Corresponding author: Thomas L. P. Couvreur (
Academic editor: Yasen Mutafchiev
Les Annonacées sont une grande famille pantropicale avec 113 genres et 2550 espèces. Le Cameroun est l’un des pays les plus riches en biodiversité d’Afrique mais sa flore reste incomplètement connue. Dans ce volume de la Flore du Cameroun, nous décrivons 166 taxons représentant 163 espèces dans 28 genres au sein de la famille des
Couvreur TLP, Dagallier L-PMJ, Crozier F, Ghogue J-P, Hoekstra PH, Kamdem NG, Johnson DM, Murray NA, Sonké B (2022) Flora of Cameroon – Annonaceae Vol 45. PhytoKeys 207: 1–532.
Morphological species descriptions were automatically generated before manual checking and editing. We used the online collaborative platform PROTEUS (
Data was gathered from two main sources. First, we used all available taxonomic revisions of African
A first draft of descriptions for all species was generated using the package
A database of
Collections without coordinates were georeferenced using QGIS ver. 3.2.3 (
Within this project, numerous herbaria were visited over the course of the last eight years including B, BR, BRLU, G, K, P, YA and WAG. Within the taxonomic revision of certain genera, specimen loans were made available from other herbaria (BM, MO, OWU). In addition, we used specimen scans available online from these different herbaria when possible and needed. Numerous field trips were carried out across Cameroon over a period of eight years (2012–2019), mainly in the regions Central, East, Littoral, South West and West regions. During these field trips, high quality herbarium collections were made and deposited at MPU, YA and WAG. Finally, detailed photographs of the different parts available (leaves, trunk, flowers and fruits) were made and used to illustrate species found within this flora.
The database was used to generate collection, species and genus raw diversity maps. Collection density was log transformed before plotting. After filtering for unidentified species and genera, raw diversity maps were made at 0.25° resolution sampling units (
Collection citations and the index to numbered collections were generated using the package ‘exsic’ (
As much as possible we tried to use the original line drawings drawn by Hélène Lamourdedieu, intended by Annick Le Thomas for this flora. Thanks to Thierry Deroin, we had access to her archives at the Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, where we found numerous line drawings not published in the Flore du Gabon. The numbering of drawings was retained when possible. In some cases, specimens used for drawing a specific species changed (new identification). In other cases drawings came from more recent taxonomic revisions.
The IUCN conservation status of each species was downloaded from the IUCN Red List website (
We document a total of 28 native genera, 167 native taxa and 163 native species of
List of number of 28 native genera recorded for Cameroon plus 12 continental African genera not found in Cameroon, with known accepted number of species in Cameroon, for continental Africa (including the Gulf of Guinea Islands, but excluding Madagascar) and percentage of species for each genus found within Cameroon. Total species diversity numbers were taken from
Genus | Number of species in Cameroon | Number of species in continental Africa | Percentage in Cameroon |
---|---|---|---|
|
1 | 3 | 33 |
|
4 | 8 | 50 |
|
1 | 4 | 25 |
|
2 | 4 | 50 |
|
8 | 32 | 25 |
|
1 | 2 | 50 |
|
3 | 3 | 100 |
|
1 | 1 | 100 |
|
4 | 4 | 100 |
|
2 | 5 | 40 |
|
4 | 5 | 80 |
|
9 | 15 | 60 |
|
2 | 3 | 67 |
|
1 | 1 | 100 |
|
1 | 5 | 20 |
|
31 | 79 | 39 |
|
6 | 14 | 43 |
|
3 | 5 | 60 |
|
13 | 13 | 100 |
|
3 | 8 | 38 |
|
1 | 1 | 100 |
|
1 | 2 | 50 |
|
1 | 4 | 25 |
|
17 | 77 | 23 |
|
3 | 5 | 60 |
|
5 | 18 | 28 |
|
13 | 19 | 68 |
|
22 | 45 | 49 |
0 | 19 | 0 | |
|
|
|
List of the 22 endemic species of
Genus | Species epithet | Author(s) |
---|---|---|
|
|
(Diels) X.Guo & R.M.K.Saunders |
|
|
Le Thomas |
|
|
Diels |
|
|
P.H.Hoekstra |
|
|
(Engl.) P.H.Hoekstra |
|
|
(Engl. & Diels) Verdc. |
|
|
P.H.Hoekstra |
|
|
P.H.Hoekstra |
|
|
P.H.Hoekstra |
|
|
Engl. |
|
|
Ghogue, Sonké & Couvreur |
|
|
Engl. |
|
|
Ghogue, Sonké & Couvreur |
|
|
Ghogue, Sonké & Couvreur |
|
|
Ghogue, Sonké & Couvreur |
|
|
Engl. & Diels |
|
|
Gosline & Cheek |
|
|
Dagallier & Couvreur |
|
|
Gereau & Kenfack |
|
|
(Mildbr. & Diels) Robyns & Ghesq. |
|
|
Kenfack, Gosline & Gereau |
|
|
Engl. |
A total of 2073 collections were seen for this treatment (Fig.
