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

14 Terrestrial Species - Plants Cayman Sage

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Cayman Sage Salvia caymanensis Millsp. & Uline Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Lamiales, Family: Labiatae Genus: Salvia, Species: caymanensis Salvia is a widely distributed genus of over 700 species (Proctor 2009). Cayman Sage Salvia caymanensis is endemic to Grand Cayman. The last specimen was collected by Martin Brunt in 1967 (No.2061), and stored in the herbarium of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (sheet 712). The original identification of Salvia serotina, was revised by George Proctor (May 1969) to S. caymanensis. The plant, however, was not seen since, despite repeated surveys. Salvia caymanensis was, until 2007, considered potentially extinct. Status Distribution: Species endemic to Grand Cayman. Conservation: Critically endangered CR B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(ii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(ii,iv) (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: Cayman Sage Salvia caymanensis currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule I). 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.1.14 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Cayman Sage Page: 1

Natural History Cayman Sage Salvia caymanensis is a pungent herb bearing profuse small pale blue flowers. It is most easily confused with Saliva serotina, but differs in having densely white-woolly undersides to the leaves, and growing to one metre tall, (S. serotina achieves a height of less than 30cm). Cayman Sage was originally recorded from coastal areas, however, thereafter it was not recorded for almost 40 years, despite repeated surveys. Several small colonies were rediscovered at small roadside locations in 2007, in conjunction with the implementation of this SAP. Associated Habitats and Species for Cayman Sage ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.S.5 Coastal Shrubland 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland 2.T.7 Urban and Man-modified Areas 2.T.8 Roads Current Factors Affecting Cayman Sage Possible extinction: with no confirmed records since 1967, Cayman Sage Salvia caymanensis was rediscovered at a roadside location in 2007. Habitat loss: clearance and development of beach ridge and shrubland habitat. Lack of protected habitat: records indicate that natural habitat may have been beach ridge. Currently, several small colonies are known from disturbed roadside locations. None, however, currently exist within protected areas. Adaptive nature: the adaptive nature of Salvia caymanensis encourages predominance in disturbed, roadside habitats. Landscaping potential: ease of cultivation from seed, hardy nature, and attractive blue flowers make Salvia caymanensis suitable for landscaping. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Cayman Sage None. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Cayman Sage
OBJECTIVES 1. Determine if Salvia caymanensis is extinct and afford protection if appropriate. 1. COMPLETED: Salvia caymanensis rediscovered, 2007. 2. If Salvia caymanensis is extinct, attempt conservation propagation . 2. COMPLETED: Conservation propagation commenced at QEII Botanic Park Native Tree Nursery, 2007. 3. If extant, raise IUCN Red list status of Salvia caymanensis to least concern. 2015 2008 TARGET 2008

ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Turnera triglandulosa

Cayman Sage PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. If extant, protect Salvia caymanensis under Schedule I of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL3. REPORT: Salvia caymanensis rediscovered, 2007.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

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

CIG DoE DoE

DoE CIG CIG

2006 2006 2006

Section: 3.T.1.14 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Cayman Sage

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Cayman Sage PROPOSED ACTION PL4. Reduce the threat of a catastrophic loss of the remaining populations, through involvement with the Millennium Seedbank Project. PL4. REPORT: Full seed collection lodged with Kew, 2007. 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. SM1. Determine location / status of herbarium specimens of Salvia caymanensis, and obtain any available seed to attempt conservation propagation. SM1. REPORT: Natural wild seed source identified, 2007. SM2. Collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation.

LEAD DoE RBGK

PARTNERS QEIIBP

TARGET 2010

MEETS OBJECTIVE 3

DoP

DoE CIG CIG MP DoE

2010

1,2

DoP CPA

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management RBGK NT DoE 2008 2,3

DoE RBGK QEIIBP

2012

SM2. REPORT: Millennium Seedbank collection of 10,000 seeds lodged with Kew, 2007. Collection of 3,000 seeds for local propagation at QEIIBP, 2007. SM3. Establish local conservation propagation programme and introduce Salvia caymanensis to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery. QEIIBP DoE RBGK 2008 1,3

SM3. REPORT: Salvia caymanensis growing from seed, 2007. Salvia caymanensis sold from Native Tree Nursery, 2008. SM3. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. SM4. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Liaise with developers and Roads Authority towards establishing Salvia caymanensis as a staple in large-scale landscaping projects. A2. Promote use of native plants in landscaping, through maintenance of existing vegetation and use of Recommended Planting Palette in new developments. A3. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A3. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. Research & Monitoring RM1. Survey remaining natural habitat for Salvia caymanensis. RM1. REPORT: Completed 2007. RM2. Survey modified habitat through public backyard survey for Salvia caymanensis. DoE MP 2007 1 DoE 2008 1 DoE NRA DoP DoE DoE CIG NT 2012 2009 2006 1,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 DoE 2015 1,2,3

RM2. REPORT: Public competition with CI$1,000 prize launched in Darwin Initiative Newsletter and local media, 2007. Results in rediscovery of Salvia caymanensis at six locations around Grand Cayman. RM3. 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. RM4. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Salvia caymanensis locally. DoE RBGK QEIIBP 2010 3

RM3. REPORT: Collection of 10,000 seeds submitted to MSB, 2008. Confirmation of viability required. DoE 2015 3 RM4. REPORT: In response to rediscovery, Red List status amended to Critically endangered, 2007. Section: 3.T.1.14 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Cayman Sage Page: 3

Cayman Sage PROPOSED ACTION CP1. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Salvia caymanensis and other endemic flora and fauna.

LEAD Communication & Publicity DoE NT QEIIBP

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE

MP CN GC OS SB LCN

2008

1,2,3

CP1. REPORT: ONGOING JUN 07. Media associated with competition launch and rediscovery of Salvia caymanensis. Salvia caymanensis featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a). CP2. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Salvia caymanensis. CP3. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2010 1,2,3

2010

1,2,3

Reference and Further Reading for Cayman Sage

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

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