(Fig. 3)

Novon 6: 465 (1996).

TYPUS. — Madagascar. Toliara, Réserve Intégrale 11 (Andohahela), van der Werff et al. 12732 (holo-, MO!; iso-, B, G, GH, K, L, LE, MO!, NY, P, PRE, QRS, TAN).

SELECTED SPECIMENS SEEN. — Fianarantsoa, Midongy du Sud, Beharana II, forêt d’Anamangy, Andrianjafy et al. 1203 (MO, P); Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park, Malcomber et al. 1610 (MO, P [P02009657], TAN); Toliara, NW of Fort Dauphin along road to Ranomafana, McPherson & Rabevohitra 14975 (MO, P [P02009658], TAN, TEF); Toliara. Réserve Intégrale 11 (Andohahela), van der Werff et al. 12745 (MO, P, QRS, TAN); Vestiges de forêt orientale très dégradée sur la route de Farafangana à Ambalatany, Service Forestier (Capuron) 23564 (MO, P [P01991762], TEF).

DISTRIBUTION. — Ocotea grayi is known from forests on the eastern slope from Brickaville south to Ft. Dauphin and inland to Ranomafana and Fianarantsoa, up to 1000 m elevation.

PHENOLOGY. — Flowers: August-November (mostly September-October); fruits throughout the year.

VERNACULAR NAMES. — Varongirwinbakoka, varongy, varongy fotsy, varongi mainty.

DESCRIPTION

Tree, to 25 m. Twigs terete, yellow-brown tomentellous when young, glabrescent; terminal buds tomentellous. Leaves 9-19 × 4-9 cm, alternate, tripliveined, chartaceous, elliptic to broadly elliptic, base acute or obtuse, apex acute or acuminate, lateral veins 3-5; upper leaf surface initially pubescent, soon becoming glabrous, venation immersed, lower surface with a sparse to dense indument of erect, curled hairs, venation clearly raised; domatia present, consisting of shallow pockets covered by a dense tuft of hairs. Petioles 0.8-1.5 cm long, with a similar indument as the twigs. Inflorescences (densely) pubescent, paniculate-cymose, in axils of leaves, to 12 cm long. Flowers creamy white to pale yellow, tepals 6, pubescent on both surfaces, c. 2 mm long; stamens 9, all 4-celled, 1 mm long, filaments pubescent, anthers glabrous, glands present at the base of the inner stamens, staminodia stipitiform, pubescent. Ovary and inside of the receptacle glabrous. Fruit roundish, c. 2 cm in diameter, cupule deeply cup-shaped, to 2.5 cm wide, 1.5 cm high.

REMARKS

Ocotea grayi is characterized by the presence of domatia, tripliveined leaves, erect indument on lower leaf surface and its rather long inflorescences. Most collections placed in this species were previously identified as Ocotea trichophlebia Baker. This latter species differs from O. grayi in its pinnately veined leaves, lack of domatia and smaller leaves and inflorescences. Ocotea trichophlebia also occurs at higher elevations than O. grayi.