patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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State listed animals occurring in pine rocklands include Big Pine Key
ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus), red rat snake (Elaphe guttata
guttata), and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Rare animals known
from this community include Florida atala butterfly (Eumaus atala), Florida
leafwing butterfly (Anaea troglodyta floridalis), and rim rock crowned snake
(Tantilla oolitica). Refer to Appendix C for a list of other species that utilize
the pine rockland communities.
The Florida atala was at one time believed to be extirpated in South Florida
due to over collecting of its food plant the coontie (Zamia pumila), and habitat
loss. It has reappeared and is locally common due to its host plant being grown
as an ornamental in gardens and nurseries. This butterfly naturally occurs in
tropical hardwood hammocks and pinelands. Surveys should be completed to
determine the distribution and abundance of the Florida atala. Conservation
actions should include prescribed burning to maintain the Florida atalas
natural habitat.
The Big Pine Key ringneck snake is known only from pine rocklands on Big
Pine Key, and is known from a variety of habitats including pine rocklands. This
species is neither widespread nor common and could become endangered if
suitable habitat is not preserved. The pine rockland habitat and the Big Pine Key
ringneck snake will continue to decline as the human population increases
throughout the Florida Keys unless suitable habitat is preserved.
Page 3-170
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
The lower Keys populations of red rat snakes live in pine woods and
mangrove forests (Weaver 1992). They are primarily nocturnal, hide under
rocks and logs, and will burrow into loose sand. The red rat snake is being
threatened by the increasing development activities that are occurring
throughout the Florida Keys. Although the red rat snake population in the Keys
was documented as declining before the recent surge of development, the
numbers appear to be stable and locally abundant. The lower Keys population
of red rat snake has been listed as a species of special concern by the State.
Although the numbers appear to be stable, the paucity of field work makes
estimates of population sizes questionable. Conservation actions should
continue to include the preservation of suitable habitat, including pine
rocklands.
The Florida leafwing butterfly is locally abundant on Big Pine Key and Long
Pine Key (Minno and Emmel 1993) and occurs in rocky pinelands of southern
Miami-Dade County (Minno and Emmel 1994). The Florida leafwing lays its
eggs on its host plant, the woolly croton (Croton linearis). After hatching, the
males perch on the foliage at the edge of clearings and feed on the leaves. The
restricted habitat of this endemic species is declining due to urbanization on the
mainland and in the Keys (Minno and Emmel 1994). Hurricane Andrew dealt
an additional blow to the already stressed southern Miami-Dade County
Florida leafwing population. Although fire is critical to this species, land
management should avoid burning large tracts at one time, and create a mosaic
of habitat with differing fire regimes. Remaining habitat in the Keys and
southern Miami-Dade County should be preserved to continue the existence of
the Florida leafwing.
Plant Species of Concern
Federally listed plant species that depend upon or utilize pine rocklands in
South Florida include: Garbers spurge (Chamaesyce garberi), deltoid spurge
Red rat snake. Original
photograph by Barry Mansell.
Page 3-171
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
(Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea), tiny polygala (Polygala smallii),
smalls milkpea (Galactia smallii), and crenulate lead-plant (Amorpha
crenulata). Biological accounts and recovery tasks for these species are
included in The Species section of this recovery plan. There are 84 State
listed plant taxa that occur in pine rocklands. With the exception of Garbers
spurge and tiny polygala, all of the listed plant species listed here are found
only in Miami-Dade County. Garbers spurge is found primarily in pine
rocklands and coastal areas of the Florida Keys, but has been found at the
Charles Deering Estate and in Everglades NP. Tiny polygala is found in xeric
to mesic habitats along the east coast from Miami-Dade County to St. Lucie
County. Carters mustard (Warea carteri), which is typically associated with
scrub, sandhill, and scrubby flatwood habitats, was historically recorded in
pine rocklands in the Coral Gables area. It has not been seen there in decades.
More than 90 plant species of concern have been recorded in pine
rocklands (Appendix C). Most State listed plant taxa occurring in pine
rocklands occur on the Miami Rock Ridge (88 percent). Pine rocklands of the
Florida Keys contain 49 percent, while only 17 percent are found in the Big
Cypress (Table 2). Some of the rarest State listed species which occur in pine
rocklands include Brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri), Carters orchid
(Basiphyllaea corallicola), Grisebachs bindweed (Evolvulus grisebachii),
false-leadplant (Dalea carthageninsis var. floridana), pride-of-Big Pine
(Strumpfia maritima), narrow-leaved hoary pea (Tephrosia angustissima var.
angustissima), and coral hoary pea (T. angustissima var. corallicola). Several
State listed pine rockland endemic taxa should be considered for possible
Federal listing: Blodgetts wild mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), Brickellbush, Carters small flowered flax (Linum carteri var. carteri), false lead-plant,
few-flowered crab grass (Digitaria pauciflora), Florida lantana (Lantana
depressa var. depressa), keys deltoid spurge, pineland milk-pea (Galactia
pinetorum), and sand flax (Linum arenicola). One endemic pine rockland plant
is now thought to be extinct: the narrow-leaved hoary-pea. Mrs. Brittons
shadow-witch orchid (Ponthieva brittoniae) (McCartney 1997), Flor De Pasmo
(Bletia patula), and Bahama manjack (Cordia bahamensis) are believed to be
extirpated in South Florida.
The endemic Blodgetts wild mercury can be found in low, moist limestone
areas near the margins of pine rocklands in South Florida, extending into the
Keys. To conserve the Blodgetts wild mercury, pine rocklands should be
preserved. This plant is rapidly declining due to the increasing pressures of
residential and commercial development on its specialized habitat type. The
State has listed the Blodgetts wild mercury as an endangered species.
The State endangered Carters small-flowered flax is endemic and can be
found in mowed pine rocklands in Miami-Dade County. As with any other
endangered plant species that requires pine rocklands as its specialized habitat,
it is extremely endangered due to the high rate of residential and commercial
development that is occurring throughout the Miami area.
The Florida lantana is listed by the State as an endangered species due to its
declining pine rockland habitat that is occurring throughout its narrow range of

