The Discovery of a New Population of Delphinium Caseyi B. L. Burtt, a Critically Endangered Endemic Plant of Cyprus, and Its Current Population and Conservation Status

Abstract

Delphinium caseyi B. L. Burtt (Casey’s Larkspur) is a critically endangered plant endemic to Cyprus. This study reviews its conservation status and reports conservation, and monitoring results performed between 2022 and 2024 on the previously known Selvili Tepe (ST) and St. Hilarion (SH) populations, together with a newly discovered population (Dikmen). The total number of plants in 2023 was 2036, of which only 72 (3.5%) flowered (ST: 1598 plants, 49 flowering; SH: 392 plants, 21 flowering; and Dikmen: 46 plants, 2 flowering). Goat-exclusion fencing established between 2022 and 2024 at the ST and SH populations had significant impacts on goat-predation levels (X2 = 1123.0, p < .0001). In 2024, a 19-fold increase in the numbers of flowering plants occurred (ST: 1168, SH: 212, Dikmen: 3). Plant height and flower numbers varied among populations and years. ‘Critically Endangered’ status remains appropriate, and further protection measures and long-term monitoring are required to characterize population trends. © 2025 Biodiversity Conservancy International.