Marsdenia mackeeorum

Marsdenia mackeeorum is a slender twining vine growing to 3 m. It has white latex. The smooth leaves are differently coloured on their upper and lower surfaces (discolorous), on petioles (stems) which are 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long. They are linear to elliptic and 5–13 cm (2.0–5.1 in) long by 0.7–0.9 cm (0.28–0.35 in) wide, rounded at the base and pointed at the tip, and have revolute margins.[1]

Vegetatively, this species differs little from M. microstoma, but is distinguished from it by its bostrychoid inflorescence on a rachis which continues to grow and flower, whereas M. microstoma has a different inflorescence type and all the flowers on it open at the same time.[1]

Some of the localities in which it is found are under threat of mining, and bushfires are a threat to the populations in the maquis vegetation, With an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1,950 km² (750 sq mi), and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 32 km² (12 sq mi), it satisfies the criteria for it to be declared vulnerable under the IUCN criteria of 2012.[4][1]

The specific epithet, mackeeorum (from Latin 'MacKees'), honours Hugh Shaw MacKee and his wife, Margaret.[5][2] Hugh MacKee collected the type specimen in Grande-Terre, South Province, Yaté, Gouemba, New Caledonia at an altitude of 500 m (1,600 ft), on March 22, 1981 (holotype P00607333, isotype P00607334).[2]

• Marsdenia mackeeorum Meve, Gâteblé & Liede, endemia.nc Flore et Faune de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
• Marsdenia mackeeorum GBIF Images of specimens, map