Rhodolaena acutifolia

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Rhodolaena acutifolia is a small tree or shrub in the Sarcolaenaceae family and is found only in Madagascar. The name acutifolia means “sharp-leafed.” The leaves are small, stiff, elliptic, and up to 3 cm wide, with a pointed tip and a sharp base. The plant has very large flowers in pairs on long stems, with bright purple-pink petals up to 5 cm long. The fruit is dark green and turns black when dry.

This species grows in humid evergreen forests at elevations of about 350–800 meters in the east-central regions of Analamanga, Alaotra-Mangoro, and Analanjirofo. Two subpopulations occur in Zahamena National Park. Rhodolaena acutifolia is threatened by timber harvesting and habitat loss from shifting cultivation, and future habitat loss could reach around 50%.

Conservation status: Vulnerable.