Distribution of
In terms of species diversity, there are two main hotspots, one located in the
Spatial diversity of
Genus diversity is also concentrated in the Atlantic forests, with hotspots along the Cameroonian Volcanic Line, and towards the western area of the South region. Once again, the
Number of collections for all 28 genera recorded in Cameroon and for the top 27 species. Values based on collections between 1861 and 2019.
Genus | # specimens | Species | # specimens |
---|---|---|---|
|
277 |
|
119 |
|
196 |
|
60 |
|
165 |
|
60 |
|
156 |
|
54 |
|
135 |
|
53 |
|
134 |
|
45 |
|
126 |
|
43 |
|
119 |
|
42 |
|
115 |
|
41 |
|
80 |
|
36 |
|
73 |
|
34 |
|
62 |
|
32 |
|
59 |
|
31 |
|
53 |
|
30 |
|
46 |
|
30 |
|
44 |
|
28 |
|
44 |
|
28 |
|
42 |
|
28 |
|
40 |
|
25 |
|
33 |
|
25 |
|
20 |
|
24 |
|
15 |
|
22 |
|
7 |
|
22 |
|
6 |
|
21 |
|
4 |
|
20 |
|
3 |
|
20 |
|
1 |
|
19 |
|
1 |
|
19 |
Sampling history of
A total of 95 species received a conservation status from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN. However, we excluded the species
List of the 24
Genus and species epithet | Red list category | Red list criteria | Year published | Criteria version |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii,v) | 2020 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | 2021 | 3.1 |
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2014 | 3.1 | |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B1+2c | 1998 | 2.3 |
|
Vulnerable | B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii,v) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii,iv) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | D2 | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2004 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii) | 2014 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | 2014 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2014 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v). | 2021 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | A2c | 2014 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Vulnerable | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
|
Endangered | B2ab(iii) | 2019 | 3.1 |
Based on preliminary conservation assessments (
Cameroon is a diversity hotspot for
The increase of Cameroonian
Collecting intensity across the country is highly heterogeneous, with certain regions densely collected (Bipindi region, Mount Cameroon, Yaoundé area), whereas others have few or no collections (Fig.
