A revision of Xylopia L. (Annonaceae): the species of Madagascar and the Mascarene islands
Author
Johnson, David M.
Author
Murray, Nancy A.
text
Adansonia
2020
2020-02-05
42
1
1
88
journal article
21758
10.5252/adansonia2020v42a1
28f94b79-38d7-4c25-ac76-cf64809114fc
1639-4798
3877215
14.
Xylopia bemarivensis
Diels
(
Figs 1B
;
2D
;
14A-K
;
16B
)
Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem
9: 352 (1925).
—
Type
:
Madagascar
. Prov.
Mahajanga
[“Madagascaria occidentalis”],
Boina
: ad rivum
Bemarivo
superiorem,
III.1907
(fr.),
Perrier de la Bâthie
4945
(holo-, B!;
iso-, P[P00524385]!).
Xylopia decidua
Diels,
Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem
9: 353 (1925).
—
Type
:
Madagascar
.
Prov. Mahajanga
[
“Madagascaria occidentalis
”],
Boina
,
bois sablonneux, environs du Mt. Tsitondraina
[
Tsitondroina
],
XII.1900
(fl., fr.),
Perrier de la Bâthie 1167
(holo-,
B
!;
iso-, P[P030368, P030369]!).
MATERIAL EXAMINED. —
Madagascar
. Prov.
Antsiranana
, Réserve spéciale d’Ankarana, à
10 km
à l’Est du village de Matsaborimanga (Campement des Anglais),
12°54’59”S
,
49°06’24”E
,
180 m
,
9.VI.1995
(fr.),
Andrianantoanina et al. 848
(
OWU
)
;
Ambilobe
,
Mahamasina
,
Réserve
spéciale
d’Ankarana
,
12°57’49”S
,
49°07’28”E
,
100 m
,
5.XI.1997
(fr.),
Bardot-Vaucoulon
915
(K n.v.;
MO
; P[P00309729, P00309730])
;
Ambilobe
,
Ambondromihefy
,
Réserve
spéciale
d’Ankarana
,
Mahoro
, sentier botanique partie nord est en direction
d’Ambalihatsara
,
12°51’21”S
,
49°13’45”E
,
300 m
,
22.I.2003
(fl.),
Bardot-Vaucoulon
et al. 1263
(
MO
, P[P00455560])
;
Vovo Village District
,
c.
6 km
from
Diego Suarez on Diego Suarez-Vovo
village road, and
c.
1.5 km
S of beach on
Indian Ocean
,
12°19’05”S
,
49°23’07”E
,
85 m
,
21.IV.1993
(fl., fr.),
Harder
et al. 1658
(
MO
,
WAG
)
;
Diana Region
,
Ambilobe
,
Ambakirano
,
Behefaka
,
Anjahana
,
13°21’56”S
,
49°10’04”E
,
151 m
,
5.VI.2005
(fr.),
Hong-Wa 303
(
MO
, P[P01953785])
;
Ampasindava
, forêt
d’Andranomatavy
,
13°39’59”S
,
47°59’24”E
,
285 m
,
25.XI.2009
(bud, fr.),
Madiomanana
et al. MAD 267
(K n.v.,
MO
, P[P0175075])
;
Sava Region
, Sous-préfecture
Vohemar
,
Commune Nosibe
,
Fokontany Anjiabe
,
Village Anaborano
,
13°04’06”S
,
49°54’27”E
,
49 m
,
7.XII.2004
(fr.),
Manjakahery
&
Sola
72
(
MO
)
;
40 km
N of Vohemar
, near N end of
Lac Sahaka
,
Fir.
:
Nosibe
,
Fkt.
