Pilea trilobata
Encyclopedia
Pilea trilobata is an endemic Mauritian
plant from the genus Pilea
within the Urticaceae
family. It was first described by botanist Hugh Algernon Weddell
in 1854. It was thought to be extinct since 1849 until it was rediscovered in April 2005 in the Corps de Garde
Nature Reserve.
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
plant from the genus Pilea
Pilea
Pilea with 600–715 species is the largest genus in the plant family Urticaceae and one of the larger genera in the Urticales and eudicot rosids....
within the Urticaceae
Urticaceae
Urticaceae, or the nettle family, is a family of flowering plants. The family name comes from the genus Urtica . Urticaceae includes a number of well-known and useful plants, including the aforementioned nettles, Ramie , māmaki , and ajlai .The family includes approximately 2600 species, grouped...
family. It was first described by botanist Hugh Algernon Weddell
Hugh Algernon Weddell
Hugh Algernon Weddell was a physician and botanist, specialising in South American flora.Weddell was born at Birches House, Painswick near Gloucester, England but was raised in France and educated at the Lycée Henri IV, where he received a medical degree in 1841...
in 1854. It was thought to be extinct since 1849 until it was rediscovered in April 2005 in the Corps de Garde
Corps de Garde
Corps de Garde is a 720 metre-high mountain of volcanic origin, in the area of the Moka Range between the Mountain Du Rempart and the Le Pouce Mountain in the Plaines Wilhems district of Mauritius. This basaltic rock has an imposing appearance which is characterized by an abruptly breakup and is...
Nature Reserve.