Distribution: Madagascar, The Comoros, Africa

Bioclimate: Humid, Subhumid, Dry

Vegetation Formation: Forest, Anthropic

Elevation (m): 0-499, 500-999

Province: Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Protected Areas : Ankarana, Bemaraha, Betampona, Lokobe, Manongarivo, Marojejy, Masoala, Montagne d’Ambre

Important sites outside protected areas: Ile Ste Marie

Note: We accept a broad concept for this species within Madagascar, although not as broad as that of Breteler since we segregate D. humbertii. Variation in habit, leaf size, shape and texture, venation, presence of domatia, pedicel length and fruit indument in Madagascar shows some correlation with ecology and geography (notably populations from western dry forest), and may form a basis for the recognition of infraspecies or possibly even segregate species in the future, but more work is required. The situation is further complicated by the occurrence of the species (following Breteler) across a vast area of continental Africa and in the Comoros. We have little doubt that the latter is con-specific of this species complex in Africa will be a huge task. Following Breteler, only var madagascariense is present in Madagascar, the second currently recognised - var brevistylum - is confined to high mountains on the Kenya/Tanzania border.

Type(s) of syns and other voucher(s):

• LABAT 3430 (G, K, MO, P, TAN, TEF)
• PERVILLE 700 (HT: P; IT: WAG)

Updated on: 06 Jun. 2008