Diospyros seychellarum

Diospyros seychellarum
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ebenaceae
Genus: Diospyros
Species: D. seychellarum
Binomial name
Diospyros seychellarum
Hiern
Synonyms
  • Ebenus seychellarum (Hiern) Kuntze
  • Maba seychellarum Hiern

Diospyros seychellarum, locally known as Bwa sagay, is a rare endemic plant from the Seychelles. It occurs on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette and Felicite.

Description

The habitat for this small forest tree or shrub is in well drained situations or in more open rocky areas, often on granite based soils. Diospyros seychellarum is particularly associated with native palm and pandan scrub habitats.

The Bwa sagay plant has been used in traditional medicine.

Conservation

Diospyros seychellarum faces threats from invasive weeds such as Cinnamon and Jackfruit. As well as disturbance from logging and land clearing for agriculture.[1] Certain populations are conserved in Seychelles National Parks.[2] It is an IUCN Red List vulnerable species. [2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diospyros seychellarum.
  1. information sign at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Diospyros seychellarum". IUCN Red List.