Bois de canneMemecylon cordatum
Category
- Forests
Description
A medium-size tree or shrub that reaches up to 2 meters, with dense branches and remarkable shiny oval leaves. The small whitish flowers appear along the branches between the stems of the leaves. Spherical berries are dark blue when ripe.
Habitat and ecology
This species occurs in intermediate and upland forest forming the understory of the native vegetation. The plant produced many fruits which are dispersed by birds and we can observe the natural regeneration of the seedlings in the wild.
This endemic species of Mauritius is found in intermediate forests and higher altitudes, forming the undergrowth of native vegetation. It produces a lot of fruit that are dispersed by birds. The seeds germinate naturally in the wild.
Conservation and threats
The plant is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List because of the large population that is declining due to habitat loss and invasion of exotic species. This species is used in forest restoration projects.
Did you know?
Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck, often known simply as Lamarck, was a French naturalist who collected the first plant sample in 1792.
