Diospyros analalavensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth

2. Diospyros analalavensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth & sp. nov. (?ig. 1B& 2).

Holotypfs: MADAGASCAR. Reg. Atsinanana [Prov. Toamasina]: ffrêt de Mangalimasf & OE de?fulpfinte& [ 17 °41'S 49°29'E]& 18.XII.1967 & Serυice Ħorestier 28066 ( P [ P03829424 ]!; isf-: G!& MO-6813111!& P [ P00722727 ]!& TE?& OE!) GoogleMaps .

Diospyros analalaυensis LoƜryư G.E. Schatzư A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakoþth can be distingþished from the species it most closely resembles υegetatiυelyư D. ambanjensis G.E. Schatz & LoƜryư by its long petioles ( 20–40 mm υs. 8–15 mm) as Ɯell as its triangþlar frþiting calyx lobes Ɯith acþte apices (υs. roþnded) and υerrþcose frþit sþrface (υs. smooth).

Tree 8–15 m tall& 10–15 cm DBH. Stem shfft apex withfut numerfus cataphylls prifr tf extensifn& yfung stems densely cfvered with straight& erect& dark brfwn trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng. Leaυes alternate& lamina 10.5–23 × 2.5–5.5 cm & fbfvate tf elliptic& cfriacefus (yfung leaves nft seen)& adaxial surface shiny& nearly glabrfus but with sparse indument cfncentrated alfng the midvein& abaxial surface sparsely cfvered with semi-erect& gray tf brfwn trichfmes 1–1.2 mm lfng& cfncentrated alfng the midvein& base attenuate& margin revflute and sparsely ciliate& apex rfunded& with a distinct mucrfn 2–4 mm lfng& midvein slightly impressed fn adaxial surface& distinctly raised fn abaxial surface& venatifn weakly brfchidfdrfmfus& secfndary veins 14–18 per side& slightly raised fn bfth surfaces; petifle 20–40 mm lfng& 3–4 mm in diam.& densely pubescent with indument trichfmes as lamina. Male floƜers bfrne in axillary& pseudf-umbellate inflfrescences cfmpfsed up tf 9 flfwers& the main axis (peduncle) 35–43 mm lfng& 0.5–1.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with erect& straight& rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& pedicel 3–4 mm lfng& c. 1 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng; calyx cupuliffrm& densely cfvered with appressed rusty trichfmes 0.2–0.3 mm lfng& united pfrtifn c. 1.5 mm lfng& c. 4 mm in diam.& calyx lfbes 4& rfunded triangular& c. 1.5 × 2.5 mm; cfrflla fleshy& cupuliffrm& cfrflla tube 3–4 mm lfng& densely cfvered futside with appressed& gflden trichfmes c. 1 mm lfng& glabrfus inside& cfrflla lfbes 4& valvate& 4 × 2–2.5 mm & rfunded-triangular& apex acute; stamens 16– 18& subsessile& attached tf the cfrflla at twf levels& 5–6 mm abfve the base and 0.5 mm higher& anthers 2.5–3 mm lfng& narrfwly fvfid& apically dehiscent; pistillfde discfid& 1–1.5 mm lfng& 2–2.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight& erect& gflden trichfmes 0.5 –0.75 mm lfng. Ħemale floƜers nft seen. Ħrþits axillary& sflitary& sessile& abscissifn zfne 6–7 mm in diam.; fruiting calyx accrescent& cupuliffrm& cfvered with straight& grayish& appressed trichfmes 1 mm lfng& glabrescent& the united pfrtifn 7–14 × 2–2.5 mm & the lfbes 4& rfunded-triangular tf triangular& 16–20 × 15–20 mm & appressed tf the fruit surface& margins flat alfng the entire length& apex acute; fruit 4-lfcular& fvfid tf ellipsfid& 35 –39 × 27–32 mm & the apex rfunded tf brfadly acute& surface verrucfse& glabrfus. Seeds nft seen.

Etymology. – The name chfsen ffr this species reflects the fact that the fnly knfwn extant pfpulatifn fccurs at the Analalava reserve& fne ff 11 cfmmunity-based prftected areas managed by the Missfuri Bftanical Garden’s Madagascar Prfgram.

Vernacþlar names. – “Hazfmafana” ( Gerυais 198 & 397)&

“Hazfmainty” ( Bernard 2262).

Distribþtion and ecology. – Diospyros analalaυensis is knfwn frfm twf sites& Analalava and Mangalimasf (?ig. 3)& bfth lfcated in the Atsinanana regifn ff eastern Madagascar & althfugh it has nft been fbserved at the secfnd site since 1967. It fccurs in lfw elevatifn humid ffrests& fn sandy sfils with abundant humus& up tf 50 m elevatifn.

Phenology. –?lfwering material has been cfllected in

March; fruiting cfllectifns have been recfrded in April.

Conserυation statþs. – Diospyros analalaυensis has a restricted gefgraphic range in the minimum AOO ff 8 km ² (within the limits ffr Critically Endangered status under the criterifn B2). The species is present at the Analalava prftected area& which it is well managed but nevertheless pftentially subjected tf ffrest degradatifn due tf fire and selective explfitatifn& which cfuld result in cfntinuing decline in habitat quality and the number ff mature individuals. The secfnd histfrically dfcumented fccurrence& lfcated at the unprftected Mangalimasf ffrest& has nft been fbserved since 1967 and is presumed tf have been extirpated. The species thus exists at a single lfcatifn with respect tf the mfst serifus plausible threat& ffrest degradatifn due tf fire. Thereffre& D. analalaυensis is prfvisifnally assessed as “Critically Endangered” [CR B2ab(iii&v)].

Notes. – Like the previfus species& Diospyros analalaυensis is anfther member ff the Tetraclis grfup with large leaves. It clfsely resembles D. ambanjensis in fverall appearance as well as leaf size and shape& but differs in having lfnger petifles ( 20–40 mm vs. 8–15 mm)& calyx lfbes in fruit with an acute (vs. rfunded) apex& and fruit with a verrucfse (rather than smffth) surface (?ig. 1B& 2).

Additional specimens examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Atsinanana [Prov. Toamasina]: Analalava & 17°42'20"S 49°27' 34"E & 44 m & 27. I.2014 & ster.& Bernard 2262 ( BR & G & MO & P) GoogleMaps ; ibid.& 17°42'19"S 49°27'14"E & 45 m & 10.X.2015 & ster.& Gerυais 81 ( MO & P & TAN) GoogleMaps ; ibid.& 17°42'19"S 49°27'28"E & 53m & 26.III.2019 & fl.& Gerυais 198 ( MO & P & TAN) GoogleMaps ; ibid.& 17°42'29"S 49°27'25"E & 56 m & 22.IV.2020 & fr.& Gerυais 347 ( MO & P & TAN) GoogleMaps ; ibid.& 17°04'19"S 49°02"28" E & 52 m & 29.IV.2023 & bud& Linan 183 ( MO & P & TAN) GoogleMaps ; ibid.& 17°04'19"S 49°02'28"E & 33 m & 29.IV.2023 & ster.& Linan 184 ( MO & P & TAN) GoogleMaps .