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| Carlephyton sajoreciae N.Wei, S.W.Wang, Q.F.Wang, in Ratsiferanarivo, Andrianjatovo, Rakotonasolo, Letsara, Rakotoarinivo, Wan, S.-W. Wang, Wei et Q.-F. Wang, 2025. |
Abstract
Carlephyton sajoreciae is a new species of Araceae from northern Madagascar. It is distinguishable from the similar C. darainense mainly by the purple interior spathe, yellow spadix, 1-androus male flowers, loosely arranged stamens, and short, dark purple styles. A key for identification of the members of the Carlephyton has been provided. Interestingly, C. sajoreciae is the first species documented on humus-rich soils under forest, while other species grow on thin substrates among rocky outcrops. This finding highlights the botanical diversity in Madagascar, reinforcing the importance of conservation efforts in the region.
Key words: Arophyteae, Carlephyton, Daraina region, new species, taxonomy
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| Carlephyton sajoreciae. A. Habitat; B. Plant in its natural habitat, arrow: inflorescence viewed from front; C. Whole individuals; D. Underside of leaf; E. Inflorescence that is not fully opened viewed from the front; F. Globular tuber with white roots. Scale bars: 1 cm (C–F). |
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| Carlephyton sajoreciae A, B. Inflorescence (not fully opened); C. Dissected spathe to show the purple interior; D. Close-up of the male and female spadix zone; E. Young fruits; F. Stamens of the male flowers, spadix ending in a short sterile apex; G, H. Crooked spiny exine globose pollen as seen by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Scale bars: 1 cm (A–D); 0.5 cm (E, F). |
Carlephyton sajoreciae N.Wei, S.W.Wang, Q.F.Wang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Carlephyton sajoreciae is similar to C. darainense from which differs in bearing a single leaf (vs. 2–5 leaves arranged in a basal rosette in C. darainense), distinctive purple inner spathe surface (vs. green), yellow spadix (vs. whitish in the female zone and whitish to purple in the male zone), and 1-androus male flower (vs. synandria of two stamens).
Etymology. The epithet “sajoreciae” is derived from the abbreviation of the authors’ affiliation, the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, which was established in 2013 in Africa and Madagascar. The name is dedicated to the great contribution made by SAJOREC to biodiversity conservation in Africa and Madagascar over the past decade.
Ranto Tiana Ratsiferanarivo, Haingotiana Johary Andrianjatovo, Franck Rakotonasolo, Rokiman Letsara, Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Tao Wan, Sheng-Wei Wang, Neng Wei and Qing-Feng Wang. 2025. Carlephyton sajoreciae (Araceae, tribe Arophyteae), A New Species from Daraina, Northern Madagascar. PhytoKeys. 265: 61-69. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.265.165851
