THE regional government has permission to plant sea fern in Benitachell’s Cala del Moraig Cave and Tiestos beach.
Cliffs and caves in Benitachell provide an ideal ecosystem for the fern – considered “of great botanical interest” to literally take root, the Generalitat’s Environment department said.
The pale green fern, known to botanists as sea spleenwort, is usually found on the ground in caves in shadowy areas that are open to the sea. It also grows on cliff protected from battering waves.
For this reason, the Coastal authority has authorised the Environment department plans to plant 30 examples of the fern. This will be done manually since the ecosystem in this area is very vulnerable and of great value.
While planting is being carried out, all precautions will be taken to ensure the ferns neither pollute nor alter the vegetation already growing on this part of the coast, pledged Benitachell’s Environment councillor Manolo Segarra.