Croton aleuritoides P.E. Berry (Euphorbiaceae), a distinctive new tree species from Montagne des Français in northern Madagascar

Abstract

Croton aleuritoides P.E. Berry (Euphorbiaceae) is described from deciduous forests on tsingy limestone in the Antso River basin of Montagne des Français in northern Madagascar. This remarkable new species is distinguished by its arborescent habit; large, broadly ovate-cordate, deciduous leaves; adaxial epipetiolar glands; sparsely lepidote pubescence; elongate stipules; large seeds with a whitish fleshy covering when fresh; and cinerescent fruits that are indehiscent when dispersing from the tree and only dehiscing much later on the ground. It is remarkable that such a large tree from a relatively small massif close to the regional capital has gone undetected for so long. With its very limited area of occupancy and small population size, it should be considered an endangered species.