ST PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and biologist Kevan Schoonover McClelland filed petitions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking Endangered Species Act protections for Jobé bluecurls and hidden bluecurls. These two exceedingly rare, ornate and fragrant flowers are found only in Florida.

Jobé bluecurls, found only in Martin County in southeast Florida, are known from fewer than two dozen observations. Many of these were directly in the proposed footprint of a controversial golf course in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, part of broader plans to develop hotels, pickle ball courts and more in Florida’s state parks.

Following widespread public protest, Florida withdrew the plans to “go back to the drawing board.”

“If not for Floridians’ deep love of our state parks, our extraordinary Jobé bluecurls could have been wiped out for another ordinary golf course,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “While the reckless development plans have been withdrawn for now, the fate of these beautiful little flowers is still really uncertain. Federal endangered species protections can help defend them from future threats.”

Hidden bluecurls, found only in Franklin County in the Florida panhandle, are known from only four observations, one of which is along a roadside.

Both species are inherently vulnerable to extinction because of their small ranges. Both are also threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollinator declines, climate change and inadequate laws to address these threats.

“Both of these species play an important role in the ecosystems of which they are a part,” said Kevan McClelland, Ph.D., the biologist who identified and described the species. “Without them, bees, butterflies and other pollinators would lose an important food source, potentially leading to a decline in not only these pollinators, but also the other animals, such as birds, that rely on them for food. With these petitions, we will hopefully be able to protect this important aspect of Florida’s ecosystems.”

These closely related flowers were only recently described as distinct species by McClelland and others. Although they are genetically distinct and have ecological and geographical differences, both plants have lovely blue-purple flowers with dark spots and delicately curled stamen and a gentle, sweet, minty scent.

Jobé bluecurls (pronounced hoe-BAY) are named for the Village Jobé of the native Jeaga people, and later the Jobé people, both of whom once shared the flower’s endemic range.

Hidden bluecurls are named in part for their long history of eluding identification as a unique species and in part for experts’ hopeful belief that more populations of this exceptionally rare plant remain “hidden” and awaiting discovery.