Taxonomic studies of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy region. VI. New species of large trees from Madagascar

An ongoing revision of the Ebenaceae of the Malagasy region has focused in particular on the species of large trees potentially vulnerable to illegal exploitation for their hardwood. Eighty two of the c. 255 species of Diospyros L. in Madagascar have been identified as large trees, among which 15 new species are described and illustrated (i.e. Diospyros ambanjensis G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros amborelloides G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros andohahelensis G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros antsirananae G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros bardotiae H.N. Rakouth, G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros beberonnii G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros crassipedicellata G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros grandiflora G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros lowryi G.E. Schatz, Diospyros malandy H.N. Rakouth, Randrianaivo, G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros melanocarpa G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros mimusops G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros quadrangularis G.E. Schatz & Lowry, Diospyros rakotovaoi G.E. Schatz & Lowry, and Diospyros taikintana G.E. Schatz & Lowry). Risk of extinction assessments using the IUCN Red List criteria indicate that 12 species are threatened.