Aulacocalyx talbotii
| Aulacocalyx talbotii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Aulacocalyx |
| Species: | A. talbotii |
| Binomial name | |
| Aulacocalyx talbotii | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Aulacocalyx talbotii is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a shrub or tree with cream-coloured flowers, and dark brown or purplish fruits. The species is native to west-central Africa.
Aulacocalyx talbotii was described in 1913, and is listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Taxonomy
Aulacocalyx talbotii was described by Herbert Fuller Wernham in 1913, and initially placed in the genus Dorothea.[2] It was the type species of Dorothea.[3] In 1958, Ronald William John Keay synonymised Dorothea and Aulacocalyx.[2][3]
Distribution
Aulacocalyx talbotii is native to Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo.[2] Its estimated extent of occurrence is 204,821 square kilometres (79,082 sq mi).[1] The species grows in lowland rainforests.[3]
Description
Aulacocalyx talbotii is a shrub or tree that grows up to 15 metres (49 ft) high. The trunk is greyish-green or cream with brown fibres. The branches are striped.[3]
The leaves are elliptical to oblanceolate, light green to brown when dry, 10–14 centimetres (3.9–5.5 in) long, and 3.5–5 centimetres (1.4–2.0 in) wide. The leaf stem is 3–8 millimetres (0.12–0.31 in) long.[3]
The inflorescence grows on a 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) stem, and has three to five cream coloured flowers.[3][4] The flower stems are 2–6 millimetres (0.079–0.236 in) long. The young buds are rod-shaped. The calyx tube is greenish-brown, 4–7 millimetres (0.16–0.28 in) long, and 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) wide at the top. The hypanthium is slightly shorter than the calyx tube. The corolla is 4.5–5.5 centimetres (1.8–2.2 in) long, and yellowish, greyish, or green. The corolla has six to eight lobes, which are 8–12 millimetres (0.31–0.47 in) long, 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) wide.[3]
The fruits are around 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long, 3 centimetres (1.2 in) wide, round, and dark brown or purplish. The seeds are around 8 millimetres (0.31 in) long, 7 millimetres (0.28 in) wide, and black when dry.[3]
Conservation
In 2018, the IUCN assessed Aulacocalyx talbotii as of Least Concern. Its habitat may be threatened by urbanisation and logging.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2023). "Aulacocalyx talbotii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023 e.T204815593A204815595. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T204815593A204815595.en. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
- 1 2 3 4 "Aulacocalyx talbotii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Figueiredo, Estrela (1997). "A Revision of Aulacocalyx (Rubiaceae-Gardenieae)". Kew Bulletin. 52 (3): 637–658. doi:10.2307/4110291. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ "Aulacocalyx talbotii (Wernham) Keay". WorldFloraOnline.org. World Flora Online. Retrieved 28 July 2026.