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

4 Terrestrial Species - Plants Banana Orchid

Rev: 19 March 2012

WALLACE PLATTS

Banana Orchid Myrmecophila thomsoniana (Rchb. f.) Rolfe (previously Schomburgkia thomsoniana) var. thomsoniana var. minor (Strachan ex Fawc.) Dressler Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Liliopsida, Order: Orchidales, Family: Orchidaceae Genus: Myrmecophila, Species: thomsoniana Myrmecophila is a genus of approximately eight species, distributed through the Greater Antilles, Mexico, Central America and Venezuela (Proctor 2009). Banana Orchids comprise two varieties, Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. thomsoniana in Grand Cayman, and Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. minor in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Both species and subspecies are unique to the Cayman Islands. Status Distribution: Species and subspecies endemic to the Cayman Islands. Conservation: Endangered EN 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.T.1.4 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banana Orchid Page: 1

Legal: Banana Orchid Myrmecophila thomsoniana 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 The Banana Orchid Myrmecophila thomsoniana is the National Flower of the Cayman Islands. One of twenty six orchid species found locally, both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips. The petals are predominantly white on the Grand Cayman variety, while the Sister Islands variety has smaller flowers, with pale yellow petals. Through human assistance, some hybridization has occurred between varieties. Banana Orchids are particularly abundant in humid woodlands, producing long flower spikes April-May each year. Clusters of fingerlike pseudobulbs form the base of the plants. The pseudobulbs resemble bunches of unripe bananas, and it is this feature from which the orchids derive their common name. The scientific name is derived from Myrmex: a genus of ants which typically inhabit the pseudobulbs of Myrmecophila. Holes in the base of pseudobulbs, facilitate the ants entrance to their colonies. In the Cayman Islands, Banana Orchids exist in the absence of the ants, though the entrance holes in the pseudobulbs remain. Associated Habitats and Species for Banana Orchid ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland 2.T.7 Urban and Man-modified Areas Current Factors Affecting Banana Orchid Habitat loss: clearance of forest and shrubland for agriculture and development has contributed to a reduction in primary habitat of this otherwise common species. Hybridization: crossing of var. thomsoniana and var. minor as occurred through humanassisted transportation between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman / Cayman Brac. Commercial and private collection: the Banana Orchid is a popular specimen for orchid collectors, however, local abundance has previously been sufficient to offset collection pressure. Transplantation: translocation is generally simple, with specimens readily reattaching to suitable substrates, and thriving given suitable conditions of shade and humidity. This has contributed to significant numbers of Banana Orchids being found in urban and suburban gardens, particularly in the George Town area. Landscaping potential: Banana Orchids are popular with orchid enthusiasts and gardeners. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Banana Orchid In a National Symbols campaign spearheaded by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (1995), the Banana Orchid was voted the National Flower of the Cayman Islands. (The Silver Thatch Palm was chosen as the National Tree and the Cayman Parrot as the National Bird). An interpretative folder was produced for schools, containing information and activities centred on the National Symbols. Banana Orchids are one of the specimens commonly collected from land slated for development during Orchid Rescues, undertaken by the Cayman Islands Orchid Society. Rescued orchids are distributed free-of-charge to local enthusiasts and gardeners. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Banana Orchid OBJECTIVES 1. Stabilize population of Myrmecophila thomsoniana. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Myrmecophila thomsoniana. 3. Develop an exsitu cultivation and conservation programme for Myrmecophila thomsoniana. 4. Maintain and improve the profile of Myrmecophila thomsoniana as a flagship for local biodiversity conservation. Section: 3.T.1.4 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banana Orchid Page: 2 TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ongoing ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Silver Thatch Palm Coccothrinax proctorii Cayman Parrot Amazona leucocephala Ghost Crchid Dendrophylax fawcettii

Banana Orchid PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Myrmecophila thomsoniana under Schedule II of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Reduce the threat of a catastrophic loss of the remaining populations, 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. Develop system for the propagation of native orchids for habitat restoration and enhancement. DoE RBGK QEIIBP OS DoE QEIIBP 2012 2006 3 2,3

SM2. REPORT: Orchid Society Shade House for growingon orchids completed 2006, complementing existing Conservation Propagation Unit at QEII Botanic Park. Conservation Propagation Volunteers trained in culture techniques 2007. Successful trial cultures of (other) native orchid sp. commenced, 2007. SM3. Establish an outdoor classroom in an accessible area of forest, where visitors can see Myrmecophila thomsoniana and learn about Cayman Biodiversity. SM4. Mobilize volunteer support for orchid rescue, propagation and conservation activities. SM5. Establish local conservation propagation programme and introduce Myrmecophila thomsoniana to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery, and deter illicit collection. SM6. 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. Research & Monitoring RM1. Investigate protocols for tissue culture. 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 Myrmecophila thomsoniana locally. OS DoE DoE Page: 3 QEIIBP DoE RBGK QEIIBP 2008 2010 2015 3 3 1 DoP DoE DoE CIG NT 2009 2006 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 DoE OS QEIIBP OS NT CN CIG DoE MP VOL RBGK DoE 2008 ongoing 2008 1,2,4 1,3 1,3

SM5. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. DoE 2015 1,2,3,4

Section: 3.T.1.4 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banana Orchid

Banana Orchid PROPOSED ACTION Communication & Publicity CP1. Update National Symbols campaign. CP2. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Myrmecophila thomsoniana and other endemic flora and fauna.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 4 1,2,3,4

NT DoE NT QEIIBP DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG

DoE MP CN GC OS SB LCN

2006 2008

CP2. REPORT: Myrmecophila thomsoniana featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a) CP3. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Myrmecophila thomsoniana. CP4. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2010 1,2,3,4

2010

1,2,3,4

CP4. REPORT: Myrmecophila thomsoniana to feature in Cayman Islands 2008 Chelsea Flower Show exhibit. Reference and Further Reading for Banana Orchid
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. Collett, J. (1988). The Orchids of the Cayman Islands. Horizons Magazine (Grand Cayman), 6:52-53 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

Section: 3.T.1.4 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banana Orchid

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