In 2022, Fairchild was one of many participants in a CPC/NLGRP study on seed ageing, with four species including coral hoary pea (Tephrosia angustissima var. corallicola). Because collection from the only known site is difficult (it is a mowed, working orchard with restricted access) Fairchild conservation team members grew plants in the nursery by germinating previously banked seeds.  From these nursery plants, they collected 750 seeds and sent them to NLGRP in Colorado, to compare germination rates of these fresh seed with those of seeds that had been stored at that facility for more than a decade.  

According to a March 2023 extract of the Florida Plant Rescue Database, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden holds 6 accessions of Tephrosia corallicola totalling approximately 5837 seeds representing 17 maternal lines.

The Florida endangered Tephrosia angustissima var. corallicola is a prostrate, sprawling pine rockland pea. There is only one known location in the US, with unconfirmed populations in Cuba. The one US population grows in an agricultural field that has been rock plowed and is mowed regularly. Because microhabitat requirements in pine rockland were unknown, Fairchild performed an experimental introduction to study survival of transplants and seedling recruitment in 3 pine rockland microhabitats. We asked, “Which microhabitat supports greatest transplant survival, seedling establishment and survival?” In June 2003, we transplanted a total of 141 plants: 57 plants in Serenoa, 57 plants along the firebreak, and 27 plants into the pine microhabitat. We measured growth, reproduction and survival weekly for 2 months after planting, quarterly until Oct 2006, then yearly. In response to significant seedling recruitment, we began monitoring seedlings in Mar 2004. In addition, we measured light and soil moisture in each microhabitat. Transplant survival and seedling recruitment declined with time since transplant. Initially transplants survived best in microhabitats with partial shade and relatively high soil moisture (Firebreak and Pines). However, after 32 months, transplants showed similar survival across all 3 microhabitats; 18%, 16%, 15% in firebreak, Serenoa, pines, respectively, and by 2008, transplant survival decreased to 2%, 5% and 0%. Adult longevity at the site averaged 3 yrs. Over 3000 seedlings recruited into the site; the highest number along the firebreak (2124). Seedling survival was highest in August 2004 – 30% in Serenoa, 7.5% in firebreak and 6% in pines. By June 2007, however, only 66 (2%) of 3064 seedlings survived in all microhabitats within 1 m radius of original transplants. Enlarging our sampling radius to 3m in 2008 showed that a mixed age population of 161 plants persists in all three habitats. It is encouraging that seedling recruitment and maturation to reproduction has occurred, suggesting that the population will be sustainable at this site.