Monodora Benth.

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Monodora

General description:

Trees or shrubs to 40 m tall; young branches glabrous to densely hairy; old branches mostly glabrous, sometimes sparsely hairy. Petioles 2-14 mm long, leaf lamina inserted on side rarely on top, broadly to narrowly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina ovate to obovate, base rounded to cuneate or sometimes cordate, apex acuminate to acute, papyraceous to coriaceous; midrib raised, glabrous adaxially, prominent abaxially; secondary veins 8-17 pairs, uniformly curving upwards or straight and curving upwards only near the margins, loop forming towards margin; tertiary veins intermediate between reticulate and percurrent, rarely percurrent. Flowers bisexual, regular. Inflorescence terminal, leaf opposed to supra- or sub-axillary, solitary or rarely 2-3 together, appearing from young leaved or leafless shoots, pendulous or rarely curving upwards and overtopping the foliage, white to yellow streaked with red to purple. Flowering pedicels variable in length, slender. Lower bract absent. Upper bract variable in size, margins undulate to straight. Sepals 3, valvate, free or sometimes slightly fused at base, oblong to ovate, margins undulate to straight. Petals 6, partially connate at base. Outer petals 3, longer than inner petals, oblong to ovate, without claw, margins undulate to straight, rarely crisped. Inner petals 3, apically connivent or appressed at center, rarely free, over reproductive receptacle, rhomboid to cordate, clawed; claw shorter or longer than inner petal, glabrous. Receptacle strongly convex to flat. Stamens short and broad, sometimes elongated, glabrous, shielded by a truncated and broadened apical prolongation of the connective being glabrous to hairy; dehiscence extrorse; pollen in tetrads, inaperturate. Carpels 6-12, congenitally fused into a syncarpous ovary, glabrous; stigmas sessile, bi-lobed, slightly capitate; ovules numerous, bi-seriate; placentation parietal. Fruiting pedicels thick and woody to slender. Fruits syncarpous, globose to conical, sometimes conspicuously ribbed, smooth to rugose. Seeds numerous, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid; testa smooth; raphe thickened or not; hilum elliptical; rumination laminate in four parts. Base chromosome number n=8.

Biology:

“Monodora myristica […] represents one of the most gigantic and certainly one of the most splendid forest trees of the whole of tropical Africa.”
Welwitsch, 1859

Distribution:

West and Central Tropical Africa, East and South-East Tropical Africa

Fri, 2011-03-04 21:31 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora zenkeri

General description:

Lianescent tree to 6 m tall; d.b.h. unknown; outer bark dark greyish-brown with pale brown lenticels; young branches drying black, glabrous, rarely sparsely covered with short appressed hairs; old branches greyish to brown, with sometimes sparsely distributed white lenticels, glabrous. Petioles 2-4 mm long, 0.9-1.2 mm in diameter, glabrous, leaf lamina inserted on side, grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 10-15 mm long, 8-14 cm long, length:width ratio 2.5-3, narrowly obovate to obovate or narrowly elliptic to elliptic, base rounded to obtuse, apex acuminate, acumen 3-6 cm long, papyraceous when young becoming coriaceous, glabrous; midrib raised but sunken towards the base, glabrous on both sides; secondary veins 10-13 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, extra axillary or sometimes leaf-opposed, pendulous. Flowering pedicels 28-50 mm long, 0.5-1 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Upper bract inserted halfway up to subapically on the pedicel, 11-20 mm long; 10-13 mm wide, length:width ratio 1-1.4, broadly ovate to ovate, base decurrent, apex rounded to acute, glabrous, pale green; margins straight to slightly undulate, sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Sepals 11-17 mm long; 7-10 mm long, length:width ratio 1.5-2, ovate, base truncate-cordate, apex acute, covered with short erect hairs all over and on both sides, pale green; margins straight, covered with short erect hairs. Outer petals 35-45 mm long, 20-28 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.5-2, ovate, base truncate with two small lobes, apex acute to obtuse, glabrous to sparsely covered with short erect hairs on both sides, white or pale green tinged dark red; horizontally spreading, margins straight, covered with short erect hairs. Inner petals 9-13 mm long, 13-16 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.7-0.9, clawed triangular, base truncate to cordate, apex acute, glabrous inside, covered with short erect hairs in center outside, pale green with red spots; central parts of lamina appressed over the receptacle, distal parts reflexed outwards; margins straight, folded outwards, densely covered with short curly hairs; claw 4-7 mm long; 3-5 mm long, claw:inner petal ratio 0.3-0.5, glabrous, arched inwards. Receptacle ca. 4 mm in diameter, convex. Stamens in 9-10 rows, 0.9-1.1 mm long; connective shield ca. 0.2 mm long, covered with short erect hairs, those of innermost whorl not elongated over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide; stigma 1.5-2 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Fruits unknown.

