Trochetiopsis erythroxylon
| Saint Helena Redwood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Trochetiopsis |
| Species: | T. erythroxylon |
| Binomial name | |
| Trochetiopsis erythroxylon (Forst.) Marais | |
Although the Saint Helena Redwood (Trochetiopsis erythroxylon) is now extinct in the wild, it was formerly abundant enough in the upland parts of the island of Saint Helena for early settlers in the 17th century to use the timber to make their homes. It now exists in cultivation, although cultivated stock is weak. This species has pendant flowers, petals that turn pink with age, and white staminodes.
Saint Helena redwood is completely unrelated to the redwood tree of California and other trees called redwood.
It is, however, in the same genus as the Saint Helena ebony (Trochetiopsis ebenus) and a hybrid between them (Trochetiopsis x benjamini) is now often planted on the island.
See also
References
- Cronk, Quentin C.B.. The endemic Flora of St Helena. Oswestry: Anthony Nelson Ltd.
External links
- "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". Retrieved 2006-12-03.