Polyscias rodriguesiana

Last updated

Polyscias rodriguesiana
Gastonia rodriguesiana - Anse Quitor Nature Reserve 1.jpg
Adult plant at Anse Quitor Nature Reserve
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Polyscias
Species:
P. rodriguesiana
Binomial name
Polyscias rodriguesiana
(Marais) Lowry & G.M.Plunkett
Synonyms [2]
  • Gastonia rodriguesianaMarais

Polyscias rodriguesiana is a species of rare flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. [3] [4] Formerly called Gastonia rodriguesiana, it is sometimes referred to by the common name "bois blanc". [1]

Contents

Habitat

A small juvenile plant, growing in coastal coral sediments at Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve. Polyscias rodriguesiana at Francois Leguat Park 7.jpg
A small juvenile plant, growing in coastal coral sediments at François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve.

It is endemic to the island of Rodrigues, in Mauritius. It used to occur throughout Rodrigues island, but was especially common in coastal regions and on limestone or old coral sediments. It is now critically endangered.

Description

"Bois blanc" can become tall and slender, when grown in deep shade, like this specimen in Grande Montagne Nature Reserve. Polyscias rodriguesiana tree - Grande Montagne 6.jpg
"Bois blanc" can become tall and slender, when grown in deep shade, like this specimen in Grande Montagne Nature Reserve.

It has a soft, swollen trunk and thick branches. It can reach a height of 6 meters, but is usually shorter and more compact.

Its leaves are heterophyllous, like its close relative Polyscias maraisiana on Mauritius island to the west. Adult plants' leaves are shiny, rounded and bright green. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 Tatayah, V.; Baider, C.L.; Jhangeer-Khan, R.; Bégué, J.A. (2021). "Polyscias rodriguesiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021 e.T32503A164117145. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T32503A164117145.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Polyscias rodriguesiana (Marais) Lowry & G.M.Plunkett". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 8 March 2014– via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  3. ↑ "Polyscias rodriguesiana (Marais) Lowry & G.M.Plunkett". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Polyscias rodriguesiana (Marais) Lowry & G.M.Plunkett". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.