Rhodolaena macrocarpa

Rhodolaena macrocarpa is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet macrocarpa is from the Latin meaning "large-fruited".

Rhodolaena macrocarpa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Sarcolaenaceae
Genus: Rhodolaena
Species:
R. macrocarpa
Binomial name
Rhodolaena macrocarpa
G.E.Schatz, Lowry & A.-E.Wolf[1]

Description

Rhodolaena macrocarpa grows as a tree up to 10 metres (30 ft) tall. The branches are glabrous. Its leaves, also glabrous, are elliptic in shape, dry olive green and measure up to 11.2 centimetres (4 in) long. The inflorescences have a single flower, uniquely for the genus, on a peduncle measuring up to 7.5 cm (3 in) long.[2] Individual flowers are large with five sepals and five purple-red petals, measuring up to 5 cm (2 in) long. The round fruits are large and woody, measuring up to 1.7 cm (1 in) in diameter, with a fleshy involucre. The fruit is the largest of the genus.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

Rhodolaena macrocarpa is known only from the northern region of Sava.[1] Its habitat is humid evergreen forest at around 150 metres (500 ft) altitude.[3]

Threats

Rhodolaena macrocarpa is threatened by timber exploitation. Future population decline of the tree due to habitat loss is predicted at greater than 80%. The single population of the species is not in a protected area. The preliminary status of the species is Critically Endangered.[3]

References
  1. "Rhodolaena macrocarpa". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
  2. 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, 250–251. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016.
  3. 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. 16. Retrieved 25 Oct 2016.


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