Noronhia urceolata 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 : 269-271

84. Noronhia urceolata H. Perrier in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 2: 300. 1949.

Lectotypus (designated here): MADAGASCAR. Prov. Mahajanga: Ankaizina , [14°30’S 48°55’E], 1200 m, s.d., Perrier de la Bâthie 8827 ( P [ P00418103 ]!) . Syntypus: Massif du Manongarivo, [14°00’S 48°23’E], 800 m, V.1909, Perrier de la Bâthie 8824 ( P [ P03559253 , P03559254 ]!) .

Description

Shrubs to small trees to 4 m tall, trunk to 6 cm diameter; young twigs cylindrical, 1-2 mm diameter, glabrous; bark light gray to whitish, smooth. Leaves opposite, persistent; bud scales persistent; blades medium green above, lighter below, oblong to elliptic, 8.5-18 3 2-4 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, domatia casual, base acute to attenuate, margin flat to slightly revolute, apex acuminate, the acumen 4-12 mm long, midrib slightly sunken above, distinctly raised below, secondary veins conspicuous, 8-14 per side, 11-17 mm apart, looping 1-4.5 mm from the margin; petiole light gray, 5-10 3 1.2-2 mm, entirely woody, glabrous. Thyrses fasciculate, multiflorous, diffuse; peduncle 2-17 mm long, very sparsely pubescent; pedicel 7-14 mm long, very sparsely pubescent; calyx very sparsely pubescent outside, glabrous inside, lobes deltate, 1.4-2.2 3 1.3-2 mm; corolla dark brown on dry material, urceolate, 3.5-5 mm long, glabrous on both sides, the tube 2-3.5 mm long, lobes widely ovate, apex rounded; corona absent; stamens 1.2-2.8 mm long, anthers widely ovate to cordiform; pistil 2-3 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruiting pedicel 8 3 1.3-1.4 mm; young fruits green, brown when mature, subglobose, 23.5-27 3 23-24.5 mm, surface smooth, sometimes covered with a white pellicle, apex flat to slightly apiculate; dry pericarp 0.8 mm thick; endocarp crustaceous; seed 11.5 3 9.5 mm.

Distribution, ecology and phenology

Noronhia urceolata occurs in low- to mid-elevation transitional forests from Sambirano in the northwest to Antsalova in the west ( Fig. 68 ). It produces flowers and fruits from October to May.

Conservation status

Based on six collections representing five localities, the assessment indicated an EOO of 59,126 km 2, an AOO of 20 km 2, and five subpopulations representing five locations, of which only one occurs within a protected area (Bemaraha). Given that the actual AOO is probably larger than estimated but likely does not exceed 2,000 km 2, along with the small number of locations and projected continuing decline in habitat quality and in the number of mature individuals as well as habitat loss resulting from wildfire, grazing, expansion of agricultural fields, and forest exploitation, N. urceolata can be assigned a preliminary status of “Vulnerable” [VU B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)].

Notes

Noronhia urceolata can be recognized by its chartaceous, oblong to elliptic leaf blades, large inflorescences with urceolate flowers, and subglobose fruits with crustaceous endocarp. It differs from N. leandriana by its woody petioles, the shape of its flowers and fruits, and the absence of a corona. Noronhia urceolata was based on two syntypes (Perrier de la Bâthie 8824 and 8827), the latter of which has better material and is thus chosen as the lectotype.

Additional specimens examined

MADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: Ambanja, Marovato , [13°57’S 48°33’E] , 16.XII.1951, Saboureau 3275 ( MO, P); Ambanja, forêt Bemanasy , [13°47’S 48°37’E] , 14.XI.1953, Service Forestier 7900 ( MO, P, TEF). Prov. Mahajanga: Antsingy, vers Bevary ( E d’Antsalova ), [18°37’S 44°48’E] , 400-600 m, 27. I .1960- 5. II .1960, Leandri & Saboureau 2837 ( G, MO, P); vers Ambondro, Antsingy , [18°40’S 44°52’E] , 400-600 m, 2. II .1960, Leandri & Saboureau 2912 ( MO, P); Kimanambolo, Belitsaka , 18°02’09”S 44°19’27”E, 18.X.2009, Rakotonasolo et al. 1401 ( MO, P, TAN) .

Figures

Fig. 68. Distribution maps of species of Noronhia Stadtm. ex Thouars.N. urceolata H. Perrier to Noronhia verticillata H. Perrier.