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

8 Terrestrial Species - Plants Consolea millspaughii caymanensis

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Consolea millspaughii (Britton) A. Berger (previously Opuntia) var. caymanensis Areces Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Caryophyllales, Family: Cactaceae Genus: Consolea, Species: millspaughii, Variety: caymanensis Consolea is a widespread American genus of more than 250 species, occurring in both tropical and temperate areas (Proctor 2009). Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis used to occur in eastern Little Cayman, but has apparently died out there, for reasons unknown. The cactus is now known only from Cayman Brac. Status Distribution: Subspecies endemic to Cayman Brac, known only from sparsely scattered individuals along the North Side of the Bluff, near Captain Mabrys Drive, and the bottom of the southern Bluff cliffs. Conservation: Critically endangered CR C2a(ii) (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.1.8 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Consolea millspaughii caymanensis Page: 1

Legal: Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands. 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. Natural History Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis is an impressive, spiny, plated cactus. Individuals are to be found at scattered sites in Bluff forest, and dry shrubland, and at a single site on the south coast platform. Attaining a height of up to 2.5 m, Consolea, bears attractive orange-red flowers, which deepen with age. Associated Habitats and Species for Consolea ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Consolea Extreme range limitation: known only from sparsely scattered individuals along the top and bottom of the southern Bluff cliffs. The small number of individuals makes Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis especially prone to localised environmental perturbation. In 2008, the single specimen known from the bottom of the Bluff was knocked down by a bull. Habitat loss: since Hurricane Ivan, Bluff-top development has progressed rapidly on Cayman Brac. Speculative land clearance, residential development, and an expanding roads network on the Bluff make remaining specimens extremely vulnerable. Landscaping potential: Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis is a large and attractive cactus, bearing bright red flowers. The spines, however, are extremely sharp, and so may limit its attractiveness for landscaping of some private gardens. Fecundity: no fruits have ever been sighted, so potential for recruitment to the current population is unknown, as is the potential for collection of seeds for conservation banking and propagation. Preliminary studies of individuals on Cayman Brac, and the one specimen in cultivation in Little Cayman, indicate that known individuals may all be males, (Strittmatter pers. comm. 2005, in Burton 2008). Pest infestation: severe damage by mining caterpillars has been observed in several individuals, probably as a result of the Cactoblastis moth (Burton 2008). Propagation: old specimens shed numerous small pads which root readily and are easy to transplant (Burton 2008). Habitat security: the original Bluff-edge population was probably severely reduced by historical clearing and burning associated with the maintenance of access for egg collection. (Brown Booby Sula leucogaster eggs are now protected under the Animals Law 1976). The localised nature of the Bracs Bluff-edge population also makes it susceptible to severe weather. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Consolea None. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Consolea OBJECTIVES 1. Stabilize population of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis and maintain or raise Red List status from critically endangered. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis. 3. Develop exsitu cultivation and conservation programme for Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis on Cayman Brac. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Epiphyllum phyllanthus var. plattsii

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Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis 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. 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. SM1. Subject to RM2 and RM3, use the Environmental Protection Fund to protect areas supporting significant numbers of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis. SM2. Subject to RM2 and RM3 establish Growing Stations on Cayman Brac, from which to propagate, investigate and plant out key species of plants and trees of local significance, targeting private gardens and landscaping schemes. SM3. Subject to RM2 and RM3, collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. 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. RM1. Survey and map remaining populations of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3 3 1,2

CIG DoE DoE DoE RBGK DoP DoP DCB

DoE CIG CIG QEIIBP DoE CIG CIG MP DoE

2006 2006 2006 2010 2010

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management CC NT, MP DoE CIG MP RBGK QEIIBP 2010 1,2

DoE

2010

1,3

DoE RBGK DoE

QEIIBP

2012 2015

3 1,2,3

DoP DoE

DoE CIG NT

2009 2006

1,2,3 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring DoE NT 2010 2

RM1. REPORT: Preliminary survey of Cayman Brac following Hurricane Paloma fails to relocate Consolea at known site at base of Bluff, Nov 2008. RM2. Investigate genetics and sexual status of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis towards better understanding reproductive status. RM3. Undertake literature review to fully determine taxonomic status of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis. If the remnant Cayman Brac population is not significantly distinct from regional Consolea millspaughii populations, introduction of females to revitalise local population may be considered in the absence of local female stock. If var. caymanensis is confirmed genetically distinct from neighbouring subspecies, it is recommended that the population be left as a sterile clone, and conservation funds be applied to situations less dependent on such fundamental artificial manipulation. (According to the New Cactus Lexicon, it appears that the former scenario is most likely). DoE NT 2010 1,2,3

DoE

QEIIBP RBGK IntC

2011

1,2,3

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NOTE: All subsequent Research & Monitoring and Communication & Publicity actions are subject to RM2 and RM3. RM4. Determine natural fruiting period, and collect seeds if females are found. RM5. 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. RM6. Investigate potential for establishment of an exsitu contingency population within a protected area in Cayman Brac. RM7. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis locally. CP1. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis with a childrens competition to think of a common name for the plant. CP2. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis and other endemic flora and fauna. DoE DoE DoE DoE NT RBGK QEIIBP NT 2010 2010 2015 2015 1,3 3 1,3 1

Communication & Publicity DoE DoE NT QEIIBP DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG MP CN GC OS SB LCN 2015 2008 1,2,3 1,2,3

CP2. REPORT: Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a) CP3. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Consolea millspaughii var. caymanensis. 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

2010

1,2,3

References and Further Reading for Consolea

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. Hunt, D., Taylor N. and Charles, G. (2006) The New Cactus Lexicon, Volumes I and II. International Cactaceae Systematics group, DH Books. Proctor, G.R. (1984). Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Bulletin Additional Series XI. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her Majestys Stationary Office. London. ISBN 0-11242548-8. Proctor, G.R. (2012) Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Publishing. 736 pp. ISBN: 9781842464038

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