About

Commidendrum robustum, the Saint Helena gumwood, is a species of tree endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Though it is now comparatively rare, it was once one of the most abundant trees of mid-elevations of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. A small tree reaching a maximum of 8 metres (26 ft) in height, it was cut extensively for fuel in the early years of settlement of the island by the English East India Company. It is one of several species in the endemic genus Commidendrum.

Commidendrum robustum is closely related to the Melanodendron integrifolium, Black cabbage tree, which also inhabits Saint Helena. The two species most likely evolved from a common ancestor. Today, the closest relatives are South African, in the small shrub genera Felicia Cass. and Amellus L.

Where it grows

Before humans altered the natural ecosystem the tree was a dominant component of the woodlands at elevations between 300 and 600 metres (980 and 1,970 ft) on the island. The subspecies gummiferum was the main tree in the moist gumwood woodlands of the central ridge at 500 to 650 metres. Lower down the dry gumwood woodlands occupied about a quarter of the island between 300 and 500 metres. By 1868 John Charles Melliss estimated the total number of trees in various places at just 1300 to 1400.

Uses

When there were common the gumwood trees were extensively used as firewood. The naturalist William John Burchell wrote that it, "Has a resinous, spongy wood, making a delightful fire". The gumwood was designated the national tree of Saint Helena in 1977.

Other Commidendrum plants

Bastard gumwood · Scrubwood · False gumwood · Commidendrum