The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published today a proposed rule to designate approximately 50 acres of private land in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands as critical habitat for Endangered Species Act.
C. melanocarpa is a branching shrub that has small spines, small leaves, and funnel shaped white flowers and grows in subtropical dry and subtropical moist forests. The plant may reach approximately 10 feet in height and produces a round, black fruit. Threats to its survival include habitat destruction or modification for residential and tourism development, fire and catastrophic natural events such as hurricanes and the limited number of reproducing plants.
"The melanocarpa is an extremely rare plant, but our hope is that by making a concerted effort, we can reverse the damage that has been done to this native plant and its habitat.? said Edwin Mu
