Diospyros squamosa Bojer ex A. DC.

Schatz, George E. & Lowry II, Porter P., 2020, Taxonomic studies of Diospyros L. (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy region. IV. Synoptic revision of the Squamosa group in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, Adansonia (3) 42 (9), pp. 201-218 : 215-217

Diospyros squamosa Bojer ex A. DC.

( Fig. 11 )

Prodromus 8: 232 (1844).

— Lectotype (here designated): Madagascar. Analanjirofo Region [Prov. Toamasina], in sylvis Madagascar prope Foule-Pointe , bud, Bojer s.n. (lecto-, G [ G00142024 ]! ; isolecto-, G [ G00142114 ]!, K [ K000350812 ]!, M [ M-015315 , M-015316 ] scans seen, P [ P00573616 ]!, TUB [ TUB-003374 ] scan seen).

Diospyros bernieri Hiern, Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 12: 268 (1873).

— Type: Madagascar. Atsinanana Region [Prov. Toamasina], forêt de Tintingue , fr., Bernier 113 (holo-, P [ P00541721 ]! ; iso-, P [ P00541722 , P00541723 ]!) , syn. nov.

Diospyros conifera H. Perrier , Mémoires de l’Institut scientifique de Madagascar, série B, Biologie végétale 4: 115 (1952).

— Type: Madagascar. Diana Region [Prov. Antsiranana], forêt du Lokobe , Nossi-bé , VII.1850, ♂ bud, Boivin 2108/2B (holo-, P [ P00541699 ]!), syn. nov.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Madagascar. Analanjirofo Region [Prov. Toamasina]: Tampolo, Andrianjafy 218 ; Hiaraka, Antilahimena 1309 ; Soanafindra, Antilahimena 1833 ; Ambitsy, Antilahimena 5729 ; Masoala AP, Bernard 1697 ; Tampolo, Bernard 2255 ; Mananara AP, Birkinshaw 362 ; Tampolo STF, Dorr 3385 ; Amboabe, Lam 5687 ; Andranobe, McPherson 17555, 17627 ; Tampolo, Rabevohitra 3909 ; Antanambao Ambodimanga, Rakotonirina 560 ; Manompana, Rakotozafy 1381bis ; Tampolo STF, Randrianasolo 469 ; Andranotsara, Razakamalala 7713 ; Nosy Mangabe, Schatz 2043, 2130, 2139, 2193, 2224, 2228, 2517 ; Ambanizana, Schatz 3126 ; Farankaraina, Service Forestier 12980 ; Maimbosokina, Service Forestier15757 ; Tampolo STF, Service Forestier 18169 ; Soanierana Ivongo, Service Forestier 18192, 18193 ; Farankaraina STF, Service Forestier 18321, 18348. — Anosy Region [Prov. Toliara]: Sainte Luce, Gereau 3312 ; Ampasimena, Humbert 20578 ; Sainte Luce, Ludovic 1758 ; Andohahela AP, Malcomber 1164 ; Sainte Luce, McPherson 14861 ; Ivohibe, Rabenantoandro 1876 ; Marokoky, Rabevohitra 1920 ; Mandena, Rabevohitra 2070 ; Lakandava, Rabevohitra 3724 ; Mandena, Rabevohitra 3752 ; Sainte Luce, Ramananjanahary 626 ; Mandena, Ramison 93 ; Ambavarano, Ramison 122 ; Sainte Luce, Ramison 565 ; Andohahela AP, Randriamampionona 469, 473 ; Ivohibe, Randrianarivony 641 ; Bevoay, Randriatsivery 696 ; Emagnobo, Malamamay, Randrianasolo et al. 1687 ; Mandena, Razafimandimbison 199 ; Ampasina, Razakamalala 4182 ; Bevoay, Razakamala 4702 ; Enato, Razakamalala 5045 ; Sainte Luce, Razakamalala 7781 ; Bevoay, Razanatsima 1440, 1441, 1445, 1446 ; Andohahela AP, Réserves Naturelles 6640 ; Col de Lidro, Réserves Naturelles 7447 ; Andohahela AP, Réserves Naturelles 10056 ; Maningotry, Service Forestier 4147 ; Imonty, Service Forestier 13941 ; Mandena, Service Forestier 28632 ; Mandena, Zarucchi 7444. — Atsimo-Atsinanana Region [Prov. Fianarantsoa]: Rienana, Decary 5793 ; Manombo AP, McPherson 18438 ; Manombo AP, Ankararano, Perrier 12629 ; Service Forestier 12932 ; Amporoforo, Service Forestier 13917 ; Belambo, Service Forestier 15259 ; Vatovavy-Fitovinany, Mananjary, Geay 8016, 8017, 8018 ; Andromba, Service Forestier 10102 ; Andafa, Service Forestier 14570. — Atsinanana Region [Prov. Toamasina]: Analalava, Bernard 2261 ; Tintingue, Bernier 113 ; Foulepointe, Bojer s.n. ; Mahatsara STF, Ludovic 177 ; Antaimby, Ludovic 584 ; Vohibe, Rakotoarivelo 631 ; Ambalavontaka, Ranaivojaona 606, 607, 736, 747 ; Ambalabe, Randrianaivo 1870 ; Antaimby, Razakamalala 1555, 1563 ; Antetezana STF, Service Forestier 2980 ; Andranokoditra, Service Forestier 32440. — Diana Region [Prov. Antsiranana]: Ampasindava, Rasoanaivo 37 ; Betsitsika, Ammann 258, 270, 340 ; Tsarabanja, Bernard 1221 ; Bandrakorony, Bernard 1324, 1406 ; Bongomihiravavy, Nusbaumer 2566, 2871 ; Betsitsika, Nusbaumer 2956 ; Nosy Be, Lokobe RNI, Antilahimena 148, Birkinshaw 148, Boivin 2108/2b ; Manongarivo RS, Gautier & Derleth 2543 ; Betsitsika, Gautier 5298 ; Sorata, Razakamalala 3817 ; Betsitsika, Tahinarivony 251 ; Ampasindava, Tahinarivony 702. — Sava Region: Masoala AP, Bernard 321 ; Andrahanjo, Bernard 1612 ; Masoala AP, Bernard 1664, 1667 ; Ambalavy, Bernard 1711, 1737 ; Ambinany, Bernard 1771 ; Tsihomanaomby, Birkinshaw 2013 ; Marojejy AP, Cours 3225 ; Ambalavoniho, Humbert 22793 ; Antongondriha, Humbert 23984 ; Andravinambo, forêt d’Antsaolatra, Martial 420 ; Masoala AP, Rahajasoa 438, 606 ; Andravinambo, forêt d’Antsolatra, Rakotonirina 51 ; Ambarizara, Ranarivelo 1231 ; Marojejy AP, Ravelonarivo 3412, 3413 ; Bezavona, Ravelonarivo 3576 ; Masoala R.N.I. 2, Réserves Naturelles 5717 ; Marojejy AP, Réserves Naturelles 11959.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Diospyros squamosa is widely distributed in humid to subhumid forest, from Fort Dauphin to N of Sambava and in the NW from the Ampasindava peninsula to Nossi Be ( Madagascar Catalogue 2020). It occurs from sea level to 1400 m elevation.

