Cyathula brevispicata Sukhor., 2025

Cyathula brevispicata Sukhor. sp. nov.

Fig. 7 View Figure 7

Holotype.

Madagascar, Province Majunga, 9.3 km NW of Ambohitsaratelo-Bebao ( NW of Tsiroanomandidy ), forest, ca. 1200 m a. s. l., herb in sand along creek, 15 Jan 1985, L. J. Dorr, L. C. Barnett, A. Rakotozafy & R. Rajemisa 3562 (holotype – K 005773299 !, isotypes – MO, n. v., MW, TEF). Fig. 8 View Figure 8 .

Description.

Perennial herbs up to 30 cm high, rooting at nodes; stems thin, 0.6–1.5 mm in diameter, almost roundish or slightly angulate, sparsely pubescent with simple inwardly curved or spreading hairs up to 1.0 mm long; leaf pairs 3–6 on the stem; leaves ovate or rhombic-ovate, shortly petiolate (petioles 2.0–12.0 mm), green on both sides or brighter abaxially, cuneate, entire, 15–40 × 10–25 mm, uppermost leaves much shorter, distant from the inflorescence, hairy mostly along the veins abaxially and petioles (hairs appressed or curved, up to 1.5 mm long); inflorescence compact and dense, up to 25 (30) mm long, but usually 10–15 mm long, its axis with horizontally spreading or crisped simple hairs up to 1.0 (1.5) mm long, paracladia not detected; bract (subtending each cyme) persisting on the axis, 2.5–4.0 mm long, ovate with acuminate tip, hyaline; cymes (Fig. 2 B View Figure 2 ) shortly pedicellate (pedicels 1.0– 1.5 mm long), symmetric, consisting of one fertile flower (fertile part) with two mucronulate or slightly hooked, equal, indistinctly keeled first-ordered bracteoles (br 1: Fig. 3 C View Figure 3 ) 3.5–4.5 mm long, acuminate or hooked with two sterile parts in their axils on both sides of the fertile flower; two bracteoles of each sterile part (second-ordered bracteoles, or br 2) hyaline, glabrous to ± hairy in the lower portion (especially on keeled mid-rib), 4.0–5.0 mm long, uncinate, with two axillary minor hooks (br 3); each sterile flower (Fig. 2 C View Figure 2 ) consists of five hooked perianth segments (two or three larger hooks ~ 4.0 mm long and shorter other hooks); all larger hooks (br 2) ± equal to perianth length of fertile flower; perianth segments of fertile flower 5, 4.5–6.0 mm long, two outer segments larger than three inner segments, glabrous or pubescent in their lower portion or rarely throughout, with prominent mid-rib and two indistinct lateral veins, strongly hooked at the top; thus, each cyme has at least 12 unequal uncinae; pseudostaminodes white, 0.5–0.7 mm long; anthers 0.4–0.5 mm long; style (with stigma) 1.2–1.6 mm long; fruit (without style) 2.0– 2.5 mm long; seed coat brown, thin; embryo curved; radicle pointing upwards.

Distribution

(Fig. 9 View Figure 9 ). Madagascar: [Analamanga Region] nr Mandraka, Aug 1906, Ch. D’Alleizette 995 ( P 04987035); Analamahitsy [near Antananarivo], 900 m a. s. l., Aug 1907, H. Perrier de la Bathie 8661 ( P 04987026); [Alaotra-Mangora Region] Analamazaotra Forest, 900 m a. s. l., 30 Oct 1912, R. Viguier & H. Humbert 1082 ( P 04987028, P 04987039, P 04987040); [Diana Region] Montagne d’Ambre, Sep 1926, H. Perrier de la Bathie 17714 ( P 04987024); [Anosy Region] Massif de Beampingaratra (Sud-Est), du col de Bevava au sommet de Bekoho, 1100–1500 m a. s. l., 6–7 Nov 1928, H. Humbert 6425 ( K 005773300); [Alaotra-Mangoro Region] Moramanga, 9 Feb 1930, R. Decary 7013 ( BR 0000013779177, P 04987041); [Anosy Region] nr Eminiminy, 1000–1200 m a. s. l., Feb 1934, H. Humbert 14002 ( P 04987032, P 049877033, P 04987034); [Diana Region] Montagne d’Ambre, Jul 1953, J. M. Bosser 5925 ( P 04987029); [Diana Region] nr Diego-Suarez [Antsiranana] City, 25 Nov 1970, M. Keraudren-Aymonin & G. G. Aymonin 25582 ( P 04987037); [Bongolava Region] Majunga Prov., 9.3 km NW of Ambohitsaratelo-Bebao, ~ 1200 m a. s. l., 15 Jan 1985, L. J. Dorr & al. 3562 ( P 04987036); Diego Suarez / Antsiranana Prov., Vohemar Pref., Amboriala, forêt de Sorata, 17 Jan 2022, A. M. Havinga & Iharivolana 178 ( G 00409638).

Habitat.

Mountain forests at elevations of 900–1500 m a. s. l.

IUCN category.

The new species is known from twelve collections made in different parts of Madagascar. Many of them lack precise coordinates, making it impossible to determine whether they are located within protected areas. Due to the lack of information about the abundance of C. brevispicata in Madagascar, we provisionally categorise it as a Data Deficient ( DD) species.

Relationships.

Morphologically, the species is very close to C. aethiopica Sukhor. sp. nova, but differs by shorter inflorescence without paracladia and longer style.

General distribution.

Endemic to Madagascar.