Buxus vahlii

Buxus vahlii, or Vahl's boxwood, is a rare species of plant in the boxwood family. It is native to Puerto Rico and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where it is known from no more than four populations total. It has probably never been very common, but its distribution has been reduced by deforestation and other human disturbance of its habitat.[2] At the time it was listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1985, it was thought to be endemic to Puerto Rico.[3] Reports that it existed in Jamaica have not been confirmed.[3] A few individuals have been located in St. Croix, some of which are within Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.[4]

Buxus vahlii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Buxales
Family: Buxaceae
Genus: Buxus
Species:
B. vahlii
Binomial name
Buxus vahlii

This is a shrub or small tree which can reach 5 meters in height. The stem has two grooves below each node, an identifying characteristic.[2] Clusters of flowers yield fruits which are horned capsules containing black seeds.

The two populations remaining in Puerto Rico total 40[5] to 85[2] individuals, none of which have been observed to successfully reproduce.[5] One population is located in Rincón near the beach at Punta Higuero.[2] The plants there are short in stature and chlorotic, possibly from exposure to sun, sea spray, and high winds.[2] The plants are located in a canyon next to a popular surfing and camping beach which has experienced accidental fires.[3] The other population is in a forest near Hato Tejas in Bayamón.

The plant grows on limestone substrates. Quarrying of limestone threatens this type of habitat on Puerto Rico, and the smaller population is located next to a quarry.[3]

References
  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Buxus vahlii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 August 2007.
  2. USFWS. Vahl's Boxwood Recovery Plan. April 28, 1987.
  3. USFWS. Final rule to determine Buxus vahlii as an endangered species. Federal Register August 13, 1985.
  4. USFWS. Draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment for Buck Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuges. Federal Register September 17, 2009]
  5. Center for Plant Conservation
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