Manglier rouge Sideroxylon puberelum
Category
- Forests
Description
Sideroxylon puberulum is a tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall, it has a single trunk with a vertical band along the stem. The tree has dense branching and a small canopy, it is characterized by its young leaves which are rust coloured and covered with a light russet or orange-brown down. The small reddish flowers are borne directly along the branches under the foliage and the hermaphrodite flowers produce small spherical fruit; each contain an abundant white latex and a single globular seed.
Habitat and ecology
The largest population of this species is found in the humid upland forest but it is also present in the intermediate forest. The plant is the home for our endemic gecko which also act as a pollinator agent. The plants produced many viable fruits which are dispersed by birds. We can observe many natural seedlings under the mother plants.
Conservation and threats
This species is endemic, and it is considered ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and the plants are protected under forest restoration project. The seeds are easy to propagate in nursery and is used in forest restoration project and in landscaping activities
Did you know?
The red-rust coloured of the young leaves is the main characteristic of the plants, hence its common name. His hardwood was used in house construction and floor manufacturing