Just over a quarter (25.5%, 24/93) of assessed
Cameroonian
In Cameroon,
Most
Leaves in
The leaf blade is inserted either on the top or to the side of the petiole (see fig. 2 of
Within Cameroonian species, leaf size varies more than 20-fold, from 3–4 cm long in species such as
Most
In most species, the midrib is flat or sunken on the adaxial surface. The genera
Secondary venation can provide a useful taxonomic character in
The inflorescences of
An important character concerns the position of the inflorescences which are, in the most fundamental sense, either ‘axillary’ that is originating from an axillary meristem, or ‘terminal’ that is originating from a terminal meristem (
Most species of
In most genera, the pedicel bears a lower and upper bract conforming to Fries’s type 2, the most common situation across
The receptacle or torus which bears the stamens on the basal part and/or the carpels towards the central apical part is quite variable within
The general floral pattern in
Sepals are mostly free or are basally fused. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between these two states. In
Petal shape and size are very variable across Cameroonian species ranging from 1–2 mm long in male flowers of
Stamen number varies from six in three species of
In
Carpel number varies from one in
The ovules are either numerous and lateral in one or two rows (
Most genera have aggregated fruits composed of individual units termed “monocarps” each resulting from the fertilization of a single carpel (
Monocarps are either stipitate or sessile. When present, the stipes can be up to 5 cm long in certain species of
Trees, scrambling shrubs or lianas, up to 50 m tall, monoecious, dioecious or putatively androdioecious. Indumentum, when present, of simple, fasciculate, stellate, or scale-like hairs. Leaves alternate, simple, distichous, margins entire, stipules absent. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, ramiflorous in leaf axils, on young or old leafless branches or cauliflorous, single to many-flowered, pedunculate or subsessile, bracts often present. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, actinomorphic, generally trimerous. Sepals in a single whorl, (2)3(4), valvate or imbricate in bud, free or basally to fully connate. Petals 3, 4 or 6, in 1 or 2(3) whorls, generally differentiated into an inner and outer whorl alternating with the sepals, valvate or imbricate in bud, free, basally or fully connate. Stamens 3 to numerous, inserted onto a flat or convex receptacle; anthers generally exceeded by the connective apex, which forms a a protective cover at the top of the stamen; connective apex flat, extended (tongue shaped) or absent; filaments short or absent, free or rarely fused; staminodes absent or present. Carpels 1 to numerous, free or more rarely fused (syncarpous) in flower; stigma capitate, oblong or variously folded; ovules 1 to numerous, uni- or biseriate, basal or lateral. Fruit generally apocarpous, each carpel producing a single monocarp, or more rarely pseudosyncarpous (carpels fusing during fructification) or syncarpous (unilocular fruits resulting from syncarpous flowers), indehiscent or sometimes dehiscent; monocarps 1 to numerous, sessile to long-stipitate, cylindrical, globose, ovoid, ellipsoid, club-shaped or moniliform, 3 to over 40 mm in length, usually large; seeds 1 to numerous per monocarp, uni- or biseriate, or unordered in syncarpous species, sometimes with arilor sarcotesta; endosperm ruminate, hard.
Pantropical, from the Pacific and northern Australia to South East Asia (including southern China), India, Madagascar, tropical Africa, temperate eastern North America south to Central America and South America. 113 genera, and around 2550 species.
In Cameroon, 28 genera and 163 species reported to date.
Several
1 | Midrib of leaf blade clearly raised above |
|
– | Midrib of leaf blade sunken,impressed, or flat above |
|
2 | Petals fused at base (even just shortly); fruits in a single unit (syncarpous) |
|
– | Petals free; fruits in several independent monocarps (apocarpous) | |
3 | Corolla lobes similar and equal in length, forming a distinct tube at the base, margins generally flat | |
– | Corolla lobes clearly differentiated into inner and outer petals; the outer ones longer than inner ones, margins generally undulate or crisped | |
4 | Liana or scrambling shrub |
|
– | Tree or shrub |
|
5 | Hook-shaped structures (modified inflorescence) present on branches even in juvenile plants | |
– | Hook-shaped structures absent |
|
6 | Indumentum of stellate and/or fasciculate hairs | |
– | Indumentum (if present) of simple hairs |
|
7 | Anthers septate (few species) |
|
– | Anthers not septate (most species) |
|
8 | Petals subequal; stipe shorter than seeded section of monocarp; indehiscent; several seeds per monocarp | |
