Syn.: Indokingia crassa Hemsl., Polyscias crassa (Hemsl.) Lowry et G. M. Plunkett
Family: Araliaceae Juss.

Gastonia crassa

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.

Gastonia crassa

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).

Gastonia crassaGastonia crassa
Gastonia crassa
Gastonia crassa
Gastonia crassa

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).