:
Anjiabe
,
13°04’45”S
,
49°54’17”E
,
20 m
,
3.XI.2002
(buds),
McPherson
18833
(
OWU
)
;
Analamazava
, part of
Binara Range
,
SW of Daraina
(
Vohemar
),
13°15’S
,
49°38’E
,
200-1180 m
,
26.IV.2000
(fr.),
Meyers
92
(
OWU
; P[P02005891])
;
sous-préfecture de
Vohemar
, commune rurale de
Daraina
,
Daraina
, forêt
d’Antsaharaingy
,
12°55’N
,
49°40’E
,
50 m
,
28.II.2005
(fl.),
Nusbaumer
&
Ranirison LN
1509
(G, K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Fivondronana
:
Vohémar
,
Firaisana
:
Tsarabaria
,
Fokontany
:
Manakana
,
13°43’06”S
,
50°05’52”E
,
15.VII.2003
(fr.),
Rabehevitra
et al. 358
(
MO
,
OWU
, P[P02133052])
;
Fivondronana
:
Vohémar
,
Firaisana
:
Nosy
be,
Fokontany
:
Anjiabe
,
13°04’43”S
,
49°54’04”E
,
11.V.2004
(fr.),
Rabehevitra
et al. 938
(
OWU
, P[P01954139])
;
Fivondronana
:
Vohémar
,
Firaisana
:
Tsarabaria
,
Fokontany
:
Manakana
,
13°42’46”S
,
50°05’25”E
,
3 m
,
18.V.2004
(fr.),
Rabehevitra
et al. 1009
(
MO
,
OWU
, P[P01954128])
;
Fiv.
:
Vohémar
,
Fir.
:
Tsarabaria
,
Fok.
:
Manakana
,
13°42’58”S
,
50°05’37”E
,
3 m
,
24.X.2002
(fl.),
Rabenantoandro
et al. 1035
(
MO
,
OWU
)
;
Fivondronana
:
Vohémar
,
Firaisana
:
Nosibe
,
Fokontany
:
Anjiabe
,
13°04’43”S
,
49°54’04”E
,
10 m
,
23.II.2003
(fl., fr.),
Rabenantoandro
et al. 1318
(
MO
,
OWU
, P[P06901368])
;
Fivondronana
:
Vohémar
,
Firaisana
:
Tsarabaria
,
Fokontany
:
Manakana
,
13°42’49”S
,
50°05’13”E
,
5 m
,
1.III.2003
(bud, fr.),
Rabenantoandro
et al. 1380
(
MO
, K n.v.,
OWU
, P[P01987003])
;
Diana Region
,
Diana
,
Ambolobozobe
,
Ambovomavo
, à
1 km
W du village
d’Ambolobozobe
,
12°31’13”S
,
49°31’21”E
,
24.XI.2007
(fr.),
Rakotonandrasana
1217
(
OWU
, P[P02090377])
;
Vohemar
,
Maromokotra
,
Antsiranana
, forêt
d’Andavaposa
, à
5 km
au
Sud
du village
d’Antsaharaingy
,
12°54’05”S
,
49°38’45”E
,
36 m
,
11.XI.2005
(fr.),
Rakotondrafara
et al. 430
(
MO
)
;
Montagne d’Ambre
, versants ouest,
12°35’12”S
,
49°05’52”E
,
671 m
,
25.I.2012
(fl., fr.),
Ramandimbimanana
&
Randimbiarison
SDR 318
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Diana Region
,
Antsiranana II
,
Ankarongana
,
12°36’18”S
,
49°26’34”E
,
258 m
,
7.XI.2006
(fr.),
Ranaivojaona
et al. 1527
(
OWU
, P[P02090430, P02090431])
;
Diana Region
,
Antsiranana
II,
Ankarongana
,
Sahafary
,
12°36’18”S
,
49°26’34”E
,
258 m
,
4.XII.2006
(fl., fr.),
Ranaivojaona
et al. 1651
(
MO
)
;
Fivondronana
:
Diego II
,
Commune
:
Mahavanona
,
Montagne
des francais, forêt
d’Ampitiliantsambo
, à 3 heures de marche à pied, à
l’Est d’Andranomanitra
,
12°23’13”S
,
49°23’04”E
,
205 m
,
14.I.2005
(fl., fr.),
Randrianaivo
et al. 1155
(K n.v.,
MO
, P[P02133047])
;
Sava Region
, Sous-préfecture
Vohemar
,
Commune Nosibe
,
Fokontany Anjiabe
,
Village Anabovano
,
Campement Andrainginalo
,
10 km
à
l’Est d’Anaborano
,
13°04’09”S
,
49°54’08”E
,
18 m
,
11.X.2004
(bud, fr.),
Randrianarivelo
et al. 159
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Diana Region
,
Sous
préfecture
