Associated species include Sporobolus virginicus, Conocarpus erectus, Maytenus phyllanthoides, Manilkara bahamensis, Hippomane mancinella, and Opuntia stricta var.

[5] This "is an extremely rare species"[5] that is "near extinction",[4] according to many conservation sources, considering that it "may very well be the most endangered plant in the United States".

[8] It was noted in the listing that only two wild populations of this species remain, and that the majority of plants reintroduced to natural habitats between 1996 and 2004 did not survive while the survivors were stunted.

Another site of reintroduction was eliminated by salt water exposure from extremes of tidal variation.

Reintroductions have also faced challenges from Cactoblastis activity, crown rot associated with Fusarium oxysporum and possibly a Phomopsis sp.

Fish and Wildlife Service, none of the remaining wild populations contain female individuals and are thus reliant on asexual reproduction.

[8]: 63812  Sea level rise threatens the remaining habitat of C. corallicola, causing saltwater intrusion into groundwater.