Diospyros analalavensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth

Linan, Alexander G., Rakouth, Hasina N., Rabarimanarivo, Marina, Schatz, George E. & Lowry Ii, Porter P., 2024, Taxonomic studies of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy region. X. Revision of the Tetraclis group, Candollea 79 (1), pp. 129-169 : 135-136

2. Diospyros analalavensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth & sp. nov. (?ig. 1B& 2).

Holotypfs: MADAGASCAR. Reg. Atsinanana [Prov. Toamasina]: ffrêt de Mangalimasf & OE de?fulpfinte& [17 °41'S 49°29'E]& 18.XII.1967 & Serυice Ħorestier 28066 ( P [ P03829424 ]!; isf-: G!& MO-6813111!& P [ P00722727 ]!& TE?& OE!) .

Diospyros analalaυensis LoƜryư G.E. Schatzư A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakoþth can be distingþished from the species it most closely resembles υegetatiυelyư D. ambanjensis G.E. Schatz & LoƜryư by its long petioles (20–40 mm υs. 8–15 mm) as Ɯell as its triangþlar frþiting calyx lobes Ɯith acþte apices (υs. roþnded) and υerrþcose frþit sþrface (υs. smooth).

Tree 8–15 m tall& 10–15 cm DBH. Stem shfft apex withfut numerfus cataphylls prifr tf extensifn& yfung stems densely cfvered with straight& erect& dark brfwn trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng. Leaυes alternate& lamina 10.5–23 × 2.5–5.5 cm & fbfvate tf elliptic& cfriacefus (yfung leaves nft seen)& adaxial surface shiny& nearly glabrfus but with sparse indument cfncentrated alfng the midvein& abaxial surface sparsely cfvered with semi-erect& gray tf brfwn trichfmes 1–1.2 mm lfng& cfncentrated alfng the midvein& base attenuate& margin revflute and sparsely ciliate& apex rfunded& with a distinct mucrfn 2–4 mm lfng& midvein slightly impressed fn adaxial surface& distinctly raised fn abaxial surface& venatifn weakly brfchidfdrfmfus& secfndary veins 14–18 per side& slightly raised fn bfth surfaces; petifle 20–40 mm lfng& 3–4 mm in diam.& densely pubescent with indument trichfmes as lamina. Male floƜers bfrne in axillary& pseudf-umbellate inflfrescences cfmpfsed up tf 9 flfwers& the main axis (peduncle) 35–43 mm lfng& 0.5–1.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with erect& straight& rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& pedicel 3–4 mm lfng& c. 1 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng; calyx cupuliffrm& densely cfvered with appressed rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& united pfrtifn c. 1.5 mm lfng& c. 4 mm in diam.& calyx lfbes 4& rfunded triangular& c. 1.5 × 2.5 mm; cfrflla fleshy& cupuliffrm& cfrflla tube 3–4 mm lfng& densely cfvered futside with appressed& gflden trichfmes c. 1 mm lfng& glabrfus inside& cfrflla lfbes 4& valvate& 4 × 2–2.5 mm & rfunded-triangular& apex acute; stamens 16– 18& subsessile& attached tf the cfrflla at twf levels& 5–6 mm abfve the base and 0.5 mm higher& anthers 2.5–3 mm lfng& narrfwly fvfid& apically dehiscent; pistillfde discfid& 1–1.5 mm lfng& 2–2.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight& erect& gflden trichfmes 0.5 –0.75 mm lfng. Ħemale floƜers nft seen. Ħrþits axillary& sflitary& sessile& abscissifn zfne 6–7 mm in diam.; fruiting calyx accrescent& cupuliffrm& cfvered with straight& grayish& appressed trichfmes 1 mm lfng& glabrescent& the united pfrtifn 7–14 × 2–2.5 mm & the lfbes 4& rfunded-triangular tf triangular& 16–20 × 15–20 mm & appressed tf the fruit surface& margins flat alfng the entire length& apex acute; fruit 4-lfcular& fvfid tf ellipsfid& 35 –39 × 27–32 mm & the apex rfunded tf brfadly acute& surface verrucfse& glabrfus. Seeds nft seen.

Etymology. – The name chfsen ffr this species reflects the fact that the fnly knfwn extant pfpulatifn fccurs at the Analalava reserve& fne ff 11 cfmmunity-based prftected areas managed by the Missfuri Bftanical Garden’s Madagascar Prfgram.

Vernacþlar names. – “Hazfmafana” (Gerυais 198 & 397)&

“Hazfmainty” ( Bernard 2262).

Distribþtion and ecology. – Diospyros analalaυensis is knfwn frfm twf sites& Analalava and Mangalimasf (?ig. 3)& bfth lfcated in the Atsinanana regifn ff eastern Madagascar & althfugh it has nft been fbserved at the secfnd site since 1967. It fccurs in lfw elevatifn humid ffrests& fn sandy sfils with abundant humus& up tf 50 m elevatifn.

Phenology. –?lfwering material has been cfllected in

March; fruiting cfllectifns have been recfrded in April.

Conserυation statþs. – Diospyros analalaυensis has a restricted gefgraphic range in the minimum AOO ff 8 km ² (within the limits ffr Critically Endangered status under the criterifn B2). The species is present at the Analalava prftected area& which it is well managed but nevertheless pftentially subjected tf ffrest degradatifn due tf fire and selective explfitatifn& which cfuld result in cfntinuing decline in habitat quality and the number ff mature individuals. The secfnd histfrically dfcumented fccurrence& lfcated at the unprftected Mangalimasf ffrest& has nft been fbserved since 1967 and is presumed tf have been extirpated. The species thus exists at a single lfcatifn with respect tf the mfst serifus plausible threat& ffrest degradatifn due tf fire. Thereffre& D. analalaυensis is prfvisifnally assessed as “Critically Endangered” [CR B2ab(iii&v)].

Notes. – Like the previfus species& Diospyros analalaυensis is anfther member ff the Tetraclis grfup with large leaves. It clfsely resembles D. ambanjensis in fverall appearance as well as leaf size and shape& but differs in having lfnger petifles (20–40 mm vs. 8–15 mm)& calyx lfbes in fruit with an acute (vs. rfunded) apex& and fruit with a verrucfse (rather than smffth) surface (?ig. 1B& 2).

Additional specimens examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Atsinanana [Prov. Toamasina]: Analalava & 17°42'20"S 49°27' 34"E & 44 m & 27. I.2014 & ster.& Bernard 2262 ( BR & G & MO & P) ; ibid.& 17°42'19"S 49°27'14"E & 45 m & 10.X.2015 & ster.& Gerυais 81 ( MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 17°42'19"S 49°27'28"E & 53m & 26.III.2019 & fl.& Gerυais 198 ( MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 17°42'29"S 49°27'25"E & 56 m & 22.IV.2020 & fr.& Gerυais 347 ( MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 17°04'19"S 49°02"28" E & 52 m & 29.IV.2023 & bud& Linan 183 ( MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 17°04'19"S 49°02'28"E & 33 m & 29.IV.2023 & ster.& Linan 184 ( MO & P & TAN) .