fall 2016 19 Our pteridological (fern-related) goals on this excursion were many, but first and foremost was to locate federally endangered fern species and collect material for propagation. The fern species we sought included Tectaria estremerana, Polystichum calderonense, Cyathea dryopteroides, Adiantum vivesii, Thelypteris yaucoensis and Elaphoglossum serpens. By the end of this second trip, we had succeeded in collecting spores from four of these six species. From our bounty of spores, Fairchild’s horticulturist, Mike Freedman, set about developing spore propagation protocols. We reported Mike’s results to USFWS, which will use them to inform its endangered species recovery plans. Some of the ferns Freedman has grown will be displayed at Fairchild; others will be kept in our nursery until they are ready to ship to our Puerto Rican colleagues. In the meantime, when these ferns reach maturity, we will collect their spores to send to long-term storage at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, further safeguarding their germplasm. 1 2 3 4 1. Danaea elliptica 2. Pleopeltis polypodioides 3. View of mountains near Yauco 4. Odontosoria aculeata
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