title: Ramosmania
text: # Ramosmania
  
  Ramosmania is a genus of two species of small trees in the family Rubiaceae; one is extinct. Both species are endemic to the island of Rodrigues, Mauritius.
  
  ## Species
  
  The genus comprises two species:
  
  * Ramosmania rodriguesi Tirveng.
  * †Ramosmania heterophylla (Balf.f.) Tirveng. & Verdc. (extinct)
  
  ## Cytology
  
  The diploid chromosome count of Ramosmania rodriguesi is 2n = 22.
  
  ## Conservation
  
  The only remaining species, Ramosmania rodriguesi, was re-discovered by a schoolboy in 1979. After its rediscovery, the local population repeatedly cut off branches of the only remaining tree. To prevent its extinction, cuttings were sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Vegetative propagation was successful, however generative reproduction was not possible, as only functionally male flowers were formed. Later, it was discovered that heat stress could induce the formation of female flowers, which were then successfully pollinated. Cultivated plants have been reintroduced to Rodrigues, but it is still classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
  
  