Identifying Ferns & Allies

Understanding the morphology and identification techniques of ferns and horsetails is essential for accurately distinguishing species. In this webinar, we’ll explore the evolutionary relationships among native British species and highlight the best resources for their identification.

Participants will gain a solid foundation in the key anatomical features required to identify the major British groups of ferns and fern allies with confidence. This session serves as an introduction, with future webinars focusing on the identification of specific species.

Whether you're an amateur naturalist, ecologist, site manager, or conservation volunteer, this session will equip you with the skills to begin identifying ferns.

Key topics that will be covered include:

• Taxonomy (relationships between) ferns and fern allies in Britain
• Literature available for identification of ferns
• Vegetative morphology of the true ferns
• Reproductive morphology of the true ferns
• Morphology of Equisetum (horsetails)
• Morphology of the Ophioglossaceae (Adder’s Tongue Ferns)

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience.

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked alongside Q&A transcripts and relevant links following the event via a password-protected website.

Skills For Ecology Webinars

Our Skill For Ecology webinars focus on technical skills useful in ecology and conservation roles, such as use of technology, field surveying and practical conservation skills.

This webinar is part of a series focusing on the identification and ecology of ferns and their allies in the UK:

1. Identifying Ferns & Allies (Tue 12 Aug 2025 18:30 - 20:00)
2. Ferns of the UK: Spleenworts (Tue 14 Oct 2025 18:30 - 20:00)
3. Ferns of the UK: Male & Buckler Ferns (Tue 16 Dec 2025 18:30 - 20:00)

Botany Specialist: Henry Miller

Henry Miller is a botanist working on Species Conservation Assessments at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, on projects in Ethiopia and tropical America. At Kew, he is also researching the taxonomy of Asian buckthorns (Rhamnaceae) using DNA sequencing. Outside of work, Henry is the co-recorder for Middlesex with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, and for the botany section of the London Natural History Society. He enjoys learning about and identifying a wide range of species.