Schizolaena charlotteae

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

Schizolaena charlotteae is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet is for the botanist Charlotte Rajeriarson of the University of Antananarivo. ^[3]

Description

Schizolaena charlotteae grows as a shrub or tree up to 15 metres (50 ft) tall. Its twigs are glabrous with small lenticels. The subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic to ovate or obovate in shape. They are coloured chocolate brown above and more orangish below, measuring up to 7.5 cm (3 in) long. The inflorescences bear numerous flowers, each with three sepals and five petals. The petals are bright pinkish red with yellow borders and measure up to 1.4 cm (0.6 in) long. The roundish fruits measure up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in diameter. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Schizolaena charlotteae is known only from the southeastern coastal region of Anosy. ^[2] Its habitat is lowland humid forest from sea-level to about 500 m (1,600 ft) altitude. ^{[2] [3]}

Threats

Schizolaena charlotteae is currently known only from a single forest, Bemangidy-Ivohibe. The forest is temporarily protected as part of Tsitongambarika New Protected Area, but permanent protection has yet to be granted. The forest is vulnerable to human activity, including illicit harvesting. The preliminary status of the species is Vulnerable. ^[3]

References

1. Manjato, N. (2020). "Schizolaena charlotteae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T137815657A137904033. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
2. "Schizolaena charlotteae". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden . Retrieved 7 November 2016– via Tropicos.org.
3. Lowry II, Porter P.; Nusbaumer, Louis; Randrianasolo, Armand; Schatz, George E.; Hong-Wa, Cynthia (Dec 2014). "Endemic Families of Madagascar. XIII. New, restricted range species of Eremolaena Baill. and Schizolaena Thouars (Sarcolaenaceae)". Candollea. Geneva: Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève. 69 (2): 186, 188–190. doi:10.15553/c2014v692a11. S2CID   85852064 . Retrieved 7 November 2016.