Sideroxylon puberulum

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Sideroxylon puberulum
File:1 Sideroxylon puberulum - Pamplemousses Mauritius.jpg
Juvenile plant in cultivation in Mauritius
Scientific classification
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S. puberulum
Binomial name
Sideroxylon puberulum
C.DC.

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Sideroxylon puberulum ("Manglier rouge") is a species of plant in the Sapotaceae family. It is endemic to Mauritius.[1]

Description

It reaches a height of 15 meters, with a trunk diameter of 60 cm. It has grey bark. It acquired its nickname "Manglier" ("mangrove") because in older trees the inside of the trunk often decays, leaving the tree standing on multiple remains of the trunk, which look like the stilt-roots of mangrove trees. However it is relatively unrelated to the mangrove tree.

The leaves are thick, elliptical and covered in reddish brown fur when young (especially in winter). It produces hemaphroditic flowers and black berries which exude a white latex. Its wood is unusually strong and heavy.

Distribution

The tree was formerly abundant throughout Mauritius, but was widely exterminated due to demand for its wood, and it is now a protected species. It survives predominantly in the highlands.

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