the foot slopes of Green Mountain.

Sporobolus caespitosus

Hedgehog Grass

A small, perennial, tuft forming grass found on damp, wind-exposed banks and outcrops around on the upper slopes of Green Mountain.

Stenogrammitis ascensionensis

Moss Fern

This is a tiny fern with linear, narrow laminae (fronds) which grows as a lithophyte on damp, wind-exposed banks and rocks.

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