Pinecrest Gardens Blog: Celebrating Endangered Species Day At The Garden

Pinecrest FL

19 May, 2022

1:52 PM

Description

Press release from Pinecrest Gardens Blog: May 19, 2022 Pinecrest Gardens is home to many endangered species. While this wont be a comprehensive list of our endangered species, today's blog will highlight a few. The National Wildlife Federation made a push with congress to start an official day to celebrate endangered species in the 1970s. The official day to celebrate is recognized on the third Friday of May (May 20th, today!). The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was the turning point in environmental awareness of our endangered species. We as a society finally agreed that these plants and animals were significant and should be protected, as proclaimed by the act. Before plants and animals can be listed in the Endangered Species list, they are petitioned for, screened, assessed, and reviewed. If they meet the requirements set by the ESA (Endangered Species Act), that species will be added to the list. Species are re-evaluated over time to confirm and update their status. Why is it all important? Because every living species plays an important role in it's specific ecosystem. I like to think of the ecological puzzle like a recipe... if you forget to add sugar to your chocolate chip cookies, the entire cookie falls apart. Our relationship to plants and animals works the same way, especially when considering specific ecosystems. When one ingredient (plant) is missing from the recipe (ecosystem), the recipe fails to work. By celebrating Endangered Species within Pinecrest Gardens, we recognize the importance of these living things, both in our ecosystem and in their natural habitat. A plant could be commonly found in cultivation here in south Florida, but could still be considered endangered-- especially in it's home region. 1. The first species I'll discuss today is a species of palm called Coccothrinax borhidiana, or "Borhidi's Guano Palm". This palm is currently listed as 'seriously threatened with extinction'. A beautiful opposite whorling leaf arrangement makes for a trunk that looks thickly covered in a crown of leaves appearing to swirl. C. borhidiana is found growing on limestone based soils mostly in beach areas in northern Cuba. It is said that there are only 250 left in it's wild environment. Because this palm grows well in limestone based soils, and thrives in the tropical environment of Cuba, it can grow well in Miami. Look for ours near the Meadow Garden. 2. The second plant species on our list is a cycad called Cycas micronesica. This member of the cycad family with the common name 'Fadang cycad', is a long lived dioeceious gymnosperm. This means that this plant is either male or female, but it can also produce clones of it itself by pups. It is historically found in Guam, Micronesia and pacific islands. It is believed that this plant has existed on Guam for over 9,000 years. The plant's seeds produce a neurotoxin that has been linked with Lytico-Bodig disease, which is similar to ALS. This cycad has faced incredible challenges, battling foreign disease, pests, and habitat loss. Most notably, the Diaspidid scale was introduced to Guam from a foreign land, likely on another imported cycad, and made a comfortable home for itself in Guam's environment. There, the scale began decimating healthy mature C. micronesica plants throughout the islands. Within a few short years, the population dwindled to endangered status. You can find our Fadang cycads in the lower garden just as you cross over the small bridge near turtle island and the alligator grottos. There are two planted in the lower gardens. 3. The third critically endangered species on our list from Pinecrest Gardens is Aloe dorotheae, also known as sunset aloe. It has an extremely limited distribution in the wild of the rocky outcrops in the eastern arc mountains of Tanzania. Though you can find A. dorotheae more commonly in cultivation as an ornamental, in its own habitat (where it should be growing) it is critically endangered. This is a beautiful aloe ranging from lime green to deep red in color. The more stressed the plant becomes, the deeper color red is shown. A. dorotheae is through to be endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and collection of the plant for medicinal purposes. To see our Aloe dorotheae in the Gardens, take a stroll through the dry meadow garden and look for it's blushing, curved leaves. 4. Next up is the iconic Baobab tree. Specifically, Grandidier's Baobab, or Adansonia gandidieri. The case of the baobab is a perfect one to explore when talking about endangered species. Though the African species is generally considered common in cultivation; they are pretty easy to find in Miami, the endangered species grandideri are extremely threatened and not easily found in cultivation. Sure, baobabs can grow in our climate, and do fairly well here when planted in the right place, but ultimately they don't belong within our ecosystem's "recipe". In Madagascar this giant icon faces issues such as collection of fruits, seeds, bark, and it's trunk is collected for lumber and medicinal purposes. Aside from that, parts of the tree are used in culture and traditional ceremonies. AND, the species is threatened by fire, over-farming, and exploitation. Madagascar is home to six endemic species, half of which are threatened with extinction. To learn more about Baobabs in the garden, view the blog I wrote about Baobabs, here. Look for our juvenile Baboab as you enter the hardwood hammock through the lower garden pathway. It is located just before you reach the first historic birdcage. The reality is that having these endangered species in the Garden wont necessarily save them, or make a profound impact on the success or plight of their population, but for us it is important that we grow them for display and education purposes. As we work on cataloging and accessioning our collections, we discover more and more endangered species within Pinecrest Gardens. Below are a few more endangered species that we have at Pinecrest Gardens. Do any of these names sound familiar to you? What may be considered endangered in the wild, could actually be common in cultivation. How will you celebrate Endangered Species day? Happy Digging! This press release was produced by Pinecrest Gardens Blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.