Eugenia woodburyana

No Common Name

Description

Eugenia woodburyana, a small evergreen tree, may reach 19.7 ft (6 m) in height. The leaves are opposite, obovate, pilos on both sides, glandular-punctate below, and from 0.6-0.8 in (1.5-2 cm) long and 0.4-0.6 in (1-1.5 cm) wide. The inflorescence is axillary, two to five flowered and with a peduncle 0.04-0.12 in (1-3 mm) long. The calyx is four-lobed and the petals are white, 0.16 in (4 mm) long and 0.14 in (3.5 mm) wide. The striking fruit is red upon maturity, eight-winged and 0.8 in (2 cm) in diameter.

Habitat

All sites are located within the subtropical dry forest life zone. Average annual precipitation at the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge is 34.8 in (88.3 cm) (1980-1993). The drier period extends from December through March, and the wetter period includes May and September through November. Soils of the Refuge belong to the Americus-Guayabo-Sosa association, which are described as well-drained to excessively drained, level to sloping, sandy soils. The Refuge is located at an elevation of approximately 66 ft (20 m). Vegetation is primarily grassland, but scattered individuals of mesquite (Prosopis pallida ) and aroma (Acacia farnesiana ) are found.

The range of hills known as the Sierra Bermeja are the oldest geologic formation in Puerto Rico and are known for their high plant endemism. Located just to the east of the Refuge, precipitation patterns are similar. Soils have been described as Guayama cherty clay loam, from 5.5-11.8 in (14-30 cm) deep to weathered siliceous rock and are acid in nature. The species found associated with Aristida portoricensis (pelos de diablo, another endangered species), Digitaria eggersii, Comocladia dodonea (carrasco), Plumeria alba (alh_li), Bursera simaruba (alm cigo), Bucida buceras (ucar), Randia aculeata (tintillo), Croton sp. and Jacquinia berterii. The endangered bird the Puerto Rican nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus ) has recently been reported from the slopes of the Sierra Bermeja.

Eugenia woodburyana is found in the deciduous and semi-evergreen seasonal forests of the subtropical dry forest life zone of southwestern Puerto Rico at elevations of less than 100 meters. Extensive areas of this life zone overlie limestone, including the area where this species is found. These forest types typically consist of two tree or shrub strata. Trees in the upper strata of the deciduous forest reach 10 meters in height. Species without spines are dominant and most are deciduous and microphyllous. Soils in the semi-evergreen forests retain greater moisture, trees are somewhat taller and a larger number of evergreen species are found.

Distribution

E. woodburyana is endemic to Puerto Rico and currently known only from the Sierra Bermeja in the municipalities of Cabo Rojo and Lajas and from the Guanica Commonwealth Forest in Guanica, all in southwestern Puerto Rico. An additional individual has been reported from the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, in Cabo Rojo, adjacent to the Sierra Bermeja. Approximately 45 individuals are known from these three locations.

Threats

E. woodburyana is threatened by road construction, recreational activities, wildfires, and land clearing associated with development for agricultural and other purposes.

In the Sierra Bermeja, E. woodburyana is found on privately owned land subject to intense pressure for agricultural, rural, residential, and tourist development. The land is currently bearing cleared for grazing by cattle and goats. Adjacent land is being subdivided for sale in small farms, some destined for tourist and urban development.

The Sierra Bermeja has also been included in a copper and gold mining proposal currently under consideration. Clearing of land for grazing has destroyed some habitat which may have been occupied by this species. In addition, fire in the dry southwest is common, particularly during the drier months. Currently the species is only known from three localities; therefore, the risk of extinction is extremely high.

Conservation and Recovery

Populations found on privately owned land should be given protection through conservation easements or acquisition. Management plans for public lands should be revised or prepared to include provisions for the protection and the recovery of the species. Propagation for introduction into protected areas for the establishment of new populations or enhancement of existing populations should be considered a priority recovery mechanism.

Contact

Regional Office of Endangered Species
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://southeast.fws.gov/

References

Department of Natural Resources. 1993. "Natural heritage Program status information on Mitracarpus maxwelliae, Mitracarpus polycladus and Eugenia woodburyana." San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Liogier, Alain H. 1980. "Novitates Antillanae." VIII. Phytologia 47(3): 167-198.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for Three Puerto Rican Plants." Federal Register 59(1): 44-47.