Pittosporaceae FAMILY Critically Endangered

Pittosporum coriaceum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Pittosporum coriaceum is an evergreen shrub or tree that can grow around 15 metres tall. The plant used to be harvested from the wild for local use as a source of soap. Given this species rarity, this is no longer an acceptable practice. Pittosporum coriaceum is native only to Madiera where it has a very small and fragmented total population of between 40 - 50 individuals. The main threats to this species are the disturbance of sensitive areas, fires and landslides. Several unfavourable intrinsic factors such as a low regeneration rate further reduce its survival chances, though the population is currently stable. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeMacaronesia - Madeira

HabitatNorth-facing slopes, growing in deep ravines in laurisilva forests with Ocotea foetens[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].