– | Outer petals longer than inner; stipe at least twice as long as seeded section of monocarp; monocarps indehiscent; seed 1 per monocarp | |
9 | Leaves bicolored; above green, below glaucous to whitish; monocarps moniliform when more than one seed, ovules uniseriate |
|
– | Leaves green on both sides; monocarps not moniliform, globose to conical, ovules biseriate |
|
10 | Tertiary venation percurrent when viewed from below, or if venation obscure, then stamens < 35 | |
– | Tertiary venation reticulate and stamens > 40 |
|
11 | Inflorescences terminal (leaf opposed or extra-axillary) | |
– | Inflorescences axillary | |
12 | Receptacle columnar or elongated; petals 6 to 12 in 2 or 3 whorls | |
– | Receptacle convex but not columnar; petals 6 in two whorls |
|
13 | Sepals entirely fused, enclosing flower in bud, tearing as flower enlarges; fruits pseudosyncarpous | |
– | Sepals free or basally fused, not enclosing flower in bud; fruits apocarpous | |
14 | Indumentum of scale-like hairs (easily visible with a hand lens) | |
– | Indumentum (if present) of stellate, fasciculate or simple hairs |
|
15 | Indumentum of stellate and/or fasciculate hairs and fruits pseudosyncarpous | |
– | Indumentum of simple hairs, or glabrous; fruits mostly apocarpous (pseudosyncarpous in |
|
16 | Sepals 2; petals 4 | |
– | Sepals 3; petals 3 or 6 |
|
17 | Inner bark/slash yellow; petals 3, opposite the 3 sepals | |
– | Inner bark/slash cream to reddish; petals 6, or if 3 then only 2 sepals present |
|
18 | Petals fused into a clear tube at the base, plicate (transversely folded) in bud | |
– | Petals free, petals not plicate (not folded in bud) |
|
19 | Outer petals reduced, sepal like, smaller than inner petals |
|
– | Outer petals not reduced, subequal to or larger than inner petals |
|
20 | Secondary veins 11 to 17 pairs; inflorescence compact, generally up to than 10(–15) mm long | |
– | Secondary veins (15–)22 to 66 pairs; inflorescence compact to lax, but always longer than 16 mm | |
21 | Receptacle cylindrical; anther connective reduced to a tuft of hairs | |
– | Receptacle convex to flat; connective well developed, discoid to apiculate |
|
22 | Tertiary venation percurrent |
|
– | Tertiary venation reticulate |
|
23 | Leaf apex obtuse, rounded or emarginate (in Cameroonian species); fruits (pseudo)syncarpous | |
– | Leaf apex acute, acuminate or caudate; fruits apocarpous |
|
24 | Outer petals much longer than inner petals; inner petals forming a dome over the receptacle; anthers septate; seed 1 per monocarp | |
– | Petals sub equal or outer slightly longer; inner petals not forming a dome over the receptacle; anthers not septate; seeds > 1 per monocarp | |
25 | Sepals reduplicate-valvate, buds ridged | |
– | Sepals not reduplicate-valvate, buds not ridged |
|
26 | Petals homogenously red to pink, all reflexed at maturity; anthers bright yellow |
|
– | Petals green, yellow, cream, not reflexed or only curved outward; anthers not bright yellow; carpels > 1; monocarps generally more than one |
|
28 | Anthers septate; monocarps dehiscent | |
– | Anthers not septate; monocarps not dehiscent |
|
29 | Individuals androdioecious or dioecious with separate male, female or bisexual flowers |
|
– | Individuals with bisexual flowers |
|
30 | Flowering peduncles present, > 50 mm long; stamens more than 30; fruits (pseudo)syncarpous | |
– | Flowering peduncle absent; stamens less than 30; fruits apocarpous | |
31 | Flowering pedicels > 15 mm; sepals free; outer petals up to five times longer than inner petals | |
– | Flowering pedicels < 15 mm; sepals basally fused; petals subequal |
|
32 | Petioles 2–5 mm long, 1–2 mm wide; petals 3(4), less than 10 mm long, basally fused | |
– | Petioles > 4 mm long, 3–9 mm wide; petals 6, 10 mm or longer, free | |
Genera in parentheses means some but not all species have the indicated trait.
Liana or scrambling to scandent shrub:
Tree:
Slash of the bark yellow:
Stilt roots or buttresses present: (
Indumentum of stellate hairs:
Indumentum of lepidote hairs:
Hook-like structures on branches:
Leaves discolorous, light green to whitish below:
Trunk whitish overall:
Leaves with many parallel secondary veins (> 25): (
Midrib clearly raised above:
Sepals 2; petals 4:
Sepals reduplicate-valvate (margins folded in bud):
Petals fused into a single whorl with a distinct tube:
Petals 3:
Petals 9 to 10 inserted in 2 to 3 whorls:
Petals plicate in bud, transversely folded when open:
Inner petals much longer than outer:
Anthers septate:
Staminodes present: (
Androdioecious, dioecious or monoecious:
Pseudosyncarpous fruits (individual monocarps visible):
Fruits syncarpous (individuals monocarps not visible) with numerous unordered seeds:
Monocarps moniliform:
Monocarps dehiscent:
Seeds arillate: (
Seeds with a sarcotesta: (
Same as species.
