(Fig. 10)

Journal of the Linnaean Society 20: 242 (1883).

Mespilodaphne trichophlebia (Baker) Baillon, Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Paris 56: 448 (1885).

— Typus: Madagascar. Without further data, Baron 1776 (fls) (lecto-, K, designated by Kostermans [1939]; iso-, P [P00541577, P00573382]!).

Ocotea acuminata Baker, Journal of the Linnaean Society 20: 242 (1883). — Mespilodaphne acuminata (Baker) Baillon, Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Paris 56: 448 (1885).

— Typus: Madagascar, Baron 1970, fls, (holo-, K; iso-, P[P00573380]!).

S ELECTED SPECIMENS SEEN. — Antananarivo. Fiv. Anjozorobe, forêt d’Amparafarantany, Raharijaona et al. 34 (MO); Toamasina. Fiv. Moramanga, Fok. Ambohibato, forêt de Rianan’i Galy, Raharijaona et al. 44 (MO, P, TAN).

DISTRIBUTION. — Upper part of eastern slope, mostly along road Antananarivo-Tamatave near Mandraka, but N to Miakadaza, also Périnet, at elevations between 900 and 1200 m.

However, most older collections have very incomplete label information.

PHENOLOGY. — Flowers: November-January; fruits: June, August, November.

VERNACULAR NAMES. — Varongy mavo, varongy mainty, varongy, varongivoara.

DESCRIPTION

Large shrub or small tree, to 10 m tall. Twigs terete, densely pubescent, the hairs erect, the indument wearing off with age; terminal buds densely pubescent. Leaves alternate, chartaceous, 6-13 × 2.5-7 cm, elliptic to broadly elliptic, base obtuse or acute, tip acute or acuminate, lateral veins 5-6 on each side, midrib and lateral veins impressed above, tertiary venation immersed, midrib, lateral veins and tertiary venation raised on lower surface; upper surface with scattered, erect hairs, the indument denser on midrib and lateral veins, lower surface pubescent, the hairs erect; domatia lacking. Petioles 0.4-1.2 cm long, with similar indument as twigs. Inflorescences axillary, pubescent, c. 5 cm long, rather few-flowered, bracts sometimes present at anthesis.Tepals pubescent on both surfaces, but less so on inner surface, 1.5-2 mm long. Stamens 9, 4-celled, 1.5 mm long, filaments pubescent, anther glabrous, staminodia 3, pubescent, stipitiform. Ovary and inside of receptacle glabrous. Cupule deeply cup-shaped, 1.4 cm wide, 1 cm high, fruit ellipsoid, 1.6 × 1.2 cm.

REMARKS

This species has frequently been confused with Ocotea grayi and differences between the two are discussed under O. grayi. Vegetatively, the impressed midrib and lateral vein on the upper leaf surface and the pilose lower leaf surface are characteristic.