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

15 Terrestrial Species - Plants Ironwood

Rev: 19 March 2012

FRED BURTON

Ironwood Chionanthus caymanensis Stearn Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Lamiales, Family: Oleaceae Genus: Chionanthus, Species: caymanensis Chionanthus is a pantropical and warm-temperate taxon of more than 150 species (Proctor 2009). Ironwood is endemic to the Cayman Islands. Status Distribution: Species endemic to the Cayman Islands. Conservation: Endangered EN A3bc+4bc, (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: Ironwood Chionanthus caymanensis 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.1.15 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ironwood Page: 1

Natural History Ironwood Chionanthus caymanensis is a common tree of forest and woodland. Ironwoods endangered status results from its slow-growing nature, in combination with and a rapid rate of habitat loss. Ironwoods famously hard and heavy timber is strong and termite resistant, making it a traditional favourite in construction of Cayman-style cabins, especially foundation posts. The hard wood, capable of turning a nail, required old-timers to join the postings with hand-fashioned Ironwood pegs. Associated Habitats and Species for Ironwood ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Ironwood Habitat loss: clearance and development of unprotected habitat. Regeneration: in the wild, Ironwood is typified by slow growth and long generation time. Cultural significance: Ironwoods famously hard and heavy timber is strong and termite resistant, making it a traditional favourite in construction. Landscaping potential: Ironwood is an attractive tree. Unless accelerated growth is achieved under artificial propagation, however, its slow-growing nature may limit viability for landscaping. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Ironwood 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. In addition to containing the largest natural population of Ghost Orchids Dendrophylax fawcettii, 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. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Ironwood OBJECTIVES 1. Reverse population decline of Chionanthus caymanensis and raise Red List status by at least one category, from endangered. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Chionanthus caymanensis. 3. Develop inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Chionanthus caymanensis. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax fawcettii Old George Hohenbergia caymanensis

Ironwood PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Chionanthus caymanensis 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.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

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

CIG DoE DoE DoE RBGK

DoE CIG CIG QEIIBP Page: 2

2006 2006 2006 2010

Section: 3.T.1.15 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ironwood

Ironwood PROPOSED ACTION 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. SM1. Use the Environmental Protection Fund to establish a protected area / management agreement with landowners of the Ironwood Forest, to protect Chionanthus caymanensis population in situ. SM2. Collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. SM2. REPORT: (2011) MSB seed collection initiated. SM3. Establish local conservation propagation programme and introduce Chionanthus caymanensis to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery.

LEAD DoP

PARTNERS DoE CIG CIG MP DoE CIG MP DoE

TARGET 2010

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2

DoP CPA DoP DCB

ongoing

1,2

ongoing

1,2

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

2012

QEIIBP DoE

RBGK

2008

1,3

SM3. REPORT: Chionanthus caymanensis growing from seed and translocated seedlings, 2007. SM3. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. SM4. Establish an outdoor classroom in an accessible area of forest, where visitors can see Chionanthus caymanensis and learn about Cayman Biodiversity. SM5. 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. DoP DoE DoE CIG NT 2009 2006 1,2,3 1,2,3 DoE DoE NT CN CIG 2008 2015 1,2,3 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring RM1. Survey and map remaining populations of Chionanthus caymanensis. 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 Chionanthus caymanensis locally. CP1. Subject to SM1, develop and deploy in situ interpretation related to the value of the Ironwood Forest, southwest George Town. CP2. Raise public awareness of the unique nature of Chionanthus caymanensis and other endemic flora and fauna. DoE RBGK QEIIBP 2010 2010 2015 2 3 1

DoE DoE

Communication & Publicity DoE DoE NT QEIIBP DoE DoP NT QEIIBP DE NT CN MP CN GC OS SB LCN MP CN GC NRA SB LCN Page: 3 2012 2008 1,2,3 1,2,3

CP2. REPORT: Chionanthus caymanensis featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a) CP3. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Chionanthus caymanensis. 2010 1,2,3

Section: 3.T.1.15 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ironwood

Ironwood PROPOSED ACTION CP4. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands.

LEAD CIG

PARTNERS DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP

TARGET 2010

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3

References and further Reading for Ironwood

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 Stearn, W.T. (1979). Three new West Indian species of Chionanthus (Oleaceae). Botaniska notiser, 132:57-60.

Section: 3.T.1.15 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Ironwood

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