Trochetia parviflora

Trochetia parviflora is a very rare shrub from the Trochetia genus endemic to Mauritius. Traditionally included in the family Sterculiaceae, it is included in the expanded Malvaceae in the APG and most subsequent systematics.

Description

Trochetia parviflora is a much-branched low shrub which can reach a height up to three metres. The bark has a lepidote brown pubescense which is much thinner than in Trochetia uniflora and Trochetia triflora. On the branches green fruits are placed in a group of three. The oblong and entire leaves have a length between 2.5 and 3.8 centimetres. The leave base is rather rounded. The upperside of the leave is obtused and scabrous, the underside is thinly scurfy.

Status

In the past Trochetia parviflora was known from the dense forests at Montagne-Ory. After botanist Philip Burnard Ayres collected the last known specimens in 1863 it was long regarded as lost until 63 individuals were rediscovered in April 2001 by a French team of botanists led by Vincent Florens and Jean-Claude Sevathian on a rocky slope of the Corps de Garde six kilometres apart from the type locality. It was assumed that this species became extinct due to the seed predation by invasive monkeys and rats. Today the biggests threats are wild fires and landslides.

References

• J.G. Baker: Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles: A Description of the Flowering Plants. Asian Educational Services, 1999. ISBN 8120614275

External links

• Mauritius Post Ltd. First Day Cover. (engl.)
• Herbarium specimen Royal Botanic Garden Kew