49. Eliea articulata (Lam.) Cambess.

Malpighiales > Hypericaceae > Eliea

Publication: Annales des Sciences Naturelles (Paris) 20: 401. 1830.

Local names: Harongandrato, Hela, Helana, Helany,Harongalana, Harongampanihy.

IUCN Red List: LC ver 3.1

Year published: 2020

EDGE Score

4.0045

ED Score

53.8458

GE Score

Belongs to the monotypic genus; tribe: Cratoxyleae.

Shrub or small tree up to 4.5 m. high, glabrous and evergreen. Leaves: decussate, simple. Inflorescences: corymbiform cyme. Fruit: slightly acute capsule. Seeds narrow, obtuse-winged, as wide as the seed.

Phylogenetically, Eliea is related to the tropical Asian genus Cratoxylum (Meseguer & al., 2014). Two molecules were isolated from the bark of the tree root: Elieaxanthone and Elieaflavonone (Ruphin & al. 2015). Its wood is red and difficult to work with. It is used for baking, construction and crating.The leaves are used to treat injuries and fever (Fatiany & al., 2017).

Flowering time: September

Population: 62 subpopulations

Lower elevation limit: 3 metres

Fruiting time: January

Trends:

Upper elevation limit: 1,000 metres

Distribution

E. articulata is present in Antsiranana (SAVA and DIANA Regions), Fianarantsoa (Haute Matsiatra, Ihorombe, Vatovavy and Fitovinany Regions), Toamasina (Alaotra-Mangoro, Analanjirofo and Atsinanana Regions) and Toliara (Anosy Region) Provinces.

Number of locations: 40

EOO: 204,564 km²

AOO: 348 km²

Habitat and Ecology

Subhumid and humid, littoral forests on white sandy soil.

Threats

Slash and burn agriculture, logging, mining activities, grazing, charcoal production and wildfires.

Conservation

This species is recorded in Agnalazaha (Cat. VI), Ambatoatsinanana (Cat. V), Ambatotsirongorongo (Cat. IV), Ambositra-Vondrozo forest corridor (Cat. V), Analamazaotra (Cat. II), Andohahela (Cat. II), Befotaka-Midongy du Sud (Cat. II), Galoko Kalobinono (Cat. V), Ivohibe (Cat. IV), Loky-Manambato (Cat. V), Mandena (Cat. V), Manongarivo (Cat. IV), Marojejy (Cat. II), Masoala (Cat. II) and Tsitongambarika (Cat. VI) Protected Areas.

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