Alluaudia comosa
Alluaudia comosa | |
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In Tsimanampetsotsa National Park | |
Conservation status | |
![]() Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Didiereaceae |
Genus: | Alluaudia |
Species: | A. comosa |
Binomial name | |
Alluaudia comosa (Drake) Drake |
Alluaudia comosa is a rare species of flowering plant. It belongs to the family Didiereaceae, subfamily Didiereoideae, which is found only in the coastal area of SW Madagascar.[2] Didierea comosa Drake is a synonym.[3] It is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]
Description
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/2016-01-06_14-51-04_parc-tete-or_10f.jpg/220px-2016-01-06_14-51-04_parc-tete-or_10f.jpg)
Alluaudia comosa has a distinctive, easily recognized silhouette with a short trunk and dense branches that stop in a flat crown.[4] This is a deciduous shrub to small tree 2-6 (-10) metres tall[4] that is woody, semi-succulent and spiny, with spines set singly.[2] Spines are grey and 1.5-3.5 cm long.[4]
Leaves are developed mostly in pairs, set on a short stalk (petiole), dying off at the beginning of the dry season.[2] They are rounded (10–22 mm X 10 mm) and fleshy.[4]
Flowers
Flowers are produced on a reduced inflorescence in Alluaudia comosa; only the end flower develops, and is set on a very short axis. Flowers are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants).[2]
Habitat
This species grows on limestone in dry forests or coastal shrubland.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Ramanantsialonina, R.N. (2019). "Alluaudia comosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T128093611A128098554. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T128093611A128098554.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Rauh, W. 1983. The morphology and systematic position of the Didiereaceae of Madagascar. Bothalia 14(3/4): 839–843.
- ^ Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019 <http://www.tropicos.org/Name/10700002>
- ^ a b c d Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Didiereaceae/35431/Alluaudia_comosa>