TatamakaCalophyllum eputamen

Category
  • Forests
Tags
  • Mountain slopes and forests
  • Flora
  • Native
  • Medicinal

Description

Calophyllum eputamen is an endemic tree that can reach up to 8 meters in height[1][2]. The trunk of this plant is white and is marked by vertical brown stripes. The tree has branches in pairs and opposite leaves which are leathery with thick midribs and dark green in colour. The flowers have white petals and yellow stamens. The fruit are oblong shaped and pointed at the end.

 

[1]  Atkinson, Rachel, and Jean-Claude Sevathian. 2005. A guide to the plants in Mauritius. Vacoas: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

[2] Guého, Joseph. 1988. La végétation de l'Ile Maurice. Editions de l'Océan Indien.

Habitat and ecology

Calophyllum eputamen flourishes mainly in the humid forests such as Maccabé but is also found in the intermediate forest in Bel Ombre. It thrives in areas which receive 3000mm rainfall annually but can also be found in the fourth strata of mossy forests where the rainfall reaches 4000-5000 mm annually[1].

 

Conservation and management

Although, there is no real immediate concern, it is a weak competitor compared to other trees in the natural environment, which makes it vulnerable. This species, however, is being protected in the propagation and conservation program of the Ministry of Agriculture, in areas where invasive species have destroyed the indigenous forests.

 

[1] Vaughen, R.E., and O. Wiehe. 1937. "Stratifications de la forêt d'altitude de Machabé." Journal of Ecology.

Did you know?

The bark and fruit of Calophyllum eputamen may have medicinal properties. It also has the potential to be used for timber production as it is a hard wood[1].

 

[1] Ruhomaun, Kevin. 2002. "State of forest and tree genetic resources in Mauritius." SADC regional workshop on the conservation, management, sustainable utilization and enhancement of forest genetic resources. Arusha: FAO.

 

References

[1]  Atkinson, Rachel, and Jean-Claude Sevathian. 2005. A guide to the plants in Mauritius. Vacoas: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

[1] Guého, Joseph. 1988. La végétation de l'Ile Maurice. Editions de l'Océan Indien.

[1] Vaughen, R.E., and O. Wiehe. 1937. "Stratifications de la forêt d'altitude de Machabé." Journal of Ecology.

[1] Ruhomaun, Kevin. 2002. "State of forest and tree genetic resources in Mauritius." SADC regional workshop on the conservation, management, sustainable utilization and enhancement of forest genetic resources. Arusha: FAO.

Other Ecosystems