Bois D'Ebene Noir
Return to: Flora
Bois D'Ebene Noir
(I.E.L.S. Endemic Plant Garden)
Scientific name: Diospyros tessellaria, Ebenacea, Poiret
Common name: Bois d'ébène noir, Ebenier
Description and habitat: Endemic to Mauritius, a tree that can
reach 20 metres in height with a single straight trunk. The bark
is dark grey or black. Relatively common in mid altitude forests.
It was the ebony that the Dutch cut down in great quantity for
export to Europe in the 17th century. Before the arrival
of man, ebony forests were common at altitudes less than 250 metres
with an annual rainfall of 1000 to 2500 millimetres. Forest reserves
where ebony trees can still be seen are situated on slopes of
the mountain ranges of Moka, Black River, Port Louis, Grand Port,
Bambous, Trois Mamelles, Corps de Garde. However exotics have
also invaded these forest reserves.
Bibliography:
(1) MSIRI, Flore Des Mascareignes, 111 Campanulaceés à
120 Salvadoracées.
(2) Dr. Gurib-Fakim, Joseph Gueho, Plantes Medicinales de Maurice,
Tome 1, Editions de L'Ocean Indien, 1995