Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.S.1.

3 Coastal Species - Plants Broadleaf

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Broadleaf Cordia sebestena L. var. caymanensis (Urb.) Proctor Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Lamiales, Family: Boraginaceae Genus: Cordia, Species: sebestena, Variety: caymanensis Cordia is a pantropical genus of about 250 species (Proctor 2009). Of the five species of Cordia found in the Cayman Islands, one variety, Broadleaf Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis, is endemic to the three Cayman Islands. Broadleaf differs from the common variety Geiger Tree Cordia sebestena var. sebestena, which is distributed throughout the West Indies and Florida, in a range of characteristics, including larger leaf size, leaf serrations and smaller flower petals. The Geiger Tree is a popular landscaping ornamental. Status Distribution: Subspecies endemic to the three Cayman Islands. Conservation: Vulnerable VU A3bc+4bc (The Red List, Burton 2008a).

For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.S.1.3 Coastal Species - Plants - Broadleaf

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Legal: Broadleaf Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule II). The Department of Environment would be the lead body for legal protection. Natural History Broadleaf Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis typically favours sandy coastal shrubland. It exists as a shrub or small tree, generally tall and thin in form, developing a sparse crown. Broadleaf displays bright orange-red flowers, in response to rain, and bears distinctive white fruits. Associated Habitats and Species for Broadleaf ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.S.4 Invasive Coastal Plants 2.S.5 Coastal Shrubland 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Broadleaf Hybridization: there are concerns that the local variety Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis is at risk from hybridization with the Geiger tree Cordia sebestena var. sebestena, a popular landscaping import from Florida. This would result in the loss of the unique Cayman variety. Habitat loss: clearance of coastal forest for development has contributed to a reduction in habitat of this otherwise common species. Invasive species: reestablishment of native flora is limited by aggressive exotic colonisers in coastal areas e.g. Casuarina equisetifolia, Colubrina asiatica, Leucaena leucocephala and Scaevola sericea. Cultural significance: the rough leaves of Broadleaf were traditionally used to polish turtle shells. Landscaping potential: ease of cultivation from seed, compact form and flowers, coupled with extreme tolerance of salty and sandy conditions make Broadleaf suitable for landscaping, including coastal restoration. Insect pests: defoliation by a beetle larva has been observed to affect nursery stock in Grand Cayman. The pest has not yet been identified and it is not known at this point, whether or not it is native or an invasive exotic species. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Broadleaf Broadleaf has been successfully propagated from seed, and sold by the Native Tree Nursery. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Broadleaf OBJECTIVES 1. Halt population decline of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis. 3. Develop an inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Inkberry Scaevola plumieri Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco Tea Banker Pectis caymanensis

Section: 3.S.1.3 Coastal Species - Plants - Broadleaf

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Broadleaf PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis under Schedule II of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Reduce the threat of a catastrophic loss of the remaining population, through involvement with the Millennium Seedbank Project. PL5. Promote amendment of the Planning Law, to facilitate rapid imposition of stop-orders on illegal developments and provide a responsive and effective enforcement mechanism. PL6. Develop and implement an importation ban on Cordia sebestena var. sebestena. PL7. Enforce provisions under the National Conservation Law to support Planning Legislation and reduce incidents of illegal sand mining. PL8. Strengthen the Development Plan on Grand Cayman, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. PL9. Promote establishment of a Development Plan for the Sister Islands, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3 3 1,2

CIG DoE DoE DoE RBGK DoP DoE DoA HMC DoE DoP DoP CPA DoP DCB

DoE CIG CIG QEIIBP DoE CIG QEIIBP CIG LCN CIG CIG MP DoE CIG MP DoE

2006 2006 2006 2010 2010

2010 2008 ongoing

1,2,3 1,2 1,2

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management SM1. Collect seeds under the Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. SM2. Establish a local conservation propagation programme and introduce Cordia sebestena var. sebestena to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery. DoE RBGK QEIIBP QEIIBP DoE RBGK 2012 3

2008

1,3

SM2. REPORT: Native Tree Nursery opens to public, Feb 2009. Cordia sebestena var. sebestena sold from Native Tree Nursery, 2008. SM2. REPORT: (2010) Beetle larvae infestations impact potential of broadleaf to be grown under nursery conditions without heavy spraying. SM2. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. SM3. Active planting in conjunction with eradication of invasive flora from key areas, commencing with protected areas e.g. Barkers. SM3. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Promote use of native plants in landscaping, through maintenance of existing vegetation and use of Recommended Planting Palette in new developments. A2. Recommend importation / landscaping ban on invasive flora, including Cordia sebestena var. sebestena. A3. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A3. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. DoP DoE DoA DoE DoE LCN CIG NT 2009 2009 2006 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3 DoE DoE DoA PCRU 2014 2015 1,2 1,2,3

Section: 3.S.1.3 Coastal Species - Plants - Broadleaf

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Broadleaf PROPOSED ACTION RM1. Monitor and assist reestablishment of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis in protected areas. RM2. Collect seed under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol, including voucher specimens and in situ habit images, and transpose into searchable electronic format, linked to Field Collections Database. RM3. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis locally. RM4. Identify beetle pest of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis and determine its geographic distribution. Develop and implement control techniques as required. CP1. Raise public awareness of the unique nature of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis and other endemic flora and fauna.

LEAD Research & Monitoring DoE

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE

2009 RBGK QEIIBP 2010 2015 2009

3 3 1 1,2,3

DoE DoE DoE

Communication & Publicity DoE NT QEIIBP DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG MP CN GC OS SB LCN MP CN GC NRA SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2008 1,2,3

CP1.REPORT: Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a) CP2. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis. CP3. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. 2010 1,2,3

2010

1,2,3

References and further Reading for Broadleaf

Burton, F. (2007). Wild Trees in the Cayman Islands (2nd edition). International Reptile Conservation Foundation, USA. ISBN 978-1-4276-2168-9 Burton, F.J. (2008a). Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Burton, F.J. (2008b). Vegetation Classification for the Cayman Islands. In: Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Proctor, G.R. (1984). Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Bulletin Additional Series XI. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her Majestys Stationary Office. London. ISBN 0-11-242548-8. Proctor, G.R. (2012) Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Publishing. 736 pp. ISBN: 9781842464038 Sauer, J.D. (1982). Cayman Island seashore vegetation: A study in comparative biogeography. Geography, 25:1-137. University of California.

Section: 3.S.1.3 Coastal Species - Plants - Broadleaf

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