Reprinted from the JAMAICA NATURALIST

CITATION: Kelly, Daniel. The Threatened Flowing Plants of Jamaica. Jamaica Naturalist, Vol. 1, 19-26. 1991

Published by the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF JAMAICA http://naturalhistorysocietyjamaica.org/ NHSJ

The Threatened Flowering Jamaica is a small islan d with a rich flora: some 3000 species of flower­ Plants of Jamaica: ing plants (native and naturalized). This richness By DANIEL KELLY A Reappraisal School of Botany reflects its tropical location, Trinity College and its wide range of University of Dublin alt itude - the Blue Moun­ tains, rising to 2256 m, are 1. The Uniqueness of the Jamaican flora very h igh for the size of the island. The mountainous topography results in a emerge in the mid-Miocene period, by driftwood and other debris. diversity of local climates, some 20 million years ago. Since its (Such "rafting" must have been a with wide variations in emergence, the island has apparently major means of arrival for the never had any land connection to the terrestrial faun a). rainfall and temperature. continents or to other islands. With the passage of many Further diversity is added This means that the flora had generations, new traits appear, new by the geological complexity to come in by migration across a mutations, new combinations of of the island, giving marine barrier that was probably genes and may spread through a contrastin g landscapes of never less than 100km wide. The population. Other traits will dimin­ flora will have constituted itself ish and disappear, because they limestones, shales and other gradually, but we have no record of are less well adapted to local rock-typ es. the sequence involved. The first land conditions, or simply through plants to become established were random "genetic dri ft". Gradually, A striking feature of the probably species of lichens, mosses many members of the island flora flora is the large number of species and ferns: small plants that are dis­ became distinct from the continen­ found nowhere else in the world, persed by spores, can eke out a living tal species from which they were i.e. endemic species. Jamaica has on bare rock. These 'pioneers' will derived. In the same way, many about 822 endemic flowering plan t have found an inhospitable land: no forms on this island gradually species - over a quarter of the total soil, no shade. For a prolonged became different from those on the flora. Another substantial element period the flora must have been other islands. A unique biological in the flora consists of species that limited to a few highly tolerant enti ty - an endemic- is formed: a are found only in Jamaica and the species something like the flora of the plant (or animal) found nowhere immediately adjacent islands, i.e. offshore cays today. As vegetation else in the world. are Greater Antillean endemics cover developed, and the rocks This is the general way in (e.g, the Dildo Cactus, Stenocereus weathered to form soil, conditions for which Jamaica's peculiar flora and hystrix>. Of course, Cuba and plant growth will have gradually fauna arose. On the other islands Hispaniola each has a largerflora improved, and the flora will have and on the mainland we find forms than Jamaica, and each has its own become more diverse. Flowering that are more or less similar, and rich endemic flora. plant species can immigrate by a yet distinct. To take a familiar In order to understand the variety of means. Many seed s must example, the palm genus Roystonea: constitution of the Jamaican flora, have arrived carried by birds, either Jamaica has two native species, R. we must note the island's position, adhering to their legs or plumage, or princeps (Swamp Cabbage) and R. at a considerable distance from the carried within their guts (many berry­ altissima (Mountain Cabbage), both mainla nds of Central and South bearing plants have achieved long­ endemic; Cuba has several endemic America. The geological history of distance dispersal by means of their species, includin g R. regia (Royal the island is complex. The land of edible fruits). Many seeds will have Palm); whilst another species, R. Jamaica was entirely submerged been carried by wind: plumed seeds, oleracea (Palmiste) is distributed benea th the sea in late Oligocene or tiny du st-like seeds such as those of over a wide area of northern-South and Eocene times (when the grea t orchids. Yet other plants will have America (extending up as far as thicknesses of White Limestone arrived floating on the sea, either as Barbados). The distinctions in­ were laid down). Land began to re- indivdual seeds or on "rafts" formed volved may be only slight, in'which 19 He's Jamaican Too When we harm our environment, we harm ourselves. Like this Jamaican Owl (Pseudoscops Grammicus or Patoo), every tree, river, fish and bird...every creature of Nature contributes to life on this planet and deserves our respect. In Jamaica we must take care to sustain the quality of our air, sea and land.

