Kauai digit fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kauai digit fern |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Doryopteris
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| Species: |
angelica
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The Doryopteris angelica is a very rare fern species. It's also known as the Kauai digit fern. This special fern is only found in Hawaii. There are only a few small groups of these ferns left.
These ferns like to grow on hillsides in Hawaiian tropical rainforests. They have only ever been found on the island of Kauaʻi. Because it is so rare, the United States government officially listed it as an endangered species in 2010. This means it is protected by law.
Contents
What is a Kauai Digit Fern?
The Kauai digit fern is a type of plant that doesn't grow flowers or seeds. Instead, it reproduces using tiny spores. It gets its common name, "digit fern," because its leaves can look a bit like fingers or digits.
Where Does it Live?
This fern is endemic to Kauaʻi. This means it naturally lives only in this one place in the entire world. It needs the wet, warm conditions of the Hawaiian rainforests to survive. These forests are very important for many unique plants and animals.
Why is it Endangered?
Being an endangered species means that the Kauai digit fern is at high risk of disappearing forever. There are many reasons why plants become endangered, such as:
- Loss of their natural home (habitat)
- Competition from plants that are not native to the area
- Changes in climate
- Being collected by people
Protecting these rare ferns helps keep the natural balance of the Hawaiian ecosystem.
Discovering the Kauai Digit Fern
Scientists first described Doryopteris angelica as its own species in 1999. Before that, it was thought to be very similar to another fern called Doryopteris decora. Now, scientists know it is a unique species. It belongs to a larger group of ferns called the Pteridaceae family.
