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Plant Profile

Capa Rosa (Callicarpa ampla)

Callicarpa ampla-close up of infructescence Photo Credit: Luis Rivera
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • State: PR
  • Nature Serve ID: 151790
  • Lifeform: Shrub, Tree
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

Callicarpa ampla is a striking plant with clusters of small fleshy fruits that turn from whitish to deep purple when ripe. It can grow to 15m in height and has small white flowers. (USFWS 1993) (May be dioecious.)

Where is Capa Rosa (Callicarpa ampla) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species occurs in a montane forest type called palo colorado. It is an evergreen forest type, described as an upland swamp, found at elevations greater than 600m. These forests are found on somewhat protected intermediate slopes and valleys, though high winds can occur at times. They do not have high plant diversity. Some of the common species in palo colorado forest are Cyrilla racemiflora (common name palo colorado for which the association is named), Calcyogonium squamulosum, and Micropholis garcinifolia. (USFS 1993)

Distribution:

Found in the Luquillo Mountains of Eastern Puerto Rico (current) and historically in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, but is now likely extirpated there due to habitat loss (USFWS 1993).

States & Provinces:

Capa Rosa can be found in Puerto Rico

Conservation Actions

  • 08/31/2020
    • Propagation Research

This species can reproduce vegetatively by means of artificial or natural layering . In-vitro embryo cultivation attempts in the 1980s were also successful (70% survival). Further propagation work has been done in the 2000s including air layering, cuttings, in-vitro, and seed. (Luis Rivera, pers. comm.) [Less...]

  • 08/31/2020
    • Reproductive Research

This species can reproduce vegetatively by means of artificial or natural layering . In-vitro embryo cultivation attempts in the 1980s were also successful (70% survival). Further propagation work has been done in the 2000s including air layering, cuttings, in-vitro, and seed. (Luis Rivera, pers. comm.)

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

In Puerto Rico, a total of fewer than 10 trees known to exist at present, in 3 localities in the Caribbean National Forest; once ranged from Luquillo to near Cayey and Utuado. Recorded long ago from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Little et al. 1974).

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

The Caribbean National Forest (CNF) is in the process of developing a partnership or cooperative agreement with the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Agricultural Extension Service in order to develop protocols for the reproduction and propagation of CNFs sensitive plant species. Habitat change in the CNF often occurs more due to natural disturbances (e.g. hurricanes) than by management activities. The Forest has an Emergency Contingency Plan to deal yearly with the hurricane season. In case of a hurricane condition there are guidelines established to protect resources before, during and after a hurricane attack. The most typical damages to vegetation during these events are landslides, and acute mortality due to uprooting, defoliation or breakage of canopy or branches. (Luis Rivera, pers. comm.)

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

Genetic structure/diversity and identification of potential recovery sites, especially in areas where this species was historically known but no longer exists. (USFWS 1993)

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

Further propagation for reintroductions.

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

Forestry practices (e.g. plantation establishment and selective cutting) Trail maintenance Construction of roads and communication facilities Collection Hurricanes

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

30 individuals in 6-7 sites

Joie Goodman and Julissa Roncal
  • 01/01/2010

This species can reproduce vegetatively by means of artificial or natural layering . In-vitro embryo cultivation attempts in the 1980s were also successful (70% survival). Further propagation work has been done in the 2000s including air layering, cuttings, in-vitro, and seed. (Luis Rivera, pers. comm.)

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Nomenclature
Taxon Callicarpa ampla
Authority Schauer
Family Lamiaceae
CPC Number 672
ITIS 32146
USDA CAAM14
Duration Perennial
Common Names Capa Rosa | Palo de Rosa | Caparosa
Associated Scientific Names Callicarpa ampla
Distribution Found in the Luquillo Mountains of Eastern Puerto Rico (current) and historically in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, but is now likely extirpated there due to habitat loss (USFWS 1993).
State Rank
State State Rank
Puerto Rico S1
Ecological Relationships

Photos

Callicarpa ampla-close up of infructescence Photo Credit: Luis Rivera

Callicarpa ampla habitat Photo Credit: Luis Rivera

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