Dominica’s steep ridges, cloud forests and river valleys support a distinct plant community found nowhere else on Earth. From field botanists to casual hikers, people notice how many species are tied to particular elevations and microhabitats across the island.
There are 21 Endemic Plants of Dominica, ranging from Bwa Kwaib to Tiny Stelis Orchid. Each entry is organized by Scientific name, IUCN status, Distribution on Dominica; see the full list you’ll find below.
How can I tell if a plant I see in Dominica is one of the island endemics?
Look up the species in the list below and compare its Scientific name and Distribution on Dominica; endemics are recorded only from Dominica. If you’re unsure in the field, take clear photos of leaves, flowers and habitat, note the elevation, and consult a local guide or herbarium resources for confirmation.
What do the IUCN status entries tell me about conservation priorities?
The IUCN status column shows each species’ assessed risk (e.g., Vulnerable, Endangered). Island endemics often face threats like habitat loss, invasive species and extreme weather, so statuses help prioritize protection, monitoring, and possible ex-situ measures with local conservation groups.
Endemic Plants of Dominica
| Common name | Scientific name | IUCN status | Distribution on Dominica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bwa Kwaib | Sabinea carinalis Griseb. | CR | Dry coastal forests and scrubland, especially on the west coast |
| Dominican Verbesina | Verbesina dominicana Urb. | CR | Wet forest areas and mountain slopes, often near ravines and streams |
| Dominican Ternstroemia | Ternstroemia circumscissa Kobuski | CR | Montane rainforests, particularly at high elevations on the island’s volcanic peaks |
| Dominican Matelea | Matelea dominicensis (Alain) Krings | CR | Likely found in specific forest types; its exact range is poorly documented |
| Hodge’s Eugenia | Eugenia hodgei McVaugh | CR | Montane thickets and cloud forests, primarily around Morne Diablotins and Morne Trois Pitons |
| Dominican Chromolaena | Chromolaena impetiolaris (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Rob. | CR | Mountain thickets and elfin woodlands on the highest peaks like Morne Diablotins |
| Dominican Psychotria | Psychotria urbaniana Steyerm. | EN | Understory of wet montane forests, such as near the Freshwater Lake |
| Dominican Xylosma | Xylosma dominicanum (Sleumer) R.A.Howard | EN | Montane rainforests and cloud forests, particularly on the slopes of major peaks |
| Dominican Forsteronia | Forsteronia dominicensis Woodson | EN | Montane forests and thickets at middle to high elevations across the island |
| Dominican Micropholis | Micropholis dominicensis (Pierre ex Duss) P.Royen | EN | Wet montane forests, a component of the canopy in high-elevation areas |
| Oval-leaf Mecranium | Mecranium ovatum Cogn. | EN | Elfin woodlands and cloud forests on the highest peaks, like Morne Diablotins |
| Tiny Stelis Orchid | Stelis perpusilliflora Cogn. | EN | Epiphytic on trees in wet montane forests and cloud forests |
| Smilax-leaved Gonocalyx | Gonocalyx smilacifolius (Griseb.) A.C.Sm. | EN | Montane rainforests and elfin woodlands, often growing as an epiphyte |
| Dominican Pilea | Pilea dominicana Urb. | EN | Moist, shaded areas in lower to mid-elevation rainforests, often on rocks or slopes |
| Dominican Charianthus | Charianthus dominicensis Hodge | VU | Montane rainforests and elfin woodlands, particularly in Morne Trois Pitons National Park |
| Foxglove Lobelia | Lobelia digitalifolia (Griseb.) Urb. | VU | Wet, open areas in montane regions, such as slopes and clearings |
| Dominican Inga | Inga dominicensis Benth. | VU | Rainforests and secondary forests at various elevations on the island |
| Lesser Tree Fern | Cyathea minor (D.C.Eaton) R.C.Moran | VU | Montane rainforest and elfin woodland, especially on high, wet slopes |
| Dominican Peperomia | Peperomia dominicana C.DC. | VU | Growing on trees (epiphytic) or rocks (lithophytic) in humid forests |
| Dominican Begonia | Begonia dominicalis A.DC. | VU | Shaded, moist banks and rocks within rainforests, often near streams |
| Kraenzlin’s Epidendrum | Epidendrum kraenzlinii Bello | Not assessed | Epiphytic on trees in montane forests, particularly at higher elevations |
Images and Descriptions
Bwa Kwaib
The national flower of Dominica, this spectacular shrub is critically endangered. A Dominican endemic, its stunning, keel-shaped red flowers make it a prized symbol of the island’s unique natural heritage, though it is now rare in the wild.
