Rare plant conservation

With less than 2% of original high-quality native forest remaining, Mauritius’ unique flora and fauna stand on the brink of disappearing. The island is home to around 700 native species of flowering plants, of which 90% of the 273 endemic species are considered threatened.

Shockingly, about 100 species have fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild. According to The State of the World’s Trees report by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Mauritius has the third most threatened flora on the planet.

Centuries of habitat destruction, the spread of invasive species, climate change, and the loss of native pollinators and seed dispersers have pushed many species to the edge. They are hanging on—but for how much longer?

In a landscape now largely defaunated, many endemic plants that once relied on endemic animals for pollination and seed dispersal are struggling to reproduce. Even when seeds are produced, they face the risks of being eaten by introduced predators like monkeys, pigs, rats, and insects. Those that survive and germinate into seedlings must then avoid being trampled or grazed by non-native herbivores such as deer and pigs. The odds stacked against Mauritian plants are immense.

That’s why many of our island’s endemic species need a helping hand. Through invasive species control, assisted propagation, and seed dispersal, Ebony Forest is giving these plants a fighting chance to survive. Some of the rare and threatened endemic species we are working to protect include:

Project aim

To propagate rare endemic plants and establish field gene banks to reduce their risk of extinction.

Project impacts

Propagating and reintroducing threatened rare plants will:
• Expand their distribution
• Increase population size
• Maintain genetic diversity of species and ecosystems
• Improve knowledge of how to conserve plants

Additional benefits are:
• Build local conservation capacity
• Raise public awareness of Mauritius’ unique but threatened flora

Working in partnership with the National Parks and Conservation Service, since 2021, Ebony Forest has been harvesting eggs and chicks to hand-rear. The adults are subsequently released at Ebony Forest.

Locate and monitor plant phenology

Collect seeds, seedlings or cuttings responsibly

Propagate plants in nurseries

Plant rare species in field gene banks and reintroduce

Monitor and maintain reintroduced plants

Share knowledge of propagation

Since 2005, Ebony Forest has been actively propagating rare and threatened plant species through our nurseries at Ebony Forest (semi-intermediate) and Vallée de L’Est.

To date, we have propagated more than 30 rare species, while also sharing our propagation techniques and best practices with partners.

We use a range of methods—including cuttings, seeds, and seedling collection—to grow these plants. Once established, they are transferred to our field gene banks at Ebony Forest, Montagne Longue, or Vallée de L’Est to safeguard genetic diversity and support future restoration efforts.