Acalypha emirnensis Baill., 1279

Muñoz, Iris Montero, Levin, Geoffrey A. & Cardiel, José María, 2023, Monograph of Acalypha L. (Euphorbiaceae) of the Western Indian Ocean Region, with the description of a new species from Mayotte, Adansonia (3) 45 (26), pp. 395-496 : 432-436

14. Acalypha emirnensis Baill.

Adansonia, recueil d’observations botaniques 1: 270 ( Baillon 1861).— Type: Madagascar. Prov. Antananarivo: Antananarivo “in prov.Emirna, prope Tananarivou”, 1833, W. Bojer s.n. (lecto-, designated here: P[P00536723]; isolecto-, GD-C[GDC005713], P[P00536725]) .

Acalypha fasciculata Müll.Arg. , Linnaea 34: 31 ( Müller Argoviensis 1865). — Type: Madagascar. s.l., s.d., L. M. A. Du-Petit Thouars s.n. (lecto-, designated by Montero Muñoz et al. [2018a: 96]: P[P00324476]; isolecto-, P[P00324495, P00508505]), syn. nov.

Acalypha baronii Baker , Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany. London 20: 254 ( Baker 1883). —Type: Madagascar. “ Central Madagascar ”, 1882, R. Baron 1725 (lecto-, designated here: K[K000186523]; isolecto-, P[P00324467]).

Acalypha lyallii Baker , Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany. London 20: 255 ( Baker 1883). — Acalypha fasciculata var. lyallii (Baker) Leandri, Notulae Systematicae. Herbier du Muséum de Paris. Phanérogramie. Paris 10: 284 ( Leandri 1942). — Type: Madagascar. “Central Madagascar”, s.d., R. Lyall s.n. (lecto-, designated here, or possibly holotype: K[K000186529]), syn. nov.

Acalypha hologyna Baker Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany. London 21: 441 ( Baker 1884). — Type: Madagascar. s.l., s.d., R. Baron 2889 (lecto-, designated here: K[K000186526]; isolecto-, P[P00536724]).

Acalypha madreporica Baill., Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar, Atlas, 2, Fasc. 27: t. 186 ( Baillon 1891). — Type: Baillon (1891: pl. 186), holotype.

Acalypha bakeriana Baill. , Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Paris 2: 1180 ( Baillon 1895a). — Type: Madagascar. “Centr. Madag.” R. Baron 4425 (holo-, P[P00324466]).

Acalypha madagascariensis Pax & K.Hoffm., Das Pflanzenreich (Engler) 147, 16 (Heft 85): 162 (Pax & Hofmann 1924). — Type: Mada - gascar. Prov. Toliara, Forêt d’Antsianaka , 19.I.1882, H. Humblot 447 [“449”] (holo-, B, presumably destroyed; lecto-, designated by Montero Muñoz et al. [2018a: 96]: P[P00324501]), syn. nov.

Acalypha emirnensis var. bara Leandri, Notulae Systematicae.Herbier du Muséum de Paris. Phanérogramie. Paris 10: 282 ( Leandri 1942). — Type: Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, Massif of l’Ivakoany, 1928, H. Humbert 6986 (lecto-, designated byMontero Muñoz et al. [2018a: 96]: P[P00508509]; isolecto-, P[P00508508]. — Former syntypes: Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, bassin supérieur du Mandrare, col et sommet de Marosohy, 1000-1400 m, 14-15.XI.1928, H. Humbert 6623 (P[P00536758]); Massif de l’Ivakoany, H. Humbert 12185 (P[P00508506, P00508507]); entre l’Andohahela et l’Elakelaka, H. Humbert 13941 ([P00324472]).

Acalypha emirnensis var. jabohaziana Leandri, Notulae Systematicae. Herbier du Muséum de Paris. Phanérogramie. Paris 10: 283 ( Leandri 1942). — Type : Madagascar. Prov. Mahajanga: “Boina, Jabohazo, près du mont Tsitondroina” X.1900, H. Perrier de la Bâthie 9793 (lecto-, designated here, or possibly holotype: P[P00536722]).

Acalypha fasciculata var. humbertiana Leandri, Notulae Systematicae. Herbier du Muséum de Paris. Phanérogramie. Paris 10: 284 ( Leandri 1942). — Type: Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, haute vallée de Mandrare, 8.XI.1928, H. Humbert 6514 (lecto-, designated by Montero Muñoz et al. [2018a: 96]: P[P00508503]; isolecto-, P[P00324487], US [ US 00096332]). — Former syntypes: Madagascar. Prov. Toliara, Bassin de la Manampanihy (Sud-Est), col de Fitana, H. Humbert 6044 (P[P00324486]); Massif du Beampingaratra, du col de Bevava au sommet de Bekoho, H. Humbert 6478 (P[P00508504]), syn. nov.

