(Fig. 2)

Communication (Pengumuman) of the Forest Research Institute, Indonesia 60: 8 (1957).

TYPUS. — Madagascar. Bassin de la Fananehana, II.1964, fls, Service Forestier (Capuron) 8995, (holo-, P [P00541614]!; iso-, MO, P [P00541615, P00541616]!).

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Antsiranana, WNW of Andapa, McPherson 17183 (MO), 17226 (MO); Toamasina, Environs de la baie d’Antongil, Service Forestier (Capuron) 8995 (MO, P); Service Forestier (Capuron) 9034 (K, MO, P [P01991960]); Parc national de Zahamena, Randrianjanaka et al. 747 (MO, P).

PHENOLOGY. — Flowering: February; fruiting: August.

VERNACULAR NAME. — Tafonona, antafonana.

DESCRIPTION

Tree, to 30 m. Twigs angular, minutely appressed pubescent, becoming glabrous with age; terminal buds appressed pubescent. Leaves 3-8 × 2-5 cm, broadly elliptic, glabrous, alternate, the base obtuse or acute, apex acute to acuminate, upper surface smooth, shiny, with immersed venation; lower surface with venation almost completely immersed; domatia absent, lateral veins 5-7 on each side. Petioles 1-1.5 cm, canaliculate, glabrous. Inflorescences 2-4 cm long, paniculate-cymose, appressed pubescent, in the axils of bracts or leaves. Flowers 5 mm in diameter; tepals spreading, pubescent on both surfaces or inner surface glabrous, c. 2 mm long; stamens 9, all 4-celled, 1 mm long, filaments distinct, glands present at the base of the inner stamens; staminodia stipitiform, pubescent. Pistil glabrous, receptacle glabrous inside. Green fruit c. 1.5 cm long, cupule deeply cup-shaped, 1.5 cm wide, 1 cm high.

REMARKS

Ocotea caudatifolia can be recognized by its leaves with immersed venation, with a shiny upper surface, relatively long petioles and deep cupules. Most leaves of the fruiting collections have the leaves conduplicate, whereas the flowering specimens have most leaves flat, although a few are conduplicate.

DISTRIBUTION

Infrequently collected and known from the type and paratype collection made in the upper Rentabe area to the west of the Baie d’Antongil, two fruiting collections in the Andapa area and a fruiting collection from Zahamena, between 500 and 1300 m.