TVREF + BGCI MAIN Achievements of 2021

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS of 2021 

For Tropic Ventures Research & Education Foundation, 2021 began with Naples Botanical Garden in 

Florida securing a grant from the Association of Zoological Horticulture to fund the building of a new tree 

nursery at our project in Patillas, Puerto Rico, after the devastation of all our tree nurseries in Hurricane 

Maria in 2017. Following this, the 2021 Botanical Gardens Conservation International & Global Tree 

Campaign agreement and grant opportunity to survey for two threatened endemic species was a huge 

accomplishment; a proposal for the conservation of two Puerto Rican endemic trees, Garcinia portoricensis 

& Ravenia urbanii. Thrity Vakil, director of TVREF, immediately set about creating a diverse team comprised 

of plant and tree experts, and experts in the fields of ecology, biology, taxonomy, bryology, mycology, and 

zoology. TVREF is also known as Eye on the Rainforest, which is the name of its website. 

www.eyeontherainforest.org 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT & LAND 

Established in 1983, the 930-acre mountainous forest property known as Las Casas de la Selva is the home 

of Tropic Ventures Sustainable Forestry & Rainforest Enrichment Project, is a certified Stewardship Forest, 

and has an approved Forest Stewardship Management Plan under the auspices of the Puerto Rican 

Department of Natural Resources, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Additionally, it is 

designated as Auxiliary Forest. Tropic Ventures Research & Education Foundation is a Puerto Rican not-forprofit 

and has a contract with Tropic Ventures (the managing entity) to conduct scientific studies and 

educational research work on the entirety of the land for the next 50 years. Established in 1983, Tropic 

Ventures Sustainable Forestry & Rainforest Enrichment Project has planted over 50,000 hardwood trees on 

300 acres, leaving the rest as a ‘wilderness’ zone. Minimal selective-thinning and removal for the sale of 

harvested timber on the land has been conducted since 2003. Between 2013 and 2015, the project 

established new populations of federally listed trees Styrax portoricensis (Palo de Jazmin) and Cornutia 

obovata (Palo de Nigua), in a collaborative project with US Fish & Wildlife. 

The property is characterized as subtropical wet forest in the Holdridge life zone system and is known locally 

as “tabonuco forest”, with Dacryodes excelsa Vahl being a dominant tree. It is located in the southeast 

mountains of the island of Puerto Rico, adjacent to the 6,660-acre Carite State Forest. It is a spectacular 

site with steep, thickly forested slopes, and beautiful rivers and waterfalls. The location and the quality of 

the habitat of Las Casas de la Selva are ideal for the establishment of projects toward the recovery of various 

endangered endemic tree species. The forest is located on steep slopes at an elevation range of 600-350m, 

receiving an average annual rainfall of 3,000 mm (118 in). 

GLOBAL TREE CAMPAIGN AND BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL WITH 

TROPIC VENTURES RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION, PUERTO RICO, 2021 

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Blue line indicates Las Casas de la Selva property boundary in Patillas, Puerto Rico 

PROJECT OBJECTIVES OF BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL 

AND THE GLOBAL TREE CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH TVREF 

• To reassess the conservation status of the species by re-surveying known populations and searching 

for other new areas where the species might be present, especially after the devastating hurricane Maria in 

2017; Naples BG will be contributing in-kind support throughout the project 

• To create genetically representative ex-situ collections at Eye on the Rainforest and other 

institutions in Puerto Rico 

• To identify suitable sites and partners to carry out reintroduction trials 

• To raise public awareness and inform local communities about the species’ conservation values 

• Continuing conservation for threatened trees after GTC support has ended, by partner organization 

Expected results/outcomes 

• Updated conservation assessment for the species, with mapping of populations. 

• Ex-situ collections established and performance trials initiated for the species. These collections will 

be shared with other institutions in the country. 

• In-situ programs established for the protection of existing populations with planting carried out 

where suitable. 

• Implementation of educational activities for local schools and integrated action plan informing 

national authorities on measures for the species’ effective conservation. 

SURVEYS 

In 2021 seven expeditions were carried out. Target species were found in two surveys, out of a total of four 

field surveys, and then three expeditions were made specifically to search for fruit and flowers at those 

locations and to collect material as appropriate. 



