SURVEYS IN UNPROTECTED AREAS YIELD ADDITIONS TO THE NON-NATIVE FLORA OF PUERTO RICO

Abstract

For centuries, the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has been subjected to the introduction of nonnative plant species. Various human-related activities such as agriculture, horticulture, and ornamental landscaping have resulted in the naturalization of numerous species, some of which are now representative of the island’s natural landscape. Recent floristic surveys in anthropized areas across the island yielded three new non-native plant records. We present the first reports with vouchers of Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu, Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redh., and Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Hummelinck for Puerto Rico. We review their geographic distributions, status on the island, and introduction pathways, and offer comments on the importance of surveying disturbed and unprotected areas.