Barrio Charcas maiden fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrio Charcas maiden fern |
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The Goniopteris verecunda, also known as the Barrio Charcas maiden fern, is a very rare type of fern. It has another scientific name, Thelypteris verecunda, which is like a different name it used to be called. This special fern only grows in Puerto Rico, which means it is endemic there. It is known from only a few places on the island. Because it is so rare, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it is protected by law to help it survive and not disappear forever.
About the Barrio Charcas Maiden Fern
The Barrio Charcas maiden fern is a unique plant. It was first officially described by scientists in 1985. At that time, it was given the name Thelypteris verecunda. Later, in 1993, because there were so few of these ferns left, it was added to the endangered species list. This list helps protect plants and animals that are at high risk of becoming extinct.
Where Does It Live?
This rare fern is found only in Puerto Rico. When it was first listed as endangered, scientists knew of only three places where it grew. These places are in the towns of Quebradillas, Hatillo, and San Sebastián.
Sadly, in two of these locations, there was only one fern plant found at each spot. The largest group of these ferns is in a place called Barrio Bayaney, which is in Hatillo. There, about 20 plants have been found. This small number shows how truly rare the Barrio Charcas maiden fern is.
What Does It Look Like?
The Barrio Charcas maiden fern grows on the ground. It has two main types of leaves, which are called fronds. Some fronds are sterile, meaning they don't produce spores. These sterile fronds are usually only a few centimeters long.
Other fronds are fertile, which means they can produce spores to make new ferns. These fertile fronds are longer and narrower, growing up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) in length. The surfaces of the fronds are covered in tiny hairs. If you look closely at the underside of the fertile fronds, you might see small clusters called sori. These sori are where the spores are made, and they have little tufts of white hair on them.