ICONOGRAPHY. — Baillon (1891: pl. 186); Leandri (1942: 282);

Figs 28G, H ; 35B.

ETYMOLOGY. — The epithet refers to the type locality, the Emirna [Imerina] Kingdom (1540-1897) that occupied much of the central plateau of Madagascar: its capital was Antananarivo.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. — Endemic to Madagascar (Diana, Sava, Sofia, Analanjirofo, Alaotra-Mangoro, Analamanga, Bongolava, Boeny, Vatovavy-Fitovinany, Atsimo-Atsinanana, Anosy, and Ihorombe). Medium altitude moist evergreen forest, lowland evergreen moist forest, and riparian forest. On basement rocks and sandstone. Altitudinal range (250-) 400-1800 (-2146) m ( Fig. 29 ).

PRELIMINARY CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT. — The EOO of Acalypha emirnensis is estimated to be 332 717 km 2 and its AOO 252 km 2, which is less than the 500 km 2 threshold of the B2 subcriterion of the Endangered category. This species grows mainly in moist evergreen forests. These forests have been heavily degraded and fragmented in recent years; deforestation rates are increasing annually, so the remaining original vegetation is still decreasing ( Yesuf et al. 2019). This species has been collected in some protected areas, but it is also known from several unprotected forests subject to various threats (uncontrolled fires mainly for rice farming, logging, mining, etc.). Ongoing habitat loss will cause continued decline of its EOO and AOO. Acalypha emirnensis is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) under criterion B. It meets the AOO values needed for a threatened category, but the number of locations is too high to meet the conditions required for a listing under the Endangered category.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 108 collections. Madagascar: Andrianjafy, N.M. 933 (P[P04779507]); Anonymous 15 (P[P00324568]); Antilahimena, P. 4970 ( BR [BR0000014628429], P[P05481540]), 5089 (P[P05481542]); Armand, M.W. 15 (P[P00324483, P00324484]); Baron, R. 647 (K), 1725 (K[K000186523], P[P00324467]), 2466 (P[P00324482]), 2889 (K[K000186526], P[P00536724]), 3678 (P[P00324561, P00324468]), 4064 (K), 4425 (P[P00324466]), 6121 (K), 6551 (P[P00324478]); Bernard, R. 961 ( MO [MO-3025020], P, TAN), 1477 ( MA, MO[MO-2651754], TAN); Birkinshaw, C.R. 1846 ( MO [MO-3025019],TAN), 2120 ( MO [MO-3400503]); Bojer, W.s.n. ( GDC [GDC005713], G[G00324064]), s.n. (P[P00536723]), s.n. (P[P00536725]); Bosser, M.J. 7160 (P[P00508513, P00324465]); Cours, G. 343 (P[P00324541]), 2247 (K, MO[MO-3025009], P[P00324543], TAN), 4204 (P[P00508419]); d’Alleizette, Ch. s.n. (L[L0241584]), s.n. (L[L0241903]); Decary,R. 2305 (P[P00324535]), 6145 (P[P00324463]), 6146 (P[P00324464]), 7208 (P[P00324496], US[US01287345]), 10831 (K[K000384471], P[P00324480], US[US01287344]); du Petit-Thouars, L.M.A. s.n. (P[P00508505]), s.n. (P[P00324476]), s.n. (P[P00324495]); Du