Alluaudia comosa

Alluaudia comosa
In Tsimanampetsotsa National Park
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Didiereaceae
Genus:	Alluaudia
Species:	A. comosa
Binomial name
Alluaudia comosa (Drake) Drake

Alluaudia comosa is a rare species of flowering plant. It belongs to the family Didiereaceae, subfamily Didiereoideae, which is found only in the coastal area of SW Madagascar. ^[2] Didierea comosa Drake is a synonym. ^[3] It is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ^[1]

Description

Spines of Alluaudia comosa

Alluaudia comosa has a distinctive, easily recognized silhouette with a short trunk and dense branches that stop in a flat crown. ^[4] This is a deciduous shrub to small tree 2-6 (-10) metres tall ^[4] that is woody, semi-succulent and spiny, with spines set singly. ^[2] Spines are grey and 1.5-3.5 cm long. ^[4]

Leaves are developed mostly in pairs, set on a short stalk (petiole), dying off at the beginning of the dry season. ^[2] They are rounded (10–22 mm X 10 mm) and fleshy. ^[4]

Flowers

Flowers are produced on a reduced inflorescence in Alluaudia comosa; only the end flower develops, and is set on a very short axis. Flowers are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). ^[2]

Habitat

This species grows on limestone in dry forests or coastal shrubland. ^[1]

References

1. Ramanantsialonina, R.N. (2019). "Alluaudia comosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 e.T128093611A128098554. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T128093611A128098554.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Rauh, W. 1983. The morphology and systematic position of the Didiereaceae of Madagascar. Bothalia 14(3/4): 839–843.
3. Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019 <http://www.tropicos.org/Name/10700002>
4. Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Didiereaceae/35431/Alluaudia_comosa>