title: Rhodolaena bakeriana
text: # Rhodolaena bakeriana
  
  Rhodolaena bakeriana is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
  
  ## Description
  
  Rhodolaena bakeriana grows as a medium-sized tree. Its twigs are hairy. It has small to medium leaves, obovate, elliptic or oblong in shape. The inflorescences have one or two flowers on a long stem. Individual flowers are very large with five sepals and five purple-red petals, measuring up 5 centimetres (2 in) long. The fruits are medium-sized and woody. The fruits may be dispersed by lemurs.
  
  ## Taxonomy
  
  The Latin specific epithet Bakeriana is in honor of the English botanist John Gilbert Baker.
  
  ## Distribution and habitat
  
  Rhodolaena bakeriana is only found in the central to north central regions of Analamanga, Sava, Haute Matsiatra and Alaotra-Mangoro. Its habitat is humid to subhumid evergreen forests from 600–1,600 metres (2,000–5,200 ft) altitude.
  
  ## Threats
  
  Rhodolaena bakeriana is threatened by timber exploitation. Its habitat is also at risk from clearing for agriculture.
  
  