PHENOLOGY. — Flowering material has been collected in all months except May, July, November and January; fruiting has been recorded throughout the year.

VERNACULAR NAMES. — Hazojoby (Rasoanaivo 37, Tahinarivony 702), Hazomafana (Service Forestier 2980, 12980), Hazomainty (Service Forestier 4147, 10102, 12932, 13941), Korofoka (Ramison 122), Maintipototra (Cours 3225; Réserves Naturelles 5717, 11959), Maintiampototra (Rakotonirina 51), Torofoky (Réserves Naturelles 100056).

CONSERVATION STATUS. — Diospyros squamosa has a geographic range in the form of an EOO of 230 164 km 2 and a minimum AOO of 376 km 2. It is present in numerous protected areas (Ampasindava, Analalava, Andohahela, Lokobe, Makira, Mandena, Manombo, Marojejy, Masoala, Nosy Mangabe, Sainte Luce, Tampolo, and Vohibe), and exists at over 60 locations with respect to the principal threat of forest clearing for agriculture. Diospyros squamosa can therefore be assessed for its risk of extinction as Least Concern [LC] ( IUCN 2012).

NOTES

Diospyros squamosa can be recognized from other members of the Squamosa group by its glabrous twigs, ovate to narrowly ovate leaves with the base decurrent along the petiole, sessile male flowers borne in triads, strongly revolute fruiting calyx, and glabrescent fruit that is often glaucous. In the southeastern portion of its range, D. squamosa often exhibits much smaller leaves. Diospyros bernieri and D. conifera are here placed in synonymy under D. squamosa ; the type of the former (Bernier 113) from “forêt de Tintingue” along the East coast exhibits leaves and fruit identical to D. squamosa , whereas the type of the latter (Boivin 2108/2B) from Lokobe on Nosy Be also exhibits leaves identical to those of D. squamosa as well as the characteristic bracts surrounding the sessile male flowers.

Figures

FIG. 11. — Photos of Diospyros squamosa Bojer ex A. DC.: A, leaves; B, male flower from side; C, male flower from top; D, fruiting branch, E, fruits, F, base of fruits (note bract scars on pedicels). A, D-F, Lowry 7534; C, D, Rasoanindriana 308. Photos: A, D-F, P. Lowry, B-C, P. Antilahimena.