Catharanthus makayensis
Catharanthus makayensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, endemic to Madagascar. It was first described in 2015.
Description
Catharanthus makayensis is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to tall. Its stems differ from all other known species of the genus Catharanthus in being hexagonal in cross-section. The opposite leaves are shortly petiolate, with a leaf blade long and across. The inflorescence usually consists of two flowers, occasionally only one. The flowers are erect on a short pedicel long, and are white with a magenta eye. The calyx has narrow recurved sepals long, which differ in shape from all other known species of the genus. The petals are joined at the base into a very narrow tube, long and in diameter. The petal lobes are highly asymmetrical, about long and across. The fruit consists of follicles containing 3–4 brown seeds.
Distribution and habitat
Catharanthus makayensis is endemic to Madagascar. When first described in 2015, it was known only from two locations about apart in the Makay Massif. Plants were growing in sandy ground on riverbanks, and in moist areas among rocks, at elevations of.