Biology:

Monodora zenkeri is distinct from other West-Central African species by the straight margins of the outer and inner petals, as well as the inner petals that are connivent at the center and not at the margins. In this respect it closely resembles the East African species M. junodii, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of the two minute lobes at the base of the outer petals, as well as differences in leaf shape and longer flowering pedicels.

Conservation status:

EN B2ab(iv, iii). Monodora zenkeri is represented by only 8 collections in herbaria, and hasn’t been collected for 30 years (last collection in 1978). It is not found in any protected areas, and local logging threatens its habitat. The “endangered” status seems justified. However, given the lack of recent collections, it could quickly be upgraded to the “critically endangered” category.

Distribution:

Cameroon; in secondary and disturbed lowland rain forests; at 600-700 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 15:00 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora undulata

General description:

Tree to 20 m high; trunk with d.b.h. to 1 meter; outer bark pale-dark brown to grayish, smooth; young branches drying black, glabrous; old branches ash-grey to pale brown, glabrous. Petioles (2-)5-10(-14) mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, glabrous, leaf lamina inserted on side, very narrowly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 10-40 cm long, 8-13(-15) cm wide, length:width ratio 1.8-3, narrowly oblong to oblong or narrowly obovate to obovate, base rounded to obtuse, apex acuminate, acumen 3-9 mm long, papery when young becoming coriaceous, glabrous; midrib glabrous on both sides; secondary veins (9-)11-16(-17) pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, leaf-opposed or sometimes extra-axillary, pendulous. Flowering pedicels 30-55 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, glabrous, light green. Upper bract positioned centrally or sub-apical on the pedicel, 6-10 mm long, 7-11 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.6-1, depressed ovate to very broadly ovate, cup-shaped, base decurrent, apex shortly acuminate, upper and lower surface glabrous, margins straight, glabrous or sparsely to densely covered with erect hairs. Sepals reflexed upwards at anthesis, falling in fruit, 7-11 mm long, 5-10 mm wide, length:width ratio 1-1.8, very broadly ovate to ovate, base truncate, apex rounded to obtuse, glabrous, green, margins undulate, glabrous or sparsely to densely covered with short erect hairs. Inner and outer petals fused, flexed down along the pedicel for 5-7 mm before recurving upwards. Outer petals (25-)30-45 mm long, 15-30 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.5-2, oblong to ovate, base truncate, apex acute, glabrous on both surfaces, white-cream towards base, specked and streaked yellow purple, straight spreading horizontally, margins strongly undulate, glabrous to sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Inner petals (17-)20-27 mm long, (13-)15-20 mm wide, length:width ratio 1-1.6, clawed, rhomboid, base and apex acute, inside sparsely covered with erect 2-2.5 mm long hairs, glabrous on the outside, yellow with brown-purple spots, connivent along the margins over receptacle, margins straight, densely covered with short curly hairs; claw 2-5 mm long, claw:inner petal ratio 0.1-0.3, glabrous, yellow. Receptacle 4-6 mm in diameter, strongly convex. Stamens in 12-14 rows, ca. 1 mm long, densely covered with short erect hairs; connective shield 0.2 mm long, glabrous, those of innermost whorl not elongated over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 4 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide stigma 1.5-2 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Fruiting pedicels 4-5 cm long, 8-10 mm in diameter, woody, glabrous. Fruits 6-12 cm long, 4-6 cm in diameter, length:width ratio 1.3-1.8, ovoid, apex rounded, farinose, smooth, glabrous, pale brown; pericarp 4-5 mm thick. Seeds 9-20 mm long, 6-11 mm wide, transversely ellipsoid, packed in white pulp; testa smooth, light brown; raphe not thickened, dark brown; hilum 2-3 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, elliptical.

Biology:

Monodora undulata closely ressembles M. myristica both having the uniquely strongly convex receptacles, large leaves, and completely connivent inner petals. They also exhibit the same pollen tectum surface, smooth with small perforations (Couvreur et al., 2008). However, M. undulata is distinguished from M. myristica by its smaller flowers with shorter flowering and fruiting pedicels, the cup-shaped non-undulate upper bract and the ovoid farinose fruit.

The seeds are used as flavoring for sauce, to treat coughs and eaten in a mixture with Scilla oubanghiensis Hua as an aphrodisiac (Neuwinger 2000). A decoction of the roots is taken internally to relieve urethral strictures (Neuwinger 2000). The seed are used as a condiment (Burkill 1985), or are mixed with Xylopia aethiopica for medical use (no prupose indicated, Burkill 1985).

