Thelypteris verecunda

Thelypteris verecunda
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Blechnales
Family: Thelypteridaceae
Genus: Thelypteris
Species: T. verecunda
Binomial name
Thelypteris verecunda
Proctor

Thelypteris verecunda is a rare species of fern known by the common name Barrio Charcas maiden fern.[1] It is endemic to Puerto Rico, where it is known from only three localities. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

This fern was first described in 1985.[2] It was placed on the endangered species list in 1993.[3] At that time it was known to exist at three locations in Quebradillas, Hatillo, and San Sebastián in Puerto Rico. Two of these localities have only one individual each. At Barrio Bayaney in Hatillo there are 20 plants.[3]

This terrestrial fern has two types of fronds, sterile leaves just a few centimeters long and narrower fertile fronds up to 15 centimeters long. The blades are covered in hairs, and the sori have tufts of white hair.[3]

References

  1. Thelypteris verecunda. USDA Plants Profile.
  2. Proctor, G. R. (1985). New species of Thelypteris from Puerto Rico. American Fern Journal 75(2) 56-70.
  3. 1 2 3 USFWS. Determination of endangered status for three endemic Puerto Rican ferns. Federal Register July 2, 1993.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/1/2011. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.