Chec List New Records of Plants for San

New records of plants for San Andres and Old Providence pecies

S islands (International Biosphere Reserve Seaflower),

of Caribbean Colombia ists L Alexandra Tobar-Vargas 1*, Brigitte Gavio 1,2 and José Luis Fernández 3

1 Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Caribe, San Luis Free Town 52-44, San Andrés Isla, Colombia.

2 Departamento de Biología, [email protected] Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia. 3 Real Jardín Botánico, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Científico Titular del Real Jardín Botánico. Madrid – España. * Corresponding autor. E-mail: Abstract: Fifty seven new records of vascular plants are reported for the Archipelago of San Andres and Old Providence, part of the International Biosphere Reserve Seaflower ornamental purpose. With these introductions, we report ten new families and 30 new genera for the Archipelago. The possible impacts of some of these introductions are discussed.. Of these, about 81% have been introduced for agriculture or

Introduction Materials and Methods The archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Study area Sainte Cataline islands is located about 200 km off the The Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and coast of Nicaragua and due to its vicinity with the Central Sainte Cataline is located in the southwestern Caribbean, in the intertropical region, with a marine area of more than 250,000 km2 of oceanic waters and only 70 km2 of American continental platform, the vascular flora has terrestrial landmass (Márquez 2006). The islands lie in the (Lowya higher 2000). affinity with the flora of Central America and transition zone between tropical dry and the tropical wet Northern South America, compared to the Antillean flora with elements of both dry forest and wet tropical forest (GonzálezThe island at al vegetation is classified as transitional, climate. The influence of trade winds mitigates the dry and population density, the natural vegetation on San Andres warm climate. The annual mean temperature is 27.4˚C, Island has been. completely 1995; Lowy transformed, 2000). Due while to the on high Old towith February). maximum The values annual between mean precipitation 29 and 30˚C is (May 1797.8 to Providence Island the original vegetation is still present mm,June) unevenlyand minimum distributed between in 25.5 a dry and season 26.0˚C (January(December to on the top of the hill (the Peak, Marquez et al. 2006). April), with stronger winds, and a wet season (October to

period from May to July the rains are moderate in intensity vascularThe flora plants of the (366 Archipelago angiosperms has and not 7been pteridophytes). extensively December) when 80% of the annual rain falls. During the Later,studied. Lowy Díaz (2000) and Lowy updated (1992) all the reported botanical 374 information species of The islands are volcanic in origin with the subsidence available for the islands, including reports (e.g. Barriga of(IDEAM the volcanic1995). base of San Andres Island, and its 1969; González et al. 1995) and herbarium specimens, simultaneous cover with calcareous deposits, biogenic in origin, during the Tertiary and Quaternary, gave rise to the present island (Gonzalez et al. 1995), while Old Providence introduced.registering a total of 409 species of vascular plants, 77% Island maintained its volcanic nature. of whichMore recently, were considered Tobar and native, Gavio (2011)and the reported other 23% the presence of the invasive Pteridium caudatum on Old main islands (Figures 1 and 2). Providence Island. The flora was collected at different sites on the two Introduced plants are an important component of the Sampling method and may cause extensive damage (Mack and Lonsdale we collected both in anthropogenic and natural areas 2000).actual flora Particularly, of most countries introduced (Chacón species and Saborío are the 2006), most To complete the inventory of the flora of the archipelago, important threat for native species in oceanic islands using taxonomic literature and personal knowledge. The samples(Tables were 1-2). mounted Species and were deposited taxonomically in the herbarium identified of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Caribe, with a of(Chacón the International and Saborío 2006). Biosphere Reserve, we carried out duplicate sent to the National Herbarium (COL). an To inventory contribute of species to the knowledgenot previously of the reported vascular for flora the islands. All species have been introduced for agricultural Results and Discussion or ornamental purposes. The possible impact of some of these species is discussed. distributed in thirty families and forty-seven genera. Of We found fifty-seven new records for the archipelago,

1361 Tobar-Vargas et al. | Plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands, Colombia these, ten families and thirty genera are reported for the use (Table 2). Of these, X. sagittifolium, C. maxina, M. have a wide tropical and subtropical distribution, and have xmajority paradisiaca, of the taxaC. lanatus, newly A. reported macrorrhizos, have ornamental C. melo, T. beenfirst time introduced from the for islands ornamental (Table 3).and All agricultural species encountered purposes. divaricata, C.warscewiczii, P. ebenea and S. podophyllum have been observed in wild settings on the islands. Among the species reported, two may become a theWhile new 81% records of the are species naturalised listed and herein often are escaped still confined into the possible nuisance, due to its invasive behaviour reported surroundingto greenhouses, areas. backyards and gardens, the other 19% of in other regions. S. podophyllum (Abrecht et al. 2003) is a With this study, the percentage of introduced plant species in the International Biosphere Reserve increases rapidly at the expense of other species because it has an epiphyticalspecies which growth is difficult form thatto eradicate may suffocate and tends native to species.expand S. podophyllum has been observed in several parts of San to 30%, from the 23% reported by Lowy (2000). The Andres Island, in the wild, completely covering other plants. Casuarina equisetifolia is an invasive tree native to South-

and Samoa. Its non-native range now extends to North and Centraleast Asia, America, Australia much and of southern the Caribbean Pacific as islands well as to islands Tahiti

to be one of the most common tree species on beaches in thein the tropics northern (Wheeler Pacific et al. and 2011). Indian If Casuarina Oceans. It expands, is thought it may alter the habitat of infested areas, inhibiting native plants with rapid growth, dense coverage, and thick litter accumulation (Hammerton, 2001). Casuarina is thought

Hammerton 2001), reduce populations of small mammals (Mazzottito promote et beach al. 1981), erosion and (Austininterfere 1978; with the Deaton nesting 1994; of

Figure 1. Map of San Andres Island with sample sites.

Table 1. Sampling sites on San Andres Island. Number Name and Abbreviation 1 Police Station (PNS) 2 San Luis, Harmony Hill (SHH) 3 4 Duppy Gully (DG) 5 Sarie Bay (SB) School Cajasai (CS) 6 Airport surroundings (ARP) 7 School Sagrada familia (CSF) 8 Avenida 20 de Julio (A20J) 9 10 La Loma diagonal San Francisco Church (LLR ) Parque Simón Bolívar (PSB) 11 12 New Point Mall (CNP) Center (CEN) 13 Los Almendros (BLA) 14 Figure 2. Map of Old Providence Island with sample sites. 15 Simpson Well (BSW) Elsy Bar (SEB) Sampling sites on Old Providence Island. 16 Vietnam (BVC) Table 2. 17 School Modelo Adventista (CMA) Number Name and Abbreviation 18 15 19 Juan XXIII (J23) 21 Vía San Luis in front of basketball stadium (VSL) Agua Dulce (ADP) 23 Botanical Garden (JBU) 22 Surroundings of the catholic church María Inmaculada (IMI) The peak (PEP) 1362 Tobar-Vargas et al. | Plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands, Colombia endangered sea turtles (Schmid et al. 2008). Planted along As for the highly invasive and cancirogenic fern Pteridium beaches and near homes for protection against wind, the caudatum, reported recently for Old Providence (Tobar and Gavio 2011), all the species registered here have been of their great height and shallow roots (Schmid et al. 2008; voluntarily introduced by the inhabitants of the islands. Wheelertrees are etamong al. 2011). the first Its towood fall duringis susceptible high winds to termites, because It is necessary to improve environmental education in and if planted close to traditional wooden houses may the islands and explain the potential risks of introduced accelerate their deterioration. species to the population, to avoid negative impacts on The species Allamanda blanchetii, Aglaonema commutatum and Cnidoscolus chayamansa are toxic if susceptible to invasive species, and particular care should consumed, while Allamanda blanchetii produces a latex bethe taken native to flora reduce of the the archipelago. introduction Small of exotic islands species are more and which may irritate the skin upon contact. mitigate their impact once established.