Shell is helping the cause of environmental conservation in Jamaica. Shell helped found the Jamaica Junior Naturalists which teaches our children to value our country's plant and animal life. Shell uses its calendar.to encourage the protection of endangered marine life. Company representatives have discussed with community organizations the need to balance economic progress with environmental preservation. They also have urged business groups to "bring the environment into the boardroom." Within its own operations, Shell uses many opportunities to show its customers how to use its products safely...and in ways that won't hurt the environment. It was Shell's marketing initiative that brought unleaded gasoline to Jamaica.

But Shell knows it still has some way to go in its own operations. The company conducted an exhaustive environmental audit at all its installations, then hired a full time, in-house environmentalist to carry out the improvements.

Everyone of us ... children, professionals, the man & woman in the street... must help make sure we have a healthy environment. After all, we're all Jamaicans too!

I!JJJ\. The Shell Companies in Jamaica ~ Rockfort, Kingston 2. Tel: 928-7301-9/928-7231-9 Table 1: I - The flowering plant flora of the Greater Antilles: endemism and evaluation of threat.

All figuresrepresent current estimates. Data for other islands extracted from Davis et at. (1986),Zanoni (1989)

Jamaica Cuba Hispaniola

(Dominican Republic + Haiti)

Area (km2) 11,425 114,524 76,191

Human population 2,290,000 9,966,000 12,520,000

Mean population 200 87 164 density (people per km2)

Total numberof species 3000 6140 5000

Number of endemic species 822 3150 1500-1650

Proportion of endemics 27% 51% 30-33% in total flora

Number ofthreatened 256 322 >273 species (Vulnerable, (tiqures for D.R. only) Endangered or apparentlyextinct)

Proportion ofthreatened 31% 10% >16% species in total endemicIlora.

case we treat each entity as a .Jamaican Hutia or Coney, G. broumii), species of flowering plants. variety or a subspecies; or the The evolution of the mammalian As we noted, the geology distinction may be sufficiently fauna of the West Indies has been and terrain of Jamaica is highly marked to warrant treating each as ascribed to "rare immigration events diverse. There are significant · a different species. (The "rank" followed by extensive adaptive barriers to the migration of plants accorded by taxonomists - var iety, radiations" (Morgan & Woods 1986). from one part of the island to subspecies or species - is often a Some plant families have another. For example, the lime­ matter of debate). shown a greater tend ency to evolve stone block of the John Crow The evolution of distinct endemics than others. Among the Mountains at the east end of the species on different islands of the palms (Palmae), 9 out of 10 species island is now cut off from the lime­ West Indies, through prolonged native to Jamaica are endemic. Of the stones of the middle and west of isolation, has also occured in the 15 native species of cacti (Cactaceae). the island by the siliceous mass of fauna. Take some of the small 6 are endemic to Jamaica, 4 extend the Blue Mountains. The complex non-migratory birds: among the also to the Cayman Islands, and 2 rainfall pattern is a further limita­ Todies (Todus spp.), Jamaica, Cuba extend to others of the Greater An­ tion to plant distribution within and Puerto Rico has each a single tilles. Endemism is relatively low in the island. So we find the further endemic species, and Hispaniola the lower plants. For instance, there feature of localized end emism has two endemic species; among are only 67 endemic species out of the within the island flora . In many of the Hummingbirds (Trochilidae), 579 species of pteridophytes (ferns the larger genera, distinct species or most species are confined to a and fern allies) in the Jamaican flora subspecies have evolved in differ­ single island or a small group of (Proctor 1985). In lower plants disper­ ent parts of the island. This "evolu­ islands (Bond, 1974). Island sal is by spores instead of seeds; the tionary radiation" is very striking endemism was also well-developed sea represents less of a barrier to in a number of groups (Table 2). among rodents, e.g. the genus migration, and species tend to have The figures given must not be Geocapromys (which includes the wider geographical ranges than do taken as definitive: further study

21 Table 2: I

Genera of flowering plants showing remarkable evolutionary radiation within the island of Iamaica

The family to which the genus belongs is given in brackets. Extracted from data in Adams (1972) and Mabberley (1987). Total number of Number of species Number of species species (world) native to Jamaica endemic to Jamaica

