Aspidostemon caudatum Rohwer

Werff, Henk Van Der, 2006, A revision of the Malagasy endemic genus Aspidostemon Rohwer & Richter (Lauraceae), Adansonia (3) 28 (1), pp. 7-44 : 18

5. Aspidostemon caudatum Rohwer ( Fig. 4A )

Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 109: 74 (1987) . — Type: Madagascar, forêt littorale orientale, Tampina , [18°31’S, 49°17’E], without date, fl., Perrier de la Bâthie 14919 (holo-, P; iso-, MO, P).

DESCRIPTION

Very large tree. Twigs terete, glabrous, terminal buds glabrous. Leaves opposite, 8-12 × 2.5-3 cm, elliptic, glabrous, chartaceous, the base acute, apex acuminate, the acumen to 1.5 cm long, margin flat, reticulation immersed on the both surfaces; lateral veins poorly differentiated; petioles 5-8 mm, canaliculate. Inflorescences 1.5-3 cm long, paniculate, glabrous; pedicels 1.5 mm long. Flowers 2.5-3 mm in diameter, depressed globose,tepals glabrous, a little longer than wide, erect; stamens 6, glabrous,tepaloid, locelli large, introrse; locelli of stamens of whorl II smaller than those of whorl I, staminodia III with a peltate apex, free, with 2 glands at the base; top of the hypanthium with some hairs; staminodia IV small, stipitate. Pistil glabrous. Fruits not known.

REMARKS

Aspidostemon caudatum is readily recognized by its long-acuminate leaves, presence of 6 stamens and the free staminodia III. It is only known from the type collection ( Fig. 5 ) made in coastal forest along the east coast .

PHENOLOGY

Flowers: November.

VERNACULAR NAME

Longotra.

Figures

FIG. 4. — Species of Aspidostemon Rohwer & Richter: A, A. caudatum Rohwer; B, A. conoideum Van der Werff; C, A. dolichocarpum (Kosterm.) Rohwer; D, A. fungiforme Van der Werff. A, Perrier de la Bathie 14919, MO; B, Rakotomalaza 1203, MO; C, Réserves Naturelles 3261, MO; D, Schatz et al. 3804, MO.

FIG. 5. — Distribution of Aspidostemon Rohwer & Richter in Madagascar: ▲, A. caudatum Rohwer; ▲, A. conoideum Van der Werff; Ϙ, A. dolichocarpum (Kosterm.) Rohwer;Ϙ, A. fungiforme Van der Werff.