Table 3. Species list of new botanical records in San Andres and Old Providence islands. New families are marked with **, new genera with *.

COMMON COLLECTION VOUCHER SPECIES ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION NOTES NAME SITE NUMBER ACANTHACEAE Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. Thought to be originally from Polynesia or golden VSL, LLR, BSB, ATV195 Ornamental reticulatum (Seem.) Guillaumin. Melanesia. Cultivated in tropical America dorado, golden net-bush Pseuderanthemum, El CEN, BOO AGAVACEAE Agave angustifolia var. marginata Native of the tropical regions of Costa Rica agave, agave caribe VSL, SHH ATV407 Ornamental, Hort. ex Gentry. and Mexico. Found in North and Central food America and in India **AMARYLLADACEAE * Crinum bulbispermun (Burm. f.) Native from tropical West Africa, distributed lirio BSB ATV402 Ornamental Milne-Redh. and Schweick. in Central America and the Caribbean AMARANTHACEAE * Celosia argéntea var. argentea Native from Asia, found in the tropical VSL, LLR ATV412 Ornamental regions of the Americas rosa plumón, pluma, plumero Celosia argentea var. cristata (L.) Found in tropical regions. Cultivated in cresta de gallo VSL, CNP ATV406 Ornamental Kuntze. Central America. Gomphrena globosa L. Native from India, it is found in JBU, CNP, A20J ATV405 Ornamental anthropogenic areas, in temperate and and medicinal tropical regions of the world. Inmortales, botón lila ANNONACEAE Anona cherimola Mill. Chirimoya IMI, LLR ATV146 Central and South America Possibly native of Ecuador. Cultivated in Edible APOCYNACEAE Allamanda blanchetii Native of Brazil, cultivated along in other trompeta morada, VSL, LLR, BSB, ATV423 Ornamental. parts of tropical America allamanda violácea BLA Produces a A. DC. irritant latex Tabernaemontana divaricata L.) R. VSL, BSB, LLR, ATV420 Ornamental. Br. ex Roemer and J.A. Schultes. tropical and subtropical regions BOO Poisonous Native of South East Asia. Cultivated in IndiaJazmín crepé, Flor del Molinete, Jazmín de la ARACEAE *Aglaonema commutatum Schott. Native of Southeast Asia. Now a pantropical Aglaonema, cafeto USL, JBU ATV230; Ornamental, distribution ornamental ATV439 toxic *Alocasia plumbea Van Houtte. Native of Southeast Asia. Tropical Pato morado JBU, A20J, ATV73; Ornamental distribution BLA, J23, VSL, ATV434 BSB Alocasia cucullata Possibly native of China. Commonly found in Colombus ATV411 Ornamental Caribbean, Central and South America and (Lour.) G. Don. CEN Native of the Philippines. Tropical Alocacia BSB, BOO, ATV63; Ornamental Alocasia sinuata Pacific Islands distributed LLR, JBU ATV441 N.E Br. Alocasia macrorrhizos Native of Southeast Asia. Tropical JBU, LLR, BSB, ATV172; Ornamental distribution ATV431 (L.) G.Don. canariasOreja de elefante, VSL, A20J, taro gigante, ñame de BSWMDG, *Caladium bicolor Vent. BSB, VSL ATV70; Ornamental South America Jesús, paleta del pintor ATV421 Native of Asia. Distributed in Central and Caladio, corazón de *Philodendron “Autumn” Neotropical distribution. ARP, BOO Photographic Ornamental record Hybrid Corazón Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott Native of tropical South America Filodendro paraguayo, BOO, JBU ATV61; ATV Ornamental 440 edible fruit Schott, Bot. Native of tropical America Singonio, pata de ganso, VSL, JBU, BSB ATV228; Invasive exSyngonium Endl. podophyllum guarani, ímbe, Güembé Zeitung. esmeralda ATV427 behavior

1363 Tobar-Vargas et al. | Plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands, Colombia

Table 3. Continued.

