Homalium stelliferum H. Perrier subsp. stelliferum

Wassel, Anna C. & Applequist, Wendy L., 2020, A revision of Homalium sect. Nisa (Salicaceae) endemic to Madagascar, Candollea 75 (1), pp. 1-23 : 18

10a. Homalium stelliferum H. Perrier subsp. stelliferum

Tree to 15 m tall, 80 cm dbh; twigs with leafing internodes 1–2.7 mm diam. Leaves narrowly oblong-elliptic to oblongoblanceolate or oblanceolate (rarely obovate), 3.6 – 11.5 × 1.3–4.5(–5.5) cm; apex cuspidate to rounded, obtuse or acute (short-acuminate); margin subentire to inconspicuously toothed (dentate), with glands usually present in marginal convexities; drying brown (to grayish green) on adaxial surface, lighter brown (to green) on abaxial surface; petiole pilose, short-pubescent or glabrous, (2–)3–5(–10) mm. Inflorescences: bracts and bracteoles usually with ciliate margin, densely to moderately pubescent (pilose, glabrate), 2.3– 3.5(– 4) mm. Flowers 5 – 6-merous; sepals narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic or oblanceolate, (4–) 6–8.4 mm after anthesis, 9.5–11 mm in fruit, glabrous or with dense appressed pubescence on calyx cup, dense to sparse pubescence in medial portion of one or both sepal surfaces.

Vernacular names and use. – “Fotsiakara” (Service Forestier 12394); “Tanatampotsy” (Service Forestier 5798); “Tanatanapotsy” (Service Forestier 12631); “Tsianihomposa” (Réserves Naturelles s.n.); “Tsitongamposa” (Réserves Naturelles s.n.); “Vavarony” ou “Voavarony” (Service Forestier 13709).

Wood is used for construction of houses (Service Forestier 19809).

Distribution, ecology and conservation status. – Homalium stelliferum subsp. stelliferum has been widely distributed in the past but is seldom collected; only two recent collections are known. It is usually found near the eastern coast in lowaltitude forests, extending to coastal or mid-elevation forests. Nine widely separated locations have been collected. The historical habitat is mostly unprotected, but includes the protected area of Zahamena. The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is calculated as c. 51,200 km ² but the Area of Occupancy as 36 km ², which is heavily dependent upon historical subpopulations. Low-elevation eastern humid forest has been subject to considerable anthropogenic damage from wood cutting and forest clearing for agriculture, and this continues to occur in unprotected areas. The preliminary conservation status of this subspecies is assessed as “Vulnerable” [VU B2ab(iii)], which may underestimate the level of threat it faces.

Additional material examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Alaotra-Mangoro [Prov. Toamasina]: Ambatondrazaka [ Zahamena ], au bord de la riv. Ranomainty , 17°45'12"S 48°44'07"E, 5.III.2001, fr., Ratovoson et al. 460 ( G, MO, P, K, TEF not seen) . Reg. Analanjirofo [Prov. Toamasina]: Ambatomilona , Mananara , 15.XII.1951, fr., Service Forestier 5798 ( P) . Reg. Anosy [Prov. Toliara]: col Sakatelo ( Ambazaha ), canton Mahatalaky , distr. Ft-Dauphin , 12.XI.1949, fl., Réserves Naturelles s.n. ( P) . Reg. Atsimo-Atsinanana [Prov. Fianarantsoa]: Boma , distr. de Farafangana , 13.IX.1954, fr., Service Forestier 12394 ( P) . Reg. Atsinanana [Prov.Toamasina]: Vatomandry , comm. Ambalabe , 19°09'43"S 48°36'05"E, 423 m, 26.XI.2004, fr., Randrianasolo et al. 953 ( MO, P) ; Andriantantely , Brickaville , 22.X.1950, fl., Service Forestier 12631 ( P) . Reg. Vatovavy-Fitovinany [Prov. Fianarantsoa]: Iaranina[?] , Ampasinambo , Nosy-Varika , 24.XI.1954, fl., Service Forestier 13709 ( MO, P) ; Antsampanandalana , Ambahaka , Ankarimbelo , Fort-Carnot , 23.X.1960, fl., fr., Service Forestier 19809 ( P [2 sheets]) ; crête de Tsangatsanga , à l’E de Kianjavato ( entre Ifanadiana et Anosivola ), 550 m, 6.XII.1964, fl., Service Forestier 23918 ( MO) .