Psiloxylon
Psiloxylon mauritianum (known locally as "bois bigaignon") is a species of flowering plant, the sole species of the genus Psiloxylon. It is endemic to the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Réunion) in the Indian Ocean.
Psiloxylon | |
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Psiloxylon mauritianum tree growing in Vallée de Ferney reserve, Mauritius. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Subfamily: | Psiloxyloideae |
Tribe: | Psiloxyleae A.J.Scott |
Genus: | Psiloxylon Thouars ex Tul. |
Species: | P. mauritianum |
Binomial name | |
Psiloxylon mauritianum | |
Synonyms | |
Fropiera mauritiana Bouton ex Hook. f. |
It is a white-barked evergreen tree, bearing essential oils. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals. It is traditionally used as a medicinal plant, and appears contain compounds that inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
It was formerly placed alone in family Psiloxylaceae, but is now considered a basal member of the family Myrtaceae.
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