COMMON COLLECTION VOUCHER SPECIES ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION NOTES NAME SITE NUMBER * Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Native of South America, and Antilles. Mafafa ATV173 Food Schott. MDG, LLR, VSL **ARAUCARIACEAE *Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Native of Australia, cultivated in South Araucaria BSB, JBU, LLR ATV74; Ornamental Franco. America ATV433 ARECACEAE *Caryota mitis Lour. Palma de Cola de ARP, JBU, LLR ATV212 Ornamental Central America pescado, palma Native of Southeast Asia. Distributed in mariposa BROMELIACEAE *Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Native of Amazonia, cultivated in tropical JBU, LLR ATV415 Only in cuture. America tropical Piña, ananas, piña and medicinal useEdible fruits CANNACEAE Canna warscewiczii Native of South America, cultivated in the ATV120; Ornamental tropics ATV442 A.Dietr. Achira, Achira roja ADP, MDG **CASUARINACEAE *Casuarina equisetifolia L. Native of Australia, cultivated in the tropics, Casuarina, Árbol VSL Photographic Ornamental, especially in coastal areas. del maderero, Pino record. used for wood australiano, pino de mar. and invasive COMMELINACEAE *Tradescantia pallida Reina purpura, JBU, A20J, ATV209; Ornamental Hunt. South America, and in Africa (Gabon). purpurina BSB, VSL ATV424 (Rose.) D.R Native of Mexico, Distributed in Central and Tradescantia spathacea Sw. Native of America Buquecito PSB, A20J, ATV425 Ornamental, VSL, LLR medicinal use and toxic **CUPRESSACEAE *Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. Native of Central Asia. Árbol de la vida, Pino BSB, JBU ATV72; Ornamental, libro ATV432 medicinal and wood use CUCURBITACEAE *Citrillus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. Native of South Africa. Cultivated worldwide. Sandia, Patilla, LLR, VSL, COV ATV 409 Food and Nakai. watermelon *Cucurbita maxima Native of South Africa. Cultivated worldwide. Auyama, Pumpkin, ATV80 Food Sapayo Duchesne. ADP, LLR, VSL *Cucumis melo L. Native of Paleotropics, cultivated worldwide ATV413 Food, used as diuretic Melón **CYCADACEAE *Cycas revoluta Thunb. Native of Japan. Introduced in Central Cica, palma fúnebre, JBU, LLR, BSB, ATV183/182 Ornamental America Sago palm BLA Toxic EUPHORBIACEAE Acalypha hispida Burm. f. Probably native of Indonesia. Cultivated in Cola de gato, Gusano ATV177; ATV Ornamental the tropics 410 EPN, LLR subsp. Bronce A20J, VSL, LLR ATV418 Ornamental Acalypha amentacea rojo, cola de zorro wilkesiana Fosberg. tropics. Probably native of Oceanía. Cultivated in the (L.) Blume. Native of India. Cultivated worldwide. VSL, BSB, LLR, Photographic Ornamental Codiaeum variegatum(Müll.Arg.) Independencia, VSL record. Hoja de la McVaugh. Native of America. Árbol espinaca, Chaya VSL, LLR, BOO ATV417 Ornamental *Cnidoscolus chayamansa Acuarela, croto, crotón and edible, toxic if consumed raw Euphorbia aphylla Brouss. ex Willd. Árbol desnudo, Tolda, JBU, VSL, LLR, ATV208; Ornamental Árbol palito BSB ATV426 Endemic of the Canary islands. Euphorbia milii var. splendens Native of Madagascar. Pantropical Corona de cristo, corona LLR, VSL, JBU ATV438 Ornamental ex Hook.) Ursch and Leandri. distribution de espinas, espinas de latex used to (Bojer cristo cure wounds Jatropha podagrica Hook. Native of Central America. Pantropical Árbol botella, Yunco, JBU, BVC ATV430 Ornamental distribution. Corales

**HELICONIACEAE *Heliconia episcopalis Vell. Native of Neotropics Platanillo, Lanza, JBU, LLR ATV90 Ornamental Platanillo

1364 Tobar-Vargas et al. | Plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands, Colombia

Table 3. Continued.

