Rhopalocarpus mollis

Rhopalocarpus mollis
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Sphaerosepalaceae
Genus:	Rhopalocarpus
Species:	R. mollis
Binomial name
Rhopalocarpus mollis G.E.Schatz & Lowry [2]

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. ^[3]

Description

Rhopalocarpus mollis grows as a tree up to 20 metres (70 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 40 cm (16 in). The coriaceous leaves are elliptic in shape and measure up to 13.4 cm (5 in) long. It is not known to have any flowers. The fleshy fruits are coloured green when fresh. They may be spherical measuring up to 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter or two-lobed and measure up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) across. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Rhopalocarpus mollis is known only from four locations in the northern regions of Sofia and Analanjirofo. ^[4] Its habitat is subhumid forests from 500 m (1,600 ft) to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude. ^{[1] [4]}

Threats

Rhopalocarpus mollis is threatened by shifting patterns of agriculture. Because the species is used as timber, subsistence harvesting is also a threat. ^[1]

References

1. Members of the IUCN SSC Madagascar Plant Specialist Group (2015). "Rhopalocarpus mollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T70102864A70122609. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T70102864A70122609.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. "Rhopalocarpus mollis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 Oct 2016.
3. Schatz, George E.; Lowry II, Porter P. (12 Jan 2006). "Endemic Families of Madagascar. X. Two new species of Rhopalocarpus Bojer (Sphaerosepalaceae)" (PDF). Adansonia. 3. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (published 28 Sep 2006). 28 (2): 329–336. Retrieved 14 Oct 2016.
4. "Rhopalocarpus mollis". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden . Retrieved 14 Oct 2016– via Tropicos.org.