English: Jellyfish tree.
Name: Medusagyne from the gynoecium resembling the head of
Medusa from Greek mythology.
Region: Mahé, Seychelles.
Habitat: exposed granite slopes; dry climate, on a moist archipelago; tolerating drought
Culture: critically endangered and unusual tree. It is the only member of the genus Medusagyne of the tropical tree and shrub family
Ochnaceae. The plant, thought to be extinct until a few individuals were found in the 1970s.
TaxonomyMedusagyne is sometimes placed in its own family Medusagynaceae as the only genus. The
Apg classification places Medusagyne in the family
Ochnaceae.
The seeds seem unable to germinate in the wild; successful cultivation in botanic gardens has occurred in very humid conditions, but high humidity is unlikely in the exposed habitat where these trees are found in the wild.
BotanySmall trees; 10 m tall; dense rounded crown.
Stem: bark is dark, deep fissures.
Leaves: shiny, leathery, slightly scalloped edge; bright red with age; 8 cm long.
Habitat: dry climate, on a moist archipelago; tolerating drought.
Flowers: small, white.
Inflorescence: drooping, with male and bisexual flowers
Fruit: jellyfish-like when dehisced; green, rounded; the outer coat becomes reddish-brown with maturity and then dries, exposing the seeds.
Dispersion: by wind.