Biology:Brachylaena
Brachylaena | |
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Branches of Brachylaena discolor | |
Inflorescences of female Brachylaena huillensis plant | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Tribe: | Tarchonantheae |
Genus: | Brachylaena R.Br. |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms[1][2] | |
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Brachylaena is a genus of flowering plants in the aster, or composite, family, Asteraceae or Compositae. Several are endemic to Madagascar , and the others are distributed in mainland Africa, especially the southern regions.[3]
These are trees and shrubs with alternately arranged leaves. One of these, Brachylaena merana, is the tallest of all composites ('daisy trees") at up to 132 feet (forty meters).[4] and Brachylaena huillensis of East Africa is of similar height. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate individuals. The flower heads are somewhat disc-shaped. Heads with female flowers are larger and produce larger pappi.[5]
B. huillensis is the only widespread species,[3] growing as a dominant tree in Brachylaena woodlands and a common species in some eastern African forests. It provides critical habitat for many animal species. It is also sought after for its wood and has been overexploited.[6]
- Species[2]
Some species are subject of dispute:
- Brachylaena rotundata S.Moore is seen by some as Brachylaena discolor var. rotundata (S.Moore) Beentje[2]
- Brachylaena transvaalensis Hutch. ex E.Phillips & Schweick. is seen as synonym of Brachylaena discolor var. transvaalensis (E.Phillips & Schweick.) Beentje[2]
References
- ↑ Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Brachylaena R.Br." (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/7973-1. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Beentje, H. J. (2000). The genus Brachylaena (Compositae: Mutisieae). Kew Bulletin 55(1), 1-41.
- ↑ Carlquist, Dr. Sherwin. Island Biology. New York & London: Univ. of Columbia Press. p. 419.
- ↑ Hyde, M. A., et al. (2013). Brachylaena. Flora of Zimbabwe.
- ↑ Cordeiro, N. J. and M. Githiru. (2000). Conservation evaluation for birds of Brachylaena woodland and mixed dry forest in north-east Tanzania. Bird Conservation International 10(1), 47-65.
Wikidata ☰ Q2666313 entry
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachylaena.
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