Calyptranthes thomasiana (Thomas' Lidflower)

Michael's Opinion

Botanical Information

FamilyMyrtaceae
GenusCalyptranthes
Speciesthomasiana
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen)
OriginCalyptranthes thomasiana in the Myrtaceae family is a rare species of plant. It can be found on three islands in the Caribbean. Less than 250 individual plants are among the islands of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands, Vieques in Puerto Rico and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It was first described in 1855 in the wild on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands but has since been eradicated and only grows there in cultivation.

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionCalyptranthes thomasiana is an evergreen shrub or small tree, that can reach 10 meters in height. It has oppositely arranged leaves with oval blades 2 to 4 cm in length, that are shiny green and glandular. The plant is naturally rare but habitat loss has directly contributed to its decline.
CultivationFound in dry to moist forests.
PestsActivity on nearby roads, feral pigs, donkeys and goats pose as threats.
Notable SpecimensBritish Virgin Islands on the island of Tortola within the Sage Mountain National Park. Ex situ collections at the J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionEgg-shaped with a pointed tip.
Leaf DescriptionOppositely arranged leaves with oval blades 2 to 4 cm in length, that are shiny green, glandular and leathery on the upper surface but dull on the lower, rounded at the tip.
Flower DescriptionFlowers have four spoon shaped petals and grow in clusters or inflorescences. Forming at the tip of a growing stem and on the branches below.
Fruit DescriptionContains one or two seeds.
Colour DescriptionLeaves are shiny green on the upper surface but a dull green on the lower.
Texture DescriptionLeaves are leathery in texture.

Photographs