Rat Wood
Scientific name: Erythroxylum rotundifolium
IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern
GPS Location: 17° 43′ 0.42″ N, 64° 49′ 49.82″ W
Observations:
Phenological Markers – Rat Wood (Erythroxylum rotundifolium)
Common Name: Rat Wood
Scientific Name: Erythroxylum rotundifolium L.
Family: Erythroxylaceae
Origin: Native to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands
Form: Shrub to small tree, typically 2–5 meters tall
Annual Phenological Cycle
| Phenophase | Typical Timing (St. Croix – Lowland Tropical) | Field Notes |
| Leaf Flush | April – June | New leaves emerge bright green and soft; often seen after early rains. |
| Flowering | May – August | Tiny white to greenish flowers; inconspicuous but fragrant. |
| Fruit Development | July – October | Small red drupes (resembling miniature cherries) mature through late summer. |
| Leaf Drop (Partial) | January – March (dry season) | May exhibit partial deciduousness under drought stress. |
| Dormancy | March – April (minimal visible growth) | Growth slows prior to wet season onset. |
Identification Notes
- Leaves are distinctly round to oval and alternate, giving rise to the species name rotundifolium.
- Bark is smooth to finely fissured and greyish-brown.
- Fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals.
- Tends to grow in dry forest margins, rocky slopes, and coastal scrub.
- The name “Rat Wood” may refer to its dense, twiggy growth and habitat in dry scrub where rodents are common.