Portlandia (Rubiaceae) 5 5 5

Rondeletia (Rubiaceae) 125 29 29

Lisianthius (Gentianaceae) 27 B B

Lepanthes (Orchidaceae) 220 26 25

Dendropanax (Araliaceae) 30 11 10

Hohenbergia (Bromeliaceae)40 15 13

Pilea (Urticaceae) c.250 49 37

some "species".are not truly known only from a single locality". leered in 1784- 86, almost two cen­ distinct, and that others are present 23 species are known only from the turies previously [Anti rhea tomen­ on neighbouring islands as well . parish of Hanover, of which most are tosa (Rubiaceaer]. There are species Whatever fresh details may known only from Dolphin Head, an from which fruits or even flowers emerge, it is clear that we hfve an isolated limestone hill. The high have never been seen by botanists. abundance of plants that are not elevations of the Blue Mountains A pleasing find during recent only unique to Jamaica but highly bring in many species found nowhere botanical work in the parish of localized in their distribution else in the island, of which many are, Westmoreland was a female plant within the island. The factors again, local endemics. The dry areas of the shrub Wallenia clusioides involved in producing this multici­ of southern Jamaica are relatively (Myrsinaceae), bearing flowers and plicity of forms are little under­ poor in endemic species. Few rare young fruits (Oliver etal1986). stood, and provide a rich field of species are found close to sea-level. Although the species was first de­ study. There are important exceptions: two scribed in 1861, only plants bearing Some parts of the island are genera unique to Jamaica, each with male flowers had hitherto been much richer in local endemics than only a single species -Acanthodesmos collected; the existence of the female others. A parish-by-parish analysis (Compositae) and Teirasiphon (Celas­ of the species was only a surmise! is given in a recent publication ­ traceae) - are confined to (Kelly 1988). Forty-seven species restricted areas on the south coast. THE THREAT TO THE are found only in the parish of There is a great deal still to be JAM AICAN FLORA Portland, in the north-east; this is learned about the Jamaican flora . the only part of the island with Only ten years after the publication of To reiterate, Jamaica is a year-round high rainfall, and must Flowering Plants ofJamaica (Adams, small island, and many of its once have supported rain forest 1972), a further 115 species were endemic species are restricted in righ t down to sea-level. The rugged added to the Jamaican flora, of which their natural distributions to small limestone massif of the John Crow 44 were new to science (Proctor, portions of the island. Their vul­ Mountains is the principal refuge of 1982). Unquestionably, there are still nerability is self-evident. these rare species. The parish of species yet to be discovered. Of those The mammalian fauna of Trelawny comes next, with 42 local that have been described, often very the West Indies is already unnatu­ endemics; 101 species are endemic little is known about them. For rally depleted; fossil remains show to the Cockpit Country in its broad­ instance, in 1975 G. R. Proctor discov­ the existence of a diverse endemic est sense (Proctor 1986). As Proctor ered, in the heart of the Cockpit fauna prior to the impact of hu­ remarks, "the majority have been Country, a species that had never mans. "Since the arrival of man in collected only a few times or are been re-found since it was first col­ the West Indies some 4500 years

