Salvia caymanensis

Taxobox
name = Cayman Sage


image_width = 225px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Lamiaceae
genus = "Salvia"
species = "S. caymanensis"
binomial = "Salvia caymanensis"
binomial_authority = Millspaugh & Uline

"Salvia caymanensis" commonly known as Cayman Sage is a rare herb from the Salvia genus. It is endemic to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. It was thought to be extinct for more than 30 years until it was rediscovered in 2007.

Description

"Salvia caymanensis" can reach a height between 50 and 100 centimetres. The strictly erect stem is canescent above and woody below. The ovate-lanceolate leaves have a length between 2.5 and 3 centimetres and a width between 1 and 1,4 centimetres. They are pale and tomentose on the underside and pilose and dark green on the upperside. The petioles are one-fourth the length of the blade.

Rediscovery

In spring 2007 the Department of Environment of the Cayman Islands in coorparation with the Darwin Initiative offered a reward of 1000 CI$ for the rediscovery of the Cayman Sage. During the flowering time around June 2007 the plant was rediscovered and photographed. About 300 individuals have been found and approximately 18,000 seeds have been collected.

References

*George R. Proctor "Flora of the Cayman Islands", 1984. ISBN 0112425488
*Charles Frederick Millspaugh: "Plantae Utowanae. Plants collected in Bermuda, Porto Rico, St. Thomas, Culebras, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Cuba, The Caymans, Cozumel, Yucatan and the Alacran shoals. Dec. 1898-Mar. 1899. The Antillean cruise of the yacht Utowana. Mr. Allison V. Armour, owner and master", 1900

External links

* [http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1021970 Plant extinct? Find it and win]
* [http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1023850 "Extinct" plant found on GC]
* [http://www.virtualherbarium.org/vh/caym/712.html Photograph of a herbarium specimen] Collected in 1967