Tag Archives: Trochetiopsis

Trochetiopsis melanoxylon (Sol. ex Sims) Marais

Dwarf Ebony (Trochetiopsis melanoxylon)

The Dwarf Ebony, also known as Saint Helena Ebony, was one of altogether three species within its genus, all endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the middle of the vast Atlantic Ocean.

The species was a smaller tree with beautiful white flowers, it was once quite common and covered the slopes of its home island; it was among the first plants that fell victim to the feral goats, imported to the island at the end of the 18th century, and who ran amok amongst the island’s endemic vegetation.

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Depiction from: ‘John Charles Meliss: St. Helena: A Physical, Historical, and Topographical Description of the Island, including its Geology, Fauna, Flora, and Meteorology. London: L. Reeve & Co. 1875’   

(public domain)

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edited: 29.05.2021