| Megistostegium nodulosum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Megistostegium |
| Species: | M. nodulosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Megistostegium nodulosum | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Megistostegium nodulosum is a tree in the family Malvaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Megistostegium nodulosum grows as a tree up to 8 metres (30 ft) tall. Its thin leaves are orbicular in shape. They are coloured gray-green and measure up to 4 cm (2 in) long. The flowers are erect with a light pink to red epicalyx and a red to pink corolla. The pollen is yellow when fresh. [2]
Megistostegium nodulosum is found at numerous locations throughout southern Madagascar, including in protected areas. Its habitat is forests from sea level to about 500 m (1,600 ft) altitude. [1]
Threats to Megistostegium in general include grazing by goats, invasive plants competing for limited water supplies and the possible extinction of pollinators. The preliminary conservation status of M. nodulosum is Near Threatened given the use of its wood. [2]
Megistostegium nodulosum is locally used in home construction and as charcoal. The bark, leaves and twigs are locally used to treat conditions including eye ailments and stomach aches. [2]
Adansonia is a genus made up of eight species of medium to large deciduous trees known as baobabs. Previously classified within the family Bombacaceae, they are now placed in the Malvaceae. They are native to Madagascar, mainland Africa and Australia. Trees have also been introduced to other regions such as Asia. The generic name honours Michel Adanson, the French naturalist and explorer who described Adansonia digitata. The baobab is also known as the "upside down tree", a name that originates from several myths. They are among the most long-lived of vascular plants and have large flowers that are reproductive for a maximum of 15 hours. The flowers open around dusk; opening so quickly that movement can be detected by the naked eye and are faded by the next morning. The fruits are large, oval to round and berry-like and hold kidney-shaped seeds in a dry, pulpy matrix.
Alcea rosea, the common hollyhock, is an ornamental dicot flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It was imported into Europe from southwestern China during, or possibly before, the 15th century. William Turner, a herbalist of the time, gave it the name "holyoke" from which the English name derives.
Hakea laurina is shrub or small tree commonly known as kodjet or pin-cushion hakea and is endemic to Western Australia. The Noongar name for the plant is kodjet or kojet. It has red and cream conspicuous globular flowers and lance shaped leaves.
Sparrmannia africana, the African hemp or African linden, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to open woodland in Africa, South Africa and Madagascar. It is one of up to seven species in the genus Sparrmannia. The genus name is after Anders Sparrman.
Adansonia za is a species of baobab in the genus Adansonia of the family Malvaceae. It was originally named in French as anadzahé. Common names in Malagasy include bojy, boringy, bozy, bozybe, ringy, and za, the last of which gives the plant its specific epithet. Eight Adansonia species are recognized, with six endemic to Madagascar. Adansonia za is the most widespread of the Madagascar endemics.
Strophanthus boivinii, the wood shaving flower, is a species of plant in the family Apocynaceae.
The flora of Madagascar consists of more than 12,000 species of plants, as well as a poorly known number of fungi and algae. Around 83% of Madagascar's vascular plants are found only on the island. These endemics include five plant families, 85% of the over 900 orchid species, around 200 species of palms, and such emblematic species as the traveller's tree, six species of baobab and the Madagascar periwinkle. The high degree of endemism is due to Madagascar's long isolation following its separation from the African and Indian landmasses in the Mesozoic, 150–160 and 84–91 million years ago, respectively. However, few plant lineages remain from the ancient Gondwanan flora; most extant plant groups immigrated via across-ocean dispersal well after continental break-up.
Rhopalocarpus mollis is a tree in the family Sphaerosepalaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet mollis is from the Latin meaning "soft", referring to the very soft indumentum on the leaves' underside.
Xerochlamys elliptica is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Rhodolaena acutifolia is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet acutifolia is from the Latin meaning "sharp-leafed".
Rhodolaena coriacea is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet coriacea is from the Latin meaning "leathery", referring to the leaves.
Rhodolaena humblotii is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Rhodolaena leroyana is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet is for the botanist Jean-François Leroy.
Schizolaena exinvolucrata is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Schizolaena milleri is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. It is named for the botanical collector James Spencer Miller.
Schizolaena pectinata is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Schizolaena turkii is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. It is named for the botanist Daniel Turk.
Megistostegium microphyllum is a plant in the family Malvaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Megistostegium perrieri is a plant in the family Malvaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Anthostema madagascariense is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is a small to medium-sized tree or large bush, endemic to Madagascar, the Comoro Islands and Mayotte.
 | This Hibisceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |