Bois pin marron
Schaefferia ephedroides
Bois pin marron (Schaefferia ephedroides) is a rare endemic shrub or small tree native to Mauritius, characterized by its distinctive jointed, almost leafless green branches that resemble those of Ephedra plants. This unique woody species plays an important role in the island's native dry forest ecosystems, providing habitat structure and supporting specialized invertebrate communities adapted to its unusual morphology.
4
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Martin Reith
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Celastrales
Family
Celastraceae
Genus
Schaefferia
Bois pin marron belongs to the family Celastraceae, order Celastrales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Bois pin marron (Schaefferia ephedroides) is a rare endemic shrub or small tree native to Mauritius, characterized by its distinctive jointed, almost leafless green branches that resemble those of Ephedra plants. This unique woody species plays an important role in the island's native dry forest ecosystems, providing habitat structure and supporting specialized invertebrate communities adapted to its unusual morphology.
Bois pin marron (Schaefferia ephedroides) is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation on the island of Mauritius. The species faces ongoing threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem dynamics. Urban development and agricultural expansion have further reduced the already limited suitable habitat for this endemic shrub.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Bois pin marron occurs in the remnant dry forests and scrublands of Mauritius, typically growing on rocky slopes and coastal areas with well-drained soils. It thrives in the island's arid lowland environments, often found among other endemic dry forest species in areas receiving limited rainfall.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Bois pin marron (Schaefferia ephedroides) is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation on the island of Mauritius. The species faces ongoing threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem dynamics. Urban development and agricultural expansion have further reduced the already limited suitable habitat for this endemic shrub.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Invasive alien plant species
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Urban and agricultural development
Climate change impacts
Found in 4 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bois pin marron (Schaefferia ephedroides). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bois-pin-marron