''Aristida portoricensis'' is a rare species of
grass known by the common name pelos del diablo ("hair of the devil"). It is
endemic to
Puerto Rico, where it is known from two locations, one in a residential area of
Mayagüez and one in the
Sierra Bermeja.
[Silander, S. (1994)]
''Aristida portoricensis'' Recovery Plan.
USFWS. Two other known sites have been
extirpated by development of the habitat.
[ It is a federally listed ]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 United States.
This is a perennial grass producing a tuft of stems up to 30 to 50 centimeters tall. The inflorescence is a narrow panicle
A panicle is a much-branched inflorescence. (softcover ). Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that the flowers (and fruit) be pedicellate (having a single stem per flower). The branches of a panicle are of ...
a few centimeters in length. Its habitat includes subtropical
The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...
wet forests and grassland on soils of clay and serpentine
Serpentine may refer to:
Shapes
* Serpentine shape, a shape resembling a serpent
* Serpentine curve, a mathematical curve
* Serpentine, a type of riding figure
Science and nature
* Serpentine subgroup, a group of minerals
* Serpentinite, a ...
origin.[USFWS]
Endangered Status for the Plant ''Aristida portoricensis'' (pelos del diablo).
''Federal Register'' August 8, 1990. Development of the Sierra Bermeja is a potential threat for the grass and many other endemic plant species.[ Vandalism of the few remaining plants is also a potential threat.][
]
References
External links
USDA Plants Profile
portoricensis
Endemic flora of Puerto Rico
{{Poaceae-stub