Louis Nusbaumer

The Genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier in Northern Madagascar with Description of Four New Species and Two Lectotypifications

Abstract Callmander, M. W., P. B. Phillipson, M. Razanajavoto & L. Nusbaumer (2011). The genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier in northern Madagascar with description of four new species and two new lectotypifications. Candollea 66: 133–145. In English, English and French abstracts. A recent review of Bignoniaceae for the “Catalogue of the vascular plants of Madagascar” has revealed new species in most of the genera present on the island. We provide descriptions of four new species in the genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier, a genus that is endemic to the Malagasy region: Ophiocolea ambrensis Callm. & Phillipson, Ophiocolea darainensis Callm., Phillipson & Nusb., Ophiocolea pauciflora Callm., Phillipson & Razan. and Ophiocolea ratovosonii Callm. & Phillipson. Field photographs and line drawings are provided for each of these four new species. Two species described previously, Ophiocolea decaryi H. Perrier and Ophiocolea velutina H. Perrier, are lectotypified. For all six treated species, we provide a short discussion on morphological affinities and eco-geography, and perform a conservation threat analysis based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Endemic Families of Madagascar. XIII. New, restricted range species of Eremolaena Baill. and Schizolaena Thouars (Sarcolaenaceae)

Abstract Lowry II, P. P., L. Nusbaumer, A. Randrianasolo, G. E. Schatz & C. Hong-Wa (2014). Endemic Families of Madagascar. XIII. New, restricted range species of Eremolaena Baill. and Schizolaena Thouars (Sarcolaenaceae). Candollea 69: 183–193. In English, French and English abstracts. One new species of Eremolaena Baill. and two new species of Schizolaena Thouars (belonging to the family Sarcolaenaceae) are described, illustrated and compared with the members of their respective genera they most closely resemble. Eremolaena darainensis Nusb. & Lowry is similar to Eremolaena rotundifolia (F. Gérard) Danguy but differs from it by features of the indument on the leaves and the sepals, and occurs only in the Loky-Manambato (Daraina) region of far north-eastern Madagascar, where it occurs in semi-deciduous forest on granite. Schizolaena charlotteae Lowry & G. E. Schatz resembles Schizolaena milleri Lowry & al. but is distinguished by differences in sepal indument, petal color, the number of stamens, and the length of the processes borne on the involucre in fruit. Schizolaena parvipetala Randrian. & Hong-Wa is similar to Schizolaena gereaui Lowry & al. but differs by petal size, leaf acumen length, the number of stamens, and the number of flowers per involucre. Both new species of Schizolaena Thouars are only known from lowland humid forest in far south-eastern Madagascar, in the vicinity of the city of Tolagnaro. The distribution and ecology of each species are discussed and preliminary IUCN conservation assessments are provided.

Pandanus tsingycola Callm. & Nusb. (Pandanaceae), a new species endemic to western Madagascar

Abstract Callmander, M. W., R. Bolliger, R. M. Hanitrarivo & L. Nusbaumer (2013). Pandanus tsingycola Callm. & Nusb. (Pandanaceae), a new species endemic to western Madagascar. Candollea 68: 229–235. In English, English and French abstracts. A recent intensive inventory in the Beanka region in western Madagascar has led to the discovery of a new species of Pandanaceae, described here as Pandanus tsingycola Callm. & Nusb. This remarkable species can be easily distinguished from all other known species by the unique shape and configuration of its syncarps. These possess few phalanges (6–7) that are incompletely united (with up to 38 carpels) with each of these carpels bearing an erect to curved, acute, thorny stigma. Pandanus tsingycola seems to be endemic to the limestone “tsingy” formation of Beanka.

Rinorea ranirisonii Nusb. & Wahlert (Violaceae), a new species from the Daraina region of northern Madagascar

Abstract Wahlert, G. A., L. Nusbaumer & L. Gautier (2013). Rinorea ranirisonii Nusb. & Wahlert (Violaceae): a new species from the Daraina region of northern Madagascar. Candollea 68: 87–92. In English, English and French abstracts. Rinorea ranirisonii Nusb. & Wahlert (Violaceae), a new species from the Daraina region of northern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. This species, with opposite leaves and endemic to Madagascar, is immediately distinguished from all other species belonging to Rinorea subsect. Verticillatae Engl. by its young branches, upper and lower leaf surfaces, inflorescence axis, pedicels, sepals, and ovary covered in golden-reddish hispid indumentum. Distribution and ecology of the new species are discussed and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment is given.

