What Is the Spore Exchange Offered by the American Fern Society?

The American Fern Society (AFS) spore exchange is a member benefit that gives AFS members access to spore collections from hundreds of fern species from around the world. It exists to share spores between members and support fern propagation. To take part, you need to be an AFS member, then review the spore inventory and the spore collection protocol for the details on how the exchange works.

What the spore exchange provides

According to the American Fern Society, members have access to spore collections covering hundreds of fern species from around the world. The exchange is one of the ways AFS carries out its broader mission of promoting interest in the cultivation, conservation, and study of ferns, and it sits alongside the Society's publications as a channel for exchanging information and specimens between members.

In practical terms, the exchange is a distribution point for fern spores rather than for live plants or mature specimens. That matters because spores are the starting point for growing ferns from scratch, and they are far easier to mail than plants.

Who can participate

Participation is limited to AFS members. The Society describes the spore exchange as something "AFS members have access to," so membership is the entry condition rather than something you can use as a non-member.

AFS was established in 1893 and has over 500 members globally, which the Society describes as making it one of the largest international fern clubs in the world. Membership is therefore international in scope, not restricted to the United States despite the organization's name.

How to get started

1. Join AFS. Membership is the prerequisite for access to the spore exchange.
2. Review the spore inventory. AFS maintains a spore inventory listing the species available through the exchange. Check it to see whether the species you want are currently offered.
3. Read the spore collection protocol. AFS publishes a protocol covering how spores are collected and handled for the exchange. Follow it, since it defines what is expected of participants.
4. Request or contribute spores according to the inventory and protocol.

The Society points members to the spore inventory and the spore collection protocol for the specifics, so those two documents are the authoritative source for current availability and procedures rather than any general description.

What to keep in mind

• Availability changes. The exchange draws on spore collections contributed around the world, so what is listed in the inventory at any given time reflects what members have made available.
• Spores, not plants. You are working with spore material, which means you will be propagating ferns yourself rather than receiving established plants.
• Follow the protocol. The collection protocol exists so that spores are handled and documented consistently; deviating from it can affect whether material is usable.
• Membership details and any fees are set by AFS and are not specified in the material summarized here. Check the Society's membership information directly for current terms.

Where the spore exchange fits in AFS

The spore exchange is one of two main ways AFS says it exchanges information and specimens between members, the other being its publications:

If your goal is to grow ferns from spore and to work with species you may not find locally, the spore exchange is the relevant AFS program. If your interest is reading about ferns or identifying them in the field, the publications and Fern Forays are the better fit.