Ehretia meyersii J.S. Mill., 2002

Miller, James S., 2002, A revision of Ehretia (Boraginaceae) for Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, Adansonia (3) 24 (2), pp. 137-157 : 150-152

5. Ehretia meyersii J.S. Mill. , sp. nov.

Arbor, ramunculis glabris. Folia alterna, decidua; lamina obovata , 4-8.5 cm longa, 2.5-5 cm lata, apice obtusa, basi asymmetrice acuta, margine integra, utrinque glabra vel fere glabra ; petiolo 8-22 mm longo. Inflorescenctiae cymosae, usque ad 6 cm latae. Flores bisexuales; calyce campanulato, 5-lobo, glabro sed margine ciliato. Fructus drupaceus, depresse-globosus, 3-4 mm longus, pyrenis 4, reticulatis.

TYPUS. — Meyers 232, Madagascar, Prov. Antsiranana, Mantamena, part of Bekaroaka Range , 7 km NE of Daraina (Vohemar), Faritany , Antsiranana, 112- 330 m, 13 o 08’S, 49 o 42’E, fr., 14 Dec. 1990 (holo-, MO!; iso-, P!, TAN).

Tree, the stems glabrous. Leaves alternate, deciduous; blades obovate, the widest point above the middle, 4-8.5 cm long, 2.5-5 cm wide, the apex obtuse, the base assymetrically acute, the margin entire, the adaxial surface glabrous, the abaxial surface glabrous or with a few hairs in the axils of the secondary veins, the venation brochidodromous, the midrib impressed on the adaxial surface, raised on the abaxial surface, the secondary veins 4-6, the tertiary venation reticulate; petioles 8-22 mm long, glabrous, canaliculate on the adaxial surface. Inflorescences cymose, to 6 cm broad, the branches glabrous; flowers bisexual; calyx campanulate, the 5 lobes narrowly triangular, 1.2-1.6 mm long, acute at the apex, glabrous but ciliate on the margin; corollas white?, tubular with spreading to reflexed lobes, c. 4 mm long, the tube c. 3 mm long, the 5 lobes oblong, c. 3 mm long, rounded at the apex; stamens prominently exserted, the filaments c. 4.5 mm long, the upper c. 2 mm free, glabrous, the anthers oboid, c. 1.5 mm long; ovary ovoid, c. 1 mm long, the style c. 3.5 mm long, bifid for c. 1 mm, the 2 stigmas capitate. Fruits drupaceous, borne with the persistent calyx, color at maturity unknown, depressed globose, 3-4 mm long, 4-5 mm broad, the endocarp bony, separating into 4 single-seeded pyrenes at maturity, these c. 3 mm long, 1.5 mm broad, reticulate on the dorsal surface. — Fig. 6 .

Ehretia meyersii is distinctive among the Malagasy species in its rather large leaves (4-8.5 × 2.5-5 cm) that are widest above the middle. It is known from only two dry forest sites in northern Madagascar, while most of the other Malagasy species occur in dry forests in the south. Ehretia meyersii is named in honor of David M. MEYERS, who collected plant specimens in poorly explored forests of northern Madagascar near Daraina, including the type of this species .

DISTRIBUTION. — Ehretia meyersii is known only from dry, deciduous forests of northeast Madagascar (Fig. 3).

VERNACULAR NAME. — Andovokonio.

CONSERVATION STATUS. — Provisional IUCN Red List Category: Endangered (EN B1abiiv+B2abi-iv). With an Extent of occurrence of 400 sq. km. and an Area of Occupancy of only 300 sq. km. Ehretia meyersii is known only from dry forests in northern Madagascar, which are quite small and not currently protected.

PARATYPES. — MADAGASCAR: Bovin 2490, Prov. Antsiranana, baie de Rigny, 12 o 26’S, 49 o 32’E, fl., fr., Oct. 1848 ( P!); Keraudren-Aymomin & Aymonin 25483, Prov. Antsiranana, environs de Diégo-Suarez, forêt littorale au S d’Orangea , 12 o 15’S, 49 o 24’E, fl., fr., 24 Nov. 1970 ( P!) .

Figures

Fig. 6. — Ehretia meyersii J.S. Mill.: A, fruiting branch; B, flowering branch; C, flower. A-C, from Keraudren-Aymonin & Aymonin 25483 (P).