Noronhia grandifolia H. Perrier

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 : 117-118

31. Noronhia grandifolia H. Perrier in Mém.Inst.Sci. Madagascar,Sér.B, Biol.Vég.2:299. 1949 ( Fig. 22C ).

Typus: M ADAGASCAR. Prov. Toamasina: Est, Masoala , [15°17’S 50°11’E], 300 m, X.1912, Perrier de la Bâthie 2167 (holo-: P [ P00418111 ]!) .

Description

Shrubs to trees to 10 m tall, trunk to 20 cm diameter; young twigs cylindrical, 1-5 mm diameter, glabrous; bark light brown, smooth to slightly rugose. Leaves opposite, persistent; bud scales rarely persistent; blades dark green above, lighter below, oblong, 7-23 3 3-8 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, domatia absent, base acute to rounded, margin slightly undulate, apex acuminate, the acumen 2-19 mm long, midrib slightly sunken above, distinctly raised below, secondary veins conspicuous, 7-16 per side, 11-40 mm apart, looping 3-8 mm from the margin; petiole medium gray, 8-20 3 1.5-3.5 mm, entirely woody, glabrous. Thyrses fasciculate, pauciflorous, diffuse; peduncle 5-23 mm long, densely pubescent; pedicel 7-12 mm long, densely pubescent; calyx densely pubescent on both sides, lobes triangular, 1.5-2 3 1.5-1.8 mm; corolla purplish, sometimes tinged yellow, subrotate, 4.5-6 mm long, sparsely pubescent outside, glabrous inside, the tube 2-3 mm long, lobes ovate, apex obtuse; corona absent; stamens 2-2.8 mm long, anthers obovate, 1.2-1.5 mm long; pistil 2.5-3 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruiting pedicel 8-28 3 1-3 mm; young fruits green, purple when mature, subglobose, 13.5-23.5 3 13-24.5 mm, surface smooth, apex apiculate; dry pericarp 0.4-2.2 mm thick; endocarp crustaceous; seed 10.5-20 3 7.5-14 mm.

Distribution, ecology and phenology

Noronhia grandifolia occurs in low- to high-elevation humid forests from Daraina in the north to Andohahela in the south ( Fig. 19 ). It produces flowers and fruits throughout the year, with a peak between October and February.

Conservation status

With 23 collections representing 21 localities, the assessment indicated an EOO of 104,491 km 2, an AOO of 84 km 2, and 21 subpopulations representing 17 locations, of which 10 occur within protected areas (Andohahela, Anjanaharibe-Sud, Corridor Ambositra-Vondrozo, Loky-Manambato, Makira, Mantadia, Marojejy, Masoala, Ranomafana, and Tsaratanana-Ambohimirahavavy-Corridor Marojejy). Being so widespread and well represented within the network of protected areas, N. grandifolia is assigned a preliminary status of “Least Concern”.

Notes

Noronhia grandifolia can be recognized by its large, chartaceous leaf blades, pubescent inflorescences, purplish-yellow flowers that lack a corona, and subglobose, crustaceous fruits subtended by long pedicels.

118 Boissiera 70

Additional specimens examined

MADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: Anjanaharibe-Sud RS, 10 km SW of Befingotra, 14°45’S 49°29’E, 1100-1300 m, 7.IX.1997, Birkinshaw et al. 468 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Daraina, forêt d’Antsahabe , 13°13’08”S 49°33’04”E, 890 m, 2.XII.2004, Gautier 4803 (Daraina, G, MO, P, TEF) ; Andapa , Marojejy PN, 14°28’57”S 49°38’12”E, 1100-1600 m, 19-24. I.1994, Malcomber et al. 2701 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Andapa, Ambodisatrana , 14°32’S 49°26’E, 1100-1200 m, 3.VIII.1997, McPherson 17197 ( K, MO) ; Anjanaharibe-Sud RS, 14°44’42”S 49°27’42”E, 1185-1335 m, 3.XI.1994, Ravelonarivo & Rabesonina 494 ( MO, TAN) ; ibid. loc., 14°12’S 49°27’E, 1100 m, 13-18.IX.1996, Ravelonarivo et al. 1034 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Sambava, Andratamarina, Bemanasy , 14°23’54”S 49°50’55”E, 892 m, 23.X.2010, Ravelonarivo & Raharivelo 3568 ( MO, P, TAN) ; Ambatoharanana , [14°18’S 49°33’E], 460 m, 9.VII.1963, Service Forestier 21629 ( MO, TEF) . Prov. Fianarantsoa: Ranomafana PN, Parcelle 3, 21°16’06”S 47°25’30”E, 923 m, 8. V.2010, Hong-Wa & Ortiz 670 ( MO, P, TAN) ; entre Ivohibe RS et Andringitra PN, 22°25’36”S 46°56’18”E, 955 m, 14.XI.1997, Messmer et al. 573 ( G, MO, P) . Prov. Mahajanga: Befandriana-Nord, Matsoandakana , Andranomena , forêt d’Anjiabe , 15°08’14”S 49°21’27”E, 1084 m, 12. II.2008, Ravelonarivo et al. 2798 ( G, MO, P, TAN) . Prov. Toamasina: Maroantsetra, Anjahana , Ambodivoangy , 15°25’30”S 49°50’50”E, 100 m, 20.VII.2002, Antilahimena 1226 ( MO, P) ; Vinanibe, Andongona, Makira , 15°27’40”S 49°17’46”E, 1153 m, 28.XI.2003, Antilahimena 2420 ( G, MO) ; Analamazaotra RS, 18°49’32”S 48°26’04”E, 941 m, 3. V.2010, Hong-Wa & Ortiz 662 ( MO, TAN) ; Masoala Peninsula , 1-3 km S of Ambanizana, 15°38’S 49°58’E, 0-10 m, 7.XII.1990, Schatz & Modeste 3020 ( G, MO, P, TAN) . Prov. Toliara: Andohahela, path over Col Antanatana to Iminiminy , 24°44’S 46°47’E, 800 m, 7.XII.1989, Du Puy et al. MB525 ( TAN) ; Andohahela (parcel 1), Marovoalavo ( Ebaketra ), 24°38’11”S 46°50’42”E, 16. V.1996, Randriamampionona 1125 ( G, MO) .

Figures

Fig. 22. Photographs of Noronhia Stadtm. ex Thouars

Fig.19. Distribution maps of species of Noronhia Stadtm.ex Thouars.N.edentata (H.Perrier) Hong-Wa to N.insularis (Labat,M.PignaL & O. PascaL) Hong-Wa & Besnard.