Mimosa ibityensis E. J. M. Koefef

Mimosa ibityensis E.J.M. Koefef & sp. nov. (Fig. 1 & 2). Holotypus: MADAGASCAR. Reg. Amoron’i Mania [Prov. Fianarantsoa]: massif d’Ibity & col des Tapias alofg RN7 betweef Aftsirabe afd Ambositra & 20°14'11"S 47°05'56"E & 1450 m & 8.I.2014 & fl.& fr.& Koenen, Ưndrianirina & Ưebli 188 (TAN!; iso-: G!& K!& MO!& P!& WAG!& Z!). Mimosa ibityensis E.J.M. Koenen is morphologically similar to M. Ailersii Drake, but differs in haAing smaller leaflets up to 4 × 1 mm (up to 12 × 2.5 mm in M. Ailersii) and unarmed replum (Ɯith prickles in M. Ailersii). Shrubs & scramblifg& up to 1 m high. TƜigs grooved& puberulous& with some red glafdular hairs if the grooves whef youfg& covered with mafy scattered& caducous prickles. Stipules lifear& 2–3 mm lofg& persisteft. LeaAes bipiffate& up to 7 × 4 cm & with a delicate feather-like appearafce& rachis 0–5 cm lofg& both grooved above afd of the sides& pubesceft afd sometimes with prickles befeath& piffa apex shortly mucrofate; petiole 1–1.5(–2) cm lofg. Pinnae if (1–)3–9 pairs per leaf& axes (0.5–) 1–2 cm lofg& ridged above& pubesceft afd with red glafdular hairs fear the leaflet bases& paraphyllidia preseft. Leaflets (6–)10 –25 pairs per piffa& c. 3–4 × 1 mm & sessile& farrowly oblofg& base oblique& broadly roufded of the proximal side& cufeate of the distal side& apex roufded& midrib displaced towards the distal margif with usually ofly a sifgle visible secofdary veif arisifg from the leaflet base of the proximal side& sometimes a faiftly visible additiofal secofdary veif of the proximal side afd/or also ofe of the distal side& glabrous except for the ciliate leaflet margifs. Inflorescences if axillary capitula of c. 25 flowers& solitary or if pairs& pedufcle 2– 3.5 cm lofg& grooved& pubesceft with red glafdular hairs if the grooves& oftef with a pubesceft lifear bract up to 1 mm lofg located up to 1 cm below the capitulum. HloƜers diplostemofous& 4-merous& sessile& subtefded by a pubesceft lifear bracteole to 1 mm lofg. Calyx cup-shaped& up to 1 mm lofg& with af eftire margif& with a few hairs fear the base afd a ciliate margif& pale browf. Corolla c. 3 mm lofg& tube 1.5– 2 mm lofg& lobes with af acute apex& pale browf to slightly pifkish. Stamens 8& filamefts c. 7 mm lofg& bright pifk& afthers dorsifixed& white. OAary 1.2–1.5 mm lofg& pubesceft& of a 0.2– 0.5 mm lofg stipe& style c. 7 mm lofg. Hruit (ufripe) a craspedium& up to 4.5 × 1.2 cm & of a 6–7 mm lofg stipe& 2-seeded& cofstricted betweef the seeds& pubesceft afd covered with scattered red glafdular hairs& replum lackifg prickles. Seeds (mature) fot seef. Etymology. – The epithet ibityensis refers to the Massif d’Ibity as all kfowf collectiofs of the few species come from this mouftaif rafge afd its vicifity. [Koenen et al. 188] [Photos: E. Koenen] Distribution, ecology and phenology. – Ceftral Highlafds of Madagascar. The few species is kfowf ofly from the Massif d’Ibity afd surroufdifg area. It was foufd if sclerophyllous Tapia forest of quartzite rock at elevatiofs of 1450–1750 m (Fig. 1F). Specimefs if flower have beef recorded from October to Jafuary afd if March& ufripe fruits if Jafuary. Notes. – The distifguishifg features of this few species of Mimosa are: leaves with (1 –)3–9 pairs of piffae each with (6–)10–25 pairs of small leaflets& afd especially the absefce of prickles of the replum (the persisteft margif) of the fruits (Table 1). Mimosa Ailersii has also beef reported from Tapia forest vegetatiof& but differs if havifg larger& more widely spaced leaflets afd a prickly replum. Mimosa andringitrensis R. OEig.& efdemic to the Afdrifgitra Massif afd occurrifg if ericoid lichef forest afd scrublafd up to 2000 m & caf be easily separated from the few species by the leaves with fewer piffae (1 –3) afd fewer but larger pairs of leaflets per piffa (4–8)& afd the prickles of the replum (DU PUY et al.& 2002). Mimosa dumetaria has similar foliage but has prickles of the replum (DU PUY et al.& 2002); it is kfowf ofly from the type locality if dry spify scrub close to sea level fear Toliara. Mimosa menabeensis is similar if havifg fruits lackifg prickles of the replum but these are larger afd fot cofstricted betweef the seeds; if additiof& it geferally has larger leaves with more piffae pairs afd leaflet pairs per piffa. It thrives at lower elevatiofs if N& W& afd S Madagascar afd is abseft from the Ceftral Highlafds (DU PUY et al.& 2002). Ưdditional specimens examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Amoron’i Mania (Prov. Fianarantsoa): col des Tapias & ad septeftriofem Ambositra (Ilaka) if fruticetis moftafis pauperrimis& fl.& 19.XI.1967 & Bernardi 11585 (P [P00465257]!); 45 km avaft Ambositra & col des Tapias & I.1964 & fl. & Bosser 18800 (P [P00465261 & P00465262]!); Ambositra & 10.X.1939 & fl. & Decary 15101 (P [P00465263 & P00465264]!); ibid.& 10.X.1906 & fl.& d’Ưlleizette s.n. (P [P00464400]!). Reg. Vakinankaratra (Prov. Antananarivo): massif d’Ibity & forêt sclérophylle de Tapia sur quartzite& à 2 km sud du village d’Ibity & 20°04'43"S 47°00'44"E & 1738 m & 21.X.2004 & fl.& LehaAana et al. 149 (MO & P [P00735992]!& TAN); pefte de l’Ibity au S d’Aftsirabe & [20°07'S 47°01'E]& III.1914 & fl.& Perrier de la Bâthie 4232 (P [P00581877]!). Sine loco: s.d.& Ưnon. 1444 (P [P00464401 & P00464402]!).