A team of botanists has identified and described a new plant species from the lush undergrowth of the Loky Manambato Protected Area, a biodiverse region in northern Madagascar. The plant, a member of the aroid family (Araceae), was discovered during a joint field investigation in January 2025 by researchers from the Wuhan Botanical Garden, a branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The new species, named Carlephyton sajoreciae, represents a significant addition to a genus previously thought to exclusively inhabit rocky outcrops. Unlike its relatives, this plant thrives on the humus-rich floor of humid forest remnants, a discovery that expands scientific understanding of the genus’s ecological adaptability. Detailed morphological and systematic study, published in the journal PhytoKeys, confirmed its unique status and highlighted the continued importance of botanical exploration and conservation in Madagascar’s distinct ecosystems.
An Unexpected Forest Floor Discovery
The identification of Carlephyton sajoreciae began during a collaborative field survey in the Daraina region of northern Madagascar. While exploring the forest understory, researchers were drawn to an unusual aroid distinguished by its broad, heart-arrow-shaped (cordate-sagittate) leaves and a striking yellow floral spike, known as a spadix. This sighting was notable because all other known species of Carlephyton are adapted to life on thin soils among rocks, not the deep, organic soil of a forest floor. The team, including Prof. Wang Qingfeng, Dr. Wei Neng, and Dr. Wang Shengwei, collected specimens and living materials for comprehensive analysis. This careful work involved extensive literature reviews, examination of existing herbarium specimens, and detailed morphological comparisons to conclusively determine that the plant was indeed new to science.
Distinctive Botanical Traits
Carlephyton sajoreciae is most closely related to another Malagasy species, Carlephyton darainense, but it possesses a unique combination of features that clearly set it apart. The formal description highlights several key differences in its reproductive structures and foliage, providing a clear diagnostic key for botanists.
Floral and Leaf Characteristics
The most noticeable distinction is in the plant’s inflorescence. The spathe, a modified leaf that encloses the flower spike, is a vibrant purple on its interior surface, contrasting sharply with the yellow spadix it protects. In C. darainense, the spathe’s interior is green and the spadix is whitish to purple. Furthermore, the male flowers of the new species feature solitary stamens that are loosely arranged, a condition known as 1-androus, whereas C. darainense has groups of two fused stamens. The new species also typically bears only a single leaf, unlike its closest relative which can have up to five. A short, deep-purple style further distinguishes its female floral parts.
A Genus-First Habitat Preference
Perhaps the most ecologically significant aspect of this discovery is the plant’s habitat. All previously known members of the Carlephyton genus are lithophytes, meaning they are adapted to grow on rocky outcrops where soil is minimal. C. sajoreciae is the first and only species in the genus documented as a terrestrial plant thriving in the deep, humus-rich soil of the forest understory. This finding suggests greater ecological diversity within the genus than was previously understood and raises new questions about its evolutionary history and adaptation to different environments within Madagascar.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
The formal naming of the species, Carlephyton sajoreciae, pays tribute to an institution central to the research team’s work. The specific epithet “sajoreciae” is derived from SAJOREC, the acronym for the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center. This dedication honors the center’s significant contributions to the study and conservation of African biodiversity over the past decade. The research was supported by several organizations, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, reflecting a strong international commitment to botanical science.
Implications for Malagasy Conservation
The discovery of Carlephyton sajoreciae reinforces Madagascar’s status as a global biodiversity hotspot, where new species are continually being found. The Loky Manambato region, in particular, has proven to be a rich source of recent botanical discoveries, underscoring its importance as a priority area for conservation. The find highlights the critical need for further exploration and protection of these unique habitats, which face persistent threats from deforestation and other human activities. Each new species identified adds another piece to the complex puzzle of the island’s unique evolutionary history and strengthens the case for robust conservation efforts to protect these irreplaceable natural treasures before they are lost.