Leptolaena arenaria is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Leptolaena arenaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Sarcolaenaceae
Genus: Leptolaena
Species:
L. arenaria
Binomial name
Leptolaena arenaria
(F.Gérard) Cavaco (1951)
Synonyms[3]
  • Mediusella arenaria (F.Gérard) Hong-Wa (2009)[2]
  • Xerochlamys acuminata F.Gérard (1915)
  • Xerochlamys acuminata F.Gérard (1919), nom. illeg.
  • Xerochlamys arenaria F.Gérard (1915)
  • Xerochlamys arenaria F.Gérard (1919), nom. illeg.

Description

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Leptolaena arenaria grows up to 12 metres (40 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 30 cm (12 in). Its bright green leaves are ovate in shape and measure up to 7 cm (3 in) long. The tree's flowers typically occur in inflorescences of two flowers, each with white petals. The roundish fruits measure up to 1.2 cm (0.5 in) in diameter.[4]

Distribution and habitat

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Leptolaena arenaria is known only from the northwestern regions of Diana, Betsiboka, Boeny, Melaky and Sofia.[5] Its habitat is dry forests from 50 metres (200 ft) to 200 m (700 ft) elevation. Only a few populations are within protected areas.[4]

Threats

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Leptolaena arenaria is in decline due to wildfires and the harvesting of its wood. The preliminary status of the species is Near Threatened.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Rabarimanarivo, M. (2020). "Mediusella arenaria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T69222268A69235795. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Mediusella arenaria (F.Gérard) Hong-Wa". World Flora Online. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Leptolaena arenaria (F.Gérard) Cavaco". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Hong-Wa, Cynthia (2009). "Endemic families of Madagascar. XII. Resurrection and taxonomic revision of the genera Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutchinson and Xerochlamys Baker (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Adansonia. 3. 31 (2). Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle: 316–318. doi:10.5252/a2009n2a7. S2CID 84912526. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Mediusella arenaria". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 18 October 2016 – via Tropicos.org.