Trochetia parviflora

Trochetia parviflora is a rare flowering plant in the genus Trochetia within the Mallow family. Its distribution is restricted to small areas on Corps de Garde and at Mt Laporte in Mauritius.

Description

Trochetia parviflora is a densely branched, low shrub, achieved the stature heights of 3 meters. The bark has a scale-like coating which is much thinner than in Trochetia uniflora and Trochetia triflora. The elongated, ganzrandigen leaves are 2.5 to 3.8 cm long. The leaf base is quite rounded. The upper leaf surface is dull and rough, the lower leaf surface scaly. The leaf stalks are 6 mm long.

The erect inflorescence axis bearing three white to pale pink flowers. The flower shape is like a funnel. The lance-shaped, densely scaly sepals of 6.3 to 7,6 mm long. The petals are wide and no longer than the sepals. The stamens are very short. The ten anthers are not dominated by Staminodium. The ovary is spherical and densely scaly. The flowering period extends from May to July. The flower nectar is yellow. On the branches of green fruits are arranged in groups of three.

Status

Trochetia parviflora occurred in the dense forests at Montagne- Ory in the past. Having this kind was in 1863 last collected by botanist Philip Burnard Ayres, it was long considered lost until in April 2001, 63 copies of a Mauritian team of botanists, led by Vincent Florens and Jean -Claude Sevathian on a stony slope of the Corps de Garde six kilometers were from the original place away rediscovered. In June 2009, another copy at Mt Laporte was found.

Originally it was assumed that the seeds of Trochetia parviflora were eaten by monkeys and rats, and this species was eradicated thereby. The biggest threat to forest fires and landslides apply. Currently, there are efforts shoots and seeds through to settle in situ proliferation in other regions of Mauritius.