Botanical studies in karst

We want the world to know the great plant diversity of the karst of Puerto Rico.

We sponsor botanical studies of the karst that divulge its natural wealth and document rare and little known plant species. In addition, we curate plant museums (herbaria) with collections accumulated for more than a century. It is because of these studies that botanists, such as Dr. Juan Carlos Trejo, have found new species of the flora of Puerto Rico such as:

• Tabebuia karsana Red oak endemic to the northern karst. More info
• Pisonia taina Cork tree found in environments such as the northern karst. More info

• Reynosa vivesiana Shrub that has only been seen in one area of the dry karst. More info
• Coccoloba buchii Uvillo that has only been seen in the northern karst. More info
• Ocotea acarina Laurel species that has only been seen in the Rio Abajo State Forest. More info

Field explorations in various karst regions of the island have found new populations of rare plant species such as Anechites nerium (wallflower family), Myrcia pagani, the ausu tree, within the guava family.

Another CDK-sponsored project is the Compendio de Plantas Raras del Karso Norteño de Puerto Rico, which evaluates botanical knowledge about a select group of plants of the Puerto Rican flora. Some 160 species have been identified, of which 21 are known only in our area, and they are a natural heritage of humanity, so we have a great responsibility to protect them.