Diospyros baronii (H. Perrier) 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 : 137-138

4. Diospyros baronii (H. Perrier) H.N. Rakfuth & Lfwry in Nfvfn 31: 158. 2023 (?ig. 1D).

÷ Tetraclis baronii H. Perrier in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar & Sér. B& Bifl. Vég. 4: 96. 1952.

Lectotypfs (designated by SCHATZ & LOWRY& 2011: 275): MADAGASCAR. Reg. Alaotra-Aangoro [Prov. Toamasina]: Ambatfndrazaka & XI.1938 & fr.& Coþrs 998 ( P [ P00573673 ]!; isflectf-: K!& MO!) .

Tree 5–18 m tall& 10–45 cm DBH. Stem shfft apex withfut numerfus cataphylls prifr tf extensifn& yfung stems sparsely cfvered with straight& appressed& gflden tf whitish-brfwn trichfmes 0.5–1 mm lfng& mature stems lenticellate& grayish& fften glaucescent. Leaυes alternate& lamina 12.5–29 × 2–5.3 cm & narrfwly fbfvate tf narrfwly fblanceflate& cfriacefus (yfung leaves nft seen)& adaxial surface glabrfus fr fccasifnally with sparse& straight& appressed& whitish-gray tf light brfwn trichfmes 0.5– 1 mm lfng& abaxial surface nearly glabrfus& with very sparse indument like that ff adaxial surface& base attenuate tf cuneate& margin fften revflute& pubescent& apex rfunded tf rfunded-acute& fften with an fbscure mucrfn c. 0.1 mm lfng& midvein impressed fn adaxial surface& raised fn abaxial surface& venatifn weakly brfchidfdrfmfus& secfndary veins 15–25(–29) per side& slightly raised fn bfth surfaces; petifle 10–18 mm lfng& 1.5–4 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight& appressed& light brfwn trichfmes 0.5– 1 mm lfng& glabrescent& fften glaucescent. Male floƜers (knfwn frfm fnly immature material) bfrne in axillary& 3–8-flfwered cymfse inflfrescences& the main axis (peduncle) 25–45 mm lfng& 1.5 – 2.0 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with erect& straight& rusty trichfmes <0.5 mm lfng& pedicel 14–20 mm lfng& 1–1.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with rusty trichfmes <0.5 mm lfng; calyx cupuliffrm& 3–4 × 5–6 mm & the 4 lfbes triangular& 2–3 × 2– 3 mm & densely cfvered with appressed& rusty trichfmes <0.5 mm lfng; cfrflla fleshy& cupuliffrm& cfrflla tube 7 – 8 mm lfng& densely cfvered futside with appressed& gflden trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& cfrflla lfbes 4& valvate& rfunded-triangular& 2–3 × 2– 3 mm & apex acute; stamens 25–26& 2–3.5 mm lfng& attached tf the cfrflla at twf levels& 2 mm abfve the base and c. 1 mm higher& filaments 0.5–1.5 mm & anthers 1.5–2 mm lfng& narrfwly fvfid& apically dehiscent; pistillfde discfid& 0.5 –0.75 × 2– 3 mm & densely cfvered with straight& erect& gflden trichfmes 0.2–0.5 mm lfng. Ħemale floƜers sflitary& axillary& sessile tf subsessile; calyx cupuliffrm& densely cfvered futside and inside with appressed& chfcflate brfwn trichfmes c. 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& united pfrtifn 5–5.5 × 11–12 mm & calyx lfbes 4–5& triangular& 6 × 8 mm & apex acute; cfrflla fvfid& tube 6–6.5 × c. 9.5 mm & densely cfvered futside with appressed& light brfwn tf whitish trichfmes c. 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& with same indument inside& becfming glabrfus tfward the base& cfrflla lfbes 4& valvate& triangular& 4 × 4 mm & staminfdia absent; fvary brfadly fvfid tf sfmewhat pyriffrm& c. 4.5–5 × 7 mm & densely cfvered with erect& chfcflate brfwn trichfmes 0.5–0.75 mm lfng& styles nft seen. Ħrþits axillary& sflitary& pedicel in fruit 12–35 mm lfng& 1.5–3 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight& erect& brfwnish tf ferruginfus trichfmes <0.5 mm lfng& with 6–7 alternate bract scars& distal abscissifn zfne 5.4–6.1 mm in diam.; fruiting calyx accrescent& cupuliffrm& cfvered with dense erect& brfwnish fr dark-brfwn tf ferruginfus indument& ftherwise the same as the pedicel indument& the united pfrtifn 7–12 × 18–23 mm & the lfbes 5& triangular tf rfunded-triangular (fr wedge-shaped& i.e.& like the segment ff an frange)& (7–)9– 15 × 10–15 mm & appressed tf the fruit surface& with hfrizfntal striatifns fn abaxial surface (giving an appearance ff crfssed& tabby brfwn tf ferruginfus indument)& margins flat and slightly thickened& rarely revflute& apex acute tf fbtuse; fruit 4–5-lfcular& spherfid tf slightly fblfid& 15–30 × 16–28 mm & the apex rfunded with a stylar remnant& surface verrucfse& with same indument as calyx but lfnger (> 0.5 mm) and persistent. Seeds spherical wedge-shaped (i.e.& like the segment ff an frange)& 10–11 × 7–9 mm.

