Ramosmania

Ramosmania is a genus of two species of small trees in the family Rubiaceae; one is extinct.[1] Both species are endemic to the island of Rodrigues, Mauritius.

Ramosmania
Ramosmania rodriguesi in cultivation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Tribe: Octotropideae
Genus: Ramosmania
Tirveng. & Verdc.
Species

Ramosmania heterophylla (Balf.f.) Tirveng. & Verdc.
Ramosmania rodriguesi Tirveng.

Ramosmania is endemic to Rodrigues, Mauritius[1]

Species

The genus comprises two species:[1]

Cytology

The diploid chromosome count of Ramosmania rodriguesi is 2n = 22.[2]

Conservation

The only remaining species, Ramosmania rodriguesi, was re-discovered by a schoolboy in 1979.[3] After its rediscovery, the local population repeatedly cut off branches of the only remaining tree. To prevent its extinction, cuttings were sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Vegetative propagation was successful, however generative reproduction was not possible, as only functionally male flowers were formed. Later, it was discovered that heat stress could induce the formation of female flowers, which were then successfully pollinated.[4] Cultivated plants have been reintroduced to Rodrigues,[3] but it is still classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.[5]

References
  1. "Ramosmania rodriguesii (café marron)". Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  2. Kiehn, M., & Berger, A. (2023). "New chromosome counts on Rubiaceae from Africa and the Western Indian Ocean islands." Nordic Journal of Botany, e03732.
  3. Smith, P. (2023, June 1). The loneliest tree in the world. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from https://www.bgci.org/news-events/the-loneliest-tree-in-the-world/
  4. Seynsche, M. (2009, August 5). Kaffee mit Todessehnsucht. Deutschlandfunk. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/kaffee-mit-todessehnsucht-100.html
  5. World Conservation Monitoring Centre. 1998. Ramosmania rodriguesii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1998: e.T33659A9801264. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33659A9801264.en. Accessed on 30 June 2023.
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