Antsiranana
II,
Commune Mahavanona
,
Fokontany Andranomanitra
,
12°22’05”S
,
49°19’37”E
,
382 m
,
8.II.2005
(fl.),
Randrianarivelo
et al. 219
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana
, sur le
Tsingy
près de la grotte de chauve-souris et aux alentours,
12°54’43”S
,
49°06’39”E
,
180 m
,
20.II.1994
(fl., fr.),
Randrianambolona
et al. 48
(
MO
)
;
sous-préfecture de
Vohemar
, commune rurale de
Daraina
,
Daraina
, forêt
d’Antsahabe
,
13°13’N
,
49°33’E
,
345 m
,
4.V.2004
(fr.),
Ranirison PR
808
(G, K n.v.,
MO
)
;
sous-préfecture de
Vohemar
, commune rurale de
Daraina
,
Daraina
, forêt
d’Ankaramy
,
13°18’N
,
49°40’E
,
24.II.2004
(fl.),
Ranirison
&
Nusbaumer PR
475
(G, K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Andrafiabe
,
Ambolobozobe
,
1 km
au
Nord
est
d’Ambolobozobe
, forêt
d’Ampanasagna
,
12°31’01”S
,
49°32’14”E
,
50 m
,
1.II.2005
(fl.),
Ratovoson
et al. 864
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Vohemar
,
Maromokotra
,
Ankijomantsina
,
3 km
au
Sud
d’Ankijomantsina,
13°07’40”S
,
49°27’53”E
,
100 m
,
30.X.2005
(fr.),
Ratovoson
et al. 1045
(
MO
, P[P01953997])
;
Diana Region
,
Sadjoavato
, forêt de
Sahafary
,
12°36’26”S
,
49°26’43”E
,
280 m
,
8.I.2007
(fl.),
Ratovoson
et al. 1180
(
MO
,
OWU
, P[P01954133])
;
Ambobaka
,
300 m
Sud
du pont
Antomboka
,
Commune Ambodimanga Ramena
,
Fivondronana Ambanja
,
13°45’12”S
,
48°31’19”E
,
41 m
,
4.XII.2000
(fr.),
Razakamalala
et al. 49
(
MO
)
;
Diana Region
,
Commune Sadjoavato
,
Fok. Saharenana
, forêt
d’Andranomadiro
SW of Sahafary
,
12°36’18”E
,
49°26’35”E
,
300 m
,
14.II.2005
(fr.),
Schatz
et al. 4271
(
MO
)
;
Benavone
, Ambanja,
Service Forestier
10275
(
OWU
)
.
Prov.
Mahajanga
.
Maevatanana, Antsiafabositra, Bemanevika,
17°13’28”E
,
46°59’37”E
,
350 m
,
7.V.2005
(fr.),
Andrianjafy et al. 1003
(
MO
, P[P01953993]);
Beanka
, partie centrale,
Antsinginarefy
,
17°57’23”S
,
44°28’06”E
,
329 m
,
11.II.2012
(fr.),
Bolliger
et al. RFB 212
(
MO
)
;
forêt
d’Amparihymikimbo
, auprès de l’embouchure
de la Mafaika
(
E de la Baie de Narinda
),
28.V.1958
(fr.),
Capuron
18540-SF
(K)
;
forêt
d’Ambondro-Ampasy
(
Exploitation Loyseau
),
Canton d’Antonibe
,
District d’Analalava
,
29.X-3.XII.1958
(fl.),
Capuron
18798-SF
(K)
;
Ambongo
, sables, près
de Benetsy
(riv. g. de la basse
Mahevavy
),
21.XI.1965
(fl.),
Capuron
24263-SF
(K)
;
Station
forestière
d’Ampijoroa
,
c.
3 km
N d’Andranofasika
,
16°20’S
,
46°51’E
,
12.IV.1984
(fr.),
Dorr
&
Koenders
3012
(
GH
, K n.v.,
MO
,
WAG
)
;
région
Melaky
,
Beanka
, partie sud,
18°01’59”S
,
44°28’33”E
,
230 m
,
7.XII.2012
(fr.),
Gautier
et al. LG 5964
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
forêt
de Tsiampihy
,
de Besaraha
, de
Bemiha
et de
Soahanina
,
Leandri
et al. 2229
(
OWU
)
;
Melaky Region
,
Maintirano
,
Belitsaka
,
Ambinda
,
18°02’38”S
,
44°28’56”E
,
232 m
,
20.X.2009
(fl.),
Letsara
et al. LRK 898
(
CAS
,
MO
, P[P00722348])
;
Boriziny
(
Port-Berg.