State listed animals occurring in pine rocklands include Big Pine Key

ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus), red rat snake (Elaphe guttata

guttata), and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Rare animals known

from this community include Florida atala butterfly (Eumaus atala), Florida

leafwing butterfly (Anaea troglodyta floridalis), and rim rock crowned snake

(Tantilla oolitica). Refer to Appendix C for a list of other species that utilize

the pine rockland communities.

The Florida atala was at one time believed to be extirpated in South Florida

due to over collecting of its food plant the coontie (Zamia pumila), and habitat

loss. It has reappeared and is locally common due to its host plant being grown

as an ornamental in gardens and nurseries. This butterfly naturally occurs in

tropical hardwood hammocks and pinelands. Surveys should be completed to

determine the distribution and abundance of the Florida atala. Conservation

actions should include prescribed burning to maintain the Florida atalas

natural habitat.

The Big Pine Key ringneck snake is known only from pine rocklands on Big

Pine Key, and is known from a variety of habitats including pine rocklands. This

species is neither widespread nor common and could become endangered if

suitable habitat is not preserved. The pine rockland habitat and the Big Pine Key

ringneck snake will continue to decline as the human population increases

throughout the Florida Keys unless suitable habitat is preserved.

Page 3-170

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

The lower Keys populations of red rat snakes live in pine woods and

mangrove forests (Weaver 1992). They are primarily nocturnal, hide under

rocks and logs, and will burrow into loose sand. The red rat snake is being

threatened by the increasing development activities that are occurring

throughout the Florida Keys. Although the red rat snake population in the Keys

was documented as declining before the recent surge of development, the

numbers appear to be stable and locally abundant. The lower Keys population

of red rat snake has been listed as a species of special concern by the State.

Although the numbers appear to be stable, the paucity of field work makes

estimates of population sizes questionable. Conservation actions should

continue to include the preservation of suitable habitat, including pine

rocklands.

