Goniopteris verecunda
Goniopteris verecunda, synonym Thelypteris verecunda,[1] is a rare species of fern known by the common name Barrio Charcas maiden fern.[2] 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.
| Goniopteris verecunda | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Aspleniineae |
| Family: | Thelypteridaceae |
| Genus: | Goniopteris |
| Species: | G. verecunda |
| Binomial name | |
| Goniopteris verecunda (Proctor) Salino & T.E.Almeida[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
This fern was first described in 1985 as Thelypteris verecunda.[3] It was placed on the endangered species list in 1993.[4] 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.[4]
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.[4]
References
- Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (January 2020). "Goniopteris verecunda". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. 8.20. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
- Thelypteris verecunda. USDA Plants Profile.
- Proctor, G. R. (1985). New species of Thelypteris from Puerto Rico. American Fern Journal 75(2) 56-70.
- USFWS. Determination of endangered status for three endemic Puerto Rican ferns. Federal Register July 2, 1993.