Trochetia boutoniana
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Trochetia boutoniana |
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| F. Friedmann |
Trochetia boutoniana (local common name : Boucle d'oreille) is a plant of the genus Trochetia within the family of the Malvaceae (Malvaceae). It isendemicto Mauritius and has been the national flower there since 1992. The type epithet honors the French botanist Louis Bouton .
features
Trochetia boutoniana is a xerophytic shrub that can reach a height of 2 to 3 meters. The trunk is very short and already branches at the base. The leaves are ovate-elliptical. Stipules are present. The earring-shaped flowers with asymmetrical petals have a white background with dark red veins. The spherical capsule fruit contains about 10 black seeds. The flowering period is from June to October.
ecology
Trochetia boutoniana produces scarlet nectar. This attracts day geckos , which ensure the pollination of the species and at the same time find protection in the calyxes.
status
Trochetia boutoniana is an endangered plant species. Due to the few seeds produced, regeneration is quite weak. The threats include monkeys that eat the flower buds, competition with strawberry guava ( Psidium cattleianum ) for space and sunlight, and the removal of the flowers by plant collectors. The only known occurrence in the wild is on the slopes of Le Morne Brabant in the extreme southwest of Mauritius. Thanks to the efforts of the Mauritian botanist Joseph Gueho, the species was successfully used in cultivation for the first time in 1973.
literature
- Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (2003): An Illustrated Guide to the Flora of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands ISBN 99903-958-9-6
Web links
- Mauritius Post Ltd. First Day Cover
- A protocol for the isolation of DNA from Trochetia boutoniana (Engl.) ( Memento of 17 March 2007 at the Internet Archive ) (PDF, 186 kB)