Search / Plant Profile / Aristida portoricensis

Plant Profile

Pelos del Diablo (Aristida portoricensis)

Photo Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Poaceae
State: PR
Nature Serve ID: 136443
Lifeform: Graminoid
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

Aristida portoricensis is a rare species of grass known by the common name pelos del diablo ("hair of the devil"). Plants are 12-20 inches tall and are caespitose (bunching). Aristida portoricensis exists only in the Sierra Bermeja region of southwestern Puerto Rico and is endangered by habitat loss, invasive species, grazing, and fire.

Where is Pelos del Diablo (Aristida portoricensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Aristida portoricensis can be found on dry, stony ground, on exposed rock crevices on serpentine slopes or on laterite.

Distribution:

Aristida portoricensis was historically found in two locations in southwestern Puerto Rico: Cerro Las Mesas and the Sierra Bermeja. Expansion of residential areas eliminated portions of the Cerro Las Mesas population and very few plants remain at this site. In the Sierra Bermeja, a small range of coastal hills in the extreme southwestern corner of the island, the species is scattered along the upper slopes where it is found growing on exposed rock crevices. (Federal Register 1990.)

States & Provinces:

Pelos del Diablo can be found in Puerto Rico

Which CPC Partners conserve Pelos del Diablo (Aristida portoricensis)?

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

10/13/2020

In 2014 and 2016, hundreds of seeds collected by USFWS/CEFSO, Fairchild, and partners were banked in long-term storage at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and at NLGRP.

10/13/2020

In 2014 and 2016, hundreds of seeds collected by USFWS/CEFSO, Fairchild, and partners were banked in long-term storage at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and at NLGRP.

10/13/2020

In 2014 and 2016, hundreds of seeds collected by USFWS/CEFSO, Fairchild, and partners were banked in long-term storage at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and at NLGRP.

J. Possley

11/12/2017

Habitat loss, invasive species, fire, grazing, road maintenance,

J. Possley

11/12/2017

In 2014 and 2016, hundreds of seeds collected by USFWS/CEFSO, Fairchild, and partners were banked in long-term storage at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and at NLGRP.