A synoptic revision of the Malagasy endemic genusCalanticaJaub. ex Tul. (Salicaceae)

Wendy L Applequist,George E Schatz,Peter B Phillipson

doi:10.5252/a2014n1a8

Abstract

A synoptic revision of the Malagasy endemic genus Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. is presented. Ten species are recognized, of which seven are threatened. Three species are newly described: C. olivacea Appleq., Phillipson & G. E. Schatz, sp. nov., C. pseudobiseriata Appleq., Phillipson & G. E. Schatz, sp. nov., and C. sphaerocephala Appleq., Phillipson & G. E. Schatz, sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Calantica is provided.

Highlights

Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. is a small genus endemic to Madagascar
That represented the first inclusion within the genus of species with three to six stamens per petal. He stated (1940: 284) that there were nine species in the genus, “les autres des autres îles de la région malgache ou de Mozambique,” but it is not clear to what taxa he was referring, as no species of Calantica have ever been described from outside Madagascar
Herbarium specimens at P and Morat 4753 (MO) were examined, as were -undistributed duplicates for exchange available at those herbaria and images available through the JSTOR Plants database of types held by other institutions

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Calantica Jaub. ex Tul. is a small genus endemic to Madagascar. Traditionally placed within Flacourtiaceae, it and many other genera have been transferred to an expanded Salicaceae (Chase et al 2002) on the grounds that the former family was not monophyletic. That represented the first inclusion within the genus of species with three to six stamens per petal He stated (1940: 284) that there were nine species in the genus, “les autres des autres îles de la région malgache ou de Mozambique,” but it is not clear to what taxa he was referring, as no species of Calantica have ever been described from outside Madagascar. Perrier de la Bâthie (1940: 286), in publishing the first two multistamened species of Calantica, noted that the parallel morphology in Homalium “renforce singulièrement les affinités de ces 2 genres et montre nettement le peu de valeur dans ce groupe des caractères basés sur l’adhérence de l’ovaire à la coupe réceptaculaire...”, which seems to suggest that he doubted the two to be natural groups. In the absence of molecular data, given the need to resolve alpha taxonomic issues for conservation purposes, we continue to recognize Calantica as it has traditionally been circumscribed

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Calantica capuronii Sleumer

Calantica chauvetiae Sleumer

Calantica lucida Scott-Elliot