ARDISIA OMETEPENSIS

Common Name:            No common name
Scientific Name:            Ardisia ometepensis
Conservation Status:      Not yet evaluated

Introduction

Ardisia ometepensis is a little known tree found only in cloud forest on the slopes of a single volcano on Ometepe island. It is an attractive tree that produces a small fruit – the common name in Spanish is “uvilla”, meaning small grape.

Why is this species important?

As well as being important in its own right, its distinctive appearance and uniqueness to the island of Ometepe makes it an ideal flagship for the conservation of this highly biodiverse area.

Where is it found?

Ardisia ometepensis is found only in cloud forest on the slopes of the Maderas volcano on Ometepe island, NIcaragua. Ometepe is a freshwater island formed by two volcanoes in the middle of lake Nicaragua, and is one of the largest freshwater islands in the world. although it is believed to be uncommon within the forest and to occur at 500-1300 m altitude.

How do people use it?

It is not known if or how people use the tree, although it does produce a small fruit known as 'uvilla' (small grape in Spanish).

Why is it threatened?

There is almost no information about the species but given its very limited distribution, should agriculture on the island increase, the species would certainly be under serious threat.

What conservation action is needed?

More information about the tree is needed and the Global trees Campaign has been working since 2008 to gather information on the status and ecology of A. ometepensis. In addition to this the project has been working with local communities to raise awareness of the tree and to establish a tree nursery to grow seedlings of the tree.

In 2010 Ometepe island was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Data from FFI's work in Ometepe fed into this process.

Read more about work to conserve Ardisia ometepensis on the GTC project page.

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