A genus of lianas with three species from Central Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Angola (Cabinda); one species in Cameroon, endemic.
This genus was phylogenetically validated (
no revision has yet been published, but see
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent with short sericeous hairs. Leaves: petiole 3–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole, 7.5–10 cm long, 4–5 cm wide, elliptic, apex acuminate, acumen ca.1 cm long, base obtuse, subcoriaceous, below sparsely pubescent to glabrous when young, glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the South Region.
A rare species, in primary lowland rain forests. Altitude 100–200(?) m a.s.l.
None recorded.
NE (Not Evaluated), but probably
None recorded.
A recent molecular phylogenetic study showed that this species (under the name
Trees, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, slash yellow. Indumentum of simple, stellate and/or fasciculate hairs. Leaves: petiole 2–9 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter; blade 3.5–29.5 cm long, 1.5–10.5 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex acuminate to acute, base narrowly cuneate to shortly attenuate to rounded; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 8 to 13 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 6 perianth parts in 2 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 4–19 mm long; in fruit 10–27 mm long; bracts 1 to 2, basal and one upper towards the middle or lower half of pedicel, 2–8 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, free, 5–22 mm long, triangular, apex acute, base truncate; petals free; outer petals absent; inner petals 3, valvate, 12–34 mm long, 5–19 mm wide, ovate, margins inversely Y-shaped ridged, apex acute, base broad and concave; stamens 60 to 200, in 5 to 6 rows, 2–4 mm long, linear; connective tongue shaped or flattened, glabrous; staminodes absent; carpels free, 20 to 70, ovary 2–4 mm long, stigma lobed or cylindrical, pubescent. Monocarps stipitate, stipes 6–59 mm long, 5 to 55 monocarps, 18–35 mm long, 4–14 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to obovoid, apex sometimes mucronate, smooth, glossy; seed 1, 20–30 mm long, ca. 10 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of eight species mostly distributed across west and central Africa, with one endemic species in Tanzania; four species occur in Cameroon, none endemic.
The genus is easily identifiable when sterile by its yellow slash, and when fertile, by its leaf opposed or extra-axillary (terminal) flowers with 3 sepals and 3 petals, and stipitate monocarps with a single seed.
1 | Upper side of midrib pilose |
|
– | Upper side of midrib glabrous, or pubescent just at the basal part, never pilose |
|
2 | Lower leaf surface with simple, bifid and trifid hairs; petals pubescent at base inside; monocarps with stipes < 20 mm | |
– | Lower leaf surface at least with some stellate or fasciculate hairs; petals glabrous at base inside; monocarps with stipes > 20 mm | |
3 | Pubescence on lower leaf surface simple, bifid, trifid or stellate, pointing in all directions |
|
– | Pubescence on lower leaf surface simple or bifid, all hairs pointing towards leaf apex | |
4 | Petiole and young shoots tomentose | |
– | Petiole and young shoots sparsely pubescent to pubescent | |
Angola. Cabinda, Munze, ring at Buco Zau,
Tree, 3–30 m tall, d.b.h. 3–50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent,
From Nigeria (one collection) to the Republic of Congo and the extreme west of the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Littoral, Center and South-West regions.
A very common species; in lowland rain forests in primary and secondary habitats. Altitude 50–650 m a.s.l.
Bololo, Bonuke, Bunuku bolobo (dial. Duala); Bululu, Mfo, Pobalo, Ufol, Moabé (dials. Ewondo, Bulu); M’Fo, Mofo, Mpuley (dial. Mab Kwasio,
Least Concern (
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Tree, 9–25 m tall, d.b.h. to 5 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent,
Known from Nigeria (one collection); in Cameroon known from the East, South, Center and South-West regions.
Locally common when present but rare overall, in lowland and premontane rain forests, mainly in primary habitats. Altitude 150–850 m a.s.l.
Otou han (dial. bulu,
Least Concern (
Gabon. Ogooué-Lolo, Ikembélé,
Tree, 2–8 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent, slash yellow. Indumentum of simple, bifid, fasciculate or stellate hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
From Cameroon to Gabon, and one collection in northern Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species; in lowland rain forests, mainly in primary habitats. Altitude 300–700 m a.s.l.
