Biology:Mediusella
Mediusella bernieri is a species of flowering plant in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is the sole species in genus Mediusella.[1] It is a shrub or tree endemic to Madagascar.
Description
Mediusella bernieri grows as a shrub or small tree up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall.[2] 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.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Mediusella bernieri is only found in the far northern regions of Diana and Sava[4] (the former Antsiranana Province[2]). IUCN assessors identified nine subpopulations over an extent of occurrence of 3,055 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi).[2] Its habitat is dry forests, on various rocky formations, from 50–300 m (200–1,000 ft) elevation.[2][3]
Threats
Mediusella bernieri is in decline due to habitat destruction[2][3] from activities such as agriculture, mining, fires and wood harvesting.[2] 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.[2]
References
- ↑ "Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutch.". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:925346-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namediucn status 20 November 2021 - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hong-Wa, Cynthia (2009). "Endemic families of Madagascar. XII. Resurrection and taxonomic revision of the genera Mediusella (Cavaco) Hutchinson and Xerochlamys Baker (Sarcolaenaceae)". Adansonia. 3 (Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle) 31 (2): 318–319. doi:10.5252/a2009n2a7. http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/a2009n2a7.pdf. Retrieved 19 Oct 2016.
- ↑ "Mediusella bernieri", Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar, Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.tropicos.org/Name/50059578?projectid=17, retrieved 19 Oct 2016
Wikidata ☰ Q15599238 entry
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