Calantica pseudobiseriata, Applequist, Wendy L., Phillipson, Peter B. & Schatz, George E., 2014

Applequist, Wendy L., Phillipson, Peter B. & Schatz, George E., 2014, A synoptic revision of the Malagasy endemic genus Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. (Salicaceae), Adansonia (3) 36 (1), pp. 83-102 : 97-100

9. Calantica pseudobiseriata Appleq., Phillipson & G. E. Schatz, sp. nov.

( Fig. 2 )

Differs from C. biseriata in ovate to elliptical, acuminate to acute leaves, sparsely puberulent ovary, and long (1.5- 2 mm) styles.

TYPUS. — Madagascar. Prov. Toamasina, remnant native vegetation 1-2 km E of Fampanambo , 15°22’35”S, 49°37’46”E, 20 m, 28.I.1999, fl., Schatz et al. 3856 (holo-, MO! ; iso-, BR!, G!, K!, P!, TEF n.v.).

DESCRIPTION

Tree to 12 m tall, the young twigs pubescent. Leaves medium green, somewhat fleshy, elliptical to ovate, (3-)6-9.4 × (1.5-) 2.5-4.8 cm; petiole 5-10.5 mm long, pubescent; stipules caducous, linear, 2.4-3 mm long, pubescent; base convex; apex acuminate to acute (aberrantly rounded); margins serrate; abaxial surface sparsely pubescent, mostly along large veins; adaxial surface sparsely pubescent on midrib, otherwise glabrate; venation pinnate; lateral veins (5-)7-9 pairs, semicraspedodromous, mostly festooned. Inflorescences lateral on lower portions of defoliated twigs, 2-4.5 cm long, 7-23-flowered, pubescent; bracts deltoid to narrowly deltoid or ovate, 0.5-1 mm long, pubescent; pedicels 6-12 mm long, pubescent. Flowers 6-7-merous, 7.5-9.5 mm in diameter; sepals light green, narrowly ovate, 2.5-3.1 mm long, abaxial surface sparsely pubescent, adaxial surface velutinous near margins, otherwise glabrate; sepal glands transversely elliptical to suborbicular with basal margin rounded and apical margin roundedtruncate, 0.8-1.1 mm long, adaxial surface densely strigose to hispid; petals deep red, narrowly ovate to ovate-elliptical, 2.6-3.2 mm long, abaxial surface velutinous, adaxial surface velutinous to tomentose near margins, otherwise glabrate; disk deep red, sparsely puberulent; stamens in groups of 3 per petal; filaments 2-3.6 mm long, glabrous; anthers c. 0.3 mm long; ovary sparsely puberulent; styles 3, 1.5-2 mm long, usually with a prominent basal ridge where the style joins the ovary. Fruit unknown.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

The type locality of Calantica pseudobiseriata sp. nov. is low-altitude humid forest in northeastern Madagascar.

REMARKS

Calantica pseudobiseriata sp. nov. is a tree that has leaves with serrate margins, reddish flowers, and stamens in groups of 3 opposite each petal. It is quite similar in appearance to C. biseriata , to which it is probably most closely related. It may be distinguished from that species by its sparsely puberulent ovary, which is dark-colored in dried material, and long styles (1.5-2 mm long, vs <0.5 mm long in C. biseriata ) that usually have a prominent ridge at the juncture with the ovary. The leaves of C. pseudobiseriata sp. nov. are ovate to elliptical with acuminate to acute apices, whereas those of C. biseriata are usually broadly elliptical to suborbicular with abruptly cuspidate or very short-acuminate apices, although C. biseriata has a range of variation in leaf shape that, at its extreme, could approach that of C. pseudobiseriata sp. nov. Calantica pseudobiseriata sp. nov. is native to humid forest in northeastern Madagascar, whereas C. biseriata is native to dry forests in western to extreme northern Madagascar.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The preliminary assessment of the conservation status of Calantica pseudobiseriata sp. nov. is Critically Endangered (CR B2ab(iii)). With an Area of Occupancy of less than 10 km 2, it is known only from a single location, which is not protected and is subject to continuing habitat degradation. The type locality is relatively close to the large protected area of Masoala National Park, but no specimens from Masoala have been seen, although the area is well collected (over 2500 specimens in MBG’s TROPICOS database).

Figures

FIG. 2. — A-C, Calantica pseudobiseriata Appleq., Phillipson & G. E. Schatz, sp. nov., Schatz et al. 3856 (holotype, MO), A, flowering branch; B, flower from above; C, flower from beneath. Drawing Barbara Alongi. Scale bars: A, 2 cm; B, C, 2 mm.