The Mexican flora of vascular plants is composed by ca. 30,000 species, of which more than 3,000 are endemic and ca. 16% are considered threatened. Of the approximately 1,100 species of pteridophytes native to México, 583 (53%) occur in State of Veracruz. These species span 31 families and 105 genera, and include 14 known hybrids. The number of pteridophyte species for Veracruz under each conservation category of the IUCN (1983) and as modified by the author are as follows: endemic to México 51; endemic to Veracruz 8; frequent in Veracruz 36; undetermined 307; endangered in México 47, endangered in Veracruz 5; rare in Veracruz 149; vulnerable in México 2; vulnerable in Veracruz 62; extinct in Veracruz (?) 38. There are only 8 fern species endemic to Veracruz, 1.4% of the total. This low total is probably a consequence of the wider distribution of species distributed by spores compared to species of seed plants. Consequently, there are fewer fern endemics than seed-plant endemics in a given area. The conservation of pteridophytes in the state of Veracruz is mainly affected by the loss of natural habitats for agriculture. For example, it has been estimated that annual deforestation is ca. 500,000 ha. Another important factor is the non-regulated collection of specimens in natural habitats by tradesmen and students. In the botanical garden of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C., in Xalapa, Veracruz, we have established a program to propagate species of threatened ferns, either from spores or using tissue culture techniques. In order to protect the natural habitats where ferns grow, it is urgent to create awareness and to involve the local communities.

Key words: México, Veracruz