Polystichum aleuticum, the Aleutian holly fern or Aleutian shield fern, is an

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

of the '' Polystichum'' genus and currently consisting of a small, vulnerable population endemic found only on Adak Island, Alaska, a remote island of the Aleutian Islands chain in the northern Pacific Ocean. In 1992, 112 specimens existed in the wild, and a recovery plan was implemented. The Aleutian shield fern is the only native plant of Alaska on the federal endangered species list. As there are fewer than 150 plants known to exist, it is a very rare North American plant. It was listed as endangered in 1988. ''Polystichum aleuticum'' was first described in 1938, but it could not be located again until 1975 when a group was identified on Mount Reed on Adak Island. A second, third, and fourth population, all on Mount Reed, was located in 1988, 1993, and 1999, respectively. Searches on other Aleutian Islands since 1988 have failed to identify additional populations.

Distribution

It is unlike any other known shield fern found in North America, and originally it was questioned whether it even belonged to the genus '' Polystichum''. However, it was found to be similar to a dwarf ''Polystichum'' species native to southwestern mountains of China and the Himalayas.

Description

The ''Polystichum aleuticum'' fern is described as erect and approximately six inches tall. It usually found growing alone, rather than in groups. It has a fibrous root with dead leaf remnants attached. Its leaves, visible during the growing season, are light or dark olive green, and tapering. Each of its fronds has 15 to 25 pairs of leaflets ( pinnae) that are either sessile or have short stalks and are 4 to 8 mm in length. The upper leaflets each have one spore-producing sori (sometimes two) on the leaflet under surface that is protected by the

indusium A sorus (pl. sori) is a cluster of sporangia (structures producing and containing spores) in ferns and fungi. A coenosorus (plural coenosori) is a compound sorus composed of multiple, fused sori. Etymology This New Latin word is from Ancient ...

, a flap of tissue. The spores are produced in July and August.

Notes

External links

USDA Plant Profile: ''Polystichum aleuticum''Flora of North America — ''Polystichum aleuticum''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7226977 aleuticum Flora of Alaska Endemic flora of the United States Ferns of the United States ~ Critically endangered flora of the United States Plants described in 1938