Nuxia capitata
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nuxia capitata is a species of flowering plant in the family Stilbaceae. It is a shrub or tree with whitish flowers, and is endemic to Madagascar. The species was described in 1882, and is listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN.
| Nuxia capitata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Stilbaceae |
| Genus: | Nuxia |
| Species: | N. capitata |
| Binomial name | |
| Nuxia capitata | |
Taxonomy
The species was described by John Gilbert Baker in 1882.[2]
Distribution
Nuxia capitata is native to the seasonally dry tropical biome of central and south-central Madagascar.[3] It is endemic to the country.[4]
The species is widespread in east, central, and northern Madagascar, and is present in the regions of Diana, Analamanga, Vakinankaratra, Vatovavy, Fitovinany, and Alaotra-Mangoro. It has an extent of occurrence of 76,016 square kilometres (29,350 sq mi). Nuxia capitata grows in subhumid forests, at elevations of 800–1,600 metres (2,600–5,200 ft).[1]
Description
Nuxia capitata is a shrub or tree.[4] It grows up to 14 metres (46 ft) high.[1] The branches are slender and cylindrical.[5]
The leaves are arranged oppositely. The leaf stems are 0.5–0.75 inches (1.3–1.9 cm) long. The leaves are subleathery, 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) long, and oblong to oblanceolate-oblong.[5]
The calyx is oblong, leathery, and lacks a stem. The corolla is whitish, and forms a tube which is divided into four segments. The flowers have four stamens.[5]
Conservation
In 2020, the IUCN assessed Nuxia capitata as of Least Concern. There are twenty-three known subpopulations. The species is at risk from habitat loss, caused by logging, fires, and agriculture.[1]
The species is present in protected areas, including Ambohitantely Special Reserve, Analamazaotra National Park, the Anjozorobe-Angavo Reserve, the Manongarivo Special Reserve, and Ranomafana National Park.[1]
Names
In the Malagasy language, Nuxia capitata is known as Valanirana Arbre or Lambinana.[6]