The Florida leafwing butterfly is locally abundant on Big Pine Key and Long

Pine Key (Minno and Emmel 1993) and occurs in rocky pinelands of southern

Miami-Dade County (Minno and Emmel 1994). The Florida leafwing lays its

eggs on its host plant, the woolly croton (Croton linearis). After hatching, the

males perch on the foliage at the edge of clearings and feed on the leaves. The

restricted habitat of this endemic species is declining due to urbanization on the

mainland and in the Keys (Minno and Emmel 1994). Hurricane Andrew dealt

an additional blow to the already stressed southern Miami-Dade County

Florida leafwing population. Although fire is critical to this species, land

management should avoid burning large tracts at one time, and create a mosaic

of habitat with differing fire regimes. Remaining habitat in the Keys and

southern Miami-Dade County should be preserved to continue the existence of

the Florida leafwing.

Plant Species of Concern

Federally listed plant species that depend upon or utilize pine rocklands in

South Florida include: Garbers spurge (Chamaesyce garberi), deltoid spurge

Red rat snake. Original

photograph by Barry Mansell.

Page 3-171

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

(Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea), tiny polygala (Polygala smallii),

smalls milkpea (Galactia smallii), and crenulate lead-plant (Amorpha

crenulata). Biological accounts and recovery tasks for these species are

included in The Species section of this recovery plan. There are 84 State

listed plant taxa that occur in pine rocklands. With the exception of Garbers

spurge and tiny polygala, all of the listed plant species listed here are found

only in Miami-Dade County. Garbers spurge is found primarily in pine

rocklands and coastal areas of the Florida Keys, but has been found at the

Charles Deering Estate and in Everglades NP. Tiny polygala is found in xeric

to mesic habitats along the east coast from Miami-Dade County to St. Lucie

County. Carters mustard (Warea carteri), which is typically associated with

scrub, sandhill, and scrubby flatwood habitats, was historically recorded in

pine rocklands in the Coral Gables area. It has not been seen there in decades.

More than 90 plant species of concern have been recorded in pine

rocklands (Appendix C). Most State listed plant taxa occurring in pine

rocklands occur on the Miami Rock Ridge (88 percent). Pine rocklands of the

Florida Keys contain 49 percent, while only 17 percent are found in the Big

Cypress (Table 2). Some of the rarest State listed species which occur in pine

rocklands include Brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri), Carters orchid

(Basiphyllaea corallicola), Grisebachs bindweed (Evolvulus grisebachii),

false-leadplant (Dalea carthageninsis var. floridana), pride-of-Big Pine

(Strumpfia maritima), narrow-leaved hoary pea (Tephrosia angustissima var.

angustissima), and coral hoary pea (T. angustissima var. corallicola). Several

State listed pine rockland endemic taxa should be considered for possible

Federal listing: Blodgetts wild mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), Brickellbush, Carters small flowered flax (Linum carteri var. carteri), false lead-plant,

few-flowered crab grass (Digitaria pauciflora), Florida lantana (Lantana

depressa var. depressa), keys deltoid spurge, pineland milk-pea (Galactia

pinetorum), and sand flax (Linum arenicola). One endemic pine rockland plant

is now thought to be extinct: the narrow-leaved hoary-pea. Mrs. Brittons

shadow-witch orchid (Ponthieva brittoniae) (McCartney 1997), Flor De Pasmo

(Bletia patula), and Bahama manjack (Cordia bahamensis) are believed to be

extirpated in South Florida.

The endemic Blodgetts wild mercury can be found in low, moist limestone

areas near the margins of pine rocklands in South Florida, extending into the

Keys. To conserve the Blodgetts wild mercury, pine rocklands should be

preserved. This plant is rapidly declining due to the increasing pressures of

residential and commercial development on its specialized habitat type. The

State has listed the Blodgetts wild mercury as an endangered species.

The State endangered Carters small-flowered flax is endemic and can be

found in mowed pine rocklands in Miami-Dade County. As with any other

endangered plant species that requires pine rocklands as its specialized habitat,

it is extremely endangered due to the high rate of residential and commercial

development that is occurring throughout the Miami area.

The Florida lantana is listed by the State as an endangered species due to its

declining pine rockland habitat that is occurring throughout its narrow range of