Endangered and Threatened Species

Florida is the home of numerous rare plant species many of which are considered to be "Endangered" or "Threatened" by one or more federal, state, or local governments.

Criteria for listing varies with the listing agency. As of this writing, the federal government, through the US Fish and Wildlife Service considers 54 plant species to be Endangered or Threatened. The Florida Department of Agriculture and consumer affairs lists around 480 (the number varies as recommendations for listing and delisting are ongoing). The Department of Community Affairs maintains a second list specifically for protection of species potentially impacted by large-scale developments. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory maintains an independent list. Links on this page will lead you to these lists and additional governmental information on listed plant species. Regardless of listing criteria, these are Florida's rare plants.

Florida is generally considered to have more rare species than any other continental state except California. This distinction comes from a variety of geographical and biogeographical factors which are unique to our location. First, Florida is a peninsula that extends southward from the remainder of the continental US. The climate is mild, but varies. Caribbean species have managed to colonize extreme southern Florida, and due to limited area and restricted areas of habitat, many are rare.

Florida also has many habitat islands that have been isolated for very long periods of time. Isolation of small populations is a prime factor involved in speciation. Florida's scrub islands on the central ridges are prime examples. Other small habitat islands may be responsible for the occurrence of a number of species of Dicerandra that are found only in very local areas.

Biogeographical history is also important. Florida was a refuge for plants whose ranges were pushed southward during glacial epochs. Some of these have remained in limited areas. This is especially true in extreme northern Florida. Species such as Taxus floridana and Torreya taxifolia are good examples. Extreme northern Florida is also the southern limit for species more widespread to the north, and some of these species are rare in Florida; others are rare wherever they occur.

Man is responsible for many instances of rareness. Orchid hunters have totally extirpated some species (driven them to extinction at least in Florida). Development threatens many species with highly restricted ranges and highly specific habitat requirements. Natural and introduced diseases and pests threaten other species. Examples include the European wild boar which digs up native plants from the forest floor, Melaleuca which colonizes moist areas so densely that it excludes most other species, and a weevil which is attacking and severely decimating populations of our larger bromeliads.

The links provided on this page provide information on the protection and listing of rare species, as well as information on some specific species considered to be endangered and threatened by some of the listing agencies.

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Copyright 2002-2008 Florida Native Plant Society - Last updated April 5, 2005