),
Bongolava
, on
Bongolava mountain
,
3 km
bifurcation from
Port-Bergé
,
15°36’49”S
,
47°35’21”E
,
215 m
,
18.III.2010
(fr.),
Rajaovelona
&
Rakotonasolo
RJL 166
(K)
;
Station Forestière d’Ampijoroa
, piste vers
Jardin
botanique A[mpijoroa],
16°18’40”S
,
46°48’00”E
,
200 m
,
9.III.1996
(fr.),
Rakotomalaza
et al. 636
(K n.v.,
MO
,
NY
)
;
Sofia Region
,
Boriziny
,
Port-Bergé
,
Tsingingia
,
Marosely
,
18 km
au
Sud
Boriziny,
15°38’58”S
,
47°35’03”E
,
217 m
,
16.XI.2004
(fl., fr.),
Ramananjanahary
121
(K n.v.,
MO
)
;
Sofia Region
,
Boriziny
,
Port-Bergé
,
Tsingingia
,
Andranomena II
,
15°34’00”S
,
47°29’55”E
,
115 m
,
27.XI.2004
(fl., fr.),
Ramananjanahary
151
(
MO
, P[P01954134])
;
Faritany
Mahajanga
,
Fivondronana Port-Bergé
,
Bongolava
,
17°38’58”S
,
47°35’03”E
,
217 m
,
17.XI.2004
(buds, immature fr.),
Razakamalala
et al. 1743
(
MO
, P[P00903552])
;
Faritany
:
Mahajanga
,
Fivondronana
:
Port-Bergé
,
Mampikony
,
Bongolava
,
Betaramahamay
, forêt sèche sur sable
d’Ambohimanga
,
15°57’05”S
,
47°26’09”E
,
232 m
,
6.XII.2004
(fl., fr.),
Razakamalala
et al. 1834
(A,
MO
)
;
Bevazaha
, canton
Tsaramandroso
, district
Ambato Boeni
,
28.XI.1951
(fl.),
Réserves Naturelles
3338
(K as “
338
”,
MO
,
OWU
)
;
Ampijoroa
,
Marovoay
,
16.XII.1953
(fl.),
Service Forestier
8066
(K n.v.,
OWU
)
;
forêt
Katsijy
,
Kandreho
,
Maevatanana
,
12.XI.1953
(fr.),
Service Forestier
8073
(
OWU
)
;
Ampijoroa
,
Marovoay
,
17.XII.1953
(fl., fr.),
Service Forestier
8103
(
OWU
)
;
forêt
Mafaijijo
,
Maintirano
,
28.II.1956
(fl.),
Service Forestier
12646
(
OWU
)
;
Andrianonakanga
,
Sitampihy
,
Ambato Boini
,
26.IV.1955
(fr.),
Service Forestier
14921
(
OWU
)
;
Jardin
botanique
d’Ampijoroa
,
Ampijoroa
,
Fokontany Andranofasika
,
Fivondronana Marovoay
,
16°18’S
,
46°49’E
,
200 m
,
25.I.1992
(fr.),
Service Forestier
(
Comtet
) SF 34395
(K n.v.,
MO
)
.
Prov.
Toliara
.
Atsimo-Andrefana Region, Beroroha à
4 km
avant Antsoa,
21°15’43”S
,
45°10’04”E
,
461 m
,
3.XII.2010
(buds, immature fr.),
Andriantiana et al. 1011
(MO)
;
Atsimo-Andrefana Region
,
Makay Massif
,
Lake Anosilahy
,
21°20’31”S
,
45°10’57”E
,
415 m
,
27.XI.2010
(fl., fr.),
Phillipson et al. 6251
(
MO
)
;
Atsimo-Andrefana Region
, forêt
d’Anosilamy
,
Fokontany Beronono
,
Commune Beronono
,
21°20’30”S
,
45°10’53”E
,
448 m
,
13.I.2010
(fr.),
Razakamalala et al. 5146
(
MO
, P[P02090409])
.
