Rhodolaena leroyana is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet is for the botanist Jean-François Leroy.[3]

Rhodolaena leroyana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Sarcolaenaceae
Genus: Rhodolaena
Species:
R. leroyana
Binomial name
Rhodolaena leroyana

Description

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Rhodolaena leroyana grows as a shrub or small tree up to 8 m (30 ft) tall.[3] The twigs are hairless.[4] Its subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic to obovate in shape and measure up to 12 cm (5 in) long. The solitary inflorescences have one or two flowers on a peduncle measuring up to 8 centimetres (3 in) long.[3] Individual flowers are large with five sepals and five purple-pink petals, measuring up to 5 centimetres (2 in) long. The fruits are large and woody, with a fleshy involucre.[4]

Distribution and habitat

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Rhodolaena leroyana is known only from the region of Atsinanana where it is confined to Betampona Reserve.[2] Its habitat is humid evergreen forest from 300 metres (1,000 ft) to 550 m (1,800 ft) altitude.[4] The conservation status of the species is vulnerable.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Manjato, N. (2019). "Rhodolaena leroyana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T70102812A70105298. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Rhodolaena leroyana". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 25 October 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
  3. ^ a b c Schatz, George E.; Lowry II, Porter P.; Wolf, Anne-Elizabeth (2000). "Endemic families of Madagascar. VI. A synoptic revision of Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Adansonia. 3. 22 (2). Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle: 247–248. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Birkinshaw, Chris; Andrianjafy, Mamisoa; Edmond, Roger; Hong-Wa, Cynthia; Rajeriarison, Charlotte; Schatz, George (July 2004). "Red Lists for Malagasy Plants. V: Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Missouri Botanical Garden. p. 15. Retrieved 25 October 2016.