COMMON COLLECTION VOUCHER SPECIES ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION NOTES NAME SITE NUMBER Heliconia psittacorum x Native of Guyana. Platanillo amarillo JBU, LLR ATV 222 Ornamental spathocircinata “Golden Torch” Tropical distribution ATV428 hybrid ATV435 Heliconia wagneriana Petersen. Native of Neotropics Heliconia, platanillo JBU ATV443 Ornamental and medicinal LILIACEAE *Cordyline terminalis (L.) Kunth. Native of Southeast Asia. Pantropical ATV429 Ornamental distribution Cordiline, palmita roja JBU, SEB, VSL MUSACEAE Musa x paradisiaca L. Native of Asia. Cultivated in tropics regions Banano, Banana, VSL, BOO, LLR, ATV437 Food and platano, guineo plantain. medicinal

MALVACEAE COV, ADP Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. var. Origin unknown. Pantropical distribution Hibiscus VSL, JBU, BSB, ATV403 Ornamental kermessinus

MYRTACEAE CEN Eugenia uniflora L. Native of South America, it is cultivated and/ pitanga BSB ATV422 Food and or naturalised in large parts of the Old World ornamental. tropics and subtropics but is not native. PLUMBAGINACEAE Plumbago auriculata Lam. Native of South Africa. Cultivated in the JBU, VSL, LLR ATV175 Ornamental Americas CapePlumbago, leadwort Jazmín azul, Azulina, Jazmín celeste, POACEAE *Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Native of India and Native of Indonesia. Bambú, Bambú amarillo, CSF, CMA, ATV125 Ornamental, Wendl. Now pantropical distribution Guadua pintada artesanal, wood MDG PTERIDACEAE *Pityrogramma ebenea (L.) Proctor. ATV105 Ornamental South America Distributed in the Caribbean, Central and Helecho tatuaje MDG **ROSACEAE *Rosa chinensis Jacq. Native of China Rosa, rose ATV118 Ornamental Worldwide distribution LLR and medicinal ADP, BSB, BLA, ** RUSCACEAE *Dracaena marginata Lam. Native of Madagascar. Punta de lanza, lanza JBU, LLR, VSL ATV226 Ornamental

* Hort. ex Prain Native of tropical Africa Lengua de tigre, Rabo BOO, BSB, ATV436 Ornamental Sanseviera trifasciata roja Laurentii. Tropical distribution de tigre, espada de San Jorge BLA, CEN SOLANACEAE *Capsicum chinense Jacq. Native of the Neotropics, cultivated in the ATV108 Food, whole continent VSL medicinal and Ají, Chile MDG, CEN, ritual use *Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Native of the Neotropics, cultivated Tomate, gold-apple VSL, LLR, COV Photographic Food, worldwide record medicinal **STRELITZIACEAE *Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn. Native of Madagascar. JBU, VSL Photographic Ornamental Tropical distribution, found in greenhouses palma abanico, árbol del record in temperate climates Palma del viajero,

**ZINGIBERACEAE viajero *Costus barbatus Suess. Native of tropical America Spiral ginger ATV57; ATV Ornamental 416 CCS, BLA, ADP *Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. Native of New Guinea. Tropical distribution Yinyer, Ginger ATV58; Ornamental ATV408 CCS, ADP *Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt Native of Asia, distributed in Central and SHH, LLR ATV401 Ornamental and R.M. Sm. South America Shellflower, shell-ginger