DISTRIBUTION, ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION STATUS. —
Xylopia bemarivensis
occurs in northern and western
Madagascar
, in dry deciduous forest, semi-deciduous forest, and rarely littoral forest on brown or white sand, rarely on clay soils, at elevations from sea level to nearly 700 meters (
Fig. 28
). Its distribution is discontinuous (
Fig. 28
), reflecting an actual discontinuity in this vegetation
type
(
Moat & Smith 2007
); specimens from the two areas are very similar. Occurring south of
21°S
latitude,
X. bemarivensis
extends further into the dry forests of southwestern
Madagascar
than any other
Xylopia
.Specimens with flowers have been collected from October to February and in April, and with fruits from October to June. Seeds were reported to be eaten by the lemur
Propithecus tattersalli
(
Meyers 92
), but no additional details were given.
Xylopia bemarivensis
has the second largest EOO and AOO of any
Madagascar
Xylopia
species, 171 046 km
2
and
172 km
2
, respectively. One of the least likely
Xylopia
species in
Madagascar
to be of conservation concern,
X. bemarivensis
is nevertheless given a preliminary conservation assessment of Data Deficient because we have no information about habitat alteration or population structure or size.
LOCAL NAMES. — Azoambo (
Bardot-Vaucoulon 915
), fandriambarika (
Ramananjanahary 121
), fandribarika (
Réserves Naturelles 3338
), fotsiavadika (
Andrianantoanina et al. 848
), fotsimavo (
Bardot-Vaucoulon et al. 1263
), hazoambo (
Rakotondrafara et al. 430, Service Forestier (Comtet) SF 34395
), hazoambolahy (
Hong-Wa 303
), hazomavo (
Randrianarivelo et al. 159
), marohefaka (
Manjakahery & Sola 72
), moranga (
Ratovoson et al. 1045
).
DESCRIPTION
Tree or shrub
up to
20 m
tall; d.b.h. up to
22 cm
.
Twigs
short erect-pubescent, the hairs
0.2-0.3 mm
long, eventually glabrate; nodes with one or occasionally two axillary branches.
Leaves
with larger blades 4.0-
9.8 cm
long,
1.9-3.4 cm
wide, chartaceous, concolorous or slightly paler abaxially, narrowly to broadly lanceolate, oblong, or elliptic, apex obtuse to rounded or occasionally acute, base broadly cuneate to obliquely rounded or subcordate, short-decurrent on petiole, margin flat, not revolute, pubescent, sometimes with hairs only along the midrib or glabrate adaxially, pubescent abaxially; midrib concolorous adaxially, secondary veins weakly brochidodromous, 9-16 per side, diverging at 45-80° from midrib, plane adaxially, slightly raised abaxially, higher-order veins indistinct to slightly raised on both surfaces; petiole
4.5-7 mm
long, flat, smooth, pubescent.
FIG. 16. —
A
, Fruit of
X. australis
,
sp. nov.
(
Rakotovao 4575
);
B
, flower of
X. bemarivensis
Diels
(
Nusbaumer 8139
);
C
, flower bud of
X. galokothamna
,
sp. nov.
(
Ratovoson 2065
);
D
, fruit of
X. galokothamna
,
sp. nov.
(
Ratovoson 2065
);
E
, fruit of plant resembling
X. galokothamna
,
sp. nov.
, but with different pericarp pattern (see text) (
Buerki 20
);
F
, monocarps and leafy shoots of
X. lastelliana
Baill.
(
Rakotovao 4603
);
G
, flowers of
X. australis
,
sp. nov.
(
Schatz 2641
);
H
, monocarps of
X. kalabenonensis
D.M.Johnson, Deroin, & Callmander (
Razafitsalama et al. 1041
)
. Photos:
A
,
F
, C. Rakotovao;
B
, L. Nusbaumer;
C
,
D
, F. Ratovoson;
E
, M. W. Callmander;
G
, G. E. Schatz;
H
, J. Razafitsalama.
A
,
C -H
, used under the terms of the Creative Commons license for Tropicos, the botanical information system at the Missouri Botanical Garden;
B
, L. Nusbaumer (© Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève).
Inflorescences
axillary or from the axils of fallen leaves on new flushes of growth, 1-flowered, not pedunculate, densely erect-pubescent; pedicels often obliquely bent near midpoint,
4.3-7.1 mm
long, 0.5-1.0 mm thick; bracts 2, proximal bract attached near midpoint of pedicel and usually caducous, distal bract subtending sepals and persistent, 1.8-2.0 mm long, ovate to semicircular; buds narrowly oblong, apex obtuse.
