Sideroxylon mirmulano
Sideroxylon mirmulano, commonly known as marmulano, is a species of flowering plants in the family Sapotaceae. It is endemic to the Madeira Islands (Portugal). It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
| Sideroxylon mirmulano | |
|---|---|
 | |
| An example of Sideroxylon mirmulano (ironwood) at the Lisbon Botanical Garden in Portugal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Sapotaceae |
| Genus: | Sideroxylon |
| Species: | S. mirmulano |
| Binomial name | |
| Sideroxylon mirmulano | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description
It is an evergreen 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) high tree. Its leathery, elliptic leaves are 5–12 cm (2.0–4.7 in) long and 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) wide. Its flowers are whitish rose to purple with 5 petals measuring up to 7 mm (0.28 in). Its fruit is a drupe, 1 to 1.5 cm (0.39 to 0.59 in) long.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The species is found on Madeira Island, Porto Santo Island and Desertas Islands. It is the dominant species in low coastal forests along the northern shore of Madeira from 0 to 80 m (0 to 262 ft) elevation, and in pockets on the southern side of the island between 200 and 300 meters elevation. It is commonly found with the shrubs Maytenus umbellata and Globularia salicina.[4]
Systematics
The former subspecies marginata from Cape Verde is now considered a separate species: Sideroxylon marginatum.[5] Plants from the Canary Islands are now considered Sideroxylon canariense.[1]
References
- Fernandes, F. (2017). "Sideroxylon mirmulans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T30336A2792815. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T30336A2792815.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- Sideroxylon mirmulano R.Br. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Lobin, W.; Leyens, T.; Santos, A.; Costa Neves, H.; Gomes, I. (2005). "The genus Sideroxylon (Sapotaceae) on the Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde archipelagoes" (PDF). Vieraea. 33: 119–144. doi:10.31939/vieraea.2005.33.11. S2CID 127488358.
- Capelo, Jorge, Miguel Sequeira, Roberto Jardim, Sandra Mesquita, and José Carlos Costa (2005). "The vegetation of Madeira Island (Portugal). A brief overview and excursion guide". Quercetea 7: 95-122, 2005 ALFA, Lisboa, Portugal.
- "Sideroxylon marginatum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
Further reading
- Árvores e Florestas de Portugal - Açores e Madeira ("Trees and Flowers of Portugal: the Azores and Madeira"), Edic. Público, Comunicações, SA. Dep. law no. 254481/2007
- Press, J.R., Short, M.J., 1994. "Flora of Madeira". HMSO. London