Taxonomy and Conservation of the Genus Noronhia Thouars (Oleaceae) in Mauritius

• DOI: 10.15553/c2014v692a7
• Publication Date: 2015-01-02T18:21:15Z
• Authors: Cynthia Hong-Wa; Martin W. Callmander; Cláudia Baider
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Tracheophyta; Magnoliopsida; 03 medical and health sciences; Oleaceae; Biodiversity; 15. Life on land; Plantae; Taxonomy; Lamiales

Abstract Hong-Wa, C., M. W. Callmander & C. Baider (2014). Taxonomy and conservation of the genus Noronhia Thouars (Oleaceae) in Mauritius. Candollea 69: 157–163. In English, English abstract. The genus Noronhia Thouars (Oleaceae), formerly known only from Madagascar and the Comoros, also occurs in Continental Africa and the Mascarene Islands. We present a taxonomic and conservation overview of the genus in Mauritius. Two new combinations are proposed for the Mauritian endemic species previously recognized in Chionanthus L. and described in Olea L.: Noronhia macrophylla (Baker) Hong-Wa & Callm. & Noronhia obovata (Baker) Hong-Wa & Callm. while the third species occurring on the island, a Mascarene endemic, already has a valid name in Noronhia: Noronhia broomeana Oliv. Applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the three species occurring on Mauritius are considered as threatened with extinction. Discussion on the conservation status of each species is provided.