Protomegabaria stapfiana

Protomegabaria stapfiana is a species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae. It is native to western tropical Africa.[1][3][4]

Protomegabaria stapfiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Genus: Protomegabaria
Species:
P. stapfiana
Binomial name
Protomegabaria stapfiana
Synonyms[2]
  • Maesobotrya stapfiana Beille
  • Megabaria klaineana Pierre ex Hutch.
  • Spondianthus obovatus Engl.

Distribution and habitat

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P. stapfiana can be found in Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Sierra Leone. It occurs in primary and secondary forests, including both well-drained and freshwater swamp forests, at altitudes of up to 500 m (1,600 ft).[1][3][4][5]

Description

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P. stapfiana is a shrub to medium-sized tree growing to 15–18 m (49–59 ft) tall and 22 cm (8.7 in) in diameter, sometimes with buttresses. The bark is brown, sometimes with a reddish or greenish tone. Branches are glabrous, though branchlets are usually covered in fine hairs. The leaves are oblong to elliptic, typically measuring 16–28 cm (6.3–11.0 in) by 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in), glabrous above, pubescent when young but becoming glabrous with age beneath. The male inflorescence grows to 20 cm (7.9 in), while the female inflorescence is approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) long but may reach up to 15 cm (5.9 in) when fruiting.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Protomegabaria stapfiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T143721294A143721296. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T143721294A143721296.en. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Protomegabaria stapfiana (Beille) Hutch". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Breteler, Frans J. (2014). "Protomegabaria Hutch. (Phyllanthaceae): some observations concerning its morphology, taxonomy and geography". Adansonia. 36 (1). Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris: 109–111. doi:10.5252/a2014n1a9. ISSN 1280-8571.
  4. ^ a b c Nielsen, Margaret Steentoft (1965). Introduction to the Flowering Plants of West Africa. University of London Press. p. 106. OCLC 695334.
  5. ^ Bosch, C.H. (2012). Lemmens, R.H.M.J.; Louppe, D.; Oteng-Amoako, A.A. (eds.). "Protomegabaria stapfiana (Beille) Hutch". PROTA4U. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Retrieved 19 May 2024.