Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis (Arènes) R. F. Almeida 2025

de Almeida, Rafael F., Rasambo, Sedera Norotiana, Elliott, Kelda, Pellegrini, Marco O. O., Rakotonirina, Nivohenintsoa, Randriamboavonjy, Tiana, Rajaonah, Mamy Tiana, Andrianantenaina, Miantsa, Randrianarimanana, Noro Fenitra, Rakotomalala, Nantenaina Herizo, Rakotondratsimba, Mbola, Ranaivoson, Sedera Ny Aina, Randriatsarazaka, Tafitaniaina, Goyder, David & Vorontsova, Maria S., 2025, Historical biogeography and character-mapping of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae) evidence a revised infrageneric classification system and shifts in African biomes from the Eocene to the Miocene, Plant Ecology and Evolution 158 (3), pp. 428-444 : 428-444

3. Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis (Arènes) R. F. Almeida stat. nov.

Fig. 6

Acridocarpus subg. Anophyllaris sect. Micranthera subsect. Madagascariensis Arènes ( Arènes 1945: 62)

Acridocarpus subg. Anophyllaris sect. Micranthera Nied. ( Niedenzu 1921: 3)

Acridocarpus subg. Anophyllaris sect. Micranthera subsect. Neocaledonici Arènes ( Arènes 1945: 62)

Type species

Acridocarpus excelsus A. Juss.

Diagnosis

Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis is characterised by its tree habit, leaf blades abaxially, uniformly, and densely hairy, epidermis hidden, vascular system in an open arch without convoluted extremities in the midrib portion, bracteoles 2 - glandular, sepals eglandular, anthers 1–2 mm long, Madagascar, New Caledonia.

Distribution

Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis comprises six accepted species distributed in Madagascar and New Caledonia.

Habitat and ecology

Species of Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis are found in savannas, dry forests, and rainforests.

Figures

Figure 6. Acridocarpus subg. Madagascariensis. A. Tree habit of A. excelsus. B. Vegetative branch of A. excelsus showing alternate leaves. C. Detail of the adaxial side of a leaf blade of A. excelsus showing indumentum completely covering the epidermis. D. Thyrses of A. perrieri in lateral view. E. Detail of a thyrsus of A. perrieri in lateral view. F. Detail of the 2 - glandular bracteoles of A. perrieri. G – H. Flower in anthesis of A. perrieri in frontal and lateral view. I. Immature winged mericarps of A. perrieri in lateral view. J. Winged mericarps of A. excelsus in lateral view. Photos: A by Vonona Randrianasolo; B – C by Andry Rakoto; D, I by Guy Eric Onjalalaina; E – F by Fidy Ratovoson; G – H by Martin Callmander; J by Rokiman Letsara.