Re: Pteris cretica; native or not.

>A researcher could come to a fairly conclusive answer as to whether or not
a
>fern is native to a region or locality by examining swamp or similar
deposits
>for the spores of that species.

>Brian Swale
>Christchurch NZ.

True but it requires that the spores can be identified to species which is
not always the case.
Where there is no fossil data, written reports are often the best data.
Frequently, this boils down to was it present when European settlers
arrived.
Rufino Osorio's points about man-made habitats and association with man are
relevant too. However, within flowering plants there are examples of new
hybrid species that have become established because of new habitats created
by man.

Louis Chinnery
Barbados
lec@caribnet.net

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