Notes:
The genus also occurs in the Comoros, the Seychelles and on Mauritius.
The inclusion of species formerly separated as Ophiocolea is justified on both molecular and on morphological grounds (Callmander et al., 2016). However, these species were generally easily recognised by their smooth, long, narrow, cylindrical (fusiform) v the much shorter, broader fruits often bearing conspicuous, highly-developed ridges, papillae or surface protrusion of various kinds. Certain species blur this distinction, notably C. delphinensis, which was included in Ophiocolea. The fusiform-fruited spp do however represent any easily recognised group, and include the following species, as well as at least 2 additional undescribed species from Madagascar, and the Comorean C. comorensis: Colea ambrensis, Colea darainensis, Colea decaryi, Colea decora, Colea floribunda, Colea pauciflora and Colea velutina.
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