Distribution:

Sierra Leone to Equatorial Guinea and the São Tomé and Principe islands; in lowland primary and secondary rain forests, along rivers and in swamps, at 0-700 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:58 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora tenuifolia

General description:

Tree to 20(30) m high; d.b.h. to 60 cm; outer bark dark grey to greenish, dark green reticulated striped or white lenticellate; young branches green to brown, glabrous; old branches grey to dark brown sometimes with white elongated lenticels. Petioles 2-7 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, glabrous, leaf lamina inserted on side, broadly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina (6-)9-21 cm long, 2-7.5 cm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, narrowly elliptic to elliptic or narrowly ovate to ovate, base cuneate, apex acuminate, acumen 5-10 mm long, papyraceous to coriaceous, glabrous, green above, pale green below; midrib raised and glabrous adaxially, prominent and glabrous abaxially; secondary veins 9-15 pairs, strongly curved upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, generally leaf-opposed, appearing on old branches just before or during leaf flush, pendulous. Flowering pedicels 25-75 mm long, 1-1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous, light green. Upper bract inserted halfway up to sub apically on the pedicel, 55-60 mm long, 10-30 mm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, narrowly ovate to ovate, base decurrent, apex rounded, glabrous on both surfaces, green shortly streaked red at apex; margins undulate, with short erect hairs. Sepals 10-35 mm long, 4-16 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.5-2.5, narrowly ovate to ovate, base truncate, apex rounded to attenuate, glabrous, green with red-brown markings; reflexed vertically, falling when in fruit, margins undulate, with short erect hairs. Outer petals 30-74(-90) mm long, 25-30 mm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, narrowly ovate to ovate, base truncate, apex acute to rounded, glabrous, yellow-greenish, streaked with red-brown, base shading into bright white; spreading horizontally with tips slightly falling downwards; margins strongly undulate, glabrous. Inner petals 10-35 mm long, 6-10 mm wide, length:width ratio 2.8-3, clawed cochleate, base cuneate, apex acute to rounded, both surfaces glabrous, green to white streaked with red brownish, non connivent; margins straight, with short erect hairs, presence of two hairy appendices 3-5 mm long halfway up the lamina. Receptacle 4-6 mm in diameter, convex. Stamens in 10-13 rows, 0.8-1 mm long, covered with short erect hairs, white turning yellow; connective shield ca. 0.1 mm long, those of inner whorl not extended over ovary wall. Ovary 2-3 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm wide; stigma ca. 2 mm in diameter, glabrous, green at anthesis. Fruiting pedicels 3-7 cm long, 3-4 mm in diameter, woody, glabrous. Fruits 4-7 cm long, 4.5-7 cm in diameter, length:width ratio ca. 1, globose, non apiculate, smooth, glabrous, green with pale spots turning yellow and drying black, partly covered in grey-blue wax layer on dried material; pericarp 5-6 mm thick. Seeds 12-17 mm long 10-13 mm wide, transversely broadly ellipsoid, packed in white pulp; testa smooth, light brown; raphe slightly thickened, rugose, brown; hilum 5-6 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, narrowly ovate.

Biology:

Monodora tenuifolia is easily recognizable from the rest of Monodora species by the presence of two small hairy appendages in the middle of the inner petals. The young fruits have a grey-blue wax layer, which is also found in M. minor, although in the latter it is present on young branches and leaves, and pedicels.

The fruits are edible (Burkill 1985). The seeds are aromatic and used as a condiment in food (Burkill 1985). Moreover, the seeds are used to prevent haemorrhaging, encourage cicatrisation or are crushed and rubbed against the skin for skin-diseases (Burkill 1985). A root decoction is drunk againt dysentery, while seeds are ground and rubbed against skin against skin diseases (Neuwinger 2000). A leaf decoction is added to bath water against iching in children (Burkill 1985; Neuwinger 2000). In Democratic Republic of Congo young branches are used as bows, and in the Uturi forest the bark fiber is made into waistbands (Terashima and Ichikawa 2003). In Sierra Leone, the bark is used as medicine for dogs but without any indication of the purpose (Burkill 1985). Planted as ornamental tree in the tropics and in certain botanical gardens (e.g. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (U.K.)).

Conservation status:

LC. Monodora tenuifolia is a common species regarding its extensive representation in herbaria, and has a wide distribution across West and Central Africa. Thus the “Least Concern” category is suitable.

Phylogeny:

Molecular data indicate that M. tenuifolia is most closely related to M. crispata, although with low support.

Distribution:

West and Central tropical Africa, from Guinea to the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo; in evergreen primary and secondary rain forests, fringing and disturbed forests and deciduous forests, sometimes in savanna like vegetation (Benin), on sandy soils; at 0-800 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:55 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora stenopetala

General description:

