Syn.: Indokingia crassa Hemsl., Polyscias crassa (Hemsl.) Lowry et G. M. Plunkett
Family: Araliaceae Juss.
Distribution: Endemic to higher granitic islands of Seychelles archipelago (Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin). There are two very similar other species of Gastonia in Seychelles.
Ecology: Mostly in forests or in margin of the rocks in altitudes (300–)500–800 m a. s. l. Annual temperature average is 23–25 °C, with very high aerial humidity; annual precipitation extend to 4000 mm, in part by condensation of fogs.
Description: Shrub or tree up to 10 m tall; trunk is straight, branched only in upper quarter. Leaves are 20–50 cm long, imparipinnate; leaflets subsessile, arranged in 2–4 pairs, oval to oblong, 8–20 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, entire, rounded on the top. Inflorescence is compound by umbels; flowers small, about 7 mm in diameter, cup-shaped, greenish, with many stamens, ovary is inferior. Drupes are globose, about 1 cm in diameter, dark purple to black in ripeness.
Threat and protection: This species is classified by the IUCN Red List as vulnerable (VU).
These images were taken in Seychelles, Mahé Is., NP Morne Seychellois: Morne Blanc and Copolia; Is. Praslin: Glacis Noir (by Vít Grulich and Alena Vydrová, 2., 4, and 9. 2. 2011).
