Jupiter, FL (October 5, 2010) – The fragrant prickly apple cactus is an endangered species of cactus that only grows on the Atlantic coast of Florida. It is a surprisingly large cactus, reaching a height of up to seven feet. Despite its size, however, most people have never seen it because it only grows in scrub habitat along the Atlantic coastal ridge. The majority of the fragrant prickly apple cacti that exist today are found at Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie, conveniently located within the Florida Atlantic University service area.
            Dr. Jon Moore, Associate Professor of Biology at FAU’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, is growing a number of seedlings from a fruit that he rescued from one of these cacti in January of 2006. These seedlings are now ready to transplant, and Dr. Moore has been funded by the Florida Native Plant Society to create two experimental populations. Because these plants have been reintroduced, they will not get the full protection of the Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, this is the first time that anyone has ever attempted to transplant or reintroduce this particular species.
            In conducting this important project in environmental preservation, Dr. Moore has received permission from the Savannas Preserve State Park to transport seedlings that the park itself sprouted. Ultimately, he will be planting about 65 to 70 seedlings. He is setting up two experimental populations: one is in the dunes at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, north of Ft. Pierce, and the other is at the Hallstrom Farm Conservation Area in Indian River County.
            Dr. Moore is seeking volunteers to help monitor these cacti. The volunteers would be going out once a month to measure the size and growth of individual plants. They would also be looking at survival rates and spraying the plants for any pests. In the springtime of 2011, these volunteers would be looking at the number of new fruit and any flowerings and pollinators.  If you would like to participate in this project, contact Dr. Moore at jmoore@fau.edu.  You just might play the key role in helping a rare species survive.

byline: WHC Student Intern Tamara Howard