St Helena ebony  (Trochetiopsis ebenus)

The native flora and fauna of St Helena have suffered centuries of exploitation and many of the endemic and unique species have been lost. The most striking example of the devastation that has occurred is an area known as the Crown Wastes, a barren ground that has suffered massive erosion and covers 60 percent of the island (5). The St Helena ebony was once common in this area, which stands as a pertinent warning of the effects of over-exploitation. Goats were introduced to the island in the early 16th Century in order to provide food for sailors passing through the area (4). Vast herds of wild goats roamed the island and fed on native plants such as the ebony; the low branches of this species made it highly accessible and seedlings were particularly vulnerable, thus preventing population growth (4).

The St Helena ebony has proven easy to propagate and cuttings taken from the two remaining wild shrubs have been used to cultivate plants as part of the conservation programme for this species (4). Wild goats have been all but removed from the island following a concerted campaign in the 1960s (4). The ebony has been established in cultivation at two key sites: behind High Peak (not formerly within the range of the ebony) and Ebony Plain, although limited regeneration has been observed at either site (3). There are currently around 2000 individuals (3) but these were all derived from the two remaining plants, and subsequently have little genetic variation (4). At both sites the Ebony is planted with the hybrid, Trochetiopsis x benjaminii Cronk, also known as ‘Rebony’, and introgression is a possible threat (3). Smaller collections have been established at Scotland, Pounceys and White’s Cottage (Norman Williams Nature Reserve); in the latter two sites the hybrid is also planted (3). In addition, the ebony is also in cultivation in private gardens, usually derived from clonal material of the upper cliff plant (3). These cultivated populations are a mere shadow of the former glory of this species.