SAVING VIRGIN ISLANDS PLANTS

Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum are two rare plant species native only to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Agave eggersiana , native only to the island of St. Croix, is extremely rare and its survival may be dependent on captive propagation and reintroduction. Of all the endemic plant species on the Virgin Islands, Solanum conocarpum is likely the most in danger of extinction — it is endemic to the island of St. John.

The Center has filed two lawsuits to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide Endangered Species Act protection for these rare plants. Both Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum have been considered candidates for Endangered Species Act listing since 1993 and it has been more than a dozen years since a listing petition was submitted.