Thilachium madagascariense (Capparaceae), a new species from eastern Madagascar with a key to the species of the genus

Thilachium madagascariense Fici, a small tree characterised by 1-foliolate leaves with articulate petioles,leaf blades elliptic or narrowly obovate with base attenuate and apex acuminate, flowers in groups of 2 – 3 at thetop of lateral twigs and a high number of stamens, is described and illustrated from forest habitats of easternMadagascar. The new species is similar to T. laurifolium Baker, a species endemic to central and easternMadagascar, differing in the longer leaves with acuminate apex, flowers conferted at the top of lateral twigs,shorter pedicels, higher number of stamens and shorter gynophore. Its affinities are discussed and an updated keyis provided for all the species of the genus Thilachium.