Goniopteris yaucoensis

Goniopteris yaucoensis
Conservation status
Endangered  (ESA)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Suborder:	Aspleniineae
Family:	Thelypteridaceae
Genus:	Goniopteris
Species:	G. yaucoensis
Binomial name
Goniopteris yaucoensis (Proctor) Salino & T.E.Almeida [1]
Synonyms [1]
Thelypteris yaucoensisProctor

Goniopteris yaucoensis, synonym Thelypteris yaucoensis, ^[1] is a rare species of fern known by the common name Puerto Rico 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.

This fern was placed on the endangered species list in 1993. At that time it was known to exist at three locations: two in Yauco and one in Ciales in Puerto Rico. There were a total of about 65 plants known at all three combined. ^[3]

This terrestrial fern has fronds up to 52 centimeters long with the blades divided into 13 to 15 pairs of segments. ^[3]

References

1. Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (January 2020). "Goniopteris yaucoensis". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. 8.20. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
2. Thelypteris yaucoensis. USDA Plants Profile.
3. USFWS. Determination of endangered status for three endemic Puerto Rican ferns. Federal Register July 2, 1993.