Tree to 7 m high; outer bark smooth, grey with black lenticels; young branches dark green, densely covered with short erect or appressed hairs; old branches ash grey, glabrous to sparsely covered with short erect or appressed hairs. Petioles 4-5 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, densely covered with short erect hairs, leaf lamina inserted on side, weakly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 5-13 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, narrowly elliptic to elliptic, base rounded, apex acute to obtuse, papyraceous when young becoming coriaceous, covered with short appressed hairs on both sides when young, sparsely so abaxially, glabrous adaxially when older; midrib densely to sparsely covered with short appressed hairs abaxially, glabrous to sparsely covered with short appressed hairs adaxially; secondary veins 10-12 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous to sparsely covered with short appressed hairs. Flowers single, leaf-opposed, on old leafless branches, appearing before leaf flush. Flowering pedicels 7-15 mm long, ca. 0.5 mm in diameter, densely covered with short appressed hairs. Upper bract inserted halfway up the pedicel, 3-4 mm long, 2-3 mm, length:width ratio 1.2-1.5, broadly ovate to ovate, cup shaped, base decurrent, apex rounded, glabrous; margins with short erect hairs. Sepals 4-6 mm long, 2 mm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, narrowly elliptic to elliptic, base truncate, apex rounded, glabrous to sparsely covered with short appressed hairs; reflexed upwards, falling when in fruit, margins undulate, glabrous. Outer petals 35-55 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, length:width ratio 10-20, linear, base truncate, apex acute or rounded, sparsely covered with short appressed hairs or glabrous, yellow; margins straight, glabrous. Inner petals 3-5 mm long, 3-6 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.5-1.2, clawed triangular to very broadly ovate, base truncate to cordate, apex rounded to shortly acuminate, densely covered with ca. 2 mm long curly hairs inside, glabrous outside, connivent by margins over receptacle; margins straight, densely covered with short curly hairs; claw 2-4 mm long, 1-3 mm long, claw:inner petal ratio 0.6-0.8, glabrous. Receptacle ca. 3 mm in diameter, slightly convex. Stamens in 3-4 rows, ca. 0.5 mm long; connective shield ca. 0.1 long, covered with short erect hairs, those of inner whorl not extended over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 2 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; stigma ca. 1 mm in diameter, covered with short erect hairs. Fruiting pedicels ca. 1 cm long, long, ca. 3 mm in diameter, glabrous. Fruits 7-8 cm long, ca. 4 cm in diameter, length:width ratio 1.75-2, ellipsoid, apex apiculate, apicule ca. 3 mm, finely rugose, glabrous; pericarp ca. 3 mm thick. Seeds 15-20 mm long, 10-15 mm wide, broadly ellipsoid; testa smooth, light yellow-brown; raphe not seen; hilum not seen.

Biology:

Monodora stenopetala is unique within Monodora because of its long linear non undulate outer petals and finely rugose fruits. Because of its characteristic appearance it does not bear any close resemblance with other Monodora species.

Conservation status:

EN B2ab(iii, iv). Monodora stenopetala is only represented by six collections in herbaria, and has a small area of occupancy. Moreover, it hasn’t been collected for over 30 years. Only one collection comes from a protected area (Lengwe Game Reserve in Malawi). Therefore the “endangered” category seems justified.

Phylogeny:

Molecular data indicated a close relationship with M. carolinae.

Distribution:

Mozambique and southern Malawi; in dense thickets and woodlands; at 100-500 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:52 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora myristica

General description:

Tree to 35-40 m; d.b.h. to 40(-100) cm; crown drooping, bole cylindrical, fissured with some flutes present; bark pale grey; young branches drying black sometimes sparsely spotted with white lenticels, with blue-greyish wax layer; old branches ash-grey to brown. Petioles 8-14 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, leaf lamina inserted side, broadly grooved adaxially, sometimes with blue-greyish wax layer. Leaf lamina 11-50 cm long, 4-14 cm wide, length:width ratio 2-3.5, narrowly obovate to obovate or narrowly elliptic to elliptic, base cordate to rounded or rarely cuneate, apex acuminate, acumen 10-15 mm long, membranous to coriaceous, glabrous, green above, pale green below; midrib raised and glabrous adaxially, prominent and glabrous abaxially; secondary veins 13-23 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, leaf opposed, pendulous. Flowering pedicels 7-27 cm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, glabrous, light green stained with dark purple patched, with blue-greyish wax layer. Upper bract inserted central to subapically on the pedicel, 1.5-4 cm long, 0.8-3 cm wide, length:width ratio 2-2.5, elliptic to obovate, base decurrent, apex acute to attenuate, glabrous, green with dark purple streaks; margins undulate, glabrous. Sepals 2-4 cm long, 0.7-1.7 cm wide, length:width 2-2.5, elliptic to ovate, base truncate, apex attenuate, glabrous, pale yellow densely streaked with purple to completely dark red; reflexed upwards, falling when in fruit, margins strongly undulate, glabrous. Inner and outer petals basally fused running down the pedicel for 6-8 mm before reflexing upwards. Outer petals 4-10.5 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, length:width ratio 1.8-3, narrowly ovate to ovate, base truncate, apex acute, glabrous, deep yellow at base streaked with dark red, pale yellow spotted dark purple when younger; arc shaped and dropping, margins strongly undulate, glabrous. Inner petals 25-35 mm long, 25-30 mm wide, length:width ratio 1-1.5, clawed cordate, base cordate, apex acute to obtuse, glabrous, basal lobes of lamina covered with short erect hairs, white with red central vein on the outside, white and specked with red-yellow on the inside; margins straight, covered with short curly hairs, connivent over receptacle; claw 2-5 mm long, 6-8 mm wide, claw:inner petal ratio 0.08-0.15, glabrous, yellow turning dark red. Receptacle 6-9 mm in diameter, strongly convex. Stamens in 16-20 rows, 1.8-2 mm long, connective shield ca. 0.2 mm long, elongated, covered with short erect hairs, those of inner whorl not elongated over ovary wall, white. Ovary partially overtopping stamens, 4-5 mm long, 4-5 mm in diameter, light green at anthesis; stigma ca. 3 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with short erect hairs, yellow-green. Fruiting pedicels to 30-35 cm long, 10-15 mm thick, woody, dark brown, with a clear scar of the bracteole, glabrous. Fruits 9-15 cm long, 8-15 cm in diameter, globose, 2-3 mm in diameter, smooth, finely longitudinally ribbed, lenticellate, green with white dots turning pale yellow when mature; pericarp 1-1.5 cm thick. Seeds 15-22 mm long, 10-13 mm wide, transversely ellipsoid, packed in white pulp; testa light to dark brown with strong scent of lemon; raphe not thinckened, slightly darker brown; hilum 4-6 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate.

