BEACHAM’S GUIDE to the ENDANGERED SPECIES of NORTH AMERICA BEACHAM’S GUIDE to the ENDANGERED SPECIES of NORTH AMERICA Volume 4 Dicots Edited By Walton Beacham Frank V. Castronova Suzanne Sessine Chupacallos Pleodendron macranthum Status Endangered Listed November 25, 1994 Family Canellaceae Description An evergreen tropical tree. Habitat Moist tropical forest. Threats Forestry practices and other distur- bances, as well as the inherent risks of a very small population. Range Puerto Rico Description covered by a thick organic surface layer. It is an evergreen forest with two strata which are not Chupacallos (Pleodendron macranthum) is an ever- sharply defined. Tree height is generally less than green tree reaching 33 ft (10 m) in height, with leath- 49 ft (15 m), crowns are low, and trees branch pro- ery, alternate, simple leaves about 3.3-4.9 in (8.5-12.5 fusely. Palo colorado (Cyrilla racemiflora) is the most cm) long and 1.7-1.9 in (4.5 to 5.0 cm) wide. The prominent species in this type of forest. Three tree blades are elliptic with the upper surface dark shiny strata are obvious—a discontinuous upper strata, a green and the midvein sunken. The lower surface second continuous strata at 65 ft (20 m) and under- is pale green with a prominent mid-vein and with story. The forest floor is only sparsely vegetated. fine, parallel side veins. The leaf stalks are about 0.3 Bromeliads, lianas, vines, and arborescent ferns are in (7 mm) long. The whitish bisexual flowers are frequently observed. Leaves are mesophyllous, and solitary and axillary, 0.7 in (2 cm) wide and with a shade leaves tend to be covered with epiphytic 1 in-long (2.5-cm-long) flower stalk. The cup-shaped growth. Another dominant tree, motillo, bears char- calyx is persistent in the fruit and the corolla con- acteristic buttress roots. tains 12 petals. The aromatic purplish black fruit The Río Abajo Commonwealth Forest is the other measures 0.7 in (2 cm) in diameter and contains site where chupacallos can be found. This forest is many seeds. found in the limestone hill region of northern Puerto Rico in the municipalities of Utuado and Arecibo. Habitat Here chupacallos grows in the semi-evergreen or Three of the chupacallos’ known sites occur evergreen seasonal forest of the subtropical moist within the Caribbean National Forest, managed by forest life zone on limestone hills at elevations from the U. S. Forest Service. Humidity ranges from 90- 492 to 1,148 ft (150 to 350 m). Soils in these hills are 100% on cloudy days. Precipitation varies from 118 shallow, well-drained, alkaline, and interspersed to 177 in (300-450 cm) annually, with a relatively between outcrops of hard limestone. Mean annual dry season occurring from February to April. The precipitation varies from 4.9 to 6.5 ft (150 to 200 cm). Luquillo Mountains are of volcanic origin, and ig- Two strata are present in this type of forest. The up- neous rocks, mostly andesitic in nature, cover the per strata is composed of a continuous layer which area. Basalt is the parent rock throughout these extends up to 66 ft (20 m) in height with a few emer- mountains. The palo colorado forest, one of four for- gent trees reaching 82 ft (25 m). One-third to two- est types, is found at elevations greater than 2,132 thirds of the species are deciduous. The second ft (650 m). The floor of the palo colorado forest is strata reaches 32.8 ft (10 m) in height and the num- Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America 1893 Chupacallos Dicots ber of deciduous species is low. Most species are Abajo Commonwealth Forest. The chupacallos and evergreen, with simple, microphyllous leaves. its habitat should be strictly protected against any threatening activities associated with forestry, road- Distribution building, or other disturbances. This can be done by incorporating prohibitions into management plans Chupacallos was discovered in 1822 or 1823 and for the Caribbean National Forest and the Rio Abajo was first described in 1889. No observation or col- Commonwealth Forest. One goal is to propagate the lection of the species was made for more than 40 chupacallos in captivity, to provide stock for out- years. The species was rediscovered, and is at pre- planting into suitable wild habitats. sent known from fewer than 50 individuals in seven localities of the subtropical wet and the subtropical Contacts montane wet forests of northern and eastern Puerto U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rico. Three localities are within the Caribbean Na- Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species tional Forest and four are within the Río Abajo Com- 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200 monwealth Forest. Atlanta, Georgia 30345 http://southeast.fws.gov/ Threats Forest management practices such as the estab- U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service lishment and maintenance of plantations, selective Boquerón Ecological Services Field Office cutting, trail and road construction and mainte- Post Office Box 491 nance, and shelter construction may affect the Boquerón, Puerto Rico 00622-0491 species. In addition, the extreme rarity of the species Telephone: (787) 851-7297 makes it vulnerable to natural catastrophes, such as Fax: (787) 851-7440 the passage of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. All locali- ties where the species occurs in the Caribbean Na- References tional Forest were affected by the hurricane. