Brachylaena

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Brachylaena
Brachylaena discolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Brachylaena
R.Br.
Species

about 13

Brachylaena is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. Several are endemic to Madagascar, and the others are distributed in mainland Africa, especially the southern regions.[1]

These are trees and shrubs with alternately arranged leaves. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate individuals. The flower heads are somewhat disc-shaped. Heads with female flowers are larger and produce larger pappi.[2]

B. huillensis is the only widespread species,[1] growing as a dominant tree in Brachylaena woodlands and a common species in some eastern African forests. It provides critical habitat for many animal species. It is also sought after for its wood and has been overexploited.[3]

There are about 13 species.[4]

Species include:

  • Brachylaena discolor
  • Brachylaena elliptica (Thunb.) DC.
  • Brachylaena glabra (L.f.) Druce
  • Brachylaena huillensis O.Hoffm. – lowveld silver-oak, muhuhu
  • Brachylaena ilicifolia (Lam.) Phill. & Schweick.
  • Brachylaena merana
  • Brachylaena microphylla
  • Brachylaena neriifolia (L.) R.Br.
  • Brachylaena perrieri (Drake) Humbert
  • Brachylaena ramiflora
  • Brachylaena rotundata
  • Brachylaena stellulifera
  • Brachylaena uniflora

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brachylaena.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Beentje, H. J. (2000). The genus Brachylaena (Compositae: Mutisieae). Kew Bulletin 55(1), 1-41.
  2. ↑ Hyde, M. A., et al. (2013). Brachylaena. Flora of Zimbabwe.
  3. ↑ Cordeiro, N. J. and M. Githiru. (2000). Conservation evaluation for birds of Brachylaena woodland and mixed dry forest in north-east Tanzania. Bird Conservation International 10(1), 47-65.
  4. ↑ Brachylaena. The Plant List.
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