22 ago, 37 species of non-volant intense drought, the limestone hills, in orchids, of which Jamaica has many mammals have disappeared" particular, provide refuge for an beautiful and unique species. A (Morgan & Woods, 1986). The amazing wealth of plant life. How­ plant here and there may be insig- . authors ascribe the decimation of ever, the forest is now shrinking fast. nificant, so long as one collector is this forgotten fauna to direct From satellite information, it is esti­ not followed by another, and human predation; habitat altera­ mated that the forest cover of the another. The stripping by commer­ tion, and the introduction of exotic Cockpit Country was reduced by cial collectors of whole trees, and species (rats, mongoose, cats and 15.9%during the period 1981 to 1987, even whole hillsides, is another dogs). In the past century Jamaica making an annual deforestation rate of matter. Orchids are slow-growing has lost the Cane Rat Orywmys about 2.8% (Eyre 1989).Pressure on plants and their populations may antillarum, not seen since it was land drives people to clear and plant never recover. Government records described in 1898 (Morgan & even in little patches of soil between provide some indication of the Woods, op. cit.). Turning to birds, the rocks. Fear of praedial larceny, scale of the export trade. During 12 Jamaica has lost the endemic and fear of the discovery of illegal months in 1982-83, the export of Pauraque (Siphonorhis american us), crops, drive cultivators into the hills. 9,897 orchids was recorded; many last recorded in 1859, and a species Even the supposedly protected Forest more probably left unnoticed (Fair­ of Macaw of which not even a mu­ Reserve continues to be selectively bairn 1986). Even so widespread a seum specimen survives (Lack, logged for good hardwood timber species as Broughionia sanguinea 1976). (cf. Fairbairn 1986). There is also must now be regarded as Vulner­ The principal threat to enormous demand for wood regard­ able, given the international de­ Jamaica's flora is without doubt, less of quality. The Cockpit Country is . mand. deforestation: the destruction of There is little doubt that the natural forest cover. Prior some endemic plant species to the first human settlement, have already disappeared. nearly all of Jamaica was G.R. Proctor wrote to me in thickly forested from coast to 1985,chronicling certain mem­ mountain-top. The principal bers of the Myrtaceae (Rod­ exceptions would have been wood family) that he had areas of herbaceous swamp I . described as new to science, such as are found in parts of and had since been keeping a the Black River morass; also fatherly eye on. Myrcia areas of open savanna-type skeldingii, a tree discovered in vegetation, which however the 1950s on the Clarendon- St. must have been very re­ Ann border near Mason River, stricted in extent. (The best has apparently been extirpated surviving area of natural within 2-3 decades of its savanna is at Mason River discovery; all known individu­ Reserve). The vast majority of als are gone. Psidium dume­ Pilea crassifolia - after Brenda Sulton in WildflCIWer5 of Jamaica's endemic plants are [amalca, Collins 1974 torum,a kind of Guava - and forest-dwellers. The lowlands hence a species of possible hor­ of Jamaica were largely cleared of the source of scores of thousands of ticultural significance - was discov­ forest in the 17th and 18th centu­ yam poles every year, and hundreds ered in the same district in 1956. ries; in the 19th and 20th centuries of tons of charcoal (Eyre, 1989). The However, its potential is probably clearance has spread higher and enormous increase in charcoal produc­ lost for ever: again, within 2-3 higher up the hillsides. As the tion in the past decade is taking an im­ decades its habitat had been com­ forest flora retreated, rare species mense toll of the forest cover, espe­ pletely cleared. became rarer, and often their areas cially in the drier parts of the island. Many sites for rare species of distribution must have become The native forest trees, in general, can have been ravaged within the past fragmented. survive a certain level of exploitation; decade (d. the brief survey of Kelly To date, the flora appears most species 'spring back' after cut­ & Burke, unpub.), Take Quaco to have survived to a remarkable ting, often with impressive speed. Rock, near Ritchies (Upper Claren­ degree. Its protection has lain However, they have to be given a don), visited by the Natural History primarily in the extraordinarily chance to regrow: a minimum of time, Society of Jamaica in 1978. The site rugged terrain of much of the a minimum of protection from grazing of several very rare species, at that island, with its innumerable and from fire. date it was still well-wooded right craggy hills. In spite of minimal There is also danger of over­ to the top. Passing by in 1989, the soil, and unpredictable periods of collecting: a special threat to the hill appeared sadly denuded,