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. “Determina- tion of endangered status for two Puerto Rican Conservation and Recovery trees.” Federal Register 59(226):60565-60568. The critical habitat of the chupacallos occurs within the Caribbean National Forest and the Rio 1894 Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America Kuawawaenohu Alsinidendron lychnoides Status Endangered Listed October 10, 1996 Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink) Description Weakly climbing or sprawling sub- shrub; woody at the base and densely covered with fine glandular hairs. Habitat Montane wet forest. Threats Competition from the aggressive alien plant prickly Florida blackberry; habitat degradation by feral pigs; trampling by humans. Range Hawaii Description Habitat Alsinidendron lychnoides, or kuawawaenohu, a A. lychnoidestypically grows in montane wet for- member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a est dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha (‘ohi‘a) weakly climbing or sprawling subshrub. The main and Cheirodendron sp. (‘olapa), or by ‘ohi‘a and Di- stems are 1.3-9.8 ft (0.4-3 m) long with short side cranopteris linearis(uluhe), trailing on the ground or branches. The plant is woody, at least at the base, on other vegetation, and at elevations between 3,600 and densely covered with fine glandular hairs and 4,330 ft (1,097.3 and 1,310.6 m). Associated plant throughout. The thin leaves are egg-shaped to el- species include Athyriumsp., Carexsp., Cyrtandrasp. liptic and are 1.4-2.6 in (3.5-6.6 cm) long and 0.6-1.5 (ha‘iwale), Machaerinasp. (‘uki), Vacciniumsp. (‘oh- in (1.5-3.8 cm) wide. Scattered clusters of 18-21 flow- elo), Peperomia sp. (‘ala ‘ala wai nui), Hedyotis ter- ers range from 0.8-0.9 in (2-2.3 cm) in length. The minalis (manono), Astelia sp. (pa‘iniu), and Brous- four sepals are white and thin, and remain so at ma- saisia arguta (kanawao). turity. The outer two sepals greatly overlap the in- ner ones. The sepals are oblong-ovate, 0.4-0.5 in (1- Distribution 1.3 cm) long, but enlarge to 0.5-0.6 in (1.3-1.5 cm) long in fruit, completely enclosing the fruit at ma- A. lychnoides was found historically on the is- turity. The stamens are scarcely fused at the base land of Kauai at the east rim of Kalalau Valley near with basal outgrowths 0.1 in (cm) long, nearly as Keanapuka, the western and southeastern margins wide, and two- to three-toothed. The fruit are egg- of the Alakai Swamp, and southwest of the Swamp shaped capsules, 0.4-0.5 in (1-1.3 cm) long, with 0.04 near Kaholuamano on the island of Kauai. This in (0.1 cm) long with low transverse ridges on the species now occurs on state-owned land in the surface. This species is distinguished from others in Alakai Swamp, including the Alakai Wilderness this endemic Hawaiian genus by the weakly climb- Preserve, and on state-owned land on the east rim ing or sprawling habit, color of the sepals, number of Kalalau Valley. This latter population occurs on of flowers per cluster, and size of the leaves. A. ly- the boundary of Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Re- chnoidesis closely related to A. viscosum, which dif- serve and Na Pali Coast State Park. The four fers primarily in having narrower leaves, fewer cap- known populations contain a total of between 50 sule valves, and fewer flowers per cluster. and 100 plants. Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America 1895 Kuawawaenohu Dicots Kuawawaenohu, photograph by Steve Perlman. Reproduced by permission. Threats limited distributions will remain a continuing threat until populations recover. The major threats to A. lychnoidesare competition One plant has died since Hurricane ‘Iniki struck from the aggressive alien plant prickly Florida Kauai in September 1992. blackberry, habitat degradation by feral pigs, and trampling by humans. The Alakai Wilderness and Conservation and Recovery Keanapuka populations of this species are espe- cially threatened by feral pigs and prickly Florida Wild seeds were collected on the trail between blackberry. Pihea and Alakai Swamp Trail in February 1995. More than 40,000 seeds were in storage at the Na- A. lychnoides has populations close to trails or tional Tropical Botanical Garden in 1997, but the vi- roads that are easily accessible to possible overcol- ability of those seeds is likely to be low. The U.S. lection by plant enthusiasts. Department of Agriculture National Seed Storage This species is considered to be immediately Laboratory is currently testing this species for po- threatened by recreational use in the areas in which tential cryopreservation as a method of long-term it occurs. This species is also threatened by a risk of storage. Completion of the Alakai Wilderness Pre- extinction from landslides, hurricanes, and other serve board walk will help reduce potential tram- natural events; reduced reproductive vigor due to pling by humans, as well as reduce the spread of the small number of extant individuals and their alien plants. 1896 Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America Dicots Kuawawaenohu Contact Reference U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. “Kauai II: Ad- Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species dendum to the Recovery Plan for the Kauai Plant Eastside Federal Complex Cluster.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, 911 N.E. 11th Ave. Oregon. 