Biology:

Monodora myristica is easily recognizable by its very long and pendulous pedicels, with an undulate upper bract, a large globose fruit with a black and smooth but finely ribbed surface. It bears great similarity to M. undulata by the shape of the flower and the connivance of the inner petals, but is distinguished because it has a shorter pedicel and a straight upper bract and an ovoid fruit with a rough brownish surface. It also resembles M. laurentii by the connivance of the inner petals over the receptacle.
The aromatic seeds have a spicy taste and are used in soup (Burkill 1985), generally as an alternative to nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Seeds eaten grilled against constipation, gastritis, or squashed and rubbed against forehead against headaches or migraines (Cooper and Record 1931; Burkill 1985; Neuwinger 2000), or can be mixed with palm oil for treating hair lice (Neuwinger 2000). As for M. angolensis, the seeds are sometimes made into necklaces (Cooper and Record 1931). Extracts from the bark have been used against hemorrhoids, stomach pain or fever (Neuwinger 2000). Used in family circles to bless the loved one by spitting the chewed seeds on his head or in his hands. A maceration of the leaves is drunk against measles (Neuwinger 2000). Used in Uganda as firewood or charcoal (Katende et al. 1995). Planted as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics and in botanical gardens.

Conservation status:

NT: very widespread through out tropical West and Central Africa

Phylogeny:

M. laurentii was inferred with moderate support as sister to M. myristica.

Distribution:

Throughout West and Central Africa, east to Uganda and the extreme west of Tanzania and Kenya; in primary and secondary rain forests, along rivers and near marshes, on sandy or rocky soils; at 0-1600 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:50 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora minor

General description:

Tree to 6-7 m high; d.b.h. to 5 cm; bark smooth, blue-grey; young branches green, smooth, glabrous, with a grey-bluish wax cover on the dried material; old branches dark grey to brown, striate, glabrous. Petioles 4-5(-7) mm long, 1-1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous, lamina inserted on side, broadly grooved adaxially, with grey wax layer. Leaf lamina 7-13 cm long, 3.5-6 cm wide, length:width ratio 1.8-2(3), obovate or rarely narrowly obovate, base rounded to acute, apex acuminate, acumen ca. 10 mm, coriaceous, glabrous, dark green glossy above, flaccid polish green below; midrib but sunken towards the base afaxially, glabrous on both sides; secondary veins 8-11 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Inflorescences erect above foliage, 2-3-flowered rhipidia, leaf-opposed or supra axillary, born during the leaf flush. Flowering pedicels 10-30 mm long, glabrous, with grey wax layer. Upper bract inserted around the center tor sub-apically on the pedicel, 25-30 mm long, ca. 15 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.5-2, ovate, base decurrent, apex slightly acuminate, glabrous, light green with red steaks towards base; margins undulate, glabrous. Sepals 6-10 mm long, 3-5 mm long, length:width ratio 1.5-2, ovate, base truncate, apex rounded to acute, glabrous, green-grey with red steaks towards base; strongly curved upwards, falling when in fruit, margins undulate, glabrous. Outer petals 11-25 mm long, 5-12 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.8-2.5, ovate to narrowly ovate, base truncate, apex acute to rounded, glabrous, yellow streaked with red; hanging down when immature to spreading upwards at anthesis, margins undulate, glabrous. Inner petals 5-8 mm long, 6-13 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.5-1.1, clawed, cordate, base cordate, apex acuminate to obtuse, inside very densely covered with ca. 2 mm long straight hairs, glabrous outside, light yellow striped with purple and red, lamina connivent at margins over receptacle, margins non undulate, densely covered with short curly hairs; claw 3-5 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, claw:inner petal ratio 0.6-0.7, glabrous, bright yellow. Receptacle 4-5 mm in diameter, slightly convex. Stamens in 6-8 rows, ca. 0.7 mm long; connective shield ca. 0.2 long, densely covered with short erect hairs, yellow whitish, those of innermost row slightly appressed against ovary wall. Ovary 0.8-1 mm long, ca. 0.8 mm wide; stigma 1-1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous to sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Fruiting pedicels 6-7 cm long, 2-3 mm in diameter, glabrous. Fruits 25-35 mm long, 15-20 mm in diameter, length:width ratio 1.7-2, ellipsoid to ovoid, apiculate, apicule 3-4 mm long, smooth, glabrous, pale green with white dots, covered in places with grey wax layer; pericarp 1-2 mm thick. Seeds 10-13 mm long, 8-10 mm wide, transversely to flat ellipsoid, no apparent pulp on dried material; testa smooth, dark brown; raphe thickened, rugose, very dark brown; hilum 4-5 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide, narrowly elliptical.

