''Elaeodendron laneanum'', commonly known as the Bermuda olivewood, is a species of tree in the family

Celastraceae The Celastraceae (staff-vine or bittersweet) are a family of 98 genera and 1,350 species of herbs, vines, shrubs and small trees, belonging to the order Celastrales. The great majority of the genera are tropical, with only ''Celastrus'' (the staf ...

that is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...

. It is considered an

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to Bermuda, ''E. laneanum'' has a patchy distribution across the main island. The original habitat of this species, forested valleys and hillsides, has largely been cleared for agriculture. The remaining natural range of this species can mainly be found in Walsingham Tract, however, it is widely used as an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or ''garden plants'' are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars th ...

and can be found in parks and gardens across Bermuda.

Description

''Elaeodendron laneanum'' is an

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has Leaf, foliage that remains green and functional throughout the year. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which lose their foliage completely during the winter or dry season. Consisting of many diffe ...

tree growing tall with a smooth, stout trunk up to in diameter. The leaves are glossy above with a toothed margin, light green when young and darkening as they mature. The flowers are small, greenish-white in colour, and occur in clusters at the tips of branches and develop into small yellowish-green fruits.

Conservation status

''E. laneanum'' is listed as

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...

by the

International Union for Conservation of Nature The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the stat ...

under criteria B1ab(iii,iv,v), B2ab(iii,iv,v), and C2a(i), based on its limited range and small population. The entire population consists of just 809 mature individuals, with the largest wild subpopulation in Walsingham Nature Reserve consisting of 169 mature trees. Its natural habitat is severely fragmented, and the extent and quality of this remaining habitat is declining due to human disturbance and

invasive species An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native spec ...

. The fruits and seedlings are eaten by birds and rats on the main island, preventing

natural regeneration In ecology regeneration is the ability of an ecosystemspecifically, the environment and its living populationto renew and recover from damage. It is a kind of biological regeneration. Regeneration refers to ecosystems replenishing what is being e ...

, though seedlings are abundant on rat-free Nonsuch Island.

Uses

The bark of ''E. laneanum'' was used by early colonists to tan leather. Easily grown from seed, it is now used extensively as an ornamental plant across Bermuda and as a

street tree Urban forestry is the care and management of single trees and tree populations in Urban area, urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Urban forestry involves both planning and management, including the programming of ...

in the city of

Hamilton, Bermuda Hamilton is the capital city of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and the main settlement of Pembroke Parish. A port city, Hamilton is Bermuda's financial and commercial centre, and a popular tourist destination. Its population of ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q21977901, from2=Q5049424 laneanum Trees of Bermuda Endangered plants Ornamental trees Plants described in 1906