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2021 REPORT ON “Palo de Cruz” Garcinia portoricensis (Urb.) Alain 

Garcinia portoricensis (Urb.) Alain, in the Clusiaceae family, is a slow-growing Puerto Rican endemic tree 

found in moist forests on volcanic and limestone substrates, from low to middle elevations (10-930m asl, 

Axelrod 2011). The leaves are simple opposite, obovate, shiny dark-green, thick and stiff, with a sunken vein, 

and curved downward from the long-pointed base to the long-pointed needle-like apex. The margins are 

turned under slightly, and the abaxial side is light-green. The bark is brown, smooth, and slightly fissured, 

the twigs are green and angled when young. Flowers are one or several at leaf bases, inconspicuous at 5 

mm across, with four creamy-yellow petals, tinged pink at the base. Flowers produce 7-10 stamens (about 

18 in male flowers) and a pistil with a 2-celled ovary (Little et al. 1964). Previous authors (Little et al. 1964) 

reported that the species develops bisexual and unisexual flowers on the same or in different trees 

(polygamous or dioecious). The mature fruit we observed 35mm long had a bright yellow, shiny skin, 

elliptical in shape, and thin white flesh inside covering two small brown seeds. The seeds were 15mm in 

length. The wood was described as very hard and heavy, (specific gravity 0.9), and very fine-textured, (Little 

et al. 1964). There is at least another rare endemic species, Garcinia hessii (Britton) Alain, very similar in 

appearance, and limited to forests on serpentine geology in the southwest of Puerto Rico. 

The habitat for this species was on the slope or lower areas rather than the crest. Dominating species were 

different although relatively close to the Ravenia habitats, grasses like Andropogon bicornis dominated 

these areas rather than ferns. Only two mature individuals were found on our extensive exploration, flowers 

were observed, and recruitment of seedlings was observed below one of the trees. The other tree had fallen, 

possibly toppled by Hurricane Maria, and though significant damage was sustained, the tree is alive and 

thriving and had the one fruit on it. Many Clusiaceae species are very malleable and bounce back quickly 

from physical damage so this is not a significant concern for the species. A population of Prescottia 

stachyodes was observed thriving in the understory of one of the trees we encountered, other associated 

species were: Myrcia splendens, Alchornea latifolia, Pinzona coriacea, Miconia serrulata, and Coccoloba 

swartzii. 

Garcinia portoricensis flowers and buds 



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This Garcinia portoricensis has a vine-like branching form 



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1. We found two trees and 6 seedlings. Only one fruit of the Garcinia portoricensis was found on the 

Las Casas de la Selva land on 6 th July 2021; the two small seeds were propagated on 8 th July 2021, 

and successfully germinated in the nursery 18 th August, 41 days later. At the end of the year, they 

are alive and well. LC 

2. We received by mail, fruits of Garcinia portoricensis (from the private garden in Luquillo, NE, of a 

US Fish & Wildlife biologist, who, many years ago had grown a G. portoricensis from seed from an 

El Yunque National Forest parent). From 90 seeds from these fruits, harvested 15 th April 2021, 

propagated on 26 th April 2021, 72 germinated in early June 2021, 40 days later, have survived and 

are thriving. LUQ 

3. 32 seeds of Garcinia portoricensis from Quebradillas (by Octavio) harvested 4 th July, propagated 

8 th July, all germinated 13 th September, 2021, 67 days later. Q 

4. We received 8 seedlings of Garcinia portoricensis from San Juan FLMM (by Steve- Parqué Dona 

Ines). They are thriving in the nursery. We know that the parent tree is from Quebradillas. SJ 

With four sets of seeds and seedlings, and leaf morphology to compare, there is definitely a question that 

needs further investigation, concerning the species. The seedlings from the NE side of PR (LC & LUQ) are 

from small ovoid fruits and small seeds, and the seedlings from Quebradillas, and the offspring from San 

Juan (Q & SJ), are from larger round fruits, and significantly larger seeds. Is this potentially another species? 

Left: Fruit and seeds from Garcinia portoricensis, Las Casas land, Patillas, PR (LC) 

Right: Seeds Garcinia portoricensis from Quebradillas, PR (Q) 



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Garcinia portoricensis 

Total no. seeds collected from in 

situ populations 2 

2 from our land, Las Casas de la Selva(LC) 

2 survived 

18° 4' 33.773"N -66° 1'58.008"W 

LC 

Total no. individuals sampled for 

seed/cuttings collected from 2 

Trees on our land 

18° 4' 33.773"N -66° 1'58.008"W 

18° 4' 33.241"N -66° 2'2.036"W 

90 From private garden NE (Luquillo, Barrio Casa Blanca.) 

The parent tree was from the upper valley of Quebrada 

Grande, on the west side of El Yunque National Forest. 

