Erithalis orbiculata
Overview
Erithalis orbiculata, synonym Exostema orbiculatum, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a shrub or small tree which grows up to 3 metres tall that is endemic to Jamaica. It grows on forested limestone hills in the central highlands of Jamaica from 600 to 800 metres elevation. It is known from only three locations, and the IUCN Red List assesses the species as Critically Endangered.
Erithalis orbiculata faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure expansion across its limited Caribbean range. The species' restriction to coastal limestone habitats makes it particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise and increased storm intensity associated with climate change. Invasive plant species compete directly with this endemic shrub for limited suitable habitat, while small population sizes increase vulnerability to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.
Habitat
Erithalis orbiculata inhabits coastal limestone substrates, rocky shores, and low-elevation dry forests in the Caribbean. The species is typically found in exposed coastal areas with well-drained calcareous soils and salt-tolerant vegetation communities.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE
Threatened in Jamaica
Frequently asked questions
Why is Erithalis orbiculata classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Erithalis orbiculata live?
What are the main threats to Erithalis orbiculata?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.