Sporobolus durus Brongn.

Ascension Island Dropseed Grass (Sporobolus durus)  

The Ascension Island Dropseed Grass is one of the few native resp. endemic plant species of Ascension Island.  

The species was last recorded in the year 1886 at the White Horse Hill, where it grew at an elevation of about 450 m. This place is now densely covered with the introduced Molasses Grass (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.).  

The Ascension Island Dropseed Grass could not be relocated during extensive searches in the year 1998, and it is now considered extinct.  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘M. L. I. Duperrey: Voyage autour du monde: Exécuté par Ordre du Roi, Sur la Corvette de Sa Majesté, La Coquille, pendant les années 1822, 1823, 1824, et 1825, par M. L. I. Duperrey; Botanique, par Mm. d’Urville, Bory de St-Vincent et Ad. Brogniart. Paris: Arthus Bertrand 1828’  

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 18.05.2011