Alluaudia comosa is a rare species of flowering plant. It belongs to the family Didiereaceae, subfamily Didiereoideae, which is found only in the coastal area of SW Madagascar.[2] Didierea comosa Drake is a synonym.[3] It is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]
| Alluaudia comosa | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Tsimanampetsotsa National Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Didiereaceae |
| Genus: | Alluaudia |
| Species: | A. comosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Alluaudia comosa (Drake) Drake
| |
Description
edit
Alluaudia comosa has a distinctive, easily recognized silhouette with a short trunk and dense branches that stop in a flat crown.[4] This is a deciduous shrub to small tree 2-6 (-10) metres tall[4] that is woody, semi-succulent and spiny, with spines set singly.[2] Spines are grey and 1.5-3.5 cm long.[4]
Leaves are developed mostly in pairs, set on a short stalk (petiole), dying off at the beginning of the dry season.[2] They are rounded (10–22 mm X 10 mm) and fleshy.[4]
Flowers
editFlowers are produced on a reduced inflorescence in Alluaudia comosa; only the end flower develops, and is set on a very short axis. Flowers are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants).[2]
Habitat
editThis species grows on limestone in dry forests or coastal shrubland.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Ramanantsialonina, R.N. (2019). "Alluaudia comosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T128093611A128098554. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T128093611A128098554.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Rauh, W. 1983. The morphology and systematic position of the Didiereaceae of Madagascar. Bothalia 14(3/4): 839–843.
- ^ Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019 <http://www.tropicos.org/Name/10700002>
- ^ a b c d Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Didiereaceae/35431/Alluaudia_comosa>