Acknowledgments: We wish to thank Johnny Walker Cárdenas for Literature Cited Tropical Flowering Plants. A guide to identification and cultivation logistic support and Luis Guerra, Eder Ortiz and Rita Vargas for field AbrechtPress. K., 424 L. Schokman, p. D. Burch and W. Judd. 2003. assistance. We thank Billy Pertuz and Camilo Rodríguez who helped . Portland: Timber grateful.mounting We the are specimens, indebted to and all Douglas the employees Rivera whoof the provided Botanical the Garden map. Environmental Conservation ofJaime the PolaníaUNAL sede improved Caribe thewho text helped of the and manuscript, participated for in whichthe research. we are Austin, D.F. 1978. IslaExotic de plantsSan Andrés. and their Contribución effects in alSoutheastern conocimiento Florida. de su Financial support was provided by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, ecología, flora fauna y pesca 5: 25–34. Barriga,Universidad E. 1969. Nacional de Colombia. 152 p. 20101003960. . Bogotá: Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, sede Caribe, through projects # 40202022100, # 20501003000, # Chacon, E. and G. Saborio. 2006. Análisis taxonómico de las especies de 1365 Tobar-Vargas et al. | Plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands, Colombia

de Costa Rica, Lankesteriana plants Melaleuca quinquenervia and Casuarina equisetifolia on small plantas introducidasShoreline en monitoring Costa Rica. at Escuela Long Key. de Resource Biología, Management Universidad Mazzotti, F.J., W. Ostrenko, and A.T. Smith. 1981. Effects of theFlorida exotic Notes 6(3): 139-147. Scientist Deaton, A., 1994. ribución al conocimiento de la flora mammal populations in the eastern Florida Everglades. vascular 6, 13–14. terrestre del archipiélago de San Andrés y Providencia. 44: 65–71. Casuarina equisetifolia) Removal on Díaz, J. and P. Lowy. 1992. Cont Schmid,Loggerhead J.L. Addison Sea D.S.,Turtle Donnelly (Caretta M.A., caretta Shirley) Incubation M.A. and TemperaturesT. Wibbels. 2008. on KeewaydinThe Effect ofIsland, Australian Florida. Pine Journal ( of Coastal Research Bogotá: Universidad Nacional; FacultadFlora de ilustradaCiencias –de Departamento San Andrés y Tobar, A.S. and B. Gavio. 2011. Primer registro de Pteridium caudatum Providenciade Biología. 650 p. 55: 214–220Acta Gonzalez, F, J. Diaz, J and P. Lowy. 1995. Biológica Colombiana Hammerton, J. 2001.. Bogotá: Convenio Universidad Nacional de Colombia y (Dennstaedtiaceae) en la isla de Providencia, Colombia. danger.SENA. 280 Bahamas p. Journal of Science and management of sheoak 16(1): 225-232.(Casuarina spp.), an invader of Coastal Datos deCasuarinas las variables in theclimáticas Bahamas: de la a isla clear de andSan presentAndrés, WheelerFlorida, G.S., U.S.A. G.S. Journal Taylor, of J.F. Coastal Gaskin, Research and M.F. Purcell. 2011. Ecology Providencia y Santa Catalina 9: 2–14. IDEAM, 1995. 27 (3): 485–492. y Providencia. Biota Colombiana. Santafé de Bogotá: IDEAM. 70 p. Lowy, P.D. 2000. Flora Vascular Terrestre del Archipiélago de San Andrés won lessons for islands; p. 164-172. 1(1): 109In C.R. – 124. Veitch and M.N. Clout Mack,(ed.). R.N. Turning and W.M. the Lonsdale. tide: the eradication2000. Eradicating of invasive invasive species plants:. Gland Hard- and

ElCambridge: Archipiélago IUCN. posible: Ecología, reserva de biosfera y desarrollo Márquez,sostenible G., M.E. en Pérez., San Andrés, A.D. Britton., Providencia J. Archbold y Santa and C. Catalina Newball. (Caribe 2006. occidental colombiano) Received: December 2012 136 p. Accepted: July 2013 . Bogotá: Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Published online: November 2013 Editorial responsibility: James Byng

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