Rhodolaena altivola

Rhodolaena altivola
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Sarcolaenaceae
Genus:	Rhodolaena
Species:	R. altivola
Binomial name
Rhodolaena altivola Thouars[2]

Rhodolaena altivola is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The naturalist and explorer Alfred Russel Wallace described it as "among the most magnificent flowering plants in the world".[3]

Description

Rhodolaena altivola grows as a small to medium-sized tree. It has medium, ovate leaves. The inflorescences have one or two flowers on a long stem. Individual flowers are very large with five sepals and five purple-red petals, measuring up 5 cm (2 in) long. The fruits are large and woody.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Rhodolaena altivola is only found in the eastern regions of Atsinanana and Analanjirofo.[2] Its habitat is humid to subhumid evergreen forests from 200 m (700 ft) to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude.[4]

Threats

Rhodolaena altivola is threatened by shifting cultivation and wildfires. Its future population decline due to habitat loss is predicted at more than 80%. No population of the trees is currently in a protected area.[4] The status of the species is critically endangered.[1]

References

1. Manjato, N. (2019). "Rhodolaena altivola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T70102471A70104880. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
2. "Rhodolaena altivola". Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 24 October 2016 – via Tropicos.org.
3. Wallace, Alfred Russel (1895). "XIX" . Island Life. p. 440 – via Wikisource.
4. Birkinshaw, Chris; Andrianjafy, Mamisoa; Edmond, Roger; Hong-Wa, Cynthia; Rajeriarison, Charlotte; Schatz, George (July 2004). "Red Lists for Malagasy Plants. V: Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae)" (PDF). Missouri Botanical Garden. p. 10. Retrieved 24 October 2016.