Rhodolaena coriacea
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| image_caption =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Rhodolaena
| species = coriacea
| authority = G.E.Schatz, Lowry & A.-E.Wolf
| synonyms =
}}
Rhodolaena coriacea is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The specific epithet coriacea means 'leathery', referring to the leaves.
Description
Rhodolaena coriacea grows as a tree from {{convert|5|to|25|m|-1}} tall. Its large, coriaceous leaves are elliptic in shape and measure up to {{convert|14.5|cm|0}} long. The inflorescences have one or two flowers on a long peduncle. Individual flowers are large with five sepals and five purple-pink petals, measuring up {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long. The fruits are medium-sized and woody, with a fleshy involucre. The involucre is reportedly eaten by lemurs, facilitating seed dispersal.
Distribution and habitat
Rhodolaena coriacea is only found in the eastern regions of Sava, Vatovavy-Fitovinany, Alaotra-Mangoro and Analanjirofo. Its habitat is coastal and evergreen forests from {{convert|20|to|1700|m|-2}} altitude.
Threats
Rhodolaena coriacea is threatened by timber exploitation and threats to the lemur population. Future population decline of the tree due to habitat loss is predicted at 50% to 80%, though some subpopulations are considered secure in protected areas. Threats to lemurs would in turn affect the tree's reproduction due to their role in seed dispersal.
The timber is used in construction. Deforestation is a threat to this and other tree species. Due to shifting patterns of agriculture, deforestation is extensive outside of protected areas.
References
{{Reflist | 30em | refs =
{{Tropicos | 17 | 50177045 | Rhodolaena coriacea | | | accessdate = 24 Oct 2016 }}
{{cite web | last1 = Birkinshaw | first1 = Chris | last2 = Andrianjafy | first2 = Mamisoa | last3 = Edmond | first3 = Roger | last4 = Hong-Wa | first4 = Cynthia | last5 = Rajeriarison | first5 = Charlotte | last6 = Schatz | first6 = George | date = July 2004 | title = Red Lists for Malagasy Plants. V: Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) | url = http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/red_list_rhodolaena.pdf | publisher = Missouri Botanical Garden | page = 13 | accessdate = 24 Oct 2016 }}
{{cite journal | last1 = Schatz | first1 = George E. | last2 = Lowry II | first2 = Porter P. | last3 = Wolf | first3 = Anne-Elizabeth | date = 2000 | title = Endemic families of Madagascar. VI. A synoptic revision of Rhodolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) | url = http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/a2000n2a11.pdf | journal = Adansonia | publisher = Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle | location = Paris | series = 3 | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 244–246 | accessdate = 24 Oct 2016 }}
}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15608881}}