Cordillera maiden fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cordillera maiden fern |
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The Amauropelta inabonensis, also known as the cordillera maiden fern, is a very rare type of fern. It is also called Thelypteris inabonensis. This special fern grows only in Puerto Rico. You can find it in just two places there: near the start of the Río Inabón and in the Toro Negro State Forest.
This fern is a federally endangered species in the United States. This means it is protected by law because it is at risk of disappearing forever.
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Discovering the Cordillera Maiden Fern
This unique fern was first found and described in 1985. Scientists learned more about it then. Later, in 1993, it was officially added to the endangered species list. This was done to help protect it.
Where It Grows
When it was first listed as endangered, the cordillera maiden fern was known to live in only two spots. Both of these places are in the mountain forests of Puerto Rico. One area is close to the Río Inabón. The other is on a mountain called Cerro Rosa in Ciales. Both of these locations are part of the large Toro Negro State Forest. At that time, only about 46 individual fern plants were counted in total.
What Does This Fern Look Like?
The cordillera maiden fern grows on the ground. It has long leaves called fronds. These fronds can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) long. Each frond is divided into many smaller parts. These parts are called segments. There are about 25 to 30 pairs of these segments on each frond. They have a light, fuzzy hair on them.
Special Features
If you look at the underside of the fern's fronds, you will see small dots. These dots are called sori (SOH-rye). Sori are where the fern produces its spores. Spores are like tiny seeds that help the fern reproduce. These sori are arranged neatly around the veins of the frond. They are also covered by tiny, hairy flaps. These flaps are called indusia (in-DOO-see-uh). They help protect the developing spores.
