Common name: Picconia.

Scientific name: Picconia excelsa (Aiton) DC.

Family: Oleaceae

Distribution and Habitat: Macronesia endemic species. It occurs in the Laurissilva, in the central and northern region of Madeira, often in ravines and scarps. You may find examples of the wood-white in Serra de Água and Ribeiro Bonito, Santana.

Description: It may reach a height of 15 m. Its bark is dull and the position of the leaves is characteristically opposite and alternate in pairs.

Conservation statute and Threats: Not a very abundant species, under the statutes ascribed to the Laurissilva forest.

Observations: Its wood is extremely hard and it was once used in the fabrication of press spindles.