Sideroxylon mirmulans

Sideroxylon mirmulans, 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 mirmulans
An example of Sideroxylon mirmulans (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. mirmulans
Binomial name
Sideroxylon mirmulans
R.Br. in C.L.von Buch
Synonyms
  • Sideroxylon mermulana Banks ex Lowe [orth. var.]
  • Sideroxylon marmulano
  • Sideroxylon mirmulano

Description

It is an evergreen 3-5 metres high tree. Its leathery, elliptic leaves are 5-12 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. Its flowers are whitish rose to purple with 5 petals measuring up to 7 mm. Its fruit is a drupe, 1.0-1.5 cm long.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is found on Madeira island and also on the island of Porto Santo and Ilhas Desertas. It is the dominant species in low coastal forests along the northern shore of Madeira from 0 to 80 meters elevation, and in pockets on the southern side of the island between 200 to 300 meters elevation. It is commonly found with the shrubs Maytenus umbellata and Globularia salicina.[3]

Systematics

The former subspecies marginata from Cape Verde is now considered a separate species: Sideroxylon marginatum.[4] Plants from the Canary Islands are now considered Sideroxylon canariense.[1]

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References
  1. Fernandes, F. (2017). "Sideroxylon mirmulans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T30336A2792815. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T30336A2792815.en.
  2. 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.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. 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.
  4. "Sideroxylon marginatum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – via The Plant List.

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


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