Dominican Verbesina
A critically endangered Dominican endemic shrub from the sunflower family. Its rarity and limited range make it highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance, highlighting the fragility of the island’s unique mountain flora. It features small, clustered flower heads.
Dominican Ternstroemia
This critically endangered tree is a true Dominican endemic, found only in the cloud forests. Its limited distribution and vulnerability to hurricanes and climate change make it a high priority for conservation on the island.
Dominican Matelea
A critically endangered endemic vine belonging to the milkweed family. Its extreme rarity and specialized habitat requirements make it one of Dominica’s most threatened plant species, known from very few collections.
Hodge’s Eugenia
One of Dominica’s rarest plants, this critically endangered endemic is a small tree in the myrtle family. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss, making conservation efforts for its high-altitude habitat absolutely critical.
Dominican Chromolaena
A critically endangered shrub found only on Dominica. As a high-altitude endemic, it is restricted to the island’s coolest, wettest, and most inaccessible habitats, making it a key indicator of forest health.
Dominican Psychotria
An endangered shrub endemic to Dominica, belonging to the coffee family. Its specific habitat in the cool, moist understory of high-elevation forests makes it susceptible to environmental changes. Its small white flowers are followed by blueish fruits.
Dominican Xylosma
This endangered endemic tree is found exclusively in Dominica’s high-altitude forests. It is characterized by its spiny trunk and branches, a defense mechanism common in its genus, and is a key part of the unique elfin woodland ecosystem.
Dominican Forsteronia
An endangered woody vine, or liana, that is endemic to Dominica. This species climbs through the forest canopy, contributing to the complex structure of the island’s pristine rainforests. Its limited range makes it vulnerable to habitat loss.
Dominican Micropholis
A large forest tree found only on Dominica. This endangered endemic is a member of the Sapotaceae family, known for producing latex. It is an important structural component of the island’s pristine, high-altitude rainforest ecosystems.
Oval-leaf Mecranium
An endangered shrub or small tree found nowhere else but Dominica. This endemic species is adapted to the harsh, windy, and constantly moist conditions of the highest mountain summits, showcasing unique evolutionary traits.
Tiny Stelis Orchid
An endangered and miniature orchid that is endemic to Dominica. This tiny epiphyte grows on mossy branches in the cloud forests, producing incredibly small flowers. Its survival is directly linked to the health of its host trees.
Smilax-leaved Gonocalyx
An endangered ericaceous shrub endemic to Dominica that often grows on other trees in the misty cloud forests. Its unique, bell-shaped flowers and specific high-altitude habitat make it a notable part of Dominica’s endemic flora.
Dominican Pilea
A delicate, herbaceous plant found only on Dominica. This endemic species is endangered due to its specific habitat requirements and threats from land clearing. It is part of the diverse undergrowth of the island’s lush forests.
Dominican Charianthus
A beautiful Dominican endemic shrub or small tree found at high elevations. It is notable for its vibrant, magenta to purple flowers that attract hummingbirds, making it a standout species in the cloud forests of the island.
Foxglove Lobelia
A striking Dominican endemic plant with tall spikes of tubular flowers, resembling a foxglove. This vulnerable species is a spectacular sight in the high-altitude clearings and slopes of Morne Trois Pitons and other peaks.
Dominican Inga
A tree in the legume family that is endemic to Dominica. Known locally for its long seed pods containing a sweet, edible pulp, this vulnerable species is an important component of the island’s forest ecosystems.
Lesser Tree Fern
A small, slender tree fern endemic to Dominica. Unlike its larger relatives, this vulnerable species is more delicate and restricted to the cool, misty, high-elevation forests, adding to the primeval feel of the island’s lush landscape.
Dominican Peperomia
A small, succulent-like plant endemic to Dominica’s moist forests. This vulnerable species is often found clinging to mossy tree trunks and wet rocks, perfectly adapted to the low-light, high-humidity conditions of the rainforest understory.
Dominican Begonia
A vulnerable and attractive herbaceous plant found only on Dominica. This endemic begonia is prized for its ornamental leaves and delicate flowers, thriving in the deep shade and high humidity of the island’s forest floor.
Kraenzlin’s Epidendrum
A delicate and beautiful orchid found only in Dominica. This endemic epiphyte grows on the branches of trees in the island’s cloud forests. While not yet assessed by IUCN, its restricted habitat suggests it is likely vulnerable.
