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2014-10-26

Trochetia Boutoniana National Flower of Mauritius

This time the article is not related to bonsai [yet] but on one unique plant that I hope one day I'll be able to create a bonsai out of.

Trochetia boutoniana also known by its native Creole name Boucle d'Oreille is a shrub from the Trochetia genus endemic to Mauritius. Trochetia boutoniana is the national flower of Mauritius since 1992 and it is often illustrated on stamps of Mauritius. It was named after French botanist Louis Bouton.


The plant itself is extremely intriguing for me.
Its almost like an artificial plant, the steps are hard to describe. Its not like green or semi-green branches nor is it like a succulent. Its almost leathery and the inside gelly.
The leaves are soft yet hard, leathery too.
The flowers and seed pods are one notch stranger and unique. The flowers and seed pods are protected or covered by a protective felt like organ.














Six species belong to the Trochetia genus :

  • Trochetia parviflora - an extremely rare tree (with about 63 individuals). Discovered in 1794. Thought to be extinct in 1863 and rediscovered on the slopes of Corps de Garde, Mauritius in 2001 by a team from the Mauritius herbarium.
  • Trochetia boutoniana (native name: Boucle d'Oreille (in English: Earring tree) because of its bell-shaped look) is the national flower of Mauritius since 1992. It was named after French botanist Louis Bouton. The only occurrence are the slopes of Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius. The flowering time is from June to October.
  • Trochetia uniflora - Occurrence: Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce, and Letard Mountains in the west of Mauritius. Flowering time: May to June
  • Trochetia triflora - Occurrence: Trou aux Cerfs in the central, Grand Bassin, Piton Savanne, and Little Black River peak in the south-west of Mauritius. Flowering time: April to July
  • Trochetia blackburniana - Occurrence: several places on Mauritius, most common species of that genus. Flowering time: April to May
  • Trochetia granulata - Occurrence: Réunion

An enormous amount of work has been done to propagate and re-introduce the Trochetia boutoniana back into our local fauna. The National Forestry Department and Medine Nursery are the only two places that I know of who provide saplings of Trochetia Boutoniana for sale.


Trochetia Boutoniana Receipt
Trochetia Boutoniana
Trochetia Boutoniana
Trochetia Boutoniana
Trochetia Boutoniana
Trochetia Boutoniana













4 comments:

  1. Hi can this plant be grown in any region in Mauritius?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, yes it should grow anywhere in Mauritius.
      There is one variety of Trochetia with the white flowers I think which only grows near le morne I heard. This variety is protected.
      But you can buy some common variety in garden nurseries and it should grow well in most areas in Mauritius.
      I would strongly recommend to plant it in the ground though, they don't do that well for long in those small pots.

      Delete
  2. Hi can this plant be grown in any part of Mauritius?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello, My name is Bert Hendriks from The Netherlands. I was on Holidays on Mauritius a few times and was wondering if I could order a few seeds from this lovely plant somwhere ? Is there anybody who can help me ? Thanks in advance ! and kind regards from The Netherlands. berthendriks@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete