57. Baronia taratana Baker

Sapindales > Anacardiaceae > Baronia

Publication: Journal of Botany, British and Foreign 20: 67. 1882.

Local names: Fognofognonanahary, Maimbovitsika, Malemilahy, Marôvola, Mongy, Tanatanampotsy, Taratanana, Tarantana, Tsarambito, Voretra.

IUCN Red List: LC ver 3.1

Year published: 2020

EDGE Score

3.7700

ED Score

42.6240

GE Score

Belongs to the monotypic genus; Subfamily: Anacardioideae.Tree 10-15 m high, branches covered at the top with a short brown pubescence. Leaves alternate, simple, tight. Inflorescence in panicles, terminal and lateral; flowers polygamous. Fruit oblong, subreniform.

This species differs from the African Rhus by its simple leaves and cartillaginous endocarp. Phylogenetically, it forms a polyphyletic group with Rhus (Pell & al., 2008).

Baronia is used as construction and firewoods, for dyeing (pink or red pigments); for the treatment of jaundice, leprosy, stomach ache and malaria (Ratsimamanga-Urverg & al., 1991).

Flowering time: October

Population: 90 subpopulations

Lower elevation limit: 10 metres

Fruiting time: from December

Trends:

Upper elevation limit: 2,000 metres

Distribution

B. taratana is endemic in Antananarivo (Analamanga, Bongolava and Itasy Regions), Fianarantsoa (Haute Matsiatra, Ihorombe and Atsimo-Atsinanana Regions), Toamasina (Alaotra-Mangoro and Atsinanana Regions) and Toliara (Androy, Anosy and Atsimo-Andrefana Regions) Provinces.

Number of locations: 30-40

EOO: 211,915 km²

AOO: 404 km²

Habitat and Ecology

Humid, sub-humid, subarid and mountain forests on sandy clay soils, humiferous soils, lateritic soils and rocky soils.

Threats

Shifting agriculture, mining, selective logging and fire.

Conservation

This species occurs in Ambatoatsinanana (Cat. V), Ambohitantely (Cat. IV), Analamazaotra (Cat. II), Andohahela (Cat II), Andringitra (Cat. II), Anjozorobe-Angavo Complex (Cat. V), Befotaka-Midongy du Sud (Cat. II), Itremo (Cat. V), Ivohibe (Cat. IV), Kalambatritra (Cat. IV), Mandena (Cat. V), Petriky Natural Forest (Cat. V), Ranomafana (Cat. II)Tsitongambarika (Cat. VI) and Zahamena (Cat. II) Protected Areas.

It is not reported in ex situ collections (BGCI 2022).