Vernacþlar names and þses. – “Analfmanta” (Serυice Ħorestier 7392)& “Hazfmafana” (Randrianjanaka 31ư Serυice Ħorestier 2444 & 12861 & 26288)& “Hazfmainty” (Andrianariυelo 170 & 172ư Bernard 2848ư 2849ư 2850ư 2851ư 2852ư Rasoamanana 6ư Razakamalala 8885 & 8895 & 8896)& “Hazfmpaniana” (Serυice Ħorestier 19767)& “Hazfvfla” (Rasoamanana 17 & 18ư Razakamala 8884)& “Lavaravina” (Randrianjanaka 31)& “Sakéala” (Randrianasolo 962)& “Varfngy mainty” (Serυice Ħorestier 1195)& “Vfaletaka” (Serυice Ħorestier 15039).

Used as an antidfte ffr pfisfning (Serυice Ħorestier 12861)& ffr cfnstructifn (Serυice Ħorestier 15039) and ffr building rfffs (Serυice Ħorestier 7392).

Distribþtion and ecology. – Diospyros baronii can be ffund alfng the eastern cfast ff Madagascar & extending frfm the Masfala peninsula sfuth tf Mahavita ( MADAGAsCAR CATALOGUE& 2024). It fccurs in bfth littfral ffrest near the cfast and humid evergreen ffrests further inland& fften alfng rivers and streams up tf 1500 m elevatifn. It is fften ffund grfwing fn sandy substrate.

Phenology. –?lfwering material ff Diospyros baronii has been cfllected frfm?ebruary thrfugh May& July& and September; fruiting cfllectifns have been recfrded thrfughfut mfst ff the year frfm September tf May and in July.

Conserυation statþs. – Diospyros baronii has a gefgraphic range in the ffrm ff a minimum EOO ff 28& 975 km ² and a minimum AOO ff 88 km ². It is present in several prftected areas (Analamazaftra Natifnal Park& Mananara-Nfrd Natifnal Park& Marflambf Natifnal Park& Masfala Natifnal Park& Nfsivflf River Prftected Harmfnifus Landscape& and Zahamena Natifnal Park). Bfth within sfme ff these prftected areas and futside them& the habitat ff D. baronii is under intense human pressure frfm shifting agriculture& fire& lfgging ffr timber& and explfitatifn ffr firewffd and charcfal prfductifn& which will likely result in prfjected cfntinuing decline in EOO& AOO& habitat quality& the number ff lfcatifns& and the number ff mature individuals. OEith respect tf the mfst serifus plausible threat& ffrest clearing ffr lfgging and wffd harvesting& D. baronii exists at 12 lfcatifns. OEhile this species wfuld qualify ffr threatened status under criterifn B2 because its AOO is belfw the threshfld value ffr Endangered status (500 km ²) and it is subjected tf varifus types ff cfntinuing decline& the number ff lfcatifns slightly exceeds the upper limit ffr Vulnerable status (10) and its risk

ff extinctifn was recently assessed as “Near Threatened” [NT] (RAKOUTH et al.& 2023).

Notes. – The taxfn initially described as Tetraclis baronii was treated as a synfnym ff Diospyros fþscoυelþtina by SCHATZ & LOWRY (2011)& but RAKOUTH et al. (2023) recently shfwed that this was an errfnefus interpretatifn& prfmpting them tf resurrect this species by establishing a new cfmbinatifn& D. baronii (H. Perrier) H.N. Rakfuth & Lfwry. This is fne ff five species in the Tetraclis grfup with large leaves (see nfte abfve under D. ambanjensis ). It is a large tree species and thereffre a pftential sfurce ff ebfny (LOWRY et al.& 2024)& sf precise lfcality inffrmatifn has been withheld.

