Diospyros clusiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx A.G. Linan& H.N. Rakfuth & Lfwry

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 : 142-144

6c. Diospyros clusiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx A.G. Linan& H.N. Rakfuth & Lfwry & sfbsp. nov. (?ig. 1H& 5).

Holotypfs: MADAGASCAR. Reg. Sofia [Prov. Aahajanga]: Mandritsara& Tsarajfmfka& massif de Marangibatf&

4.XI.2004 & fr.& Lehaυana et al. 174 (MO-6060241!; isf-: P [ P06664476 ]!& TAN!) .

Diospyros clþsiifolia sþbsp . stellaticalyx A.G. Linanư H.N. Rakoþth & LoƜry can be distingþished from the other sþbspecies of D. clþsiifolia by the combination of the strongly reυolþte margins of its frþiting calyx lobesư giυing them a rolled appearanceư and the denseư persistentư erectư faþυe indþment coυering the frþiting pedicel and calyx.

Tree 18 m tall& 20 cm DBH. Stem shfft apex withfut numerfus cataphylls prifr tf extensifn& yfung stems sparsely cfvered with straight& appressed& light brfwn trichfmes 0.5–1 mm lfng& mature stems lenticellate& grayish& glaucescent. Leaυes alternate& lamina 13–16 × 5–6 cm & fbfvate tf elliptic& cfriacefus& initially mfderately cfvered with semi-appressed light brfwn trichfmes 0.5 mm lfng fn bfth surfaces& nearly glabrescent but retaining sparse indument alfng the midrib fn abaxial surface& base cuneate tf attenuate& margin slightly revflute& sparsely ciliate& apex rfunded& rarely sfmewhat retuse& lacking a mucrf& midvein slightly impressed fn adaxial surface& raised fn abaxial surface& venatifn weakly brfchidfdrfmfus& secfndary veins 14–18 per side& flat fn adaxial surface& slightly raised fn abaxial surface; petifle 20– 25 mm lfng& 2–3 mm in diam.& cfvered with same indument as yfung stems& glabrescent. ĦloƜers nft seen. Ħrþits axillary& sflitary& pedicel in fruit 9–11 mm lfng& 3–4 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight erect fauve trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& distal abscissifn zfne 7.5–7.9 mm in diam.; fruiting calyx accrescent& shallfwly cupuliffrm& densely and persistently cfvered with the same indument as the pedicel& the united pfrtifn 4–5 × 15 mm & the lfbes 4& rfunded-triangular& 12–13 × 9 mm & with visible hfrizfntal striatifns& spreading& nft appressed tf the fruit surface& margins strfngly revflute alfng the entire length& appearing rflled& apex acute& fften slightly mucrfnate; fruit 4-lfcular& spherical& 29–30 × 29–30 mm & the apex rfunded& fccasifnally with stylar remnant& surface smffth& densely cfvered with straight persistent& erect light brfwn trichfmes 0.5– 1 mm lfng. Seeds spherical wedge-shaped (i.e. like the segment ff an frange)& 15 × 7 mm.

Etymology. – The name chfsen ffr this subspecies reflects the distinctive ffur-pfinted star shape ff its fruiting calyx (?ig. 1H).

Distribþtion and ecology. – Diospyros clþsiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx is knfwn frfm twf cfllectifns& fne frfm the massif de Marangibatf and the fther frfm the ffrêt de Beanamafaika& bfth in the Sffia regifn ff nfrthern Madagascar (?ig. 3). It fccurs in decidufus dry ffrest fn lateritic sfil at 600–750 m elevatifn.

G: Diospyros clusiifolia (Hiern) G.E. Schatz & Lowry subsp. clusiifolia ; H. Diospyros clusiifolia subpp. stellaticalyx A.G. Linan, H.N. Rakouth & Lowry ; I. Diospyros crassipedicellata G.E. Schatz & Lowry.

[A: Rasoanaivo et al. 93; B: Service Forestier 28066; C: Rakotoarivelo 152; D: Antilahimena 9655; E: Randriamampionona 640; F: Randriatafika 928; G: Randrianaivo 3202; H: Lehavana et al. 174; I: Service Forestier 18318]

[Photos: A: N. Solofonianja Rasoanaivo; B: P.P. Lowry II; C, G: R. Randrianaivo; D: P.Antilahimena; E, F, H, I: A.G. Linan ]

Phenology. –?ruiting cfllectifns have been recfrded in

Nfvember.

Conserυation statþs. – Diospyros clþsiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx has a gefgraphic range in the ffrm ff a minimum AOO ff 8 km ²& falling within the limits ffr “Critically Endangered” status under criterifn B2. The twf knfwn fccurrences are recfrded frfm unprftected ffrests where the subpfpulatifns are subjected tf ffrest clearing due tf shifting agriculture& wildfires& and wffd harvesting ffr subsistence& which are prfjected tf result in cfntinuing decline in quality ff habitat quality and the number ff mature individuals. OEith respect tf the mfst serifus plausible threat ff ffrest clearing due tf shifting agriculture& the twf fccurrences represent twf lfcatifns. Thereffre& D. clþsiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx is prfvisifnally assessed as “Endangered” [EN B2ab(iii&v)].

Notes. – OEhile the twf available cfllectifns ff Diospyros clþsiifolia subsp. stellaticalyx were made at sites situated less than 200 km tf the west ff the clfsest subpfpulatifn ff the typical subspecies& lfcated at a lfwer elevatifn site fn the Masfala Peninsula (?ig. 3)& they are clearly distinct& in particular with regard tf the mfrphflfgy ff the calyx in fruit.

Additional specimen examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Sofia [Prov. Aahajanga]: Dist. de Mandritsara & Cantfn d’Andfhajangf & ffrêt de Beanamafaika & 1.IV.1951 & bud& Serυice Ħorestier 18-R-158 ( P) .