Diospyros tessellaria is a species of tree in the family Ebenaceae. The tree is one of several ebony species endemic to the island of Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean, and was once the most common, widespread ebony species of that island.
Description
The massive, slow-growing, evergreen tree can reach up to in height. Mature trees can have trunks of over a meter in diameter. The thick leaves have a dark greensurface and a slightly paler underside. A distinctive feature is that the leaf margins and veins are mildly translucent, when held up to the light. They produce small, white, fragrant flowers and fleshy fruits.
Vice-Admiral Wybrandt van Warwijck landed on Mauritius on September 17, 1598, thus beginning Dutch involvement with the island. In 1638, settlers from the Dutch East India Company attempted to colonize the island and set up an organized ebony business to sell the rare black wood. However, due to issues with cyclones destroying the settlement, rats destroying crops, settlers illegally trading with English ships, and slaves revolting commonly, the Dutch left the island in 1710.
After the French settled Mauritius in 1721, the British took over the island and Port Louis in 1810. Not only was Mauritius used as a stopping point for ships traveling to British India and other parts of Asia, but now it was also used as a major exporter of goods back to London. While the most popular good from Mauritius was sugar by far, the British did harvest a large portion of the ebony forests. The wood was presumably used for carving and decor in London.
Related species
This species is one of eleven surviving species of Ebony tree which naturally occur on Mauritius - all of them endemic.
Diospyros tessellaria the most famous and widespread species, occurring right across Mauritius.
Diospyros angulata Poir. of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros boutoniana of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros chrysophyllos of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros egrettarum of coastal and dry forests. It has white bark and dark rectangular leaves.
Diospyros hemiteles of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros melanida of the sub-humid to dry forests. It has small, pale leaves and pale grey bark.
Diospyros neraudii of dry forests.
Diospyros nodosa of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros pterocalyx of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest.
Diospyros revaughanii of intermediate sub-humid to upland wet forest. It is a small tree with large, densely packed leaves which attach to the stems without stalks.