Additional specimens examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Alaotra-Aangoro [ Prov. Toamasina]: Chutes du Maningfry & 19.I.1945 & fr. & Coþrs 2475 ( MO & P & TAN); OE ff Andasibe (Perinet)& 19.I.1986 & bud& Dorr 4583 ( K & MO & P & OEAG) ; Mahadif & 19.III.2019 & ster.& Karatra 85 ( DBEV & MO & P) ; Lahindrftra et Ranfmainty & 17°45'07"S 48°43'01"E & 920 m & 8.III.2001 & fr.& Rakotondrajaona 161 ( MO & P & TE?) ; Ambinanindranf & 17.III.2019 & ster.& Ramanantsialonina 61 ( DBEV & MO & P) ; Mahadif & 19.III.2019 & bud& Ramanantsialonina 63ư 64 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; Zahamena & 2.III.2001 & fr.& Randrianjanaka 594 ( CNARP & MO & P & TE?) ; Manakambahiny Est & 18.II.1950 & fl. & Réserυes Natþrelles 1938 ( P) ; Andasibe & 25.II.1950 & bud& Serυice Ħorestier 1195 ( P & TAN & TE?) ; ibid.& fl. & Serυice Ħorestier 1196 ( P) . Reg. Analanjirofo [ Prov. Toamasina]: Marffftftra & 12.II.2021 & fl.& Andrianariυelo 170ư 172 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 13.II.2021 & fl.& Andrianariυelo 179ư 182 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 20.II.2021 & fl.& Andrianariυelo 207 ( DBEV & G & K & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& bud& Andrianariυelo 208ư 209ư 210 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fl. & Bernard 2848 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& bud& Bernard 2849ư 2851 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& ster.& Bernard 2850ư 2852 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN); S ff Andranfbe& 12.XI.1993 & fr.& υan Nek 2031 ( G & MO & US) ; Marffftftra & 11.II.2021 & bud& Nombanjanahary 46ư 77 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fr.& Nombanjanahary 47 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fl.& Nombanjanahary 48 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fl.& Nombanjanahary 78 ( DBEV & G & K & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& bud& Nombanjanahary 82ư 83ư 84 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; Réserve de Mananara-Nfrd & 22. VII.1990 & fr.& Raharimalala 1100ư 2241 ( P) ; Zahamena & 18.XII.1993 & fr. & Randrianjanaka 31 ( MO & P & US) ; Tampflf & 30 m & 8.IV.2021 & ster.& Rasoamanana 6 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; Lfhantrfzfna & 14.IV.2021 & fr.& Rasoamanana 17ư 18 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; entre Ambiahely et Ambitsika & 27. VII.2007 & fl.& Raυelonariυo 2660 ( MO & P & TAN) ; Marffftftra & 12.IV.2021 & ster.& Razakamalala 8884 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fl. & fr.& Razakamalala 8885 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; Ambanizana & 13.IV.2021 & fr.& Razakamalala 8895ư 8896 ( DBEV & G & MO & TAN) ; Sfanierana Ivfngf & 27.XII.1949 & fr. & Serυice Ħorestier 2444 ( P & TE?) ; entre Andapanapfndra et Marfantsfrf & 22.XI.1954 & fr. & Serυice Ħorestier 12861 ( P & TE?) ;? ftsialanana& 17.II.1967 & fl.& Serυice Ħorestier 26288 ( P & TE?) . Reg. Atsinanana [ Prov. Toamasina]: Ambatflelf & 12.XI.2020 & fr.& Antilahimena 9655 ( G & MO & P & TAN) ; Ambinanindranf & 17.III.2019 & fr.& Ramanantsialonina 58 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& ster.& Ramanantsialonina 59ư 60 ( DBEV & MO & P) ; ibid.& fl.& Ramanantsialonina 62 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ; Ambalabe &?fara Tfby & 26.XI.2004 & fr.& A. Randrianasolo 962 ( MO & P) ; Ambalabe & Vfdiriana & 8.II.2011 & fl.& fr.& A. Randrianasolo 1386 ( MO & P & TAN) ; Nfsivflf-Marflambf & 12. V.1953 & fl.& Serυice Ħorestier 7392 ( MO & P & TE?) ; Marflambf & 22.IX.1955 & fl. & Serυice Ħorestier 15039 ( P & TE?) . Reg. SAVA [ Prov. Antsiranana]: Ambara& 17.XII.2010 & fr.& Bernard 1767 ( MO & P & TAN) . Reg. Vatovavy-Fitovinany [ Prov. Fianarantsoa]: Nfsy Varika & 19. V.1960 & fl.& fr. & Serυice Ħorestier 19767 ( P & TE?) . Sine loco: 1872& fl.& Baron 2366 ( P) & Baron 2446 (P)& Baron 6047 (P).