72 survived 

18°20'55.6"N 65°42'32.6"W 

LUQ 

32 from Quebradillas, North of PR (public land): 

22 survived 

Total no. seeds received from other 

18°28'59.8"N 66°54'08.0"W 

institutions and propagated 122 

Total no. seedlings received from 

other institutions 9 

Total no. cuttings collected from in 

situ populations 21 

9 from San Juan, (Parque Dona Ines) 

9 survived 

18° 38' 76"N -66° 02'82"W 

From our land: 3 survived 

Q 

SJ 

LC 

Garcinia portoricensis fruit from Las Casas de la Selva 

See photos of the tree 



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Garcinia portoricensis 

LC 

LUQ 

SJ 

Q 



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LAS CASAS Garcinia portoricensis 

LUQUILLO Garcinia portoricensis 

QUEBRADILLAS Garcinia portoricensis 

SAN JUAN Garcinia portoricensis 



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2021 REPORT ON “Tortugo Prieto” Ravenia urbanii Engl. 

Ravenia urbanii Engl. in the Rutaceae family is an endemic tree found in moist forests in eastern Puerto Rico. 

Its leaves are simple, opposite, stalk-less, elliptical, short-pointed, leathery, and dark-green with tiny gland 

dots. New leaves are glossy bright green. The flowers, with five petals, form asymmetrical, short-tubular 

corollas that are vivid pink. The four stamens of the flower are epipetalous, (attached to the petals), with 

only two being fertile (Little et al. 1974). The ripe fruit comprises five dry brown follicles with 1-2 seeds each 

5mm in size. The seed shows ornamentation (not smooth). Often seen as a shrub of one to two meters at 

most, but documented on our surveys at Las Casas de la Selva as a tree of at least 7 meters high. When 

young the bark is grayish, when mature the hard bark peels off in scales revealing a series of brown tones, 

similar to many other Caribbean native hardwood species, like Guaiacum officinale, Psidium guajava, 

Sideroxylon foetidissimum. 

See photos of the tree 

Ravenia urbanii: 1: Fruiting stage. 2: Sepal. 3: Two follicles. 4: Endocarp. 5: Seeds 

There is no common English name for this tree. 

Perhaps the common name in Spanish, Tortugo 

Prieto, (literally dark turtle), derives from the 

similarity of the rhytidome or outer bark of Ravenia 

urbanii to the keratinous scutes on a turtle shell. 



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Left: Steve Maldonado, flagging a Ravenia urbanii tree in the Las Casas forest. Right: bark, which is very hard and 

durable, and comes off the tree in large scales. 

The habitat we observed for this species was mostly on exposed ridges where the species was 

occasional. LsF—Los Guineos clay is the soil series where the individuals were observed growing which 

points at clayey soils of volcanic origin as the preferred substrate for the growth of this species. 

Although we did encounter individuals on more diverse forest patches where typical Manilkara-Sloanea- 

Dacryodes association occurred, most of the individuals we observed were found on ‘savannah-like’ habitats 

where they were the canopy species along with Tabebuia schumanniana, another endemic, and more 

rarely Cordia borinquensis and Cyrilla racemiflora. It had also been previously collected at least once in 2007 

by Dr. Pedro Acevedo & Thrity Vakil at the property and several times in the nearby Carite State Forest. 

Understory species were dominated by the tree ferns, Cyathea borinquena. Under the dense ferns, 

recruitment was observed, as well as juvenile or young individuals. At least one orchid species was observed 

growing epiphytically on mature Ravenia individuals, Epidendrum boricuarum. 

Individuals, in general, seemed to be healthy, many in flower and very few in fruit. No individuals 

encountered presented obvious damage caused by the hurricanes or by other threats such as herbivory, 

fires, diseases, etc. Where Ravenia was present, we observed dense Scleria spp. mats and walls, along with 

many vine species; this does not seem to be normal but rather a response to the ample exposure to sunlight 

by the decimation of the general forest canopy by the hurricane. This does not seem to be an issue for 

Ravenia development, only posing an issue for access to sites, at least temporarily, due to the razor-sharp 

cutting edges of this Cyperaceae. An alternate habitat may be dominated by Gleichnaceae species. 

Another site with similar characteristics we encountered provided a more diverse species composition 

although Cyathea borinquena and Scleria spp. still dominated most of the understory. These other species 

were: Lasianthus lanceolatus, Myrcia fenzliana, Cassipourea guianensis, Lasciasis divaricata, Daphnopsis 



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philippiana, Henriettea squamulosa, Trichilia pallida, Coccoloba swartzii, Alsophila portoricensis, Clusia 

gundlachii, and young Terminalia tetraphylla. 

