Chlorophytum distichum H. Perrier

12. Chlorophytum distichum H.Perrier Figs 4H, 23 Chlorophytum distichum H.Perrier (Perrier de la Bâthie 1935: 49–50). Etymology The specific epithet refers to the distichous arrangement of the leaves. Type material MADAGASCAR – Amoron’i Mania Region [Fianarantsoa Prov.] • Est: forêt orientale, dans le bassin du Matitanana; [22°15′22″ S, 47°29′35″ E]; ca 100 m; Oct. 1911; fl; H. Perrier de la Bâthie 10979; holotype: P [P01142919]!. Description Plant herbaceous, 30–50 cm tall, tuft-forming; rhizome lateral; roots all thickened and hairy, 1–1.5 mm in diam., a few roots solely fibrous; leaves ca 10, arranged in a fan, rigid (fide Perrier de la Bâthie), grass-like, lanceolate, with the leaf-base attenuate, forming a pseudo-petiole 6–9 cm long, with an enlarged sheathing portion at the base, and a central pseudo-vein; veins 11–13, visible on both sides, apex narrowly tapered; inflorescence solitary, 33.0– 42.5 cm in height, upright and weakly branched, branches flexible; peduncle 18–20 cm long; bracts 1–2, triangular, 2–3 × 0.1–0.2 cm, apex long and finely pointed, 5-veined; the lower bract often very large and leaf-like, up to 9 cm in length, the upper bract situated at the level of the lowest ramification; rachis 12–23 cm long; flowers (2–)3(–4) per node; floral bract axillary, triangular, apex tapered, 6 × 2 mm, 3-veined, longer or equal to the pedicel; pedicel 5.5–7 mm, articulation below the middle, 2 mm from the base; perianth 6.5–7.0 mm long, tepals white, narrowly elliptical and with green veins (fide Perrier de la Bâthie), outers 7 × 0.8 mm, inners 7 × 1 mm, veins, 3, visible; stamens roughly equal, slightly shorter than the perianth, filaments 4 mm long, fusiform, papillose, and swollen in their upper half, anthers yellow, rectangular, 1.2–1.5 × 0.2 mm, dorsifixed, filament attached close to the anther base; gynoecium: ovary 1.4– 0.8 mm in diam., ovules, 4–5 per locule, style 7.2 mm long, extending beyond the perianth, stigma slightly thickened; young capsule higher than wide, 5 × 4 mm, 3-lobed, immature seeds 4–5, subglobose, 1.8 × 1.4 mm, notch wide and radicle forming a distinct protrusion within this notch. Phenology The only known collection was in bloom in October and bears young fruits. Distribution and ecology Chlorophytum distichum occurs south of Manakara, in the Matitana basin, in humid forest on gneiss at ca 100 m altitude. The locality indicated by Perrier de la Bâthie is a source of confusion because the Matitana River is indicated on old maps (e.g., Barrère 1930), whereas on modern maps, it is considered a branch of the Sandrananta River. However, the altitude mentioned on the label (100 m) enables at least an approximate geo-location to be determined for this locality. Provisional IUCN Red List assessment Chlorophytum distichum is endemic to Madagascar, and is only known from a single gathering made over a hundred years ago in the Matitanana river basin (see explanation above for more information on this locality). It is assessed as DD (Data Deficient) since no additional information is available, and no recent search for the species has been undertaken, but the species may be extinct. Despite general collecting that has been conducted in the area, which contains a significant area of intact vegetation, the species is not known to have been re-collected. Illustrations Perrier de la Bâthie 1937 [1938]: fig.VIII 5.