Thelypteris verecunda
Encyclopedia
Thelypteris verecunda is a rare species of fern
known by the common name Barrio Charcas maiden fern. 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. It was placed on the endangered species list in 1993. 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.
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.
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
known by the common name Barrio Charcas maiden fern. It is endemic to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, where it is known from only three localities. It is a federally listed endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of the United States.
This fern was first described in 1985. It was placed on the endangered species list in 1993. At that time it was known to exist at three locations in Quebradillas
Quebradillas, Puerto Rico
Quebradillas is a municipality of the island of Puerto Rico, located in the north-western shore bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of San Sebastián; east of Isabela; and west of Camuy. Quebradillas is spread over swven wards and Quebradillas Pueblo...
, Hatillo
Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Hatillo is a municipality located on Puerto Rico's north coast, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Lares and Utuado to the south, Camuy to the west, and Arecibo to the east. According to the 2000 US Census Hatillo is spread over 9 wards and Hatillo Pueblo...
, and San Sebastián
San Sebastián, Puerto Rico
San Sebastián is a municipality of Puerto Rico located northwest of the island south of Isabela and Quebradillas; north of Las Marías; east of Moca and Añasco; and west of Lares. San Sebastián is spread over twenty-four wards and San Sebastián Pueblo...
in Puerto Rico. Two of these localities have only one individual each. At Barrio Bayaney in Hatillo there are 20 plants.
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
Sorus
A sorus is a cluster of sporangia .In fungi and lichens, the sorus is surrounded by an external layer. In some red algae it may take the form of a depression into the thallus....
have tufts of white hair.