[3][2] A global phylogeny of Asplenium published in 2020 divided the genus into eleven clades,[4] which were given informal names pending further taxonomic study.

[5] The Schaffneria clade has a worldwide distribution, and members vary widely in form and habitat.

[3] In 2012, an emergency extension area to a runway of St Helena airport caused massive destruction of the species' habitat.

Before this event, individuals were abundant in Dry Gut which comprised a large majority of the world population.

About 1,000 individuals were moved into the St Helena Government's Endemic Plant Nursery.