Kadua lichtlei
Kadua lichtlei Lorence & W.L.Wagner
Kadua lichtlei is a shrub or small tree in the Rubiaceae family, native to the Marquesas Islands. It was described in 2011 and is distinguished by its broadly elliptic to subcircular leaves, large inflorescences with 80–300 flowers, and uniquely shaped seeds. The species is placed in the section Austrogouldia based on seed morphology, which shows reticulate-verrucose sculpturing. It honors Leon Lichtle, a local conservation advocate.
Description
Kadua lichtlei is a member of the Rubiaceae family and reaches up to 4 m in height. It has glabrous leaves that are broadly elliptic, broadly ovate, or subcircular, measuring 5–17.5 cm in length. The plant is characterized by large, terminal inflorescences with 80–300 flowers, and its seeds are laterally compressed and cuneate with a reticulate-verrucose testa. It differs from other Marquesan Kadua species by its leaf shape, flower number, and seed morphology. The species is placed in section Austrogouldia due to its seed features, which link it to Hawaiian Kadua species. The name honors Leon Lichtle for his support of fieldwork and conservation efforts on Ua Huka.
Distribution
Marquesas
