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Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brachylaena is a genus of flowering plants in the aster, or composite, family, Asteraceae or Compositae. Several are endemic to Madagascar, and the others are distributed in mainland Africa, especially the southern regions.[3]
| Brachylaena | |
|---|---|
| |
| Branches of Brachylaena discolor | |
 | |
| Inflorescences of female Brachylaena huillensis plant | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Tarchonantheae |
| Genus: | Brachylaena R.Br. |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms[1][2] | |
| |
These are trees and shrubs with alternately arranged leaves. One of these, Brachylaena merana, is the tallest of all composites ('daisy trees") at up to 132 feet (forty meters).[4] and Brachylaena huillensis of East Africa is of similar height. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate individuals. The flower heads are somewhat disc-shaped. Heads with female flowers are larger and produce larger pappi.[5]
B. huillensis is the only widespread species,[3] growing as a dominant tree in Brachylaena woodlands and a common species in some eastern African forests. It provides critical habitat for many animal species. It is also sought after for its wood and has been overexploited.[6]
Some species are subject of dispute:
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