Astropanax myrianthus is a species of plant in the family Araliaceae. It is a tree, shrub, or liana native to Madagascar[1] and the Comoro Islands.[2]

Astropanax myrianthus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Astropanax
Species:
A. myrianthus
Binomial name
Astropanax myrianthus
(Baker) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin (2017)
Synonyms[2]
  • Cussonia myriantha Baker (1883)
  • Neocussonia myriantha (Baker) Hutch. (1967)
  • Schefflera myriantha (Baker) Drake (1896)
  • Schefflera humblotii Harms (1894)
  • Schefflera myriantha var. attenuata Bernardi (1969)

Description edit

Astropanax myrianthus is a tree, epiphytic shrub, liana, or parasitic liana which grows 2 to 15 meters high.[1]

Range and habitat edit

Astropanax myrianthus is found in the highlands of Madagascar's Anosy, Analamanga, Vakinankaratra, Diana, Sava, and Sofia regions (former Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Mahajanga and Toliara provinces). The species' estimated extent of occurrence (EOO), calculated from 28 known collections, is 87,150 km2, and its minimum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 92 km2.[1]

It grows in montane forest with lichens or bamboo, in remnant or patchy mountaintop forests, in open areas and partially degraded forest, and in bushland below granite outcrops, from 1,000 to 2,340 meters elevation.[1]

Conservation edit

At least 14 of the species' known subpopulations are threatened with habitat loss from shifting agriculture.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Rabarimanarivo, M. (2020). "Astropanax myrianthus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T34704A161163319. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T34704A161163319.en. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Astropanax myrianthus (Baker) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett, Gostel & Frodin. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 10 May 2023.