Rauvolfia sachetiae
Rauvolfia sachetiae Fosberg
Rauvolfia sachetiae is a species in the family Apocynaceae, endemic to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. It is classified as Critically Endangered. The tree grows up to 10 m tall with a trunk diameter of 20-25 cm, and its leaves are elliptic to broadly elliptic with a glabrous surface. The species was described in 1981.
Description
Rauvolfia sachetiae is a tree reaching 6-10 m in height, with a trunk 20-25 cm in diameter. The bark is furrowed, and branches are more or less horizontal. Twigs and leaves are arranged in whorls of 3-4, and the plant is glabrous with abundant latex. Leaves are elliptic to broadly elliptic, measuring 5.5-22 cm long by 2.5-6.8 cm wide, with an acute to obtuse apex and base. The leaves are chartaceous and turn light to bright yellowish green when dried. Inflorescences are terminal and pseudoaxillary, with compound cymes and peduncles that are 1.5-3 cm long. The species is known only from the Marquesas Islands and is critically endangered.
Distribution
Global · Marquesas