Biology:

Monodora minor is easily recognizable by its many-flowered erect rhipidia, while all other species are strictly one-flowered and pendulous, and by the characteristic grey wax layer found on young leaves, branches, pedicels, and fruits. Based on flower morphology this species closely resembles M. carolinae by the connivance of the inner petals and the upward spreading outer petals.

Conservation status:

VU B2ab(ii, iii). Monodora minor is moderately represented in herbaria. It is mainly found in small patches of coastal forests near populated areas. It has been collected from several forest reserves (Rondo, Zaraninge, Pande, Pugu and Bane in Tanzania). The area of occupancy is less than 500 km2 but it is found in about ten locations, so the “vulnerable” category seems appropriate.

Phylogeny:

The position of M. minor in the molecular phylogeny is unresolved within the East African clade.

Distribution:

Coastal Tanzania and the very North of Mozambique; in woodland, coastal wet forests and thickets; at 100-780 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:46 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora laurentii

General description:

Tree to 4 m high, d.b.h. unknown; young branches drying black, glabrous; old branches dark brown, glabrous. Petioles 5-7 mm long, 1-1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous, lamina inserted on side, broadly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 12-14 cm long, 3.5-4.5 cm wide, length:width ratio 2.5-5.3, narrowly ovate to ovate, base acute to obtuse, apex obtusely acuminate, acumen 15-20 mm long, papyraceous when young becoming coriaceous, glabrous; secondary veins 6-10 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, leaf-opposed, pendulous, on old branches or on newly developed branches. Flowering pedicels 15-20 mm long, ca. 0.8 mm in diameter, glabrous. Upper bract attached central to subbasal to the pedicel, 9-10 mm long, ca. 4 mm, length:width ratio 2.25-2.5, narrowly elliptic, base decurrent, apex acute, glabrous. Sepals 8-10 mm long, 3 mm wide, length:width ratio ca. 2.6-3.3, narrowly oblong, base truncate, apex acute, glabrous, green, spreading horizontally, falling when in fruit, margins straight, glabrous. Outer petals 35-50 mm long, 9-12 mm wide, length:width ratio 3.5-4, narrowly ovate, base cordate, apex acute, glabrous, white pinkish streaked with yellow and green, spreading horizontally then curving slightly downwards, margins straight, glabrous. Inner petals 8-9 mm long, 10-12 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.7-0.8, clawed rhomboid, base cuneate, apex acute, inside covered with linear ribbon-like hairs, glabrous outside, connivent at margins over receptacle; margins straight, with short curly hairs; claw ca. 2 mm long, ca. 3 mm wide, claw:inner petal ratio 0.2-0.3, glabrous. Receptacle 3-4 mm in diameter, flat to slightly convex. Stamens in 6-7 rows, ca. 0.7 mm long, glabrous; connective shield 0.1 mm long, those on innermost whorl not extending over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm wide; stigma ca. 1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous. Fruiting pedicels ca. 1,5-2 cm long and ca. 5 mm in diameter, glabrous. Fruits 4.5-6.5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, length:width ratio 2.25-2.6, conic, apiculate, apicule ca. 5 mm long, smooth but conspicuously 5-6 ribbed, ribs thin, glabrous; pericarp 1-3 mm thick. Seeds 12-15 mm long, 10-11 mm wide, transversely ellipsoid, no apparent pulp in dried material; testa smooth, dark brown; raphe thickened, very dark brown; hilum 3-4 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, elliptical.

Biology:

Monodora laurentii can be distinguished from other species of Monodora by the distinctly acuminate leaf lamina, outer petals with straight margins, and presence of ribbon-like hairs on the inner side of the inner petals. The non-undulate petals bear a resemblance with those of M. zenkeri and the east African M. junodii. However, the structure and connivance of the inner petals at the margins places it closer to M. myristica and M. undulata.
The presence of the ribbon-like linear hairs in the middle of the inner petal is quite remarkable for the whole genus. A small note from flowers collected at the Laeken Botanical Garden, Belgium (Dessin 827), indicates that when the flower opens, the stigmas and/or the whole ovary detaches and falls off being captured by globular and slimy hairs in the inner part of the inner petals. More data are needed to understand the function of these ribbons though they may play some role in pollination.
The wood is very hard and serves for making spears (Boutique, 1951b). The bark is used as a remedy against diarrhoea (De Giorgi 1617). The fruits are eaten by the indigenous people (Evrad 1116).

