''Rhopalocarpus similis'' is a tree in the family

Sphaerosepalaceae The Sphaerosepalaceae are a family of flowering plants including 14 species of trees and shrubs in two genera, '' Dialyceras'' and '' Rhopalocarpus'', all of which are endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

Distribution and habitat

''Rhopalocarpus similis'' is a widespread species in Madagascar. Its habitat is both dry and wet forests and thickets from sea-level to altitude. Some populations are within protected areas.

Threats

''Rhopalocarpus similis'' is threatened by shifting patterns of agriculture, resulting in deforestation. Because the species is used as timber and firewood, subsistence harvesting is also a threat. Wildfires also pose a threat.

References

similis Endemic flora of Madagascar Trees of Madagascar Plants described in 1903 {{Malvales-stub