Astropanax monophyllus (Baker) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin, 2017

Lowry Ii, Porter P., Plunkett, Gregory M., Gostel, Morgan R. & Frodin, David G., 2017, A synopsis of the Afro-Malagasy species previously included in Schefflera (Araliaceae): resurrection of the genera Astropanax and Neocussonia, Candollea 72 (2), pp. 265-282 : 272

A8. Astropanax monophyllus (Baker) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin , comb. nov. ( Fig. 1A ).

÷ Cussonia monophylla Baker in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 155. 1883. ÷ Neocussonia monophylla (Baker) Hutch., Gen. Fl. Pl. 2: 79. 1967. ÷ Schefflera monophylla (Baker) Bernardi in Candollea 24: 97. 1969.

Typus: MADAGASCAR: sine loc., y. fr., Baron 1279 (holo-: K [ K00350555 ]!; iso-: BM!, P [ P00466311 , P00466312 ]!) .

Habitat and distribution. – Astropanax monophyllus is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widely distributed in humid forest from c. 800 to 2,500 m elevation, extending from Montagne d’Ambre National Park in the far north to Andohahela National Park and Tsitongambarika Reserve in the southeastern part of the island ( MADAGASCAR CATALOGUE, 2017).

Notes. – Notwithstanding the species epithet, the leaves of Astropanax monophyllus often have 2 or 3 leaflets, one of which is almost always considerably larger.

Figures

Fig. 1. – Photographs of Astropanax Seem. A. Astropanax monophyllus (Baker) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin; B. Astropanax myrianthus (Baker) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin; C. Astropanax barteri Seem.; D. Astropanax mannii (Hook.f.) Seem.; E. Astropanax stolzii (Harms) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin; F. Astropanax volkensii (Harms) Lowry, G.M. Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin.