Polyscias maraisiana

Polyscias maraisiana is a species of plant in the family Araliaceae, formerly named Gastonia mauritiana.

Polyscias maraisiana

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Polyscias
Species:
P. maraisiana
Binomial name
Polyscias maraisiana
Lowry & G.M.Plunkett
Synonyms[2]
  • Gastonia elegans (W.Bull) Frodin
  • Gastonia mauritiana Marais
  • Terminalia elegans W.Bull

It is endemic to Mauritius, where it was formerly common on forest verges and also in coastal areas. It was formerly grown as an ornamental in Europe, partly on account of its strikingly heteroblastic leaves, however it is rarely found in international cultivation now. It is however beginning to be cultivated in its native country, as an ornamental landscaping plant - for gardens and public areas.[2]

It is one of several Polyscias species which are endemic to Mauritius, including Polyscias dichroostachya (distinctive flower-spike and large, square leaf-segments), Polyscias neraudiana (red flowers on spike, and smaller, longer leaf-segments), Polyscias gracilis, and Polyscias paniculata.[3]

  • Young sapling
  • Canopy of a large specimen on Ile aux Aigrettes, Mauritius

References
  1. Page, W. (1998). "Gastonia mauritiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998. Retrieved 8 March 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Polyscias maraisiana Lowry & G.M.Plunkett". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 March 2014 – via The Plant List.
  3. Indigenous Plants of Mauritius List


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