Bwa klate  (Rapanea seychellarum)

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Less than 50 individuals of this incredibly rare tree may remain (1); a tree which can be identified by its bright green leaves and striking magenta petioles (2). Growing to a height of just five metres, the bwa klate has grey bark and smooth, leathery leaves that reach lengths of twelve centimetres (2). The small white flowers tinged with pink grow in clusters of three to five from the main stem or on short side shoots (2) (3). The small, round fruits of the bwa klate are dark blue drupes, growing to just five millimetres long (2).

Found only in the Seychelles, the bwa klate occurs at six sites on the island of Mahé, and at just one location each on the islands of Silhouette and Praslin (1).

The bwa klate grows on the granitic islands of the Seychelles (4). In Morne Seychellois National Park on the island of Mahé, the bwa klate can be found at 900 metres above sea level (2).

There is no information available on the biology of this species.

In 1998 the entire population of bwa klate was estimated to consist of less than 50 individuals (1). While this plant is not currently known to be facing any negative impacts, the tiny population makes it incredibly vulnerable to any threats that may arise, and thus it has been classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (1).

The bwa klate occurs within the Morne Seychellois National Park and Praslin National Park, as well as areas of forest protected by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles (NPTS) (1). NPTS is also undertaking monitoring of this highly threatened species (5).

For further information on conservation in the Seychelles see:

• Nature Protection Trust Seychelles:
  http://islandbiodiversity.com
• Nature Seychelles:
  www.natureseychelles.org