Sepals
spreading at anthesis, 1/3-1/2-connate,
1.7-2.3 mm
long,
2.4-2.8 mm
wide, coriaceous, semicircular, apex broadly acute to obtuse, sericeous to tomentose abaxially.
Petals
white, cream-colored, or yellow, the inner petals also with a red blotch at the base
in vivo
; outer petals spreading at anthesis,
9.7-12.2 mm
long, 2.0-
3.3 mm
wide at base,
1.2-1.8 mm
wide at midpoint, coriaceous, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, keeled at apex adaxially, flat or faintly ridged abaxially, apex acute, densely puberulent except for glabrous base adaxially, densely sericeous except for glabrous base abaxially; inner petals more or less erect at anthesis,
7.3- 8.9 mm
long,
1.6-2.4 mm
wide at base, 0.7-1.0 mm wide at midpoint, coriaceous, linear-subulate, keeled on upper ¾ adaxially, keeled abaxially, apex acute, base concave with an undifferentiated margin, puberulent on both surfaces except for the sharply glabrous base.
Stamens
100-120; fertile stamens
1.1-1.3 mm
long, narrowly oblong, anther connective apex
0.2-0.3 mm
long, shield-shaped to capitate, overhanging anther thecae, glabrous, anthers 9-11-locellate, filament
0.2-0.6 mm
long; outer staminodes
c.
1.1 mm
long, oblong or broadly clavate, apex truncate; inner staminodes
0.9-1.1 mm
long, oblong or clavate, apex truncate; staminal cone 1.3-2.0 mm in diameter,
c.
0.8 mm
high, completely concealing the ovaries, rim even or slightly laciniate.
Carpels
3-5; ovaries
c.
0.6 mm
long, oblong, pubescent, stigmas loosely connivent,
1.4-1.8 mm
long, filiform, with a few hairs at the apices.
Fruit
of up to 9 monocarps borne on a pedicel
6-9 mm
long,
4.2-5 mm
thick, glabrate; torus
7-11 mm
in diameter,
6-7 mm
high, globose to depressed-globose; monocarps with reddish green or purplish green to red exterior and red endocarp
in vivo
,
2.8-4.6 cm
long, 1.3-2.0 cm wide,
1.3-1.6 cm
thick, ellipsoid to oblong, weakly torulose, apex obtuse to rounded, base usually contracted into a stipe
3-5 mm
long,
3-6 mm
thick, verrucose, longitudinally wrinkled, sometimes also with a ridge along the abaxial surface, glabrate; pericarp
0.6- 1.2 mm
thick.
Seeds
up to 7 per monocarp, in two rows, perpendicular to long axis,
9.7-14 mm
long,
7.6-10 mm
wide, 6.0-
6.6 mm
thick, obovoid, oblong, or ellipsoid, irregularly elliptic in cross-section, brown to dark brown, smooth, dull, perichalazal ring not elevated; sarcotesta orange to red
in vivo
, sometimes visible as a white crust on dried seeds; aril absent.
NOTES
Xylopia bemarivensis
is distinctive among
Madagascar
species of the genus for its pubescent twigs, thin-textured hairy leaves blunt at the apex and rounded at the base, one-flowered inflorescences with relatively long pedicels, and orange seeds. The only sympatric species of
Xylopia
in these dry forests is
X. sericolampra
, which has subcoriaceous leaves that are truncate at the base, silvery appressed hairs on the buds and perianth, flowers that emerge from leafless branches, and single pear-shaped monocarps.
There is variation in flower color, with mature flowers varying from yellow-green on some specimens to white on others. Petal length is also variable, but in this case petal length can be variable within a single plant: the outer petals on the specimen
Service Forestier 8066 SF
range in length from
9.9 to 12.1 mm
, or nearly the full range of variation seen for the species. The flowers are reported by many collectors to be fragrant, on the label of
Gautier et al. LG 5964
as having an “odeur citronnée.”
On the basis of its orange to red sarcotesta and thin pubescent leaves,
Xylopia bemarivensis
seems allied to the
Xylopia odoratissima
subgroup of section
Stenoxylopia
distributed across eastern and southern Africa (
Johnson & Murray 2018
).