Topic summary
Brachylaena
Brachylaena is a genus of flowering plants in the aster, or composite, family, Asteraceae or Compositae. Several are endemic to Madagascar, and the others are distributed in mainland Africa, especially the southern regions.
These are trees and shrubs with alternately arranged leaves. One of these, Brachylaena merana of Madagascar, is the tallest of all composites ('daisy trees") at up to 40 m (130 ft), and Brachylaena huillensis of East Africa is of similar height (but see also Strobocalyx arborea). 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.
B. huillensis is the only widespread species, growing as a dominant tree in Brachylaenawoodlands 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.
- Species
- Brachylaena discolorDC.
- Brachylaena ellipticaLess.
- Brachylaena glabra(L.f.) Druce
- Brachylaena huillensisO.Hoffm. – lowveld silver-oak, muhuhu
- Brachylaena ilicifolia(Lam.) E.Phillips & Schweick.
- Brachylaena meranaHumbert
- Brachylaena microphyllaHumbert
- Brachylaena neriifolia(L.) R.Br.
- Brachylaena perrieriHumbert
- Brachylaena ramifloraHumbert
- Brachylaena stelluliferaHumbert
- Brachylaena unifloraHarv.
Some species are subject of dispute:
- Brachylaena rotundataS.Moore is seen by some as Brachylaena discolor var. rotundata(S.Moore) Beentje
- Hutch. ex E.Phillips & Schweick. is seen as synonym of Brachylaena discolor var. transvaalensis(E.Phillips & Schweick.) Beentje