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

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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

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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

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  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.