identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03C387BF2758FFBF89ECAF3DFA74C847.text	03C387BF2758FFBF89ECAF3DFA74C847.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw & Lowry 2026	<div><p>Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov.</p><p>(Figs 1; 2; 4; Table 1)</p><p>DIAGNOSIS. — Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. most closely resembles S. masoalensis Lowry, G.E. Schatz, J.-F. Leroy &amp; A.-E. Wolf and S. raymondii Lowry &amp; Rabehevitra but differs in having leaves with an oblong to obovate, asymmetrical blade (vs ovate to elliptic in S. masoalensis and elliptic to slightly obovate in S. raymondii), the largest measuring 5-6(-7) × 2-3 cm (vs 7-9.5 × 4-4.5 cm in S. masoalensis and 5.5-7.5 × 2.8-4.4 cm in S. raymondii), and deeply impressed secondary venation on the upper surface (vs slightly raised in S. masoalensis and S. raymondii), inflorescences with a peduncle 21.5-33.5(-35.5) mm long (vs 6.5-8.5 × 3.5-4 mm in S. masoalensis and 5-7.5 × 2.5-3.2 mm in S. raymondii), a calyx with short stellate-papillose indument on the abaxial surface (vs densely woolly villous in S. masoalensis and short stellate-villous in S. raymondii), petals 3-4 mm long (vs 5-6 mm in S. masoalensis and 7(-8) mm in S. raymondii), a subglobose fruit at maturity 5-6 mm in diameter (vs subglobose, 14-16 mm diam. in S. raymondii and unknown in S. masoalensis) that is entirely covered and obscured by the expanded, granular, broadly funnelform to somewhat cupuliform involucre (vs involucre broadly cupulate to funnelform and fleshy in S. raymondii, and unknown in S. masoalensis).</p><p>TYPE MATERIAL. — Madagascar • SAVA region [Antsiranana Prov.], Dist. Sambava, Fir. Anjangoveratra, Fkt. Seranampotaka, Andohananjombalava, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.043888&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.098888" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.043888/lat -14.098888)">forêt d’Antsahakasaka</a>, forêt de basse altitude; 14°05’56”S, 50°02’38”E; 236 m alt.; 10.XII.2022; fr.; Martial leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; Martial 1715; holotype: TAN!; isotype: G[G00341900]!, K!, MO!, P[P00722748] !</p><p>PARATYPES. — Madagascar • SAVA region [Antsiranana Prov.], Dist. Sambava, Commune de Bemanevika, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.071667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.193334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.071667/lat -14.193334)">Fokontany d’Antsahakajohy</a>, formation végétale de forêt de basse altitude, forêt <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.071667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.193334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.071667/lat -14.193334)">d’Anjombavolo</a>, fragment de forêt; 14°11’36”S, 50°04’18”E; 114 m alt.; 10.XI.2021; fr.; Martial et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina det.; Martial et al. 1320; MO, P, TAN • Commune d’Anjangoveratra, Fokontany Seranampotaka, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.043888&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.098888" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.043888/lat -14.098888)">Andohananjombalava</a>, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.043888&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.098888" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.043888/lat -14.098888)">forêt d’Antsahakasaka</a>, forêt de basse altitude; 14°05’56”S, 50°02’38”E; 236 m alt.; 10.XII.2022; fr.; Martial leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; Martial 1715; MO, P, TAN • Rural town Bemanevika, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.085556&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.176945" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.085556/lat -14.176945)">Antsakajohy</a>, fragmented and degraded forest of <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.085556&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.176945" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.085556/lat -14.176945)">Ambatobiribiry</a>, humid evergreen forest; 14°10’37”S, 50°05’08”E; 161 m alt.; 24.XI.2022; fr.; Birkinshaw et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P.P.Lowry II det.; Birkinshaw et al. 2301; MO, P, TAN • Fokontany d’Antsahakajohy, forêt de basse altitude <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.085556&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.176945" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.085556/lat -14.176945)">d’Anjombavolo</a>, fragment de forêt; 14°10’37”S, 50°05’08”E; 136 m alt.; fr.; 13.XI.2021; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 832; MO, P, TAN • Antsakajoy, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.071667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.193055" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.071667/lat -14.193055)">forêt d’Ambatobiribiry</a>, forêt de basse altitude; 14°11’35”S, 50°04’18”E; 104 m alt., 30.V.2022; fl.; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina 1164; MO, P, TAN • <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.085556&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.176945" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.085556/lat -14.176945)">Antsakajoy</a>, forêt de basse altitude; 14°10’37”S, 50°05’08”E; 147 m alt.; ster.; 22.VII.2022; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1166; MO, P, TAN • same data; 