Acanthopale ramiflora (Benoist) Callm. & Phillipson, comb. nova.

≡ Strobilanthes ramiflora Benoist in Not. Syst. (Paris) 12: 7. 1945.

Typus: MADAGASCAR. Prov. Antanarivo: Mt. Angavokely, 1450 m, III.1924, Perrier de la Bâthie 16075 (holo-: P [P00089276]! ; iso-: P [P00089277, P00089278]!).

= Strobilanthes curviflora Benoist in Not. Syst. (Paris) 12: 6. 1945. Typus: MADAGASCAR. Prov. Toamasina: Massif de l’Andrangovalo au SE du lac Alaotra, Zahamena RN, c. 1200 m, X.1937, Humbert & Cours 17951 (holo-: P [P00089262]! ; iso-: K [K000394187, K000394188]!, P [P00089263, P00089264]!).

= Strobilanthes madagascariensis var. calvescens Benoist in Not. Syst. (Paris) 12: 138. 1946. Typus: MADAGASCAR. Prov. Fianarantsoa: bois humide de la rivière Raimany, bords du Matitana, 700 m, IX.1910, Perrier de la Bâthie 9475 (holo-: P [P00089269]! ; iso-: P [P00089270, P00089271]!) .

Observations. – Strobilanthes ramiflora and S. curviflora were distinguished on the basis of the shape and the pubescence of the bracts and on the number of flowers of the inflorescences (BENOIST, 1956, 1967). Those characters vary in the collections now available and we currently prefer to recognize a single taxon. Strobilanthes madagascariensis var. calvescens has been segregated on the basis of a single collection (Perrier de la Bâthie 9475) due to the sparser pubescence on its bracts and sepals. However, in our opinion, this collection matches Acanthopale ramiflora very well. We therefore recognize only one species at mid elevation (700-1200 m) in the highlands and eastern region of Madagascar.