Nesohedyotis is a genus of flowering plants endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It in the family Rubiaceae (the family that includes coffee).
It is a monotypic genus containing the single species Nesohedyotis arborea (Roxb.) Bremek., which grows on the central ridge of the island. It is known commonly as the St. Helena dogwood.[1] The vernacular name recalls the similarity between its inflorescences and those of Cornus species, the dogwoods of Europe and North America.[2] Although it is one of the commoner endemic species on Saint Helena its small population size and small geographical distribution make it endangered.
This species is a small, erect tree growing up to 7 meters tall. The leaves are oppositely arranged. They are lance-shaped with a pointed, downcurved "drip tip". The white flowers are 3 or 4 millimeters wide and the fruit is a brown or black capsule.[2]
This tree is a keystone species in the thickets of the island. The leaves collect mist, which condenses and falls from the "drip tips" into the vegetation below, providing water.[2]