Cyphostemma Darainense Wahlert & Phillipson (Vitaceae), a New Species from Northeastern Madagascar

Abstract Wahlert, G. A., P. B. Phillipson, L. Nusbaumer & L. Gautier (2012). Cyphostemma darainense Wahlert & Phillipson (Vitaceae), a new species from northeastern Madagascar. Candollea 67: 277–283. In English, English and French abstracts. Cyphostemma darainense Wahlert & Phillipson (Vitaceae), a new species from northeastern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. Recent floristic inventories in the Loky-Manambato region of northeastern Madagascar have highlighted the area as an important area of local endemism for plants. The new species was identified after survey of the collections for this genus in the Geneva herbarium and latter confirmed during the preparation of the treatment of Vitaceae for the “Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar”. Observations about its ecology are also provided, its potential range is modeled using the statistical package “BIOMOD”, and its preliminary IUCN conservation status is given.

Grewia Gautieri Wahlert & Nusb. (Malvaceae, Grewioideae): a New Species from Madagascar

Abstract Wahlert, G. A., L. Nusbaumer & P. Ranirison (2014). Grewia gautieri Wahlert & Nusb. (Malvaceae, Grewioideae): a new species from Madagascar. Candollea 69: 149–155. In English, English and French abstracts. Grewia gautieri Wahlert & Nusb. (Malvaceae, Grewioideae), a new species from Madagascar, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to Grewia brideliifolia Baill. by its 4-merous flowers, 3-flowered cymes, and drupaceous fruits, but differs by its chartaceous leaves, petals that usually lack a nectariferous gland, and fruits that contain a single pyrene. The distribution and ecology of the species are presented, and an IUCN conservation status is provided.

Aloe Gautieri J.–P. Castillon & Nusb. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), a New Species from the Northeastern Coast of Madagascar

Abstract Castillon, J.-P. & L. Nusbaumer (2014). Aloe gautieri J.-P. Castillon & Nusb. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), a new species from the northeastern coast of Madagascar. Candollea 69: 75–80. In English. English and French abstracts. Aloe gautieri J.-P. Castillon & Nusb. (Xanthorrhoeaceae, Asphodeloideae), a new species from the northeastern coast of Madagascar is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically closely related to Aloe fragilis Lavranos & Röösli but differs in having paler flowers, more elongated racemes, ungrouped cauline leaves forming no compact rosette. The distribution, ecology and conservation status of the new species are presented along with a line drawing and colour pictures.

How Many Species are there in the Holomycotrophic Genus Didymoplexis Griff. (Orchidaceae) in Madagascar

Abstract Cribb, P., L. Gautier & L. Nusbaumer (2013). How many species are there in the holomycotrophic genus Didymoplexis Griff. (Orchidaceae) in Madagascar? Candollea 68: 41–49. In English, English and French abstract. The holomycotrophic genus Didymoplexis Griff. (Orchidaceae) is revisited for Madagascar. Two species, Didymoplexis avaratraensis P. J. Cribb, Nusb. & L. Gaut. and Didymoplexis recurvata P. J. Cribb, Nusb. & L. Gaut. are newly described based on recently collected flowering specimens. The relationship between these two species, the recently observed Didymoplexis verrucosa J. Stewart & Hennessy and the cryptic Didymoplexis madagascariensis (H. Perrier) Summerh., only known from two fruiting specimens, is discussed. A key to species in the genus in Madagascar and Africa based on flowering material is provided.

Angraecum Darainense P. J. Cribb & Nusb. and Aeranthes Unciformis P. J. Cribb & Nusb. (Orchidaceae), Two New Species from Northern Madagascar

Abstract Cribb, P., L. Nusbaumer & L. Gautier (2012). Angraecum darainense P. J. Cribb & Nusb. and Aeranthes unciformis P. J. Cribb & Nusb. (Orchidaceae), two new species from northern Madagascar. Candollea 67: 269–275. In English. English and French abstracts. Two new orchid species, Angraecum darainense P. J. Cribb & Nusb. and Aeranthes unciformis P. J. Cribb & Nusb. (Orchidaceae) from northern Madagascar are described here, illustrated and compared with other species in their respective genera. Angraecum darainense appears to be related to Angraecum melanostictum Schltr., but differs in having flowers with a longer spur and leaves more densely arranged on the longer stems, leaf blade much shorter and narrower. Aeranthes unciformis appears to be related to Aeranthes caudata Rolfe, but differs by having flowers borne two or three at a time and having a very distinctive transversely elliptic lip tapering into a long acumen at the tip and a distinctive dorsal sepal curving forwards over the column and lip. The distribution, ecology and conservation status of these two orchids species are briefly discussed.