Scolopia meridionalis Capuron & Sleumer, 1972

Applequist, Wendy L. & Schatz, George E., 2016, A synoptic revision of the Malagasy species of Scolopia Schreb. (Salicaceae, Scolopieae), Adansonia 38 (1), pp. 99-115 : 111

8. Scolopia meridionalis Capuron & Sleumer

Blumea 20: 46 (1972).

— Type: Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, colline (gneiss) près d’Italy, baie de Ranofotsy , au SW de Fort-Dauphin, 10.I.1963, fl., Service Forestier 22372 (holo-, P [ P00077424 ]! ; iso-, P ×2[ P00077425 , P00077426 ]!, L [ L0011426 ], TEF [ TEF000250 ], photos seen).

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, Baie des Galions ( Ranofotsy ) au SW de Fort-Dauphin , bush xérophile, 1-100 m, 18-21.II.1955, fr., Humbert & Capuron 28979 (P×2). — Mont Vohitsandriana au S de Ranopiso , SW de Fort-Dauphin , forêt de transition sur granite, 200-500 m, 27.II.1955, fr., Humbert & Capuron 29134 (P). — Bassin de la Mananadabo dans le Massif de l’Analavelona, au N du Fiherenana , vers 1000-1300 m d’alt., 13-15.XII.1962, fr., Service Forestier 22196 (P). — Colline (gneiss) près d’Italy, baie de Ranofotsy , au SW de Fort-Dauphin , 10.I.1963, fl., fr., Service Forestier 22366 (P×3). — Pentes inférieures orientales du massif granitique du Vohitsandriana , au S de Ranopiso , 8.XII.1968, fr., Service Forestier 28587 (P×2).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. — Scolopia meridionalis occurs in transitional forest and dry bush in southern Madagascar ( Fig. 2 ). Most collections are from two localities in the extreme southeast; a single collection from the southwest, at the massif of Analavelona, is atypical (see discussion below).

REMARKS

Scolopia meridionalis is usually a small tree to 6 m or a large shrub, often with spiny branches, that belongs to the group of xerophytic species with one-flowered inflorescences. It is distinguished from others in that group by its obovate to rhomboid, usually 2-5 cm long leaves and pubescent ovaries. The only collection from the disjunct population at Analavelona was a tree 15-20 m tall with platanoid bark. Although formal taxonomic recognition of this population was not possible given the very limited available material, it may be suspected that it represents at least a distinct subspecies. Further investigation would be desirable.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The preliminary assessment of the conservation status of Scolopia meridionalis is Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)), with an Extent of Occurrence of 1675 km 2, and a minimum Area of Occupancy of 12 km 2. It is known only from older collections at three locations, two very close together in an area of the extreme southeast subject to continuing habitat degradation and one, whose population may well be genetically and taxonomically distinct, far to the west at Analavelona.

Figures

FIG. 2. — Distributions of Scolopia calcicola Capuron & Sleumer («), S. meridionalis Capuron & Sleumer (▲), S. montana Sleumer (■), and S. thouvenotii H.Perrier (●).