Conservation status:

VUB2ab(iii). Monodora laurentii is moderately represented in herbaria. It has not been collected since 1960, except in Gabon where it was collected for the first time in 2003. Although there are not many collections of this species, some specimen labels indicate that it is locally abundant. It occurs in one national park, namely the Plateau Batéké in south-eastern Gabon. The area of occupancy is low (200 km2). There are more than five locations but less than ten, which favors the “vulnerable” category. However, most of the collections come from the North-East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflicts over the past few years have made collections and therefore assessments of current status virtually impossible.

Phylogeny:

Molecular data moderately supports M. myristica as sister to M. laurentii.

Distribution:

Disjunct, Gabon, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in primary lowland rain forests; at 400-500 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:43 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora hastipetala

General description:

Tree to 8 m tall; d.b.h. to 5 cm; bark distinctly striate, grey; young branches drying black, glabrous; old branches grey, striate, glabrous. Petioles ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, glabrous, leaf lamina inserted on side, grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 10-12 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, length:width ratio 2.5-3, narrowly obovate to narrowly elliptic, sometimes narrowed towards the base, base acute to rounded, apex acuminate, acumen 1-1.5 cm long, glabrous; midrib glabrous on both sides; secondary veins 10-14 pairs, uniformally curving upwards, glabrous. Flowers single, leaf-opposed, pendulous. Flowering pedicels 17-20 mm long, 0.6-0.8 mm in diameter, glabrous. Upper bract inserted in upper half of pedicel, 5-9 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.4-1.6, ovate, base auriculate-clasping, apex acute, glabrous on both surfaces, pale green; margins straight, with short straight hairs or glabrous. Sepals 6-8 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, length:width ratio ca. 2, elliptic, apex rounded to acute, glabrous on both surfaces, green; persistent in fruit, margins entire, with short straight hairs or glabrous. Outer petals 20-26 mm long, 6-8 mm wide, length:width ratio 3-4.3, narrowly elliptic, base truncate, apex acute, glabrous, light green; held horizontally at anthesis, margins undulate, with short straight hairs or glabrous. Inner petals 10-17 mm long, 4-7 mm wide, length:width ratio 2-3, clawed ovate, base truncate, apex long-acuminate, densely covered with short straight hairs at base of inside surface and all over outside, white with purple base at anthesis, connivent by the center of lamina over the receptacle; margins straight; claw 4-5 mm long, claw:inner petal ratio 0.3-0.4, glabrous, white to pale green, tinged purple at apex. Receptacle ca. 2 mm in diameter, flat. Stamens in 3-4 rows, ca. 0.6 mm long, white; connective shield ca. 0.1 long, glabrous, those of innermost whorl extending slightly over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 1 mm long, ca. 0.5 mm wide; stigma ca. 0.8 mm in diameter, glabrous, light yellow. Fruiting pedicels 1,8-2,5 cm long, 3-4 mm in diameter, woody, glabrous, green. Fruits ca. 1.5-2.5 cm long, ca. 2-2.5 cm in diameter, length:width ratio 0.75-1, broadly ovoid, constricted around seeds when dried, slightly lumpy when fresh, glabrous, green with white dots; pericarp 1-2 mm thick. Seeds 10-12 mm long, 9-10 mm wide, transversely broadly ellipsoid; testa smooth, light brown; raphe slightly thickened, brown; hilum 4-5 mm wide, 2-2.5 mm wide, elliptical.

Biology:

Monodora hastipetala is distinctive in having long-acuminate inner petals connivent by the center of lamina and leaves narrowly obovate to narrowly elliptic, sometimes narrowed towards the base. It is very unlike the other species in the region, M. minor and M. carolinae. It appears close to M. junodii by the shape of the inner petals, connivent at the center of the lamina

Conservation status:

CR B1ab(iii). Monodora hastipetala is endemic to the unprotected Kiwengoma Forest in the Matumbi Hills. It is represented by only 6 collections in herbaria and has an extent of occurrence of 17km2, justifying the “critically endangered” category.

Phylogeny:

Recorvered as sister to M. junodii with maximum support.

