| Pandanus vandermeeschii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rosette and fruit-head of Pandanus vandermeeschii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Pandanales |
| Family: | Pandanaceae |
| Genus: | Pandanus |
| Species: | P. vandermeeschii |
| Binomial name | |
| Pandanus vandermeeschii | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
Foullioya maritimaGaudich. | |
Pandanus vandermeeschii is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. [2] It is endemic to the coastal areas of Mauritius.
A small freely-branching tree of 6–8 metres (20–26 ft), the ends of its branches can droop downwards. Its leaves are grey-green, and its bark is grey-pink. It can also be distinguished from the several other species of Mauritian Pandanus by its 15-centimetre (5.9 in) hanging fruit-heads that each have 250–450 protruding drupes (the upper half of each drupe is free) which contain the pointed seeds. The tip of each drupe is divided by deep clefts. [3]
This species was once common around the coastal lowlands and offshore islets of Mauritius. Its natural habitat is the palm rich forests, where it grows together with Pandanus utilis (a species which can be distinguished by its whorled darker green leaves). It is threatened by habitat loss but can still be found on Round Island, Flat Island and offshore islets near Mahebourg. [4]
Its Mauritian relatives are mostly native to the highland marshes and heaths, and include Pandanus barklyi (a shrub with large flat seeds and drooping leaves); Pandanus eydouxia (a tree with long wide leaves and enormous fruits); Pandanus rigidifolius & wiehei (small-seeded shrubs with stiff and vertical leaves). [5]
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with some 750 accepted species. They are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs native to the Old World tropics and subtropics. The greatest number of species are found in Madagascar and Malaysia. Common names include pandan, screw palm, and screw pine. They are classified in the order Pandanales, family Pandanaceae.
The wildlife of Mauritius is composed of its flora and fauna. Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. Due to its isolation, it has a relatively low diversity of wildlife; however, a high proportion of these are endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Many of these are now threatened with extinction because of human activities including habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species. Some have already become extinct, most famously the dodo which disappeared in the 17th century.
Pandanus carmichaelii is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus microcarpus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus palustris is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius. It was once common in marshes and in the wetter highlands of Mauritius, but is now threatened by habitat loss.
Pandanus pyramidalis is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Diospyros revaughanii is a rare species of tree in the family Ebenaceae (ebony).
Pandanus iceryi ("Vacoas") is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus heterocarpus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is commonly called the "Rodrigues screwpine", known locally as "vacoa parasol" or "vacoa cale rouge". It is endemic to the island of Rodrigues.
Pandanus tenuifolius is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is endemic to the island of Rodrigues.
Pandanus conglomeratus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius, but possibly extinct.
Pandanus drupaceus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus rigidifolius is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus prostratus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus eydouxia is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus glaucocephalus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus barkleyi is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus incertus is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Pandanus sphaeroides is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Paul Octave Wiehe CBE (1910-1975) was a Mauritian botanist.
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