Cyrtandra toviana F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 130: 271. 1935.

Wagner, Warren L., Wagner, Anthony J. & Lorence, David H., 2013, Revision of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) in the Marquesas Islands, PhytoKeys 30, pp. 33-64 : 54-55

11. Cyrtandra toviana F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 130: 271. 1935. Fig. 12

Type.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva: Tovii, 800 m, October 1922, E. H. Quayle 1279 (holotype: BISH-509964!).

Description.

Shrubs 1.5-2 m tall; stems usually few. Leaves opposite, borne on upper few nodes, peltate, suborbicular, 7-10 × 6-9 cm, ferruginous glandular pubescent, margins coarsely dentate, petioles 5-10 cm. Cymes few-flowered, ca. 2.5-3 cm; bracts ca. 5-6 mm, deciduous, peduncles ca. 10 mm, ca. 1.5-2 mm in diameter, pedicels 12-25 mm; calyx campanulate, 10-17 mm, densely ferruginous glandular pubescent, divided ca. ¼ -1/3 of length, lobes acute, 4-5 mm; corolla funnelform, tube ca. 25-35 mm, the lobes rounded, ca. 6-10 mm; ovary conical-ovoid, 5 mm, glabrous; style ca. 13 mm long, glabrous in the lower portion, slightly pubescent near the apex. Berry ovoid, ca. 15 mm long.

Distribution.

Marquesas Islands, very rare or perhaps extinct, endemic to Toovii Plateau, Nuku Hiva, ca. 800-900 m. It is known from three collections collected in 1844, 1922, and the most recent in 1982.

Ecology.

Cyrtandra toviana is known only in Metrosideros collina woodland.

Conservation status.

IUCN Red List Categories: Critically Endangered CR B2a + 2b (i, ii, iii). B1, extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2; B2, area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2 (ca. 9 km2), and B2a, a single population known; b (i-iii), habitat continuing decline inferred. The suitable habitat for Cyrtandra toviana on Nuku Hiva (ca. 340 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest ( Florence and Lorence 1997; Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998; Meyer and Salvat 2009).

Specimens examined.

Marquesas Islands. Nuku Hiva: 1844, Le Bâstard (P [2]); Toovii, Quayle 1279 (BISH); Toovii, épaulement au-dessus du réservoir, 895 m, 8°52'S, 140°9'W, 7 December 1982, Florence 4324 (BISH, P).

Discussion.

Cyrtandra toviana is unique within Marquesan Cyrtandra with its peltate leaves and small campanulate calyx. In fact, it could well represent a separate introduction of the genus to the Marquesas Islands.

Figures

Figure 12. Cyrtandra toviana F. Br. A Habit B Leaf apex abaxial view C Calyx with pistil D Flower. Drawn from Florence 4324 (BISH).