State Plant Listings

Puerto Rico

Vegetation References

PR 1 Subtropical dry forest (Bosque seco subtropical)
PR 2 Subtropical moist forest (Bosque humedo subtropical)
PR 3 Subtropical wet forest (Bosque muy humedo subtropical)
PR 4 Subtropical rain forest (Bosque pluvial subtropical)
PR 5 Lower montane wet forest (Bosque muy humedo montano bajo)
PR 6 Lower montane rain forest (Bosque pluvial montano bajo)

Botanical Experts

Meriam Gonzales
Puerto Rico Heritage Program
Conservation Data Base
787-722-1726

Recommended Flora

Danserau, Pierre and Peter F. Buell. 1966. Studies on the vegetation of Puerto Rico. 1) Description and Integration of the Plant Communities; 2) Analysis and Mapping. University of Puerto Rico, Myagues.

Ecological Life Zones of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands: J. J. Ewel and J. L. Whitmore, 1973. United State Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. Institute of Tropical Forestry. Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Native Plants for Landscape Use in Puerto Rico

Andira inermis
Buchenavia tetraphylla
Bucida buceras
Bursera simaruba
Byrsonima spicata
Calophyllum calaba
Cecropia schreberiana
Cedrela odorata
Ceiba pentandra
Chrysophyllum
Citharexylum fruticosum
Clusia rosea
Coccoloba uvifera
Conocarpus erecta
Cordia alba
Crescentia cujete
Dacryodes excelsa
Genipa americana
Guaiacum officinale
Guarea guidonia
Guazuma ulmifolia
Hernandia sonora
Hura crepitans
Hyeronima clusioides
Hymenaea courbaril
Inga vera
Juglans jamaicensis
Laguncularia racemosa
Mammea americana
Manilkara bidentata
Melicoccus bijugatus
Montezuma speciosissima
Ochroma pyramidale
Ocotea moschata
Petitia domingensis
Pimenta racemosa
Piptadenia peregrina
Pithecellobium arboreum
Pouteria multiflora
Prunus occidentalis
Rhizophora mangle
Roystonea borinquena
Sabal causiarum
Spondias mombin
Stahlia monosperma
Tabebuia heterophylla
Tecoma stans
Thespesia grandiflora
Zanthoxylum flavum

Federally Listed Endangered Species

Puerto Rico Noxious Species

Because the noxious weed lists have continually changed since we gathered them in 1994, we are not including them at this time. Not all States have noxious weed lists. Those that do, do not use the same standards of importance and are not comparable. States typically have included plants that interfere with agriculture (Canada thistle), or cause human health problems (poison ivy). Some States are now including a category of plants that invade and degrade the environment (purple loosestrife). Check with your State's Agriculture Department or Weed Scientist listed below. The noxious weed list can be used two ways on roadsides: 1) check to not inadvertently plant these invasive plants, and 2) note the plants you are legally responsible to control. Many States now check adjacent State lists to avoid planting their neighbors' problem plants. Because weeds do not respect political boundaries, and because by their very nature weeds continue to adapt and expand, monitoring and controlling invasives at State borders is a wise part of vegetation management.

(No Laws)

Department of Agriculture
Plant Quarantine Services
PO Box 10163
Santurce, PR 00980

Yamil Oulijano, Ag. Ext.
University of Puerto Rico
Mayaguez, Box 305
Camuy, PR 00627
(787) 898-2270

Puerto Rico Resources

Frank Axelrod
Biology Department
University of Puerto Rico
787-764-0000

Ariel E. Lugo
USDA Forest Service
International Institute of Tropical Forestry
Call Box 25,000
Rio Piedras, PR 00928-2500

Pedro Acevedo
Smithsonian
Washington D.C.
202-786-2692

Heritage Program
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
PO Box 5887
Puerta de Tierra Sta.
San Juan, PR 00906

The Nature Conservancy
Virgin Islands
148 Norre Gade, 2nd Floor
Charlotte Amali, USCVI 00802
(809) 774-7633

The Puerto Rico Conservation
Foundation
G-11 O'Neill St.
San Juan, PR 00918