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

5 Terrestrial Species - Plants Ghost Orchid

Rev: 19 March 2012

JOHN BINNS

Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax fawcettii Rolfe Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Liliopsida, Order: Asparagales, Family: Orchidaceae Genus: Dendrophylax, Species: fawcettii Dendrophylax is a Caribbean genus of about fourteen species (Proctor 2009). The Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax fawcettii is endemic to the island of Grand Cayman, and is known from only two populations; one in the Ironwood Forest, George Town, and a second, smaller population in the region of the Mastic Reserve, North Side. Status Distribution: Species endemic to Grand Cayman. Conservation: Critically endangered CR A2abcd+4abcd (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: The Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax fawcettii currently has no legal protection. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule I). 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.1.5 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ghost Orchid Page: 1

Natural History Known only from two surviving populations on Grand Cayman, the Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax fawcettii attaches to trees and bare rock surfaces. It thrives in situations where sheltered forest adjoins wetlands, generating a moist air layer beneath the tree canopy. This leafless plant exists as a spider-like network of roots for the majority of the year, giving rise to a delicate pale cream flower, April-June. The flower lasts for about 3 weeks. The pollinator has yet to be identified, but is believed to possibly be a night-flying moth. This species is rare and should be protected; otherwise it is may become extinct in the wild Proctor (2009). Associated Habitats and Species for Ghost Orchid ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Ghost Orchid Extreme range limitation: known only from two isolated population fragments, one in the Mastic Reserve, North Side, and one in the Ironwood Forest, George Town, Dendrophylax fawcettii is prone to localised environmental perturbation. Roads construction: in 2008, a controversial roads development through the Ironwood Forest was shelved amid public outcry. At the present time, however, the forest remains without any form of legal protection. A combination of footprint impact, and more significantly, edge effects arising from this roads project, would likely result in the extinction of the George Town population. Habitat loss: clearance and development of unprotected habitat. The Ironwood Forest constitutes the last remnant of originalgrowth George Town Forest, and is surrounded on all sides by dense urban and suburban development. Capacity for protection: given the extremely small area of the known population, protection and in situ conservation should be potentially achievable. Habitat requirements: complex habitat requirements may limit potential for effective exsitu conservation propagation, and the translocation and establishment of viable new populations. Protected areas: neither of the known natural populations is within protected areas. Both the Ironwood Forest population, and that in the region of the Mastic Reserve, are currently unprotected. A number of specimens have been translocated to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Pollination: the natural pollinator of Dendrophylax fawcettii, possibly a night-time flying moth, remains to be identified. Until the pollinator is confirmed, the potential for effective translocation may be limited. Commercial and private collection: the Ghost Orchid is a popular specimen for orchid collectors. Collectors have significantly impacted populations elsewhere in the world and on island. 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 Ghost Orchids being found in urban and suburban gardens, particularly in the George Town area. Landscaping potential: Ghost Orchids are popular with orchid enthusiasts and gardeners. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Ghost Orchid Since 2002, long-standing efforts by local conservation groups to establish the Ironwood Forest as a protected area have not been successful to-date. The Ironwood Forest remains without any form of legal protection. In 2008, a controversial roads development through the Ironwood Forest was shelved amid public outcry. ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Ironwood Chionanthus caymanensis Old George Hohenbergia caymanensis Banana Orchid Myrmecophila thomsoniana

Section: 3.T.1.5 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ghost Orchid

Page: 2

In addition to containing the largest natural population of Ghost Orchids, the Ironwood Forest also represents the last remnant of original-growth George Town Forest, and the only natural population of Old George Hohenbergia caymanensis; compounding the conservation significance of this area. Protection of the population in the region of the Mastic Trail, would represent a valuable protective measure for both the Ghost Orchid, and for the associated dry-forest reserve. Ghost Orchids are one of the species 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. Unfortunately, in 2008, a pre-emptive collection of Ghost Orchids from the designated road corridor, in anticipation of the roads project, severely impacted the forest population. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Ghost Orchid OBJECTIVES 1. Reverse population decline of Dendrophylax fawcettii and raise Red List status by at least one category, from critically endangered. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Dendrophylax fawcettii. 3. Develop inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Dendrophylax fawcettii. TARGET 2015 2015 2012

Ghost Orchid PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Dendrophylax fawcettii under Schedule I 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 removal of the road gazette through the Ironwood Forest.

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

2006 2006 2006 2010 2010

DoP CPA DoE NRA

ongoing 2009

1,2 1,2

Safeguards & Management SM1. Use the Environmental Protection Fund to establish a protected area / management agreement with landowners of the Ironwood Forest, to protect Dendrophylax fawcettii population in situ. SM2. Use the Environmental Protection Fund to establish a protected area / management agreement with landowners of the land adjacent the Mastic Reserve, to protect Dendrophylax fawcettii population in situ. SM3. Collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. SM4. Develop system for propagation of native orchids for habitat restoration and enhancement. CC NT, MP DoE CIG NT, MP DoE CIG 2010 1,2

CC DoE RBGK QEIIBP OS

2010

1,2

2012 DoE QEIIBP 2006

3 1,3

SM4. REPORT: Existing Orchid Propagation Unit complemented by construction of Shade House, to establish local capacity for artificial propagation and growing-on of orchids, 2007. Section: 3.T.1.5 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ghost Orchid Page: 3

Ghost Orchid PROPOSED ACTION SM5. Establish local conservation propagation programme. Introduce Dendrophylax fawcettii to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery, and deter illicit collection.

LEAD QEIIBP OS

PARTNERS VOL RBGK DoE

TARGET 2008

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,3

SM5. 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. SM6. Restore the damage done to the Ironwood Forest along the gazetted road corridor, including restoration of orchids, removal of establishing invasive species, and replanting of suitable native trees. SM7. Establish an outdoor classroom in an accessible area of forest, where visitors can see Dendrophylax fawcettii and learn about Cayman Biodiversity. SM8. Mobilize volunteer support for orchid rescue, propagation and conservation activities. SM9. 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. RM1. Investigate protocols for tissue culture. RM2. Survey and map remaining populations of Dendrophylax fawcettii. 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 Dendrophylax fawcettii locally. RM5. Identify pollinator species and assess its distribution within Grand Cayman. CP1. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Dendrophylax fawcettii and other endemic flora and fauna. DoP DoE DoE CIG NT 2009 2006 1,2,3 1,2,3 NRA DoE DoE OS DoE CIG NT CN CIG DoE 2009 2008 ongoing 2015 1,2 1,2,4 1,3 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring OS DoE QEIIBP DoE NT, CN RBGK QEIIBP 2008 2010 2010 2015 QEIIBP IntC 2012 3 2 3 1 1,2

DoE DoE DoE

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

CP1. REPORT: Ghost Orchids became a focal point in public campaign to preserve the Ironwood Forest, 2008. Dendrophylax fawcettii featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a) CP2. Subject to SM1, develop and deploy in situ interpretation related to the value of the Ironwood Forest, southwest George Town. CP3. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Dendrophylax fawcettii. CP4. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. DoE DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG DE NT CN MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2012 2010 1,2 1,2,3

2010

1,2,3

CP4. REPORT: Dendrophylax fawcettii to feature in Cayman Islands 2008 Chelsea Flower Show exhibit.

Section: 3.T.1.5 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ghost Orchid

Page: 4

Reference and Further Reading for Ghost 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.1.5 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ghost Orchid

Page: 5