1. Polygala longeracemosa H. Perrier

in Bull. Trimestriel Acad. Malgache ser. 2, 14: 9. 1932.

Lectotypus (designated here [second step]): MADAGASCAR. Prov. Toliara: Bassin supérieur du Mandrare (SE): Mont Amboahangy prÈs d’Esira, [24°15’S 46°39’E], 1000- 1150 m, 25.XI.1928, fl., Humbert 6830 (P [P00375348]!; isolecto-: P [P00375346, P00375347]!) (Lectotype [first step] designated by PAIVA, 1998: 258). Paralectotypus: MADAGASCAR.Prov. Toliara: Massif de Beampingaratra (SE): Mont Papanga, versant NW, c. 1200 m, 3-4.XI.1928, fl. &fr., Humbert 6405 (P [P00375343]!; isoparalecto-: P [P00375344, P00375345]!).

Observations. – PAIVA (1998) cited Humbert 6830 (P) as the holotype of the name P. longeracemosa and effected lectotypification in accordance with the ICBN (MCNEILL & al., 2012, Arts. 9.2, 9.11). However, the gathering of Humbert 6830 at P consists of three specimens. Consequently, we designate the sheet [P00375348] as the [second-step] lectotype as allowed under Art. 9.17 because it is the most complete specimen and the label was annotated with the word “type” in Perrier’s hand.

Distribution and habitat. – Polygala longeracemosa is distributed in the mountains of southeastern Madagascar, including the massifs of Andohahela, Kalambatritra and Ivakoany and on the Horombe Plateau at elevations from 900- 1750 m. The species occurs in secondary or degraded grasslands, ericoid shrublands, and forests edges, usually in rocky areas (Fig. 1).

Conservation status. – Polygala longeracemosa is known from 13 locations and subpopulations, four of which are situated in Protected Areas (Andohahela National Park and Kalambatritra Special Reserve), but with a somewhat restricted Area of Occupancy (minimum of 140 km 2) and Extent of Occurrence (c. 14,000 km 2), it is assigned apreliminary conservation status of “Near Threatened” (NT).

Additional material examined. – MADAGASCAR. Prov. Fianarantsoa: Iakora, Begogo, Bekora, forêt de Sahalava au S du village d’Androizaha, 23°32’09”S 46°32’21”E, 1404 m, 27.I.2005, fl. & fr., Andrianjafy & al. 704 (MO!, P [P06241680, P06241681]!). Prov. Toliara: Betroka, Ivahona, Mt. Kalambatritra, forêt d’Analamaro, 23°27’38”S 46°24’40”E, 1540 m, 6.XI 2005, fl., Andrianjafy & al. 536 (MO!, P [P02998108]!); Ampandrandava, [24°05’S 45°42’E], [900 m], s.d., fl. & fr., Herb. Jardin Bot. Tananarive 6276 (P [P06241 684]!); Massif du Kalambatritra (Centre-Sud), [23°22’S 46°29’E], 1600-1750 m, XI.1933, fl, Humbert 11772 (BR, G!, K!, MO!, P [P03008170, P06241683]!, PRE, TAN, WAG); haute vallée de la Manambolo, affluent de l’Ionaivo, [24°30’S, 46°35’E], 900-1100 m, XI.1933, fl. & fr., Humbert 12132 (P [P06241678]!); Massif de l’Ivakoany, [23°50’30”S, 46°26’E], 1250 m, XI-XII.1933, fl. & fr., Humbert 12253 (P [P06241685]!); Vallée de la Sakamalio, affluent de la Manambolo, bassin du Mandrare, [24°32’S 46°41’E], 900- 1100 m, XII.1933, fl., Humbert 13412 (P [P06241677]!); Massif de l’Andohahela, 1700 m, I.1934, fl., Humbert 13673 (P [P06241675]!); Horombe, 1300 m, V.1919, fl., Perrier de la Bâthie 12680 (P [P03008 169]!); Mt. Trafonaomby, parcelle I d’Andohahela RNI, 24°33’S, 46°43’E, 1000-1957 m, 7.IV.1994, fl., Randriamampionona 752 (P [P02998110]!); Forêt de Befarafara, Kalambatritra AP, 23°24’44”S 46°27’58”E, 1575 m, 26.V.2005, fl., Razakamalala & al. 2046 (MO!, P [P02998109]!, TAN!); à l’E d’Ampandrandava, entre Bekily et Tsivory, vers la source de la Menakompy, [24°07’S 45°48’E], 1000- 1200 m, IV.1943, fl. & fr., Seyrig 646 (P [P06241679]!).