Plant of the day is: Trophis montana

Plant of the day is: Trophis montana

You can thank some of the fine botanists at the Missouri Botanical Garden for some of these fine images.  As far as I know, the only creative commons images available for the plant.  Not published all that long ago (1988).  I've got a few of these germinating, with somewhat cranky looking seedlings, I'm thinking too much water, but must investigate further.

Great list of identification pics can be found: here. Again, thanks MBG.  I highly recommend a look, there are some fantastic up close detail shots.  

Trophis montana (Leandri) C.C. Berg Photo Credit: Chris Birkinshaw (CC BY-NC-ND)

Taxonomy, etc.:  Trophis is a small genus of only about 9 species, six of which are Neotropical and three of which are Palaeotropical.  Trophis scandens is probably one of the more commonly noted species (seems to be easier to find pictures of it).  A fair few unresolved species in this genus, so I'm a little curious what will happen in the future of this genus.  It is in the Moraceae family, which includes the ever present Morus sp. or mullberry tree.  Like silk?  Thank this family, and that worm that evolved to enjoy it too.  Not a lot of backstory for the genus but the family is the mulberry or fig family.  The flowers of the Moraceae family are often pseudanthia (reduced inflorescences), a term I was not aware of.  Basically when individual flowers are tightly grouped together.  The individual flowers are called florets.  Sunflowers with their composite flowers of disk and ray flowers are a great example of pseudanthium.  Fun word.  In evolutionary terms, it may assist with the development of many flowers pollinated by one...we'll say mega structure that looks like one flower drawing in a pollinator.  Hopefully some of that made sense.  Basically evolution, it's a thing, regardless of what political candidates may tell you.  Used to be named Maillardia pendula in 1974 by Francis Raymond Fosberg but later changed when the Trophis and Streblus genera were remodeled.  

Trophis montana (Leandri) C.C. Berg Photo Credit: Fidy Ratovoson (CC BY-NC-ND)

Seems a good place for this, see that hot mess of clustered florets.  Pseudanthium.

Description: A slender tree, which reaches a height of about 10 meters with slender handging branches.  Leaves are alternate and elliptic to elliptic-oblong often narrowed sharply at the leaf tips.  Has a decent length petiole about 8mm long.  Looking at the pictures on the MBG image page I see a stark difference in leaf shape between a few of the pictures, a characteristic of the genus/species, or perhaps a subspecies?  I'll leave that to the botanists.  Flowers are borne in tight clustersThe fruit starts off more orange and does mature into a deeper red.  Despite what looks to be several florets clustered together, it appears that the fruit are typically borne singly or in pairs.  As I look at one image in particular I wonder if it is included correctly in this genus...can you spot the outsider??  Leaves have very tiny blink and you'll miss them stipules.  Moraceae have a tendency towards dioeciousness (now that's a word) so I'm guessing that they perhaps have separate male and female flowers at the very least.  Silly that a plant would be so difficult to get this information on...I'm sure it's there, but the dig.  The dig.

Habitat/culture:  As you can see from this map here, some collections in the north and central part of Madagascar, where it is endemic.  I'm still not really certain if it resides on higher, drier elevations or near lower, wetter areas.  Gets the Madagascar climate though which is an absurdly regular temperature and daylight cycle owing to its proximity to the Equator.  Not cold hardy for sure, hot and humid it likes.  What type of soil and water regimen?  I'll find out soon...

Trophis montana (Leandri) C.C. Berg Photo Credit: Charles Rakotovao (CC BY-NC-ND)

Odd facts:  Actually found some for this.  Check. This. Island. Out.  The second largest coral atoll in the world.  May or may not also be home to Trophis montana.  After destruction of vegetation on the island by goats (smooth) Francis Raymond Fosberg (see above) reported that the species is extinct there.  There may be a few plants still living in the Takamaka Grove on Grande Terre.  I offer myself as tribute to investigate this.