Francis Rose Reserve

Opened in 2003, the Francis Rose Reserve covers 25 hectares and stretches from the Himalayan Glade to Tilgate Wood, which lies just inside of the Loder Valley Nature Reserve.

  •  
  • Close Thanks for liking this page. Tell us why by adding a comment at the bottom.
Francis Rose Reserve

Francis Rose Reserve

The Reserve is named after the renowned botanist Francis Rose, an expert in Wealden flora who pioneered the study of mosses, lichens, liverworts and filmy ferns. These little-known plants, collectively known as cryptogams, thrive on the sandstone outcrops of the Sussex High Weald. With many species becoming increasingly rare, the Reserve is dedicated to conserving them.

About cryptogams

Cryptogams are non-vascular organisms (i.e. they have no fluid-conducting tissues) that produce spores rather than seeds. They range from single-celled algae through to very large and complex colonies of lichens and fungi that may stretch over metres or hectares. They grow on the surface of sandstone and use the rock’s water-absorbing qualities to stop them drying out. Cryptogams usually found in the mild climate of Britain’s west coast also grow in the High Weald.

One of the rarest species found at Wakehurst Place is the Tunbridge filmy fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense). The Francis Rose Reserve is one of only 12 locations in the High Weald where it survives . Another rarity is the slender thread-moss Orthodontum gracile, which grows as bright green cushions around one centimetre tall. It is considered to be critically endangered in Britain. Experts at Kew are working to cultivate this and other fragile species in the laboratory, then reintroduce them to the safe haven of rocks in the Francis Rose Reserve.

No comments on 'Francis Rose Reserve'

Related Tags

  1. interesting
  2. landscapes
  3. amazing
  4. beautiful
  5. english garden
  6. innovative
  7. for kids
  8. inspiring
  9. creative
  10. imaginative
  11. exotic
  12. fun
  13. popular
  14. english heritage
  15. historical
  16. romantic
  17. around the world
  18. adventurous
  19. ancient
  20. rare
  21. active
  22. challenging
  23. high
  24. discovered
  25. old
  26. unusual
  27. donate
  28. for friends
  29. gifts that help
  30. the UK
  31. successful
  32. irreplaceable
  33. ground breaking
  34. treasures
  35. at risk
  36. endangered
  37. fragile
  38. sustainable
  39. useful
  40. brand new
  41. for plant lovers
  42. special interest
  43. powerful
  44. high up
  45. Kew at home
  46. wet
  47. ornamental
  48. pretty
  49. hot
  50. extraordinary
  51. garden plants
  52. wild
  53. flowering
  54. rare

Your Kew

We invite photographers to capture the sights at Kew and Wakehurst. These images are a selection of images submitted by photographers from around the world. We hope you enjoy them. You can see more on Flickr.

Fact Box


Davidia involucrata (handkerchief tree) flower heads

Davidia involucrata
handkerchief tree

Davidia involucrata was named after Father Armand David, who was also the first westerner to describe the giant panda.

Find out more about this species

See your favourite reasons to visit