Calantica lucida Scott-Elliot, 1891

Applequist, Wendy L., Phillipson, Peter B. & Schatz, George E., 2014, A synoptic revision of the Malagasy endemic genus Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. (Salicaceae), Adansonia (3) 36 (1), pp. 83-102 : 94

7. Calantica lucida Scott-Elliot

Journal of the Linnaean Society, Botany 29: 20, pl. 5 (1891).

— Type: Madagascar, Prov. Toliara, Fort Dauphin , June [no year], fl., Scott-Elliot 2834 (holo-, K, photo seen ; iso-, P!; E, L, photos seen);

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, above Ankoba village, near E edge of Andohahela National Park , Parcel 1, 24°46’46”S, 46°43’11”E, 600 m, 22.I.2008, fl., Lowry et al. 6959 (MO, P, TAN). — Anosy Region, Taolagnaro , Mahatalaky , Farafara Vatanibe , W du village de Malama , sommet W, 24°50’25”S, 46°59’28”E, 375 m, 15.XI.2009, fl., Rakotovao et al. 4538 (MO). — Versant S et plateau sommital du massif granitique du Vohits [i]andriana (au S de Ranopiso ), 8.XII.1968, fl., Service Forestier 28577 (MO, P×2).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

Calantica lucida is native to transitional and humid forests in extreme southeastern Madagascar; one collection was made along a creek, and one was presumably on granite.

REMARKS

Calantica lucida is a shrub or small tree (rarely to 10 m tall). Its flowers are cream white with an orange disk. They resemble those of C. cerasifolia and C. olivacea sp. nov. in being small with a pale perianth and petals much narrower than sepals, but have usually densely sericeous (rather than sparsely to moderately pubescent) indument on the abaxial sepal surface and longer trichomes on the ovary and disk. Calantica lucida is also distinguished from those species by its small, narrowly elliptical (to elliptical), usually rounded-acute leaves. Inflorescences are small and few-flowered, whereas those of C. cerasifolia are often quite large. Rakotovao et al. 4538 is a somewhat anomalous specimen, a 10-meter tree whose flowers are less densely pubescent than other known material.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The preliminary assessment of the conservation status of Calantica lucida is Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)). It is known from three locations, with the Extent of Occurrence calculated as 221 km 2 and the Area of Occupancy as 158 km 2; remaining habitat in the area is degraded and is subject to continuing damage. It occurs within the protected area of Andohahela, but in an area that may experience continuing decline, as the native vegetation is already fragmented and subject to cattle grazing.