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Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum are two rare plant species native only to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Agave eggersiana , native only to the island of St. Croix, is extremely rare and its survival may be dependent on captive propagation and reintroduction. Of all the endemic plant species on the Virgin Islands, Solanum conocarpum is likely the most in danger of extinction — it is endemic to the island of St. John.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROFILE
PROTECTION STATUS: Not listed
PETITIONED: 1986 (U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife)
RANGE: U.S. Virgin Islands — Agave eggersiana is native only to the island of St. Croix, Solanum conocarpum is native only to the island of St. John
THREATS: Habitat loss from residential and tourist development and feral animals
POPULATION TREND: It is unclear whether there are any remaining Agave eggersiana plants in the wild; there are only approximately 200 Solanum conocarpum plants living in the wild.
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SAVING VIRGIN ISLANDS PLANTS
The Center has filed two lawsuits to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide Endangered Species Act protection for these rare plants. Both Agave eggersiana and
Solanum conocarpum were considered candidates for Endangered Species Act listing since 1993 and it has been over a dozen years since a listing petition was submitted.
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Contact: Jeff Miller
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