Puy, B. MB494 (K, P[P00075169]); Flores, T.C. 81 ([GH01097255]); Gautier, L. LG 3889 (G[G00034259]), LG 4119 (G[G00007292], K, P[P04786261]); Guillaumet, J.L. 3983 (P[P00324528]); Homolle, A.M. 2247 (P[P05547227]), s.n. (P[P04779865]); Humbert , H. 3050 (P[P00224702]), 3053 (P[P00508500]), 6044 ( GH [GH01097247], P[P00324486], US[US01287346], WAG[WAG.1578535]), 6478 (P[P00324488, P00508504]), 6514 ( GH [GH01097246], P[P00324487, P00508503], US[US00096332]), 6623 (P[P00536758, P00324475]), 6985 (P[P00324580]), 6986 (P[P00508508, P00508509]), 12185 (P[P00324473, P00508506, P00508507]), 13941 (P[P00324472]), 18624 (K, P[P05547020]), 18658 bis (P[P00324497]), 22080 (B[B100346009], BR[BR0000005045181], P[P00324498]), 22099 (G, K[K001394516], MO, P[P00324499], S[S17-37501], WAG[WAG.1930064]), 24516 (G, MO[MO-3025008], P[P00324589], TAN), 25143 (P[P00324590]), 28784 (P[P05543668]); Humblot, L. 445 (K, LD[LD1422500], P[P00536757, P00536726]); 447 (P[P00324501]); Hure, M. s.n. (P[P05547047]); Jard. Bot. Tananarive 3244 (P[P00324470, P00508511]), 3255 (P[P00324469, P00508512), 3773 (P[P00324509]); Lam, H.J 5809 ( BR [BR0000014625473], L[L0241330], P[P00324481], WAG[WAG.1578532]); Lyllal, R. (K[K000186529]); Malcomber, S. 1684 ( MO), 2118 (P[P04779848]), 2213 (P[P04779847]), 2630 (K, MO); McPherson, G. 14590 ( BR [BR0000021450297], G[G00420834], P[P00508501]); Messmer, N. NM 073 (G[G343283/1]); Nek, F. I. van 1898 ( BR [BR0000018889543], G, K, M, MO[MO-2965743], TAN, WAG[WAG.1578694]); Nicoll, M.F. 225 ( BR [BR0000021450334], K, P[P00508502], MO); Nusbaumer, L. LN 1672 (G[G00019872], P[P05547269]); Perrier de la Bâthie, H. 9793 (P[P00536722]), 16733 ( MA, P[P00324471, P00508510]); Rabenantoandro, J. 1888 (P[P06490048]); Rakoto, R. 15 ( BR [BR0000005610778], CAS, G[G00420835], K, MO, P[P05481892]); Rakotomalaza, P. 1455 ( MAUAM, MO, TAN), PJ 1982 (G[G00034256]), PJ 2047 (G[G00034257], K); Rakotonandrasana, S. 1279 ( MO [MO-2965742], P[P 01152835], TAN); Rakotonao 12211-RN (P[P04779843]); Rakotovao, C. 2603 (P[P04779509]), 2677 (P[P04779508]), 4542 ( MO [MO-3025016], TAN); Ramandimbimanana, S.D. SDR 195 (G[G00376954]); Ranarivelo, H.S. 12 ( CAS [CAS-0064835]), RHS 920 ( CAS, MO[MO-3025003], TAN); Randriamanatena, D. 321 (P[P04779840]); Randriambololona, M. 262 (G[G00034254], MO, P[P00324504], UPS[UPS V-153533, UPS V-153534]); Randrianaivo, R. 1274 (P[P05481686]); Randriatafika, F. 699 (P[P06490050]); Ranirison, P.PR 994 (G[G00090427], P[P05547230]); Ravelomanantsoa, D. 129 (K, MO[MO-3025035], TAN); Razakamalala, R. 2436 (P[P06490051]), 2870 ( MO [MO-2965745], P[P05481879], TAN), 3296 ( MO [MO-2965812], P[P04779506]), 3801 (P[P06490049]), 5498 ( MO [MO-3025030],TAN); Razanatsima, A. 1501 ( MAUAM, MO[MO-2965813]), 1789 ( MO); Réserves Naturelles Madagascar 12263-RN (P[P04786279]); Thulin, M. 11833 ( MO [MO-2965751], UPS[UPS V-533590]); Schlieben, H.J.S. 11101 (K).

