DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.256.141375

Authors: Jan Hackel, Andriantsilavo H. I. Razafimanantsoa, Vincent Porcher, Michael D. Pirie

Abstract: The plant genus Erica L. (heathers; anjavidy in Malagasy) has 35 recognised species in Madagascar, but there has not been a taxonomic revision since 1927 and there are few identification resources. We review available data for Malagasy Erica (previously treated as Philippia), summarise diagnostic species descriptions and incorporate them into the Erica Identification Aid. There is clearly variation in current species concepts that requires further study. Malagasy Erica most likely represent a single clade also encompassing species from the Mascarenes, but resolution is poor and most species remain unsequenced. Erica is found in several of Madagascar’s ecosystems, including the high-altitude “ericoid thickets” where diversity is highest, but it is absent from the extensive dry western areas. Habitats include the ericoid thickets, shrubland–grassland mosaics in the central highlands and on the eastern coast, and Uapaca bojeri (tapia) savanna. Many Erica species are likely to be part of dynamic ecosystems with infrequent fire regimes. The palaeorecord indicates a more widespread ericoid shrub vegetation during the last glacial period. There may be both wind- and insect-pollinated species. Erica is mainly used as fuelwood in Madagascar, but local uses as tools and medicine have also been reported. Estimates suggest at least one-fifth of the species may be threatened, but formal assessments are lacking. Taxonomic revision of the group, coupled with phylogenomic, ecological and ethnobotanic studies, is an urgent priority.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.108.27284

Authors: Iris Montero Muñoz, José María Cardiel, Geoffrey A. Levin

Abstract: This work presents a critical nomenclatural review of the Acalypha species of the Western Indian Ocean Region (Madagascar, the Comoros Archipelago, the Mascarene Islands and the Seychelles Archipelago). This is the first treatment of Acalypha of Madagascar since Leandri’s monograph in 1942. A total of 151 scientific names related to Acalypha from this region are treated. We recognise 35 species (28 native and seven introduced), treat 93 names as synonyms (28 of them for the first time) and identify three as doubtful or excluded names. We designate lectotypes for 41 names, make two new combinations and propose one new name.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.9039

Authors: James W. Byng, F. B. Vincent Florens, Claudia Baider

Abstract: A new species of Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae), S. pyneei Byng, V. Florens & Baider, is described from Mondrain Reserve on the island of Mauritius. This species is endemic to the island and differs from any other species by its combination of cauliflory, relatively large flowers, light green to cream hypanthium, light pink stamens, short thick petioles, coriaceous leaves and round, cuneate or sub-cordate to cordate leaf bases. Syzygium pyneei Byng, V. Florens & Baider is known from only two individuals from the type locality and merits the conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR C2a(i,ii); D).

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