Portugal reveals extinct plant species

7 January 2009, Caldas (Portugal). Researchers of the Botanical Garden of the National Museum of Natural History, University of Lisbon discovered a species of plant considered to be extinct in Portugal at the center of Caldas da Rainha, more specifically in the Fifth Boneca.

A protocol was signed with the Botanical Garden of the University of Lisbon and the University of Évora to study some waterways through the project “Bio-monitoring waterways in the northern area of West rivers”. The aim of the project is to evaluate the biological quality of the sites selected on the basis of the distribution patterns of species of bryophytes and benthic macroinvertebrates.

Fissidens exilis is a small plant which grows on Fissidentaceae lime and wet slopes, usually in the shadow and in small population. The discovery made in Caldas da Rainha is particularly important since the species occupies quite a considerable area.

Quinta da Boneca is an area of high botanical and conservation interest. It is a small flora stronghold of laurels with a very rich sub-forest.

Read the original article in Portuguese