23 apparently through the activities of more species may have gone from Why it matters, and what can be charcoal-burners. The rare shrubs Jamaica . done Sebastiana lesteri and Vernonia rigida . To obtain an overall picture of What possible use are have either been extirpated or are the state of Jamaica's endemic flora, I Jamaica's endemic plants? In most in extreme danger. Miss Laura 's have worked through the information cases we can only speculate. Wild Hill, Warsop (Trelawny), another available on each species, trying to relatives of crop species are of par­ site of several very rare species, assess the degree to wh ich it is at risk . ticular significance, as possible re­ was one that C.R. Proctor fre­ I have used the categories employed sources to widen the genetic base of quently put forward in the 1970s as by the International Union for the the crop : here we may point to the a priority for conservation. Re­ Conservation of Nature and Natural endemic Jamaican Pawpaw, Carica visited in 1989, the vegetation was Resources (Davis et al. 1986). A first jamaicensis. Many Jamaican plants found to be highly disturbed right analysis is already published (Kelly besides orchids have horticultural up to the bases of the cliff faces 1988); Table 3 presents a revised set potential. An example is the en­ (with crops planted wherever pos­ of figures, in the light of fresh field­ demic genus Porilandia (Rubiaceae), sible); the cliffy sides were still work and herbarium work, and addi­ a group of shrubs bearing trumpet­ more or less wooded, but every­ tional information from other bota­ shaped flowers with a range of where with signs of cutting; the nists and from publications. However tints, and some with exquisite summit had been burned repeat­ you look at it, the numbers of Vulner­ perfume. Portlandia grandiflora, Bell edly, reducing the vegetation to able, Endangered and Indeterminate Flower, is grown in gardens in East low open scrub, with some areas (i.e. apparently extinct) species are Africa, but several species remain completely bare. The hiIl was ex­ large. The gravity of the situation is almost unknown. Other plants plored by Daniel Burke and myself, highlighted when you compare these may have value as the sources of from bottom to top and down the medicinal drugs. (It was the folk other side, in search of two rare medicine of Jamaica that first species, Lobelia harrisii and Den­ brought the Madagascar dropanax filipes, but we failed to re­ Periwinkle, Catharanihus roseus , to find either of them. the attention of the pharmacolo­ Broom Hall (Upper Claren­ gists. This herb is now the com­ don), near Cave Valley, was il) the mercial source of several anti­ 1970s the site of a fine stand of ev­ cancer drugs and the basis of a ergreen seasonal forest over lime­ multi-million dollar industry). stone probably as good as any Even if no specific use can outside the Cockpit Country (Kelly be ascribed to a plant, it forms a et al. 1988). A species of [acaima part of the forest cover that clothes, (Asclepiadaceae) new to science or cloth ed, the Jamaican hillsides, was collected there in 1978 (Proctor making this the 'Land of Wood and 1982). A parasitic flowering plant, Water'. Deforestation of hillsides is of a family never previouslyre­ a serious matter. The maintenance ported from the West Indies, was of reliable supplies of water, to the discovered there in 1976 by a zoolo­ villages and to the cities, is depend ­ gist, Glenn Goodfriend. In 1983 I ent on the maintenance of forest found a woody climber (or 'withe') cover in the catchment areas. The at Broom Hall that neither I nor idea is far from new : over a century Dennis Adams could identify; he Porllandia coccinea SW. ago, forest conservation in Jamaica suggested that it belonged to a A, Branch with leaves C, Ovary with calyx cut was being urged as a "necessity for genus of the Malpighiaceae not and flowers length wise regulating the water supply in the B. Corolla cut open 0 , Capsule hitherto known from Jamaica. I eastern district; for protecting the went back in 1985 to look for lowlands from the torrential flow flowers on my withe; it was gone. It figures to the total numbers of en­ of the rivers" (Hooper 1886). had been cut down, along with demic species (Table 1). My current There is now an accumulation of most of the forest. estimate is that almost one-third of all evidence from many parts of the Returning in 1989, in the species endemic to Jamaica are world, including Jamaica forlorn hope that my withe had threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered (Cunningham 1986). Soil erosion, been allowed to re-sprout, we or already extinct). This ratio is far silting up of reservoirs, landslides, found the hillside now almost worse than for Cuba, and probably as flash floods and water shortages: completely deforested. Another bad as, or worse than for the island of all are symptoms of the cancer of piece of forest is now history; three Hispaniola. deforestation.

24 T~ble 3: I

ANALYSISOF THI; CURRENT CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF JAMAICA

The categories used are those of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Re­ sources (Davis et al. 1986): "Endangered (E) - Taxa in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors con­ tinue operating'. Included are taxa whose numbers have been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced that they are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction. Vulnerable (V) - Taxa believed likely to move into the Endangered category in the near future if the causal factors continue operating. Included are taxa of which most or all of the populaionsaredecreasingbecause of over­ exploitation,extensive destruction of habitat or other environmental disturbance; taxa with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured; and taxa with populations that are still abundant but are underthreat from serious adverse factors throughout their range. Rare (R) - Taxa with small world populations that are not at present endangered or vulnerable, but are atrisk. These taxa are usually localized within restricted geographical areas or habi tats or are thinly seattered over a more extensive range. Indeterminate (I) - Taxa known to be Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare but where there is not enough information to say which of the four categories is appropriate'. For Jamaica, taxa in this category are to be considered as extinct until proved otherwise.

