Podocarpus madagascariensis var. procerus ( de Laub. ) Silba
One of five threatened species of Podocarpus endemic to Madagascar and because of ongoing logging and deforestation it now has a very restricted area of occupancy.
Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar where it has two disjunct locations; Region Anosy; Province Toliara near to Tôlanaro [Fort Dauphin] and Region Sava; Provonce Antsiranana on the Massif de Bekolosy. The size of the population is unknown
Habitat and Ecology
Its habitat is imprecisely known; near to Fort Dauphin it occurs in dense coastal forest on sand.
Human Uses
No uses have been recorded for this variety although timber from large trees of the typical variety were used for construction in the 19th century.
Conservation Status
Global status
Endangered B2ab(ii,iii,v)
Global rationale
Whilst this taxon is now known from at least two additional locations since the last (2000) assessment, its rarity and restricted area of occupancy (definitely less than 500km²) coupled with ongoing deforestation assure that it meets the criteria under B2 for Endangered
Global threats
This variety was listed as Endangered in a pre-1994 IUCN Categories and Criteria listing on the grounds of its rarity and restricted distribution near Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin) in the SE of Madagascar. However, it is also known from the Massif de Bekolosy in the far north of the island, and a locality in Fianarantsa Province. Logging and deforestation are the main threats
Conservation Actions
This variety is present in a forest near Fort Dauphin which has protected status: the Forêt de Bemangidy.
References and further reading
de Laubenfels, D.J. (1971). Deux nouveaux Podocarpus endémiques de Madagascar. Adansonia ser. 2 11(4): 713–715
de Laubenfels, D.J. (1972). Flore de Madagascar et des Comores. Gymnospermes - Cycadacees Podocarpacees. Museum National D'histoire Naturelle, Paris.
