Various national Acts protect South African ferns directly and indirectly.
All indigenous species of true ferns excluding Pteridium aquilinum (bracken)are considered protected plants and are not to be removed from nature. The Cyathea species (tree ferns) are specially protected by South African law and by international conventions.
The Fern Society supports these laws and discourages any form of habitat destruction, removal of plants from nature or any other activities that disturb ferns in their natural habitat.