Styrax portoricensis
Krug & Urban
Palo de Jazmin
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Very highThreat Impact
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.usa.gov/government-works
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.144982
Element CodePDSTY02050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEbenales
FamilyStyracaceae
GenusStyrax
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2018-03-25
Change Date2000-09-07
Edition Date2022-03-29
Edition AuthorsMacBryde, B., rev. T. Jaster (1995), rev. A. Frances (2018), rev. Treher (2022).
Threat ImpactVery high
Range Extent100-1000 square km (about 40-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 20
Rank Reasons
Styrax portoricensis is an evergreen tree that is known from Caye and Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico where it is very rare with less than 20 wild individuals, all within El Yunque National Forest. Historically, it was known from additional occurrences, including Carite Commonwealth Forest. Styrax portoricensis is now restricted to El Yunque National Forest, which affords it protection from most threats. However, it is still threatened by effects of hurricanes including landslides and flooding. Surveys of known occurrences and potential habitat within and outside of El Yunque are needed.
Range Extent Comments
Styrax portoricensis occurred, historically, in the Luquillo and Cayey Mountains of eastern Puerto Rico (USFWS 2019, Liogier and Martorell 2000). Presently, it is only known to be extant in El Yunque National Park in the Luquillo Mountains.
Occurrences Comments
The number of extant occurrences is not well understood. The species has been reported from 5-6 occurrences; however, surveys in 2011 failed to find individuals in natural populations (USFWS 2015, 2019).
Threat Impact Comments
The effects of severe weather, particularly flooding and landslides from hurricanes, is a threat to this species especially given the small population size (USFWS 2015).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This species occurs within the Palo Colorado forest of the Luquillo Mountains in El Yunque National Forest (USFWS 2015).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/Woodland
Threat Assessments
| Threat | Scope | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 - Geological events | Pervasive (71-100%) | Extreme or 71-100% pop. decline | High (continuing) |
| 10.3 - Avalanches/landslides | Pervasive (71-100%) | Extreme or 71-100% pop. decline | High (continuing) |
| 11 - Climate change & severe weather | Pervasive (71-100%) | Serious or 31-70% pop. decline | High (continuing) |
| 11.4 - Storms & flooding | Pervasive (71-100%) | Serious or 31-70% pop. decline | High (continuing) |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, WINTERGREEN
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (2)
Puerto Rico (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| El Toro Area | Caribbean National Forest | 12,584 |
| Mameyes Area | Caribbean National Forest | 11,150 |
References (14)
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Liogier, H.A. 1995. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: Spermatophyta-Dicotyledoneae, Volume 4, Melastomataceae to Lentibulariaceae. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. 617 pp.
- Liogier, H.A., and L.F. Martorell. 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands: A systematic synopsis. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. 342 pp.
- Liogier, H.A., and L.F. Martorell. 2000. Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands: A systematic synopsis. 2nd edition, corrected and revised by H.A. Liogier. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. 382 pp.
- Little, E.L. and R.O. Woodbury. Rare and Endemic Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Conservation Research Report No. 27. United States Department of Agriculture. Washington, D.C. 1980.
- Little, E.L., Jr., R.O. Woodbury, and F.H. Wadsworth. 1974. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Vol. 2. Agric. Handbook No. 449. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1024 pp.
- Santiago-Valentín, E., R. Rivera-Martínez, and J. Báez. 2019. Manual para la producción de árboles y arbustos nativos de Puerto Rico: una selección de especies desde la experiencia acumulada en Viveros Para La Naturaleza. Programa Viveros Para La Naturaleza. San Juan, Puerto Rico. 138 pp.
- Silvestrini, Steve Maldonado. Personal Communication. Botanist. University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras - Herbarium.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1992. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: Determination of endangered status for five Puerto Rican trees. Federal Register 57(78): 14782-14785.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1995. <i>Callicarpa ampla, Ilex sintenissi, Syrax portoricensis, Ternstroemia luquillensis, Ternstroemia subsessilis </i>Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Boqueron, Puerto Rico.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2015. Callicarpa ampla / (Capá rosa) Ilex sintenisii / (no common name) Styrax portoricensis/ Palo de jazmín Ternstroemia luquillensis/ Palo colorado Ternstroemia subsessilis/ (no common name)5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Boqueron, Puerto Rico.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2019. <i>Callicarpa</i><i> ampla </i>(Capá rosa), <i>Ilex sintenisii </i>(no common name), <i>Styrax portoricensis</i> (Palo de jazmín), <i>Ternstroemia luquillensis</i> (Palo colorado),<i>Ternstroemia subsessilis </i>(no common name) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office Boquerón, Puerto Rico.
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS). 2014. Forest Plan Assessment, El Yunque National Forest. Section 2: Assessing ecological sustainability and diversity of plant and animal communities. Online. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3794280.pdf (Accessed 2018)
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS). 2016. Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the revised Land and Resource Management Plan, El Yunque Forest Plan Revision. Online. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd517943.pdf. Accessed (2018)