Ximenia roigii
| Ximenia roigii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Olacaceae |
| Genus: | Ximenia |
| Species: | X. roigii |
| Binomial name | |
| Ximenia roigii | |
Ximenia roigii is a species of flowering plant in the family Olacaceae.[2][3] It is endemic to Cuba. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
Description
Ximenia roigii is a thorny shrub or small tree. The branches bear thorns up to 1.6 cm (0.63 in) long. Its leaves are obovate shaped, and are sparse and scattered along the branches. They range from 1.5–4 cm (0.59–1.57 in) long and 1.5–2.2 cm (0.59–0.87 in) broad, and are connected to the branches by petioles which are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long.[4]: 97 [5]: 19–20
Only the male flowers of the plant are known to scientists. They are borne in inflorescences consisting of two to six flowers arranged in umbels or cymes. The flowers consist of four petals, four sepals, and eight stamens. The fruit is a drupe, 2 cm (0.79 in) long and 1.2 cm (0.47 in) with ellipsoid seeds 1.6 by 0.9 cm (0.63 by 0.35 in).[4]: 97 [5]: 19–20
Taxonomy
The species was first described by French-born Cuban botanist Frère León in 1948 based on a collection by Juan Tomás Roíg y Mesa,[6]: 390 a Cuban botanist.[7]
Common names include almendro de costa and zarza limón.[6]: 390
Distribution
Ximenia roigii is found in coastal xeromorphic scrub and thorny xeromorphic scrub on serpentine soils,[5]: 19–20 in Camagüey and Las Tunas provinces in central Cuba, and in Holguín and Guantánamo provinces in eastern Cuba.[6]: 390
Conservation
Ximenia roigii was classified as critical endangered by the IUCN in 2024, based on the fact that only six populations were known, consisting of 49 mature individuals occupying 2.2 km2 (0.85 mi2). The population is threatened by deforestation, fires and grazing.[1]
The species is found in the Refugio de Fauna Bahía de Malagueta, but no recovery plans or ex-situ conservation populations exist.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Gómez Hechavarría, J.L. (2024). "Ximenia roigii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (in Spanish). 2024 e.T31684A241173895. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T31684A241173895.es. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Ximenia roigii León". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Ximenia roigii León". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- 1 2 Sleumer, H. O. (1984). "Olacaceae". Flora Neotropica. 38: 1–158. ISSN 0071-5794. JSTOR 4393778 – via JSTOR.
- 1 2 3 Hiepko, Paul (2014). "Olacaceae". In Greuter, W.; Rankin Rodríguez, R. (eds.). Flora de la República de Cuba. Serie A, plantas vasculares. Fascículo 20(3). Koeltz Scientific Books; Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. doi:10.3372/frc.20.3. ISBN 978-3-87429-479-9.
- 1 2 3 Greuter, Werner; Rankin Rodríguez, Rosa (2022-09-01). Plantas Vasculares de Cuba. Inventario. Tercera edición, actualizada, de Espermatófitos de Cuba. Vascular Plants of Cuba. A Checklist. Third, updated edition of The Spermatophyta of Cuba (3 ed.). Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin and Jardín Botánico Nacional, Universidad de La Habana. doi:10.3372/cubalist.2022.1. ISBN 978-3-946292-42-5.
- ↑ "Roíg y Mesa, Juan Tomás (1877-1971)". Global Plants. JSTOR. Retrieved 2026-04-10.