Ipeca du paysTylophora coriacea

Category
  • Forests
Tags
  • Mountain slopes and forests
  • Flora
  • Endemic

Description

Tylophora coriacea is a small climbing vine, which is hairless. It has young pubescent buds containing a colourless latex. The leaves are thick, oval and rounded at the top. Its inflorescences are in clusters with many small, yellowish-green flowers. It produces green conical fruit with acute apexes.

Habitat and ecology

T. coriacea usually grows in dry areas and in coastal vegetation and is generally found on islets, including the Sancho islet in Jacotet Bay. This liana grows by using other plants as a support, it forms a bush when it grows in the open. The seeds are dispersed by the wind; carried away by the tassel attached to it.

 

Conservation and threats

There is no conservation action for this species, but it is protected locally under forest restoration projects. There is a risk of decline due to the invasion of exotic species.

Did you know?

The word "Ipeca" is an abbreviation derived from the Tamil word Ipecacuanha, it is a drug used as an emetic (induces vomiting), especially in case of drug overdose or poisoning.

The first sample of this plant was collected by H. H. Johnston at Ile aux Aigrettes in 1889.