Auerodendron pauciflorum

Auerodendron pauciflorum is an endangered species in the genus Auerodendron within the family of buckthorn plants. It is endemic to Puerto Rico.

Description

Auerodendron pauciflorum is a shrub that reaches a height of 5 meters. The leaf stalks are 2 to 2.5 inches long. The leaf blade is ovate or elliptical ovate. The parchment-like, smooth, grid- like veined leaves are 15 inches long and 3.5 to 6 inches wide. At Apex, they are rounded, pointed or short spitzbuckelig. At the base they are rounded or truncated and often unbalanced. The two to three flowers are arranged axillary. The inflorescence axes are 5-7 mm long, the pedicels are 6-7 mm long. The bell-shaped flower tube is 2 mm long. The 2.5 mm long Kronlappen are keeled triangular- lanceolate and on the inside. The 2 mm long obovate petals are trimmed and bulged at the apex and nail-shaped at the base. The habit of the fruit is unknown.

Occurrence and habitat

The only locality of Auerodendron pauciflorum is the Guajataca State Forest near Quebradillas Puerto Rico. The species grows on limestone soils.

Status

Auerodendron pauciflorum is known only from a population consisting of ten copies. Most of the land on which the species occurs, owned by a development company. Sources of risk are the poor reproduction rate and the tourist development of the region. Seedlings were never found, but there are efforts to use the plant from tissue culture.