Brachylaena Explained

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.^[1]

These are trees and shrubs with alternately arranged leaves. One of these, Brachylaena merana, is the tallest of all composites ('daisy trees") at up to 132 feet (forty meters).^[2] and Brachylaena huillensis of East Africa is of similar height. 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.^[3]

B. huillensis is the only widespread species,^[1] growing as a dominant tree in Brachylaena woodlands 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.^[4]

Species

Some species are subject of dispute:

• Brachylaena rotundata S.Moore is seen by some as Brachylaena discolor var. rotundata (S.Moore) Beentje
• Brachylaena transvaalensis Hutch. ex E.Phillips & Schweick. is seen as synonym of Brachylaena discolor var. transvaalensis (E.Phillips & Schweick.) Beentje

Notes and References

1. Beentje, H. J. (2000). The genus Brachylaena (Compositae: Mutisieae). Kew Bulletin 55(1), 1-41.
2. Book: Carlquist, Dr. Sherwin . Island Biology . New York & London . Univ. of Columbia Press . 419.
3. Hyde, M. A., et al. (2013). Brachylaena. Flora of Zimbabwe.
4. Cordeiro, N. J. and M. Githiru. (2000). Conservation evaluation for birds of Brachylaena woodland and mixed dry forest in north-east Tanzania. Bird Conservation International 10(1), 47-65.