Sideroxylon puberulum
| Sideroxylon puberulum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Juvenile plant in cultivation in Mauritius | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Sapotaceae |
| Genus: | Sideroxylon |
| Species: | S. puberulum |
| Binomial name | |
| Sideroxylon puberulum C.DC. | |
Sideroxylon puberulum ("Manglier rouge") is a species of plant in the Sapotaceae family. It is endemic to Mauritius.[1]
Description
It reaches a height of 15 meters, with a trunk diameter of 60 cm. It has grey bark. It acquired its nickname "Manglier" ("mangrove") because in older trees the inside of the trunk often decays, leaving the tree standing on multiple remains of the trunk, which look like the stilt-roots of mangrove trees. However it is relatively unrelated to the mangrove tree.
The leaves are thick, elliptical and covered in reddish brown fur when young (especially in winter). It produces hemaphroditic flowers and black berries which exude a white latex. Its wood is unusually strong and heavy.
Distribution
The tree was formerly abundant throughout Mauritius, but was widely exterminated due to demand for its wood, and it is now a protected species. It survives predominantly in the highlands.
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References
Sources
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Sideroxylon puberulum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007.