Acalypha umbrosa

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Acalypha umbrosa is a plant species that is endemic to Socorro Island. It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, otherwise known as the “spurge” family, and is eaten by the Socorro mockingbird and feral sheep.

Sideroxylon socorrense

Family: Sapotaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Sideroxylon socorrense is a shrub that is only found on Socorro Island, typically in humid forests up to 900 m in elevation. It is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to feral sheep and locust grazing. Sideroxylon socorrense is eaten by the Socorro dove and the Socorro mockingbird as well. It belongs to the family Sapotaceae.

Lantana involucrata socorrensis

Family: Verbenaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

“Buttonsage,” also known as “Wild sage” and “Common sage” is a plant that belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is a shrub that grows up to 2 meters and blooms year round. Buttonsage is found in the Caribbean at an elevation between 61 meters to 900 meters. Buttonsage attracts butterflies and swallowtails and is used for cosmetics, liquor, and cooking. The socorrensis variety is endemic to Socorro Island.

Salvia pseudomisella

Family: Lamiaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Salvia pseudomisella is an endemic species that belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It can be found on Socorro Island on the Eastern slope of the summit of Mount Evermann at 950 m elevation.

Salvia riparia

Family: Lamiaceae

Endemic: No

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Salvia riparia, also known as the Florida Key Sage, is a perrenial, herbaceous sage that can be found in Florida and across South America. It has also been found on Socorro Island. Salvia riparia grows in thickets in stream bank habitats under 3,000 feet of elevation.

Teucrium townsendii

Family: Lamiaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Teucrium townsendii is known for producing essential oils. It is endemic to Socorro Island, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, and is a perennial.

Castilleja socorrensis

Family: Orobanchaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Castilleja socorrensis is endemic to Socorro Island, and is found on the eastern slope of the summit of Mount Evermann at around 980 m of elevation. It belongs to the Orobanchaeceae family.

Erigeron socorrensis

Family: Asteraceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Erigeron socorrensis belongs to the Asteraceae, or sunflower, family. It is endemic to Socorro Island.

Bidens socorrensis

Family: Asteraceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Bidens socorrensis is a bristly, flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Bidens plants are common in tropical and warm temperate areas, with the socorrensis variety being endemic to Socorro Island.

Botrychium socorrense

Family: Ophioglossaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

The Botrychium genus is composed of ferns, particularly those called moonworts. The Socorro moonwort is endemic to the island, being found northwest of the Mount Evermann summit at elevations of 1000m.  

Peperomia socorronis

Family: Piperaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

The Peperomia genus is composed of small, perennial epiphytes. The Peperomia socorronsis variety is endemic to Socorro Island and has stout, thick stems.

Hibiscus pernambucensis

Family: Malvaceae

Endemic: No

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Also called seaside mahoe, the plant is native to coastal areas of Bermuda, southern Florida, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, and from Mexico through Peru on the Pacific coast. Seaside mahoe produces large yellow flowers that change to orange or red as they age. The fibrous inner bark was formerly used to make ropes, cords, fish nets, cloth, and mats.

Hippomane mancinella

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Endemic: No

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

Also known as the machineel tree, it has a wide native range including southern Florida, the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Central America. The fruit is extremely poisonous and nicknamed "little apple of death." The leaves are simple and alternate. Each leaf has a small gland where the leaf joins the stem. The fruit is a bright-green pome that looks distinctly like an apple. The leaves produce a thick milky sap that can cause irritation and inflammation.

Ficus cotinifolia

Family: Moraceae

Endemic: No

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

This large tree can grow over 15 meters tall; it is recognizable by its broad crown with a few large branches. The tree often produces aerial roots from the crown, which develop into new trunks and support the canopy. It provides fiber, latex, and medicine for native people. Its native range is within Central America and Mexico.

Croton masonii

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Endemic: Yes

IUCN Status: Not evaluated

This plant is endemic to Socorro Island, where it is found at elevations from 0 to 250 meters. It is a flowering eudicot that produces oils that can be used for medicinal purposes.