14°11’36”S, 50°04’18”E; 109 m alt.; ster.; 29.VIII.2021; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1167; MO, P, TAN • same data; 14°10’37”S, 50°05’08”E; 136 m alt.; bud; 29.VIII.2021; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1176; MO, P, TAN • same data; 14°11’36”S, 50°04’18”E; 109 m alt.; ster.; 30.VIII.2021; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1184; MO, P, TAN • same data; 14°10’37”S, 050°05’08”E; 141 m alt.; fl.; 25.IX.2022; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina 1204; MO, P, TAN • same data; 14°10’52”S, 50°05’09”E; 257 m alt.; ster.; 26.IX.2022; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1221; MO, P, TAN • Fokontany Antsakajohy, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.06222&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.183056" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.06222/lat -14.183056)">forêt Ankatribe, Ambatobiribiry</a>; 14°10’59”S, 50°03’44”E; 145 m alt.; y. fr.; 20.X.2022; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1255; MO, P, TAN • 14°11’42”S, 50°05’35”E; 163 m alt.; ster.; 20.X.2022; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P. Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1264; MO, TAN • 14°10’37”S, 50°05’08”E; 146 m alt.; ster.; 06.I.2023; C. Rakotonirina et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina &amp; P. P.Lowry II det.; C. Rakotonirina et al. 1275; MO, P, TAN • commune de Bemanevika, Fokontany d’Antsahakajohy, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=50.061943&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-14.180834" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 50.061943/lat -14.180834)">forêt de basse altitude d’Anjombavolo</a>; 14°10’51”S, 50°03’43”E; 203 m alt.; fr.; 11.XI.2021; D. Ravelonarivo et al. leg.; T. Ralainaorina det.; D. Ravelonarivo et al. 5005; MO, P, TAN .</p><p>PHENOLOGY. — Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. has been collected in flower in March and May, and fruiting material has been collected from September to November.</p><p>DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. is known from only five site occurrences in northeastern Madagascar, four in remnant forest patches of Ambatobiribiry c. 12 air-km to the NW of Sambava, and one in the Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby protected area located another 10 air-km farther to the NNW (Fig. 3). It occurs in humid forest at elevations of c. 100-260 m, and grows on substrates derived from igneous rocks, such as basalt and gabbro.</p><p>CONSERVATION STATUS. — Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. was collected for the first time in the small, fragmented, degraded, and threatened forest patch that occurs on the Ambatobiribiry Massif, which today occupies a total of c. 108 ha. Four mature trees were located there, but a thorough search of the entire area failed to reveal any other mature plants or any young individuals. The primary threats to the forest at Ambatobiribiry include vanilla cultivation and illegal logging. The practice of cultivating vanilla results in openings in the canopy that cause desiccation of the remaining vegetation and enable freer flow of wind, increasing the intensity and extent of wildfires. Lemur species have been noted to feed on the fruits of several Schizolaena species (Eppley et al. 2022) and likely serve as seed dispersers, including of S. impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov., so unsustainable hunting of lemurs at Ambatobiribiry, which has almost led to their extinction, can be projected to compromise regeneration. Following our inventory work at Ambatobiribiry, five more mature individuals of Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. were located within the Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby protected area situated about 10 air-km to the NNW. Detailed searches in this area did not reveal any other adult trees, although given that the forested area is more extensive at this site, covering a total of c. 2650 ha, it is possible that additional individuals occur in this subpopulation. However, no signs of natural regeneration were recorded, and Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby faces the same threats as Ambatobiribiry, albeit much attenuated because it is a formally designated and managed protected area.</p><p>Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. has a geographic range in the form of an EOO of 16.3 km 2 and an AOO of 16 km 2. It is known from 15 georeferenced collections that represent five sites of occurrence (Fig. 3), all of which are subjected to threats, primarily due to forest degradation for vanilla cultivation, resulting in continuing decline in habitat quality and likely also in number of mature individuals. With respect to the most serious plausible threat (forest degradation), the distribution of S. impressa sp. nov. comprises five locations and the species would therefore qualify for Endangered status under IUCN Red List Criterion B (IUCN 2012). However, with just nine mature individuals known from these sites, application of Criterion D results in a provisional assessment of Critically Endangered (CR D).</p><p>ETYMOLOGY. — The name chosen for this species reflects the fact that its leaves have distinctively impressed venation on the upper surface (Figs 1E, 2B).</p><p>VERNACULAR NAME. — Voandrozana (C. Rakotonirina et al. 1275).