Introduced species and more weedy species seem to thrive on wetland-like patches that were adjacent to 

these populations, some of these species are Swietenia x aubrevillana (planted), Etlingera elatior (probably 

planted and escaped), Bambusa chungii (probably planted long ago), Syzygium jambos, Oeceoclades 

maculata and Pueraria phaseoloides. 

WHAT WE FOUND 

We found a total of 104 Ravenia trees mostly in flower, and 65 seedlings. We bagged, with old garlic net 

bags, the elusive, almost invisible, dehiscent fruits, whose pericarp splits open at maturity and releases the 

seeds, which are undetectable once on the ground. Very few people have ever seen the fruit or the seeds 

of the Ravenia tree. We collected 6 seeds in total, three weeks after bagging. Cuttings: We are 

experimenting with growing mediums, potting soils, and perlite; mostly all thrived, and sprouted new shoots 

or leaves, and seemed to be just fine, but slowly, all but one died. Thrity is just starting another experiment 

as of the time of writing this report. This time the cuttings are placed at an angle into just damp perlite, 

10cm depth in a large, clear, closed container to generate warmth and moisture. The current nursery has 

shade cloth so the amount of water was not been regulated, and the cuttings were likely receiving too much 

water. We need a more controlled environment. In 2022, we will make that environment & hope to train in 

more protocols for success in cutting propagation. 

Total no. seeds collected from in situ 

populations 6 

Total no. individuals sampled for seed / 

cuttings collected from 5 

From our land. 

Trees on our land 

18° 4' 33.773"N -66° 1'58.008"W 

18° 4' 33.241"N -66° 2'2.036"W 

Total no. seeds received from other 

institutions and propagated 0 

Total no. seedlings received from other 

institutions 0 

Total no. cuttings collected from in situ From our land, only 1 survived so far. 

populations 24 



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MEET THE TEAM 

See this link for all team Bios 

Thrity ‘3t’ Vakil - Sustainable Forestry, TVREF 

Alejandro Cubiñá - Ecologist & Native Tree Producer, Reforesta, Inc. 

Steve Maldonado Silvestrini - Plant Taxonomist 

Roberto ‘Roqui’ Bello – Naturalist 

Carlos Laboy - Naturalist & Farmer, Reforesta, Inc. 

Octavio Rivera Hernández – Agronomist 

Dr. Pedro Acevedo - Botanist, Smithsonian Institution 

Dr. Eugenio Santiago - Professor, Botanist, University of Puerto Rico 

Dr. James Ackerman - Tropical Ecologist, Taxonomist & Botanist 

Dr. Amelia Merced - Botanist, Bryophyte Specialist 

Kurt Miller – Mycologist 

Agro. Christian Torres Santana - Botanist, Certified Arborist and Horticulturist 

Magha Garcia - Sociologist, Farmer & Environmental Activist 

PRESS + PRESENTATIONS 

In 2021, the Global Tree Campaign has partnered with Eye on the Rainforest, a Puerto Rican NGO, with 

the aims of conserving tree species most at risk of extinction by increasing the technical capacity of project 

partners and improving the conservation status of these tree species. 

https://globaltrees.org/projects/securing-the-conservation-of-endemic-trees-in-puerto-rico/ 

Thrity made a virtual presentation to the Rotary Club of San Juan in September 2021. 

Conserve Magazine: https://www.naplesgarden.org/wp-ontent/uploads/2021/08/Conserve.pdf 

See pages 16 to 20. 

Earthday Botanical Survey 2021, at Las Casas de la Selva, Sustainable forestry & Rainforest Enrichment 

Project in Patillas, Puerto Rico. https://youtu.be/i2t4ISqMbIk 

A short drone flight over Las Casas de la Selva, Sustainable Forestry & Rainforest Enrichment Project, 

established in 1983 in Patillas, Puerto Rico. August 2021. Footage by Brent Foley, Production by Alfredo 

Lopez. https://youtu.be/a0sWtKhS8PI 



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Watch our 3 minute video on YouTube: 

Earthday Botanical Survey 2021, at Las Casas de la Selva, Patillas, Puerto Rico. 

https://youtu.be/i2t4ISqMbIk 



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NURSERY 

As a result of TVREF obtaining a grant from the AZH through Naples Botanical Gardens, architect David 

Henebry designed and led the building-work of a new, strong, hurricane-resistant shade-tree nursery in 

March 2021, with cement footings. Additionally the broken hoop-house was fixed, and a small soil shed 

built. The funding from BGCI has allowed the confidence to expand the nursery, make and add more tables, 

buy good growing mediums, allow nursery work to be done regularly, enable the collection of seeds from 

many other endangered plants, enable more propagation, and enable areas to be cleared of undergrowth 

to create shaded areas under trees for growing tree seedlings. Here are some images of construction and 

more. 