84+ pp. Portland, Oregon 97232-4181 Telephone:(503) 231-6121 http://pacific.fws.gov/ Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America 1897 Alsinidendron obovatum No Common Name Status Endangered Listed October 29, 1991 Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink) Description Small shrub with thick, elliptic leaves and dense clusters of flowers, lacking petals but having five white and green sepals. Habitat Ridges and slopes in lowland moist for- est. Threats Alien plant species, feral pigs, low numbers. Range Hawaii Alsinidendron obovatum,photograph by Derral Herbst. Reproduced by permission. Description closed flower clusters, shorter flower stalks, sepals with a rounded rather than an acute tip, and a dif- Alsinidendron obovatumis a small branching shrub ferent habitat. of the pink family that grows to 3 ft (0.9 m) in height. A. obovatum generally flowers after about two The thick, somewhat fleshy leaves are elliptic, 1.6- years of growth. Plants flower and fruit year-round, 4.3 in (4.1-10.9 cm) long, and have three or five large but flowering is usually heavier in winter and veins. The flowers lack petals but have five sepals spring depending upon precipitation. Plants sur- that are white on the inside and green or green- vive to six years unless there are drought conditions. veined on the outside. They are borne in dense clus- ters of seven to 12. In fruit, the sepals turn purple Habitat and become fleshy, forming a structure resembling a berry. A. obovatum grows on ridges and slopes of the A. obovatum differs from A. trinerve, a closely re- Waianae Mountain Range in lowland moist forest lated endangered plant from Oahu, in having more dominated by koa (Acacia koa) and ‘ohi‘a (Met- 1898 Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America Dicots Alsinidendron obovatum rosideros polymorpha) at elevations of 1,850-2,500 ft Nike missile site), where they have grown to ma- (548.6-762 m). Associated plant species include turity. These plants have been crossed, and fruit ko‘oko‘olau (Bidens) and Java plum (Syzgium co- has been collected from the crosses. In addition, the mini). species is being propagated at the National Tropi- cal Botanical Garden and the Lyon Arboretum. Distribution The army has adopted a fire management plan that includes realigning targets and establishing A. obovatumwas first collected in 1911. It has been firebreaks. These actions may aid in protecting A. found only along the northern and southern ends obovatumfrom the threat of fire. The one individual of the Waianae Mountains. occurring on Makua Military Reservation has been The four known populations contain 12 individ- included in a large fenced enclosure from which un- uals: eight in Kapuna Gulch, one and two at two gulates have been eradicated. This species is tar- sites in Pahole Gulch, and one in Kahanahaiki geted for outplanting within the existing enclosure. within Makua Military Reservation. The first two occurrences are on state land; the last one is on U.S. Contacts Army land. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species Threats Eastside Federal Complex The major threats to A. obovatumare competition 911 N.E. 11th Ave. from molasses grass (Melinus minutifiora), an ag- Portland, Oregon 97232-4181 gressive non-native species, and habitat degrada- (503) 231-6121 tion by feral pigs. Molasses grass, which ranges http://pacific.fws.gov/ from the dry lowlands to the lower wet forests of the leeward ridges, grows in dense mats that Pacific Remote Islands Ecological Services Field smother native vegetation. Office 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122 The low number of known plants and their lim- P.O. Box 50088 ited distribution make the species vulnerable to ex- Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 tinction through unpredictable human or natural Telephone: (808) 541-1201 events. Some plants are located near hiking trails Fax: (808) 541-1216 and are exposed to trampling. References Conservation and Recovery Culliney, J. L. 1988. Islands in a Far Sea: Nature and Eight individuals have been planted in an en- Man in Hawaii.Sierra Club Books, San Francisco. closure at Pahole National Area Reserve. Approx- imately 40 individuals are also retained at the Di- Stone, C. P., and J. M. Scott, eds. 1985. Hawaii’s Ter- vision of Forestry and Wildlife’s mid-elevation restrial Ecosystems: Preservation and Management. propagation facility in the Waianae Mountains (a Cooperative National Park Resources Study Unit, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America 1899 Alsinidendron trinerve No Common Name Status Endangered Listed October 29, 1991 Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink) Description Small, branching shrub with thick, fleshy leaves and dusters of green and white flowers. Habitat Slopes in wet forest. Threats Feral pigs, alien plant species, low numbers. Range Hawaii Alsinidendron trinerve,photograph by Robert J. Gustafson. Reproduced by permission. Description open flower clusters, longer flower stalks, sepals with an acute rather than a rounded tip, and a dif- Alsinidendron trinerveis a small, branching shrub ferent habitat. of the pink family that grows to 3 ft (0.9 m ). The thick, somewhat fleshy leaves are elliptical, 1.6-4.3 Habitat in (4-10.9 cm) long, and possess three or five large veins. The flowers, borne in open dusters of 7-12, A. trinerve grows in the Waianae Mountains on lack petals, but have five sepals that are white on slopes in wet forest dominated by ohia (Met- the inside and green or green-veined on the out- rosideros polymorpha)and kawau (Ilex anomala)at el- side. In fruit, these sepals turn purple and become evations between 3,000 and 4,000 ft (914 and 1219 fleshy, forming a structure resembling a berry. A. m). Associated plant species include pilo (Coprosma trinerve differs from A. obovatum, a closely related ochracea), ‘ape‘ape (Gunhera), and alani (Melicope endangered plant also from Oahu, in having more sandwicensis). 1900 Beacham’s Guide to the Endangered Species of North America