</p><p>DESCRIPTION</p><p>Trees c. 9-30 m tall. Twigs with stellate indumentum. Leaves oblong to obovate, asymmetrical, dark green and shiny above (discolorous in dry material), pale green below, subcoriaceous, 5-6(-7) × 2-3 cm, with stellate indumentum on adaxial surface primarily along the midvein, secondary and tertiary veins, densely pubescent with stellate indumentum on abaxial surface, apex acute to nearly rounded, sometimes retuse, margin entire, slightly revolute (sinuate in dry material), base obtuse, asymmetrical, venation brochidodromous, veins prominent on both surfaces, slightly darker on adaxial surface, with 8 to 11 pairs of alternate to subopposite, prominent secondary veins joined by rounded arches, distinctly raised on abaxial surface, impressed on adaxial surface, midrib weakly channeled above, raised below; petiole 6.6-10(-12) mm long, with dense stellate indumentum; stipules intra-petiolar, lanceolate to broadly triangular, pale yellowish white, densely pubescent, 1-1.8 × 0.5-0.7 mm, apex acute, base truncate, caducous, leaving a small scar. Inflorescence axillary, a branched panicle with 2 or 3 branches, each with a basal bract and a pair of bracts borne near the middle and bearing 1 or 2 terminal flowers, axes c. 21.5-33.5(-35.5) mm long, densely stellate pubescent, bracts broadly triangular to cordate or nearly circular, 1.8× 0.5-1 mm, apex rounded to acute, papillose on both surfaces, with stellate indumentum along the margins, rarely caducous, ultimate axes below the involucre 1-1.5 mm long, densely stellate-papillose, involucre in flower with 5 irregular lobes, densely papillose on both surfaces, with outgrowths on the upper surface bearing stellate indumentum, containing 1 or 2 sessile flowers; sepals 3, imbricate, broadly ovate, adaxially concave, 2-3 × 2 mm at anthesis, glabrous on adaxial surface, with short stellate-papillose indumentum on abaxial surface, apex rounded to acute, margins entire; petals 5, oblong, slightly succulent when fresh, chartaceous when dry, 3-4 × 2 mm, stellate on abaxial surface (sparsely stellate to glabrous toward margins), glabrous on adaxial surface, with minute white striations (in dry material), apex rounded to broadly acute; stamens c. 20, filaments slender, c. 3 mm long, glabrous, anthers slightly elliptic to nearly circular, 0.3-0.4 mm long, introrse, dehiscent by apical to longitudinal slits; ovary broadly depressed ovoid in fresh material, depressed globose in dry material, c. 1 mm in diam., densely white woolly tomentose, 3-locular; style cylindrical, very slightly curved at anthesis, c. 1.5 mm long, stigma terminal, circular, glabrous. Nearly mature fruit subglobose, 5-6 mm in diam., with dense stellate-papillose indumentum, exocarp cartilaginous, rugose, dry sepals and filaments persistent; involucre expanded, granular, broadly funnelform to somewhat cupuliform, completely obscuring the fruit, light green in fresh material, abaxial surface covered with numerous thick processes, adaxial surface sparsely glandular papillose, involucre with 5 broadly ovate to narrowly elliptic, unequal lobes divided ⅓ to ½ of the way to the base, each lobe with 9 to 12 filiform processes, (1-) 2-4 mm long; seeds 1 or 2 per locule, broadly spherical to ovoid, yellow, 3-4 mm long, 3-5 mm in diam., hilum depressed concave.</p>Masoala PeninsulaManakana<p>NOTES</p><p>Using the key to species of Schizolaena provided by Lowry et al. (1999) and the information in Lowry &amp; Rabehevitra (2006), material of this new species would be identified as either S. masoalensis Lowry, G.E. Schatz, J.-F. Leroy &amp; A.- E. Wolf or S. raymondii Lowry &amp; Rabehevitra, both of which also occur in northeastern Madagascar. These three taxa can, however, be distinguished from one another by several morphological features, as summarized in the Table 1, as well as differences in their substrate preferences and geographic distributions (Fig. 3). However, what most strikingly distinguishes S. impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. is the fact that its mature fruit is entirely covered by the expanded, granular, broadly funnelform to somewhat cupuliform involucre that encloses and totally obscures the fruit, which is easily observed in the field.</p><p>Given the precarious status of Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov., efforts are being made to ensure the survival of this highly threatened species by means of ex-situ conservation methods. Seeds collected from the two subpopulations at Ambatobiribiry and Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby have been propagated and the resulting seedlings have been out-planted in the Field Gene Bank at Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby (located in the grounds of the secondary school at Anjangoveratra) and in the ex-situ conservation collection at Parc Ivoloina (situated close to Tomasina in east-central Madagascar). Currently 15 young plants of Schizolaena impressa Ralainaorina, Birkinshaw &amp; Lowry, sp. nov. are growing at Makirovana-Tsihomanaomby and at Ivoloina, the tallest of which has reached 39 cm in height.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C387BF2758FFBF89ECAF3DFA74C847	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Ralainaorina, Toky;Birkinshaw, Chris;Lowry Ii, Porter P.	Ralainaorina, Toky, Birkinshaw, Chris, Lowry Ii, Porter P. (2026): Endemic families of Madagascar. XV. A new critically endangered species of Schizolaena Thouars (Sarcolaenaceae) from northeastern Madagascar. Adansonia (3) 48 (18): 197-204, DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2026v48a18
