Calantica cerasifolia

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Calantica cerasifolia
Calantica.jpg
An acquired specimen from the California Academy of Sciences
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Calantica
Species:
C. cerasifolia
Binomial name
Calantica cerasifolia
Synonyms [2]
  • Blakwellia cerasifolia Vent.

Calantica cerasifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. [3] It is the type species of its genus, Calantica . [4]

Contents

The plant is endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in all provinces, those being Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina and Toliara. It grows in humid to sub-humid evergreen forests and thickets, and in dry deciduous forests from sea level to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) in elevation. [1] [2] [3] [5]

The wood of Calantica cerasifolia is used in construction. [4]

Description

Calantica cerasifolia is a tree species that can grow up to 25 m (82 ft) in height and 100 cm (39 in) in diameter at breast height. The plant has pale bark. This species is notable for its large inflorescences, comprising numerous small flowers that are usually 5–7.5 mm (0.20–0.30 in) in diameter, though occasionally reaching up to 10 mm (0.39 in). The perianth is typically pale or yellowish-green to whitish, with rare descriptions noting it as yellow-orange. The glands are yellow to orange, while the disk is pale green or yellow, turning reddish over time. The filaments are white, and the anthers vary in color from red to brown, yellow, or black. The flowers are often reported to have a pleasant scent. [4]

Taxonomy

Calantica cerasifolia is likely to be closely related to Calantica grandiflora , and potential hybrids are theorized to exist. [4]

The original material of Blackwellia cerasifolia was cited by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803 as “originaire de Madagascar; cultivé dans le Jardin Botanique de l’Isle de France, où le Célèbre Naturaliste Riche avoit cueilli l’exemplaire que je fais figurer.” [4] [6] In 1857, Louis René Tulasne reassigned the species as Calantica cerasifolia. [6]

Conservation status

Although it is listed as LC by the IUCN Red List, there are still threats that endanger the species. Threats include residential and commercial development, logging, agriculture and aquaculture, and fire and its suppression, which have been linked to a continuing decline in population. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Andotiana Mihajamalala Andriamanohera (KMCC-RBG Kew) (2018). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Calantica cerasifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  2. 1 2 "Calantica cerasifolia (Vent.) Tul. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  3. 1 2 "Calantica cerasifolia". www.worldfloronline.org. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Applequist, Wendy; Phillipson, Peter; Schatz, George (2014). "A synoptic revision of the Malagasy endemic genus Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. (Salicaceae)". Adansonia. Series 3. 36 (1): 87–91. doi:10.5252/a2014n1a8 . Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  5. ↑ "Tropicos". www.tropicos.org. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  6. 1 2 "Calantica cerasifolia (Vent.) Tul. | COL". www.catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
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