Bois SureauLeea guineensis
Category
- Forests
Description
Leea guineensis, locally known as bois sureau and in English as West Indian holly or Hawaïan holly or burgundy leea[1] is a shrub measuring between 2 and 10 meters and bearing straight stems with few branches[2]. Lenticels are numerous and noticeable. The species features two to three odd pinnate compound leaves. Young leaves may be light green, sometimes with slight red tinges while mature leaves are a glossy green, have undulate margins and pointed tips. Maturing leaves exude minute droplets of plant sap which become semi-hard translucent pearl drops setting on the foliage. Sprays of pink-purple flowers appear in domed terminal clusters, followed by rounded pink-purple berries[3].
[1] Missouri Botanical Garden. n.d. "Leea guineensis." Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 2018. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287547&isprofile=0&.
[2] CIRAD. 2008. Leea guineensis. Accessed August 2018. http://arbres-reunion.cirad.fr/especes/leeaceae/leea_guineensis_lam.
[3] Atkinson, Rachel, and Jean-Claude Sevathian. 2005. A guide to the plants in Mauritius. Vacoas: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
Habitat and ecology
The species is indigenous to the Mascarenes, Madagascar and Africa. In Mauritius it is found in the upland wet forest and the intermediate forest. An understory species, it is adapted to low light levels and grows in shady locations under the cover of taller trees. It can be used in ecological restoration.
Conservation and management
This is a species of ‘Least Concern’ due to its wide range and abundance in its native habitats.
Did you know
The genus is named after James Lee (1715-1795), a gardener and nurseryman who owned the Vineyard Nursery in Hammersmith, London.
References
[1] Missouri Botanical Garden. n.d. "Leea guineensis." Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 2018. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287547&isprofile=0&.
[1] CIRAD. 2008. Leea guineensis. Accessed August 2018. http://arbres-reunion.cirad.fr/especes/leeaceae/leea_guineensis_lam.
[1] Atkinson, Rachel, and Jean-Claude Sevathian. 2005. A guide to the plants in Mauritius. Vacoas: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
