Kingdom Plantae Family Sarcolaenaceae Rank Species | Order Malvales Genus Schizolaena | |
Schizolaena gereaui is a plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet is for the botanist Roy Emile Gereau.
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Description
Schizolaena gereaui grows as a shrub or tree up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 30 cm (12 in). Its subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic to obovate in shape and coloured chocolate brown above and khaki brown below. They measure up to 6.5 cm (3 in) long. The inflorescences have one to three flowers, each with five petals. The round fruits measure up to 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter.
Distribution and habitat
Schizolaena gereaui is known only from the eastern regions of Sava, Atsimo-Atsinanana, Vatovavy-Fitovinany, Atsinanana and Anosy. Its habitat is humid forest from sea-level to about 400 m (1,300 ft) altitude. Some subpopulations of the species are in protected areas.