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Currently working on a seedling nursery for protection from birds, and rodents. 



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SOME OF THE PLANTS AND TREES THAT ARE CURRENTLY GROWING IN THE 

NURSERY AT LAS CASAS DE LA SELVA, PATILLAS, PUERTO RICO. 

Species: Swietenia aubrevilleana 

Common Name: Mahogany 

Family: Meliaceae 

Species: Swietenia mahagoni 

Common Name: Cuban Mahogany 


Species: Hibiscus elatus 

Common Name: Blue Mahoe 

Family: Malvaceae 

Species: Prunus occidentalis 

Common Name: Almendrón 

Family: Rosaceae 

Species: Hymenaea courbaril 

Common Name: Algarrobo/Jatobá 

Family: Fabaceae 

Species: Eugenia stahlii 

Common Name: Guayabota (E) 

Family: Myrtaceae 



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Species: Inga Spectabilis 

Common Name: Machete 


Species: Triplaris cumingiana 

Common Name: Ant Tree 

Family: Polygonaceae 

Species: Manilkara bidentata 

Common Name: Ausubo 

Family: Sapotaceae 

Species: Crescentia cujete x 

portoricensis 

Common Name: Calabash 

Family: Bignoniaceae 

Species: Pisonia hornea 

Common Name: Corcho (E) 

Family: Nyctaginaceae 

Species: Simarouba tulae 

Common Name: AceitilloFalso (E) 

Family: Simaroubaceae 



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Species: Goetzea elegans 

Common Name: Matabuey (E) 

Family: Solanaceae 

Species: Erythrina herbacea 

Common Name: Coral bean 


Species: Eugenia haematocarpa 

Common Name: Uvillo (E) 


Species: Libidibia monosperma 

Common Name: Cobana negra 


Species: Japtropha multifida 

Common Name: Coralbush 

Family: Euphorbiaceae 

Species: Machaerium lunatum 

Common Name: Palo de Hoz 




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Species: Aiphanes acanthophylla 

Common Name: Palma de Coyer 

Family: Arecaceae 

Species: Copaifera officinalis 

Common Name: Copaiba balsam 


Species: Sandoricum koetjape 

Common Name: Santol 


Species: Albizia lebbeck 

Common Name: Shak Shak Tree 


Species: Quararibea turbinata 

Common Name: Swizzle stick/Garrocho 

Family: Malvaceae 

Species: Handroanthus chrysanthus 

Common Name: Roble amarillo 




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Species: Senna polyphylla 

Common Name: Desert cassia 


Species: Crescentia portoricensis x 

linearifolia 

Common Name: Calabash tree 


Species: Synsepalum dulcificum 

Common Name: Miracle Fruit 

Family: Sapotaceae 

Species: Siphoneugena densiflora 

Common Name: Hoja menuda 


Species: Cornutia obovata 

Common Name: Palo de Nigua 

Family: Lamiaceae 

Species: Garcinia portoricensis 

Common Name: Palo de Cruz 

Family: Clusiaceae 



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Species: Garcinia intermedia 

Common Name: Lemondrop 

Family: Clusiaceae 

Species: Annona muricata 

Common Name: Guanabana 

Family: Annonaceae 

Species: : Psidium guajava 

Common Name: Guava 


Species: Psychotria viridis 

Common Name: Chacruna 

Family: Rubiaceae 

Species: Brunfelsia portoricensis (E) 

Common Name: Rain Tree (E) 

Family: Solanaceae 

Species: Banisteriopsis caapi 

Common Name: Yagé 

Family: Malpighiaceae 



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Location of Surveys: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2021-01-01&d2=2021-12-13&nelat=18.10318806551125&nelng=- 

66.00861193203258&place_id=any&subview=map&swlat=18.03559596302962&swlng=- 

66.05121002050537&user_id=stevemaldonadosilvestrini&verifiable=any 

Thank you for collaborating with us. Trees are our future. 

All this has been made possible by: 

Report by Thrity Vakil, Steve Maldonado, Octavio Rivera, & Dr. Eugenio Santiago 



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TVREF + BGCI MAIN Achievements of 2021

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