Noronhia aminae

Hong-Wa, Cynthia, 2016, A taxonomic revision of the genus Noronhia Stadtm. ex Thouars (Oleaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, Boissiera 70, pp. 1-292 : 41-43

2. Noronhia aminae Hong-Wa, spec. nova ( Fig. 2B , 4 ).

Typus: M ADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: DIANA, Diégo II, Anivorano-Nord, Tsarakibany, village d’Analabevato, 12°46’44”S 49°11’18”E, 428 m, 4. I.2009, Hong-Wa et al. 555 (holo-: MO-6615551!; iso-: G [ G00341614 ]!, K!, P!, TAN!) .

Diagnosis

Noronhia aminae Hong-Wa can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its distinctly veined leaf blades, often with domatia, its cream-white, rotate flowers and its large, ellipsoid to ovoid fruits, terminated by a rostrum.

Description

Trees to 16 m tall, trunk to 25 cm diameter; young twigs cylindrical, 0.7-2.1 mm diameter, glabrous; bark medium gray, smooth. Leaves opposite, semi-deciduous; bud scales rarely persistent; blades medium green above, lighter below, oblong, 4.5-14 3 1.5-4.5 cm, subcoriaceous, glabrous, domatia common, base acute to attenuate, margin flat, apex acute to acuminate, the acumen 1-8 mm long, midrib slightly sunken above, distinctly raised below, secondary veins conspicuous, 8-13 per side, 6-15 mm apart, looping 1-3.7 mm from the margin; petiole medium gray, 4-12 3 1-2.5 mm, partially to entirely woody, glabrous. Thyrses geminate to fasciculate, pauciflorous, diffuse; peduncle 15-30 mm long, glabrescent; pedicel 1.5- 13 mm long, glabrescent; calyx sparsely pubescent outside, glabrous inside, lobes triangular, 1 3 1-1.7 mm; corolla cream-white, rotate, 3-4.5 mm long, glabrous on both sides, the tube 0.8-1.5 mm long, lobes lanceolate, apex acute; corona present, 1.3-2 mm long, undivided to slightly lobed; stamens 1.4-2.2 mm long, anthers obovate, 0.9-1.4 mm long; pistil 1.7-2.3 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruiting pedicel 3-15 3 1-2.5 mm; young fruits greenish, orange-yellow when mature, ellipsoid to ovoid, 15-33.5 3 10.5-24 mm, surface slightly rugose, apex rostrate, the rostrum slightly flattened, truncate, with the persistent style; dry pericarp 0.7-1.7 mm thick; endocarp woody; seed 12-25.5 3 7-14.5 mm.

Etymology

This species is dedicated to a sweet matriarch, Amina, who was very helpful in the field and in finding the flowering material that serves as the type specimen.

Distribution, ecology and phenology

Noronhia aminae occurs in low- to mid-elevation semi-deciduous forests in the north, from Montagne des Français to Daraina ( Fig. 3 ). It produces flowers and fruits throughout the year except in April and May, with a peak between November and January.

Conservation status

The assessment was based on 20 collections representing 19 localities and yielded an EOO of 3,393 km 2, an AOO of 64 km 2, and 15 subpopulations representing 13 locations, of which four occur within the network of protected areas (Ankarana, LokyManambato , Montagne d’Ambre , and Montagne des Français). Consequently, N. aminae is assigned a preliminary status of “Near Threatened” [NT] due to continuing decline in habitat quality in non-protected areas.

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[Hong-Wa 555, TAN] Drawings: R.L. Andriamiarisoa

Notes

Noronhia aminae most closely resembles N. sambiranensis H. Perrier , from which it differs by its cream-white (vs. red), rotate (vs. cupuliform) flowers, rostrate (vs. flat) fruit apex, and woody (vs. crustaceous) endocarp. The new species can be recognized by its distinctly veined leaf blades, often with domatia, its cream-white flowers and its large, ellipsoid to ovoid fruits.

Paratypi

MADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: Mosorolava, Mahagaga , 12°46’36”S 49°01’37”E, 102 m, 22.IX.2007, Andriamihajarivo et al. 1366 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Montagne d’Ambre PN, à 8 km de Bobakilandy , 12°37’37”S 49°06’40”E, 533 m, 11.VII.1995, Andrianantoanina & Bezara 851 ( G, K, MO, P, TAN) ; ibid. loc., 18-21. VI.1996, Andrianantoanina & Bezara 983 ( K, MO, P) ; Matsaborimanga , Ankarana RS, 12°56’14”S 49°03’16”E, 50 m, 3.XI.1997, Bardot-Vaucoulon 943 ( K, MO, P, TAN) ; Mahamasina, Massif de l’Ankarana , 12°57’S 49°09’E, 110 m, 26. I.2003, Bardot-Vaucoulon et al. 1339 ( K, MO, P, TAN) ; Mahatsara, forêt d’Analamanga, près d’Andrafiatokana , 12°45’37”S 49°07’35”E, 446 m, 3. I.2009, Hong-Wa et al. 554 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Marotaolana, forêt d’Analamahitsy , 12°50’10”S 49°13’42”E, 370 m, 30. I.2009, Hong-Wa 591 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Sakaramy, Montagne d’Ambre PN, 12°26’28”S 49°13’58”E, 331 m, 1. VI.2010, Hong-Wa 702 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Ampitiliantsambo, Montagne des Français , 12°21’34”S 49°21’30”E, 168 m, 5.X.2004, Randriambololomamonjy 25 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Andranonankomba, Montagne des Français , 12°21’00”S 49°21’34”E, 112 m, 8.IX.2004, Randrianaivo et al. 1082 ( CNARP, G, MO, P, TAN) ; Ampitiliantsambo, Montagne des Français , 12°23’15”S 49°23’04”E, 224 m, 24.VII.2004, Randrianarivelo & Rasolofoson 114 ( G, MO, P, TAN) ; ibid. loc., 12°21’39”S 49°21’34”E, 281 m, 24.IX.2004, Randrianarivelo et al. 140 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Daraina , forêt de Binara, 13°14’22”S 49°36’26”E, 700 m, 28.III.2004, Ranirison 519 (Daraina, G, K, MO, P, TEF) ; Mosorolava, Ampombiantambo, forêt d’Antsoroby , 12°40’29”S 48°58’52”E, 23.IX.2007, Razafitsalama et al. 1224 ( CNARP, G, MO, P, TAN) ; Montagne d’Ambre PN, [13°36’S 49°09’E], 27.VIII.1954, Service Forestier 10788 ( P, TEF) ; Ambodimanga , 7.X.1955, Service Forestier 13033 ( MO, P) ; Montagne des Français , [12°22’05”S 49°21’00”E], 1000 m, 24.III.1955, Service Forestier 13134 ( P, TEF) ; Jardin botanique 19, [12°31’30”S 49°10’20”E], 1000-1100 m, 21.VII.1955, Service Forestier 14248 ( P, TEF) .

Figures

Fig. 2. Photographs of Noronhia Stadtm.ex Thouars. A. Noronhia alleizettei Dubard [Hong-Wa 622]; B. Noronhia aminae Hong-Wa [Hong-Wa 555]; C. Noronhia ankaranensis (H. Perrier) Hong-Wa [Hong-Wa 551]; D. Noronhia capuronii Bosser [Trigui 536].

Fig. 4. Noronhia aminae Hong-Wa.

Fig. 3. Distribution maps of species of Noronhia Stadtm. ex Thouars: N. alleizettei Dubard to N. capuronii Bosser.