Rare Vulnerable Endangered Indeterminate Total

Species endemic 142 135 71 50 398 to Jamaica ..

Varieties and subspecies 9 11 7 4 31 endemic to Jamaica

Species endemicto 4 10 8 23 Greater Antilles (status in Jamaica)

TOTAL 155 156 86 55 452

Protection of the forest extinct in the wild, their lineage will have considerable knowledge of cover is clearly in the national survive. Increasingly, this is being the local plants, especially plants interest. There have to be effective seen as a major-role of botanic gar­ used for medicinal purposes. measures to limit clearance. Where dens worldwide. Why not for the Bo­ However, this knowledge is not wood on hill slopes must be cut, tanic Gardens of Jamaica? Jamaica held in great esteem nationally, and the cut-over areas must be pro­ has a range of splendidly-located is tending to diminish with the tected to allow re-growth. It seems Public Gardens (Hope, Castleton, Cin­ passing of the generations [I won­ timely to promote the idea of chona, also Bath), each in a different der if there is any 'tree-spotter' left felling on a rotational basis, as in climatic zone: between them, they of the calibre of the late Mr. Daniel traditional coppicing systems. At could provide suitable growing condi­ Brown of Sherwood Forest, some of least one Jamaican hillside is suc­ tions for the great majority of native whose knowledge I had the privi­ cessfully managed by coppicing on species. There would seem to be lege of helping to record (Kelly & a seven-year rotation (Alan Eyre, ample space and labour-force for such Dickinson 1985)]. speaking to the Jamaican Broad ­ a project. It is vital that special pro­ casting Corporation in July 1989). Education, and the heighten­ tected areas are established and Planting of fast-growing fuel-wood ing of public awareness, are vital to maintained: places where the trees is another way to relieve the successful conservation. People of the native flora (and fauna) are safe­ pressure on the native woodlands. towns tend to have little knowledge of guarded in a determined way. I see Endangered species need the flora of their own country. Here the urgency of this even in areas to be brought into cultivation. again, Botanic Gardens could playa where ten years ago protection Then, even if they do become Significant role. Country people often seemed unnecessary. The Blue

25 Mountain/John Crow Mountain pening today all over the tropics. The Eyre, L.A. 1989. Slow death of a National Park, currently being set destruction of the tropical forests is a tropical rainforest: the Cockpit Country of Jamaica, West Indies. In Environmental up, is an exciting and timely devel­ matter of concern to people every­ Quality and Ecosystem Stability: Vol IV· opment. However, it is very impor­ where. We have only one Earth: the A, Environmental Quality, ed . by M. tant that conservationists learn challenge is to leave some part of it as Luria, Y. Steinberger and E. Spanier. [ersalem, Israel. from both failures and successes in green as we found it, and not greyer. Fairbairn, P. W. 1986. Conservation of the past. It is salutary to recall the Jamaican Forests with particular reference 'permanent' study plots set up in to Wildlife. In Forests of Jamaica, ed. by 1976in the Canoe Valley area D. A. Thompson, P.K. Bretting & M. Humphreys, 111-119. The Jamaican Society (Anon. 1981);in spite of barbed of Scientists and Technologists, Kingston, wire and Government notices, trees ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jamaica. were being cut inside them almost Hooper, E.B.M. 1886. Report upon the from their inception. On the suc­ This article is based on a forests of Jamaica. (Pamphlet X 5D152 J3H6, Special Section, General Library, cess side, the longest-running lecture given to the Natural History UWI, Mona) Nature Reserve in Jamaica is Society of Jamaica in July 1989.I am Kelly, D. L. 1988. The threatened Mason River Station, near Claren­ grateful to the Society, and especially flowering plants of Jama ica. Biological Con­ don-St. Ann border, in the very to Dr. E. Garraway, Dr. P Vogel and servation, 46,201-216. Kelly, D. L. & T.A . Dickinson (985). heart of the island. A remarkable Dr. S. Iremonger. This visit to Jamaica Local names for vascular plants in the John place: mainly savanna vegetation, was supported financially by the Crow Mountains, Jamaica. Economic with some peat bog, it contains Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, Botany, 39, 346-362. many species unknown elsewhere the Royal Irish Academy, Trinity Kelly, D.L. & D. Burke (completed ms.) Endemic flowering plants of Jamaica in Jamaica, and a few known from College Dublin Association & Trust, under threat: a fresh report. Submitted to nowhere else in the world. The and the Botany Department of Trinity Oryx, July 1990. land for the Reserve was acquired College Dublin. Logistic support was Kelly, D. L., E. V. J. Tanner, V. Kapos, T.A. Dickinson, G. Goodfri end & P. for conservation in 1963 (Proctor provided by the Botany Department of Fairbairn 1988. Jamaican limestone forests: 1970); a far-sighted act, as other­ the University of the West Indies floristics, structure and environment of wise this unique ecosystem would (Mona), for which I thank Professor G. three examples along a rainfall gradient. undoubtedly have been destroyed Sidrak and Dr. S. Iremonger. For Jour . Trop. £eol., 4,121-156. Lack, D. 1976. Island Biology: by now. The Station is run by the much assistance in field work I thank illustrated by the land birds of Jamaica. Institute of Jamaica, under the Mr. D. Burke; for other assistance, I Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. wardenship of Mr. P. Cilzene, who thank Dr. CD. Adams, Mr. J. Dalling, Morgan, G.S. & C.A. Woods (1986). continues to keep fires and tres­ Mr. P. Gilzene, Mrs. 1. Greene, Mr. S. Extinction and the zoogeography of West . Indian land mammals. Bioi. Jour. Linn. passing animals at bay. However, Terry, Mr. M. Willams and Mr. P. Soc., 28, 167-203. the place does suffer through a Williams. Mabberley, D.J. 1987. The plant-book: lack of public interest. Conserved a portable dictionary of the higher plants. areas have to be actively monitored Cambridge University press. Oliv er, W. L. R., L. Wilkins, R.H. Kerr and protected; they need public & D.L. Kelly 1986. The Jamaican Hutia support at local, national and inter­ Geocapromys broumii captive breeding and national levels. reintroduction programme history and The tourist potential of REFERENCES progess . Dodo, J. Jersey Wildi. Presero. Trust, 23,32-58. Adams, C. D. 1972. Flowering plants of conserved areas is enormous, The Proct or, G. R. 1970 Mason River Field Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona, new 'swamp safari' trail in the Station. Jama ica JouT111ll , 42: 29-33. Jamaica. Negril Royal Palm reserve is an Proctor, G. R. 1982. More additions to Anon. 1981, unpublished. Final Report: the flora of Jamai ca. Jour. Arnold Arb., 63, example of what can be done. Ecological Preaudit Study or an Alumina Plant, 199-315. More and more people, especially Jama ica, W. l.. Natural Resources Conservation Proctor, G. R. 1985. Ferns of Jamaica Department, Kingston, Jamaica. those from colder countries, want British Museum (Natural History), London. Bond, J. 1974. Birds of the West Indies Proct or, G. R. 1986. Cockpit Country to find out what it is like to be in a (4th edn.). Collins, London. Forests. In Forests of Jamaica, ed . by D. A. Cunningham, C. G.1986. Forests and rain forest. The John Crow Moun­ Thompson, P. K. Erett ing & M. water management. In Forests of Jamaica, ed. tains and the Blue Mountains can Humphreys, 43-48. The Jamaican Society by D. A. Thompson, P.K. Bretting & M. of Scientists and Technologists, Kingston amply satisfy this desire, with the Humphreys, Jamaican Society of Scientists & bonus of being free of venomous Jamaica. Technologists, Kingston, Jamaica. Zanoni, T. 1989. Hispaniola. In Davis S.D., S.J.M. Dro ops, P. Gregerson, L. snakes! The forests of the Cockpit Floristic Inventory of Tropical Countries: Henson, C.]. Leon, J.L. ViIla-Lobos & J. Zan­ Country are a unique experience, The Status of Plant Systematics, Collec­ tovska (1986). Plants in danger: what do we within easy reach of Montego Bay tions, and Vegetation, plus Recommenda­ know? International Union forConseroation of tions for the Future, 337-340. New York or Ocho Rios. Natureand Natural Resources, Gland, Switzer­ Botanical Garden, U.s.A. The whittling away of land and Cambridge, UK. Jamaica's forests and their flora re­ flects, in microcosm, what is hap­ 26