Brachylaena

Brachylaena
Brachylaena discolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Mutisioideae
Tribe: Mutisieae
Genus: Brachylaena
R.Br.
Synonyms[1]

Oligocarpha Cass.

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.[2]

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.[3]

B. huillensis is the only widespread species,[2] 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.[4]

Species[1]
  1. Brachylaena discolor
  2. Brachylaena elliptica (Thunb.) DC.
  3. Brachylaena glabra (L.f.) Druce
  4. Brachylaena huillensis O.Hoffm. – lowveld silver-oak, muhuhu
  5. Brachylaena ilicifolia (Lam.) Phill. & Schweick.
  6. Brachylaena merana
  7. Brachylaena microphylla
  8. Brachylaena neriifolia (L.) R.Br.
  9. Brachylaena perrieri (Drake) Humbert
  10. Brachylaena ramiflora
  11. Brachylaena rotundata
  12. Brachylaena stellulifera
  13. Brachylaena transvaalensis Hutch. ex E.Phillips & Schweick.
  14. Brachylaena uniflora

References

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  1. 1 2 Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
  2. 1 2 Beentje, H. J. (2000). The genus Brachylaena (Compositae: Mutisieae). Kew Bulletin 55(1), 1-41.
  3. ↑ Hyde, M. A., et al. (2013). Brachylaena. Flora of Zimbabwe.
  4. ↑ 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.
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