Nesohedyotis

St Helena dogwood
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Nesohedyotis
Bremek.
Species: N. arborea
Binomial name
Nesohedyotis arborea

Nesohedyotis is a genus of flowering plants endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It in the family Rubiaceae (the family that includes coffee).

It is a monotypic genus containing the single species Nesohedyotis arborea (Roxb.) Bremek., which grows on the central ridge of the island. It is known commonly as the St. Helena dogwood.[1] The vernacular name recalls the similarity between its inflorescences and those of Cornus species, the dogwoods of Europe and North America.[2] Although it is one of the commoner endemic species on Saint Helena its small population size and small geographical distribution make it endangered.

This species is a small, erect tree growing up to 7 meters tall. The leaves are oppositely arranged. They are lance-shaped with a pointed, downcurved "drip tip". The white flowers are 3 or 4 millimeters wide and the fruit is a brown or black capsule.[2]

This tree is a keystone species in the thickets of the island. The leaves collect mist, which condenses and falls from the "drip tips" into the vegetation below, providing water.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cairns-Wicks, R. 2003. Nesohedyotis arborea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2003. Downloaded on 24 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Percy, D. M., & Cronk, Q. C. B. (1997). Conservation in relation to mating system in Nesohedyotis arborea (Rubiaceae), a rare endemic tree from St Helena. Biological Conservation, 80(2), 135-145.

Further reading

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