Distribution:

East Tanzania; in dry scrub and riverine coastal forest; at 200-400 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:37 -- Thomas Couvreur
Monodora grandidieri

General description:

Tree to 10-12 m tall, much branched; d.b.h. to 15 cm; outer bark grey or brown, fairly smooth and faintly longitudinally striate, sometimes pealing off; young branches green, densely covered with short erect hairs to glabrous; old branches black with white lenticels, glabrous to sparsely covered with short erect hairs. Petioles 2-6 mm long, 1.5-2.5 mm in diameter, densely covered with short erect hairs, rarely glabrous, leaf lamina inserted on top, broadly grooved adaxially. Leaf lamina 4-23(-25) cm long, 3-10 cm wide, length:width ratio 1.5-3.5, narrowly obovate to obovate, base cordate, apex acuminate, acumen ca. 15 mm long, papyraceous when young becoming coriaceous when old, densely to sparsely covered with short appressed hairs to glabrous on both sides, young emerging leaves always densely to very sparsely covered with short appressed hairs; midrib adaxially impressed towards the base, covered with short appressed hairs to glabrous on both sides; secondary veins 9-14(-19) pairs, uniformally curving upwards, covered with short appressed hairs to glabrous. Flowers single, leaf-opposed, developing from young shoots before or during leaf flush, pendulous. Flowering pedicels (6-)20-50(-80) mm long, 1-1.5 mm in diameter, densely to sparsely covered with short erect hairs, rarely glabrous. Upper bract inserted at the center to subapical to the pedicel, curving upwards, 4-10(-20) mm long, 4-10 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.7-2, broadly ovate to ovate, base decurrent, apex attenuate to acute, densely covered with short erect hairs, green, dark red at base, reflexed upwards, margins undulate, densely covered with short erect hairs. Sepals 5-15(-20) mm long, 5-7 mm wide, length:width ratio 1.8-5, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, base truncate, apex acute, densely covered with short appressed hairs outside, sparsely covered with short appressed hairs inside, green to red brown with green veins, margins undulate, densely covered with short appressed hairs. Outer petals (10-)15-60(-70) mm long, 3-12(-18) mm wide, length:width ratio 3.3-12, narrowly oblong to linear or spatulate, base truncate, apex acute, sparsely covered with short appressed hairs on both surfaces, green to yellow horizontally streaked with red-purple markings becoming bright white at base, spreading horizontally and curving downwards towards the end; margins undulate, densely covered with short erect hairs. Inner petals (4-)6-10(-12) mm long, 5-15 mm wide, length:width ratio 0.4-1.3, clawed cordate, base cordate, apex acute, densely covered with erect ca. 1.5 mm long hairs around the center inside, sparsely covered with short appressed hairs outside, white with red-brown veins and yellowish to red margins, connivent by margins; margins undulate, densely covered with short appressed hairs; claw incurved, 5-15 mm long, 2-4 mm wide, claw:inner petal ratio 0.4-1.2(-1.5), sparsely covered with short erect hairs to glabrous, white. Receptacle 4-5 mm in diameter, slightly convex. Stamens in 5-7 rows, ca. 1.5 mm long, connective shield ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous, white, those of innermost row not elongate over ovary wall. Ovary ca. 2 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide; stigma 1.5-2 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with short erect hairs, yellow. Fruiting pedicels 1,5-3 cm long, 3-4 mm in diameter, glabrous to densely covered with short appressed hairs. Fruits 45-65 mm long, 35-45 mm wide, globose to obovoid, minutely rugose, covered with short erect hairs to sparsely covered with short erect hairs; pericarp 2-4 mm thick. Seeds10-18 mm long, 5-11 mm wide, transversely ellipsoid, packed in white pulp; testa smooth, light brown; raphe slightly thickened, brown; hilum 6-7 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, narrowly elliptical.

Biology:

Monodora grandidieri is easily recognizable by its cordate leaf base, hairy pedicels and narrowly oblong or linear outer petals. The cordate leaf base is only found in one other species, M. myristica. The narrowly oblong or linear outer petals resembles those of M. stenopetala, although the latter are in general much narrower and straight.
Monodora grandidieri is a variable species as noted by Robson (1960) and Verdcourt (1971). The flowers can vary from small to large. However, this variation is continuous, and thus does not merit recognition of varieties between the two extremes. Hair indument of the leaves and young branches is also very variable, ranging from densely hairy to glabrous sometimes even within the same specimen. However, the very young emerging leaves are always at least sparsely hairy, mainly along the margins. Petals and sepals are invariably hairy. At lower altitudes, M. grandidieri sheds its leaves every year, while at higher altitudes leaves can persist for longer.
In Kenya, the wood is sometimes used to make arrows and bows (Beentje 1994), or used as medicine (but unknown for what it is treated against). The fruit is edible (Maundu and Tengnäs 2005).

Conservation status:

NT. Monodora grandidieri is well represented in herbaria and has been collected quite often in recent years. It has been collected in numerous protected areas (Selous Game Reserve, Amani Nature Reserve, Udzungwa National Park and Jozani Forest Reserve in Tanzania; Livulezi Reserve in Malawi, Sokoke Forest Reserve in Kenya). Even though the area of occupancy is less than 2000 km2, it is known from more than 10 localities and thus is better placed in the “near threatened” category.

Phylogeny:

Molecular data indicate that this species is sister to the rest of the monophyletic East African species.

Distribution:

Present throughout East Africa from southern Somalia to southern Mozambique; in lowland rain forests and thicket; at 0-900 m altitude.

Thu, 2011-03-03 14:33 -- Thomas Couvreur

NCBI

IUCN