Sideroxylon mirmulano, commonly known as marmulano, is a species of flowering plants in the family Sapotaceae. It is endemic to the Madeira Islands (Portugal). It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description It is an evergreen high tree. Its leathery, elliptic leaves are long and wide. Its flowers are whitish rose to purple with 5 petals measuring up to . Its fruit is a drupe, long.
Distribution and habitat The species is found on Madeira Island, Porto Santo Island and Desertas Islands. It is the dominant species in low coastal forests along the northern shore of Madeira from elevation, and in pockets on the southern side of the island between 200 and 300 meters elevation. It is commonly found with the shrubs Maytenus umbellata and Globularia salicina.Capelo, Jorge, Miguel Sequeira, Roberto Jardim, Sandra Mesquita, and José Carlos Costa (2005). "The vegetation of Madeira Island (Portugal). A brief overview and excursion guide". Quercetea 7: 95-122, 2005 ALFA, Lisboa, Portugal.
Systematics The former subspecies marginata from Cape Verde is now considered a separate species: Sideroxylon marginatum. Plants from the Canary Islands are now considered Sideroxylon canariense.
References
Further reading Árvores e Florestas de Portugal - Açores e Madeira ("Trees and Flowers of Portugal: the Azores and Madeira"), Edic. Público, Comunicações, SA. Dep. law no. 254481/2007 Press, J.R., Short, M.J., 1994. "Flora of Madeira". HMSO. London