Mediusella
| Mediusella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Sarcolaenaceae |
| Genus: | Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutch. (1973) |
| Species: | M. bernieri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mediusella bernieri | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Mediusella bernieri is a species of flowering plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is the sole species in genus Mediusella.[4] It is a shrub or tree endemic to Madagascar.
Description
[edit]Mediusella bernieri grows as a shrub or small tree up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall.[1] It has a trunk diameter of up to 20 cm (8 in). Its bright green leaves are ovate in shape and measure up to 6 cm (2 in) long. The plant's flowers are usually in inflorescences of two or three flowers, each with white to yellow petals. The ovoid fruits measure up to 1.1 cm (0.4 in) long.[3] Mediusella bernieri flowers and fruits from February to July.[1]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Mediusella bernieri is only found in the far northern regions of Diana and Sava[2] (the former Antsiranana Province[1]). IUCN assessors identified nine subpopulations over an extent of occurrence of 3,055 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi).[1] Its habitat is dry forests, on various rocky formations, from 50–300 m (200–1,000 ft) elevation.[1][3]
Threats
[edit]Mediusella bernieri is in decline due to habitat destruction[1][3] from activities such as agriculture, mining, fires and wood harvesting.[1] In 2019, it was assessed by the IUCN as Endangered. Although four (of nine) subpopulations of the species are within the protected areas of Andavakoeira-Andrafiamena and Loky Manambato, the species' decline continues due to the above activities.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rabarimanarivo, M. (2021). "Mediusella bernieri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T70102206A194109415. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T70102206A194109415.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mediusella bernieri". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 19 Oct 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
- ^ a b c d Hong-Wa, Cynthia (2009). "Endemic families of Madagascar. XII. Resurrection and taxonomic revision of the genera Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutchinson and Xerochlamys Baker (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Adansonia. 3. 31 (2). Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle: 318–319. doi:10.5252/a2009n2a7. S2CID 84912526. Retrieved 19 Oct 2016.
- ^ "Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutch". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 September 2024.