Melhania polyneura is a plant in the family Malvaceae.

Melhania polyneura

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Melhania
Species:
M. polyneura
Binomial name
Melhania polyneura

Description edit

Melhania polyneura grows as a herb up to 20 centimetres (8 in) tall. The oblong or ovate leaves are tomentose and measure up to 4 cm (2 in) long. Inflorescences are four-flowered. The flowers have yellow petals.[3]

Distribution and habitat edit

The type specimen of Melhania polyneura, no longer extant, was collected in 1895 in Mwanza District, Tanzania. Its habitat may have been in wooded grasslands at altitudes of about 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Changes in area land use to small farms since the initial specimen have resulted in the IUCN assessment as Critically Endangered.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Beentje, H.J.; Gereau, R.; Kabuye, C.; Kalema, J.; Luke, W.R.Q.; Maunder, M.; Mwangoka, M.; Nshutiyayesu, S.; Ntore, S. (2017). "Melhania polyneura". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T97217644A97217648. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T97217644A97217648.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Melhania polyneura". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  3. ^ Cheek, Martin; Dorr, Laurence J. (2007). Beentje, Henk (ed.). Sterculiaceae – Flora of Tropical East Africa. Vol. 237. East African governments by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 9781842461853 – via Plants of the World Online.