Trochetia

Trochetia blackburniana

Trochetia is an endemic to the Mascarene genus of flowering plants of the mallow family ( Malvaceae ). It was first described in 1823 by Augustin- de Candolle Pyrame. All six species of this genus are endangered due to competition with introduced plant species, such as the guavas from China, but also by monkeys and rats that eat the fruit. The name Trochetia was awarded in honor of the French botanist Henri Dutrochet.

Description

Trochetia species are shrubs or small trees that reach a growth of 2 to 8 feet. The leathery leaves are oval with thin hairs on the underside.

The flowers hang either individually or up to three together in racemose inflorescences. The hermaphrodite flowers are white like Trochetia triflora, pale pink as Trochetia parviflora or red- orange as in Trochetia boutoniana. Some species have bell-shaped deformed petals that are 5-6 cm long ( for example Trochetia boutoniana ). Trochetia parviflora has pale green fruits.

Dissemination

Five species occur on Mauritius and Réunion. Their habitat is moist forests with a high annual rainfall or windward -looking mountain slopes.

Ecology

Trochetia are among the few plants that produce scarlet nectar. Scientists like the Danish botanist Jens Olesen assume that this is due to the pollination of now extinct bird species. Today, the Mauritius White-eye ( Zosterops chloronothos ), the Mascarene White-eye care ( Zosterops borbonicus ) or geckos of the genus Phelsuma for the pollination of plants.

Species of the genus Trochetia

The following six species belong to the genus Trochetia:

  • Trochetia parviflora Boii - has a very rare species of plant ( about 63 copies ), which were thought to be extinct since 1863, but in 2001 at the Corps de Garde, Mauritius, rediscovered.
  • Trochetia boutoniana F. Friedmann ( local name: Boucle d' Oreille ) - since 1992, the national flower of Mauritius. It was named after the botanist Louis Bouton. Occurrence: Le Morne Brabant. Flowering period: June to October.
  • Trochetia uniflora DC. - Distribution: Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce and Letard Mountains. Flowering period: May to June.
  • Trochetia triflora DC. - Distribution: Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Piton Savanne and Petite Piton de la Rivière Noire. Flowering period: April to July.
  • Trochetia blackburniana Boii - Most species of the genus Trochetia. Flowering period: April to May.
  • Trochetia granulata Cordem. - Endemic to Réunion. Occurrence: Cirque de Cilaos and Cirque de Mafate. Flowering period: March to June.
Augustin Pyramus de Candolle Mascarene Islands Mauritius Olive White-eye John Gilbert Baker
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