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

2 Terrestrial Species - Plants Silver Thatch Palm

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Silver Thatch Palm Coccothrinax proctorii R.W. Read Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Class: Monocotyledoneae, Order: Arecales, Family: Palmae Genus: Coccothrinax, Species: proctorii The genus Coccothrinax comprises about 30 species, the majority native to the West Indies (Proctor 2009). Silver Thatch Palm Coccothrinax proctorii is the only species to be found in the Cayman Islands. Found on all three islands, the Silver Thatch Palm is endemic to the Cayman Islands. Status Distribution: species endemic to the three Cayman Islands. Conservation: Endangered EN A3bc+4bc (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: Silver Thatch Palm Coccothrinax proctorii 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.
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.T.1.2 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Silver Thatch Palm Page: 1

Natural History Silver Thatch Palm Coccothrinax proctorii is the National Tree of the Cayman Islands. It is extremely slow growing, but abundant in dry shrublands and forest and woodland. The slender trunk is topped with a hanging crown of large green fronds, each displaying a silver sheen on the underside. Silver Thatch Palm may exceed 10m in height, though 5m is more common. It bears small white flowers; developing into profuse red berries, which blacken as they ripen. The Silver Thatch Palm has played a significant role in the culture and economy of the Cayman Islands. Associated Habitats and Species for Silver Thatch Palm ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Silver Thatch Palm Habitat loss: clearance of forest and shrubland for development and agriculture has contributed to a reduction in habitat of this otherwise common species. Generation time: extremely slow growth and long generation time make Silver Thatch Palm slow to recover and susceptible to deforestation. Abundance: the perception of the Silver Thatch Palm as a common tree is more immediate than the understanding that deforestation rates are outrunning the long generation time of this species, so that they are being lost much faster than they can regenerate. Cultural significance: the Silver Thatch Palm has played a significant role in the culture and economy of the Cayman Islands. In addition to thatching the roofs of dwellings, the tough fibres of the central tops leaves were stripped and manufactured into a durable rope, resistant to seawater. Additionally, tops were plaited into mats, baskets, hats and a variety of useful items. The recent decline in numbers of Silver Thatch Palm has raised concerns amongst local artisans, including the Cayman Islands Council of Traditional Arts (CICTA), for the future of this species a cornerstone of Caymanian natural heritage. Transplantation: mature specimens are highly sensitive to relocation. Towards maximizing survivorship, phased trenching and pruning of roots and fronds is necessary, combined with suitable aftercare. Even with appropriate handling and aftercare, survival of specimens is not guaranteed. Landscaping potential: the cultural significance of Silver Thatch Palm, combined with its compact and attractive nature make it highly desirable for native landscaping, however, its extreme slow-growing nature, and the associated cost of raising trees to a saleable size, limit its potential for use. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Silver Thatch Palm In a National Symbols campaign spearheaded by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (1995), the Silver Thatch Palm was voted the National Tree of the Cayman Islands. (The Wild Banana Orchid was chosen as the National Flower and the Cayman Parrot as the National Bird). An interpretative folder was produced for schools, containing information and activities centred on the National Symbols. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Silver Thatch Palm OBJECTIVES 1. Stabilize population of Coccothrinax proctorii. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Coccothrinax proctorii. 3. Develop an inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Coccothrinax proctorii. 4. Maintain and improve the profile of Coccothrinax proctorii as a flagship for local biodiversity conservation. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ongoing ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Cayman Parrot Amazona leucocephala Banana Orchid Myrmecophila thomsoniana Ironwood Chionanthus caymanensis

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Silver Thatch Palm PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Coccothrinax proctorii 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. Strengthen the Development Plan on Grand Cayman, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. PL7. 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 CIG CIG QEIIBP DoE CIG CIG MP DoE CIG MP DoE

2006 2006 2006 2010 2010

DoP CPA DoP DCB

ongoing

1,2

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management SM1. Collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. SM2. Establish an outdoor classroom in an accessible area of forest, where visitors can see Coccothrinax proctorii and learn about Cayman Biodiversity. SM3. Establish a local conservation propagation programme and introduce Coccothrinax proctorii to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery. DoE RBGK QEIIBP DoE QEIIBP DoE NT CN CIG RBGK CICTA 2012 2008 2008 3 1,2,4 1,3

SM3. REPORT: Coccothrinax proctorii growing from seed and translocated seedlings commenced, 2007. SM3. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. SM4. 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. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A2. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. Research & Monitoring RM1. Investigate protocols for relocation / transplantation of mature trees. RM2. Investigate protocols for accelerating growth of seeds. RM3. 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. RM4. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Coccothrinax proctorii locally. DoE QEIIBP DoE QEIIBP DoE DoE RBGK QEIIBP 2008 2008 2010 2015 3 3 3 1 DoP DoE DoE CICTA CIG NT 2009 2006 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 DoE 2015 1,2,3

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Communication & Publicity CP1. Update National Symbols campaign. CP2. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Coccothrinax proctorii. CP3. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Coccothrinax proctorii and other endemic flora and fauna. NT DoE DoP NT QEIIBP DoE NT QEIIBP MP CN GC OS SB LCN MP CN GC OS SB LCN CICTA DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2006 2010 4 1,2,3,4

2008

1,2,3,4

CP3. REPORT: Coccothrinax proctorii featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a). CP4. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. CIG 2010 4

CP4. REPORT: Coccothrinax proctorii to feature in Cayman Islands 2008 Chelsea Flower Show exhibit. Reference and Further Reading for Silver Thatch Palm
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

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