 |
|
Alpine Cliff Fern Woodsia alpina (Bolton) S.F. Gray |
Ferns |  Printer Friendly Version (PDF) |
Family: Wood-fern Family (Dryopteridaceae)
State Protection: Endangered Species 
This level of state protection means: listed species are those with: 1) 5 or fewer extant sites, or 2) fewer than 1,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to fewer than 4 U.S.G.S. 7 ½ minute topographical maps, or 4) species listed as endangered by U.S. Department of Interior. Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S1
A State Rarity Rank of S1 means: This plant is endangered/critically imperiled in New York because of extreme rarity (typically 5 or fewer populations or very few remaining individuals) or is extremely vulnerable to extirpation from New York due to biological factors. Global Rarity Rank: G4
A Global Rarity Rank of G4 means: This species is apparently secure globally (typically with more than 100+ populations), though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Did you know? Like other rare ferns of the Adirondacks, this species was not discovered until the early 20th century, with the earliest record in 1917 from Avalanche Lake. Woodsia alpina along with Woodsia glabella are two of the smallest ferns in our flora. The genus Woodsia is named after Joseph Woods, a 19th century English architect, botanist and geologist (Joseph Woods in Wikipedia, web site accessed 21 November 2007). |
||||
| State Ranking Justification |
| There are five existing populations but all of them consist of five or fewer plants, making them extremely vulnerable although they have persisted for many decades. There are four additional historical records which are not very exact, so locating such small plants will be difficult. |
|
Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2005 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and The Nature Conservancy Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2009. Online Conservation Guide for Woodsia alpina. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9828. Accessed September 6th, 2010. 
|