63. Noronhia peracuminata H. Perrier in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 2: 299. 1949.

Typus: M ADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: base des montagnes bordant la vallée du Sambirano, [14°19’00’’S 48°17’30’’E], VIII.1907, Perrier de la Bâthie 8823 (holo-: P [P00418094]!; iso-: P [P00418093]!) .

Description

Trees to 9 m tall, trunk to 15 cm diameter; young twigs cylindrical, 0.6-0.8 mm diameter, glabrous; bark medium gray, smooth. Leaves opposite, persistent; bud scales persistent; blades medium green, lighter below, lanceolate, 6.5-7.5 3 2 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, domatia absent, base acute to attenuate, margin slightly undulate, apex acuminate, the acumen 14-19 mm long, midrib slightly sunken above, flat to raised below, secondary veins conspicuous, 7-8 per side, 8-9.5 mm apart, looping 1.5-2.2 mm from the margin; petiole light gray to brownish, 4-6 3 0.7-0.8 mm, partially to entirely woody, glabrous. Flowers geminate, sometimes solitary; pedicel 5-12 mm long, glabrous; calyx glabrous on both sides, lobes triangular, 1-1.5 3 1 mm; corolla red tinged yellowish, cupuliform, 5 mm long, glabrous on both sides, the tube 3.5 mm long, lobes ovate, apex acute; corona present, 2 mm long, undivided; stamens 2 mm long, anthers obovate, 1.6 mm long; pistil 2.2 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruiting pedicel 13-20 0.8-1.2 mm; young fruits green, brownish when mature, ovoid, 18 3 8 mm, surface smooth, apex apiculate to rostrate, the rostrum flattened, apiculate; dry pericarp 0.3 mm thick; endocarp crustaceous; seed 8 3 5 mm.

Distribution, ecology and phenology

Noronhia peracuminata occurs in low- to mid-elevation riparian and rupicolous vegetation on sandstones in the Sambirano region in northwestern Madagascar (Fig. 36). It has been collected in flowers and fruits in August and November.

Conservation status

Noronhia peracuminata is currently known only from two collections representing two localities. With an AOO of 8 km 2, two subpopulations representing two locations, of which one occurs within a protected area (Manongarivo), and a projected continuing decline in habitat quality and number of mature individuals as well as habitat loss resulting from forest exploitation and land conversion, N. peracuminata is assigned a preliminary status of “Endangered” [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)].

Notes

Noronhia peracuminata can be recognized by its chartaceous leaf blades with a long acumen, geminate, sometimes solitary, red flowers, and apiculate, crustaceous fruits. It differs from N. rostrata by its woody (vs. non-woody) petioles, red (vs. white) flowers, and apiculate (vs. rostrate) fruits.

Additional specimens examined

MADAGASCAR. Prov. Antsiranana: Ambahatra (cours moyen), Manongarivo RS, 13°55’43”S 48°27’19”E, 230 m, 19.XI.2000, Wohlhauser 327 (G, MO, P) .