REFERENCES. — Müller Argoviensis (1866: 804); Müller Argoviensis (1866: 851) as A. fasciculata ; Baillon (1892: 1003); Baillon (1895a: 1180) as A. baronii ; Baillon (1895a: 1181) as A. madreporica and A. lyallii ; Baillon (1895b: 1196) as A. hologyna ; Palacký (1907: 24, 25); Pax & Hoffmann (1924: 94, 171) as A. fasciculata ; Leandri (1942: 281); Leandri (1942: 283) as A. fasciculata ; Leandri (1948: 186) as A. lyallii ; Leandri (1952) as A. fasciculata var. humbertiana ; Govaerts et al. (2000: 50, 61); Govaerts et al. (2000: 67) sub. A. hologyna ; Govaerts et al. (2000: 73) as A. lyallii ; Govaerts et al. (2000: 74) as A. madreporica ; Schatz (2001: 142) as A. fasciculata var. humbertiana ; Sagun et al. (2006: 124); Seebaluck et al. (2015: 152) as A. lyallii ; Montero Muñoz et al. (2018a: 95); Montero Muñoz et al. (2018a: 96) as A. fasciculata .

DESCRIPTION

Shrubs, probably deciduous, to 5 m tall, monoecious. Branches pubescent with simple, curved, antrorse trichomes, glabrescent when mature. Axillary buds spherical, to 1 mm diameter, perulate, perules 2, valvate, membranous, brownish, sparsely hairy, margin ciliate. Stipules to 4 mm long, linear-lanceolate to triangular-lanceolate, midrib with simple, appressed trichomes, margin ciliate. Petioles (1-)1.5-4(-5.5) cm long, indumentum similar to that on young branches. Leaf blades (5-)7-12(-18) [-26.5] × 2-4(-5)[-8.7] cm, elliptic-lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate, membranous; base acute to cuneate; apex acuminate, acumen to 15 mm long, acute; margin crenate-serrate to serrate, teeth rounded to acute, ending in sessile glands; upper and lower surfaces laxly pubescent with simple, erect trichomes, and with simple, short, curved, antrorse trichomes on veins, glabrescent; lower surface also with flattened resinous glands; venation pinnate, secondary veins to 12 per side. Stipels glandular, to 0.5 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescences spiciform, usually unisexual, rarely androgynous, axillary. Androgynous inflorescences to 9 cm long, mostly male with 1- 2 female bracts; peduncle to 5 mm long, it and rachis laxly pubescent with short, curved, antrorse trichomes. Female segment to 2.5 cm long; bracts 1-2, sessile, enlarging in fruit to 15 × 18 mm, orbicular-reniform, laxly pubescent with simple, short trichomes and flattened resinous glands, and ciliate with simple, short trichomes; margin dentate, teeth c. 41, falcate, ending in sessile gland, central tooth slightly prominent; bracteoles to 0.5 mm long, triangular-lanceolate, sparsely hairy. Male segment persistent, to 8 cm long; flowers glomerate; bracts to 2 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, scarious, translucent, sparsely hairy and ciliate. Male inflorescences like androgynous but without female bracts. Female inflorescences laxly flowered, to 4.5 cm long; peduncle to 25 mm long, it and rachis pubescent with simple, curved, antrorse trichomes; bracts 1-3(-4), they and bracteoles like those on androgynous inflorescences Male flowers: pedicel to 1.5 mm long, glabrous; buds to 1 mm diameter, glabrous. Female flowers 2 per bract, sessile; calyx urceolate, sepals 3, to 1.2 mm long, triangular-lanceolate, sparsely hairy; ovary c. 1 mm diameter, 3-lobed, smooth, surface strigose, with thick, simple, appressed trichomes; styles 3, to 4 mm long, distinct, glabrous, each divided into c. 10 segments. Allomorphic flowers sometimes present at apex of the male inflorescence, subsessile and similar to the regular flowers. Capsules to 5 mm diameter, smooth, surface laxly pubescent with simple, short, curved trichomes and flattened resinous glands. Seeds c. 3.3 × 2.8 mm, pyriform, foveolate.

NOTES

1) Baillon designated W. Bojer s.n., at P, as the type of Acalypha emirnensis . We found two specimens of this collection at P, so we designate the better preserved of them as the lectotype; 2) Baker designated the type specimens of Acalypha baronii , A. lyallii , and A. hologyna but did not indicate the herbarium where they were located, so we designate the best preserved specimen of each as the respective lectotype; 3) Leandri designated H. Perrier de la Bâthie 9793 as the type of Acalypha emirnensis var. jabohaziana , but did not indicate the herbarium were the type is located, so we designated the single specimen found as the lectotype; 4) Acalypha fasciculata was treated as an accepted species by Montero Muñoz et al. (2018a) but, after a careful study of the specimens that supported this name, we conclude that A. fasciculata must be treated as a synonym of A. emirnensis ; 5) the correct number of the type specimen of A. madagascariensis is Humblot 447. In the protologue of this name, it was wrongly transcribed as “ Humblot 449 ”, which corresponds to a Psorospermum Spach ( Clusiaceae ) specimen; and 6) the collections Antilahimena & Edmond 4970 (BR0000014628429, P05484540), Humbert 6986 (P00324474, P00508509) and 25143 (P00324590), and Rakotonandrasana 1279 (P 01152835) have some androgynous inflorescences with 1- 2 female bracts. A specimen of Ranarivelo 12 (CAS-0064835) mostly has male unisexual inflorescences, but one inflorescence is androgynous, with a minute undeveloped female bract.

Figures

FIG. 28. — A, Acalypha diminuta Baill. (photo by L. Gillespie, L. Gillespie 10704); B, C, A. andringitrensis Leandri (photo by P. Phillipson, P. Phillipson 5669); D, E, A. boinensis Leandri (photo by L. Gillespie, L. Gillespie 10813); F, A. decaryana Leandri (photo by P. Lowry II, P. Lowry II 6991); G, H, A. emirnensis Baill. (photo by L. Nusbaumer, P. Ranirison PR994).

FIG. 35. — Mature female bracts: A, Acalypha decaryana Leandri (R. Decary 2985); B, A. emirnensis Baill. (G. McPherson 14590); C, A. filiformis Poir. (P. Commerson s.n.); D, A. fimbriata Schumach. & Thonn. (J. Audru 40466); E, A. gillespieae G.A.Levin & I.Montero (L. Gillespie et al. 10692); F, A. gracilipes Baill. (R. Rabevohitra 2054); G, A. humbertii Leandri (W. Kaudern 222). Illustration by Iris Montero Muñoz. Scale bars: A, C-G, 1 mm; B, 2 mm.

FIG. 29. — Distribution map of Acalypha emirnensis Baill. in Madagascar.