Clavija domingensis Urb. & Ekman, a species endemic to Haiti, was described from collections made by Swedish botanist Leonard Ekman between 1924 and 1928. Currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, this species is the subject of conservation initiatives at several botanical gardens: the Jardin Botanique des Cayes (Haiti), the Jardín Botánico Nacional Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso (Dominican Republic), and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (USA). Known from six localities in southern Haiti, each locality represents a single individual. The plant is illustrated from specimens grown at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Description

It is a small tree up to 8 meters tall, usually unbranched. The leaves are oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, 60-100 × 10-17 cm, leathery, glabrous, with entire margins and a usually slightly attenuated base. The inflorescences are racemes up to 62 cm long with 80-130 orange flowers. The fruits are orange, 2-3.5 cm in diameter, with a smooth skin and containing 5-6 seeds.

Habitat and ecology

Clavija domingensis grows on calcareous substrate between 100 and 700 meters above sea level in seasonally dry to mesic forests. The climate across its range is diverse, including tropical climate types such as rainforest, monsoon, and savanna. Nearby endemic species include Allophylus rigidus, Guettarda preneloupii, Ovieda spinosa, Poitea multiflora, and Attalea crassispatha.

The fruits of the species are likely dispersed by animals, which could contribute to its extreme rarity if these dispersers are rare or extinct. The plants show a capacity for self-fertilization in natural habitats.

Use and importance

Traditional use

The leaves of Clavija domingensis were traditionally used as shampoo and the fruits as soap for washing clothes, according to historical reports.

Horticultural interests

This species is attractive for gardens because of its spectacular Schopfbäume-like growth and conspicuous inflorescences. It is adapted to a variety of growing conditions, from shade to full sun, and tolerates a range of water conditions.

Conservation

Conservation Statuts

Clavija domingensis is currently critically endangered with only six known individuals. The Aquinas individual was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew, but seeds were collected and are being cultivated at the Les Cayes Botanical Garden. An ex situ conservation program has been established with over 200 cultivated individuals to ensure the species’ continued existence.

Conservation Initiatives

The Les Cayes Botanical Garden conducts conservation and environmental education initiatives. Ex situ conservation programs are also conducted by the Jardín Botánico Nacional and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, which share plants with other botanical gardens and public parks.

Sources

• 966. CLAVIJA DOMINGENSIS – Jestrow – 2021 – Curtis’s Botanical Magazine – Wiley Online Library