Rhodolaena leroyana
Rhodolaena leroyana is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet is for the botanist Jean-François Leroy.[2]
| Rhodolaena leroyana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Sarcolaenaceae |
| Genus: | Rhodolaena |
| Species: | R. leroyana |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhodolaena leroyana | |
Description
Rhodolaena leroyana grows as a shrub or small tree up to 8 m (30 ft) tall.[2] The twigs are hairless.[3] Its subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic to obovate in shape and measure up to 12 cm (5 in) long. The solitary inflorescences have one or two flowers on a peduncle measuring up to 8 centimetres (3 in) long.[2] Individual flowers are large with five sepals and five purple-pink petals, measuring up to 5 centimetres (2 in) long. The fruits are large and woody, with a fleshy involucre.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Rhodolaena leroyana is known only from the region of Atsinanana where it is confined to Betampona Reserve.[1] Its habitat is humid evergreen forest from 300 metres (1,000 ft) to 550 m (1,800 ft) altitude. The preliminary status of the species is Vulnerable.[3]
References
- "Rhodolaena leroyana". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
- Schatz, George E.; Lowry II, Porter P.; Wolf, Anne-Elizabeth (2000). "Endemic families of Madagascar. VI. A synoptic revision of Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Adansonia. 3. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. 22 (2): 247–248. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016.
- Birkinshaw, Chris; Andrianjafy, Mamisoa; Edmond, Roger; Hong-Wa, Cynthia; Rajeriarison, Charlotte; Schatz, George (July 2004). "Red Lists for Malagasy Plants. V: Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Missouri Botanical Garden. p. 15. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016.