Trochetia
In its own language: Boucle d'Oreille
Rare bell-shaped flowers from the Mascarene Islands, with coloured nectar
Trochetia is a group of rare shrubs and small trees native to Mauritius and Réunion, known for their bell-shaped flowers in white, pink, or reddish orange. These plants produce coloured nectar, are pollinated by local birds and geckos, and include the national flower of Mauritius.
- Trochetia boutoniana is the national flower of Mauritius.
- Trochetia produces rare coloured nectar, attracting geckos as pollinators.
- All species are endangered due to habitat loss and invasive species.
- Most Trochetia species are found only in Mauritius and Réunion.
What does Trochetia look like?
Trochetia includes shrubs and small trees that grow between two and eight metres tall. Their flowers can be white, pink, or reddish orange and are often bell-shaped, sometimes growing singly or in small clusters. The plants are notable for producing coloured nectar, a rare trait. These flowers are found in humid forests or on windward mountain slopes, and all species are considered imperiled.
Where does Trochetia come from?
Trochetia is native to the Mascarene Islands, with most species found on Mauritius and one on Réunion. The genus was first described in 1823 by A.P. de Candolle, named after botanist Henri Dutrochet. Its natural habitat is humid, rain-rich forests and mountain slopes. The group has faced threats from invasive plants and animals, and some species were once thought extinct before being rediscovered.
When and how Trochetia blooms
Trochetia species flower mainly from April to October, depending on the species and location. They grow in humid, high-rainfall areas, often on mountain slopes. The plants are propagated from seed and require protection from invasive species and habitat destruction. Their flowers attract pollinators such as local birds and geckos.
How Trochetia is used
Trochetia boutoniana, known as Boucle d'Oreille, is the national flower of Mauritius and grows only on the slopes of Le Morne Brabant. The flowers are valued as a symbol of the island and are not widely used for decoration or other purposes due to their rarity and conservation status.
Kinds of Trochetia
The genus includes several rare species: T. boutoniana (national flower of Mauritius), T. parviflora (extremely rare, rediscovered in 2001), T. uniflora, T. triflora, T. blackburniana (most common), and T. granulata (found on Réunion). Some former species have been reclassified to other genera.
What Trochetia means
Trochetia boutoniana has been the national flower of Mauritius since 1992, chosen for its unique bell-shaped appearance and local significance. The plants are endangered due to habitat loss and invasive species. Their coloured nectar has intrigued scientists and is now known to attract gecko pollinators.
Questions people ask about Trochetia
Where does Trochetia come from?
Trochetia is native to the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean, mainly Mauritius and Réunion. Most species are found only in specific regions of these islands, often in humid forests or on mountain slopes.
What does Trochetia look like?
Trochetia plants are shrubs or small trees, two to eight metres tall, with bell-shaped flowers that can be white, pink, or reddish orange. The flowers may grow alone or in small clusters and are known for their coloured nectar.
Why is Trochetia important in Mauritius?
Trochetia boutoniana, called Boucle d'Oreille, has been the national flower of Mauritius since 1992. It is valued for its unique appearance and as a symbol of the island's natural heritage.
How is Trochetia pollinated?
Trochetia flowers are pollinated by local birds such as the Mauritius olive white-eye and Mauritius grey white-eye, as well as by geckos from the genus Phelsuma. The coloured nectar helps attract these pollinators.
Is Trochetia endangered?
Yes, all Trochetia species are considered imperiled due to competition from invasive plants and animals, as well as habitat destruction. Some species are extremely rare and have only a few known individuals.
Good reading and sources
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Trochetia", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryPhool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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