Schizolaena isaloensis

Schizolaena isaloensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Sarcolaenaceae
Genus:	Schizolaena
Species:	S. isaloensis
Binomial name
	Schizolaena isaloensis; Rabeh. & Lowry[1]

Schizolaena isaloensis is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet refers to Isalo National Park, near where the species was identified.[2]

Description

Schizolaena isaloensis grows as a tree up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall. The bark is thick and spongy. Its subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic to ovate or obovate in shape and coloured dark green above and pale green below. They measure up to 4 cm (2 in) long. The inflorescences of one to three axes each bear one or two flowers each with three sepals and five white petals. A light green involucre hides the young fruit.[2] Specimen notes found "young growth or coppicing plants somewhat glabrous; mature plants tomentose".[3]

Distribution and habitat

Schizolaena isaloensis is known only from the south central regions of Ihorombe and Atsimo-Andrefana,[1] specifically within[4] and just beyond the southern limit of Isalo National Park and near the RN7 road.[2] Its habitat is the central region's Tapia woodlands which are often severely degraded; the recorded specimens occurred in open grassland.[2]

Threats

Schizolaena isaloensis has been found in very low numbers – at most 50 mature individuals. The recorded specimens are outside any protected area. Fires have been the main threat, which mature trees can withstand but younger trees cannot. The preliminary status of the species is Critically Endangered.[2]

References

"Schizolaena isaloensis". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 31 Oct 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
Rabehevitra, David; Lowry II, Porter P. (2009). "Endemic Families of Madagascar. XI. A new critically endangered species of Schizolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) from Tapia woodland in south-central Madagascar". Adansonia. 3. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. 31 (1): 149–155. doi:10.5252/a2009n1a9. S2CID 85215720. Retrieved 31 Oct 2016.
Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019 <http://www.tropicos.org/Specimen/2778609>
Goodman, S. M., Raherilalao, M. J. & Wohlhauser, S. (eds.). 2018. Les aires protégées terrestres de Madagascar : Leur histoire, description et biote / The terrestrial protected areas of Madagascar: Their history, description, and biota. Association Vahatra, Antananarivo.

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[Tropicos-1] "Schizolaena isaloensis". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 31 Oct 2016 – via Tropicos.org.

[Adansonia-2] Rabehevitra, David; Lowry II, Porter P. (2009). "Endemic Families of Madagascar. XI. A new critically endangered species of Schizolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) from Tapia woodland in south-central Madagascar". Adansonia. 3. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. 31 (1): 149–155. doi:10.5252/a2009n1a9. S2CID 85215720. Retrieved 31 Oct 2016.

[3] Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019 <http://www.tropicos.org/Specimen/2778609>

[4] Goodman, S. M., Raherilalao, M. J. & Wohlhauser, S. (eds.). 2018. Les aires protégées terrestres de Madagascar : Leur histoire, description et biote / The terrestrial protected areas of Madagascar: Their history, description, and biota. Association Vahatra, Antananarivo.