M’Fo, Mofo, Mpuley (dial. Mab Kwasio,
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Vernacular names are likely to apply to other species of the genus.
Sierra Leone. no region; no locality,
Tree, 2–20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent,
A mainly West African species, from Sierra Leone to Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species in Cameroon, in lowland and pre-montane rain forests mainly in primary habitats. Altitude 110–1400 m a.s.l.
Pola (Mvaï, Fang,
Least Concern (
Trees, 1–10 m tall, d.b.h. 2–10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 7–20 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, blade 6–25 cm long, 4–19 cm wide, broadly obovate or obovate to broadly elliptic to elliptic, apex rounded or obtuse or shortly emarginated, base subcordate to rounded, discolorous, whitish below or concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 7 to 16 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on young and old leafless branches, leaf opposed. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 2 per inflorescence; flowering peduncle sometimes present, short; pedicel 10–25 mm long; in fruit 15–50 mm long; bracts 2, all basal, 1–5 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, free, 3–4 mm long, triangular to ovate, apex acute, base truncate; petals free; outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, valvate, 10–15 mm long, 8–10 mm wide, ovate, apex acute, base truncate; inner petals 3, valvate, 8–10 mm long, 3–4 mm wide, narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, apex acute to obtuse, base truncate; stamens numerous (not counted), in 2 to 3 rows, 2–3 mm long, linear; connective discoid, shortly pubescent; staminodes absent; carpels free, numerous (not counted), ovary 1–2 mm long, stigma capitate, glabrous or pubescent. Fruit pseudosyncarpous, 20–50 mm long, 20–50 mm in diameter, obovoid to globose; monocarps sessile, completely fused between them, numerous (not counted); seed 1, 8–10 mm long, 4–5 mm in diameter, flattened ellipsoid, irregular in shape; aril absent.
A mainly South American genus, one of the largest in
no recent revision, but see
1 | Leaves glabrous, elliptic in shape with an acuminate apex, petiole inserted on the side of the petiole | |
– | Young leaves always pubescent, generally obovate (more rarely elliptic), rounded to emarginated at the apex; petiole inserted on the top of the petiole |
|
2 | Lower side of leaf blade tomentose with short curly hairs covering the whole blade |
|
– | Lower side of leaf blade glabrescent to densely pubescent with non-curly hairs |
|
Republic of the Congo. Pool; Bord de la M’Boté,
Tree to shrub, 1–6(8) m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A west and central African subspecies distributed from Guinea to Ivory Coast and from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from Adamaoua, Central, East, North, North-West, South-West and West regions.
A common species; in lowland savanna regions towards the north, at higher altitudes towards the south, sometimes the dominant tree species in the savanna, reported to naturally invade certain areas (
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None recorded, but probably same as for
Subsp.
Senegal:
Tree to shrub, 1–10 m tall, d.b.h. 2–10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches brown tomentose. Leaves: petiole 10–20 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, brown tomentose, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7–25 cm long, 4–19 cm wide, broadly obovate to broadly elliptic, apex rounded, base subcordate, subcoriaceous to coriaceous,
A west, central and east African and northern Malagasy subspecies from Senegal to Mozambique; in Cameroon known from the Adamaoua, Central, East, Far North, North, North-West, South-West and West regions.
A common species; in lowland savanna regions towards the north, at higher altitudes towards the southern region, may, sometimes be the dominant tree species across the savanna. Altitude 100–1400 m a.s.l.
Falŏ (dial. Bamileke (
Trees, 4–30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 80 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 3–10 mm long, 2–5 mm in diameter, blade 20–50 cm long, 7–18 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex rounded or abruptly acuminate, base subcordate forming two small lobes on top of the petiole, concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 10 to 20 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals androdioecious or dioecious; inflorescences cauliflorous or ramiflorous on old leafless branches, axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls. 5 to 20 or more per inflorescence; flowering peduncle long, up to 2–4 m, woody, hanging or semi erect; pedicel 10–70 mm long; in fruit 25–100 mm long; bracts 2–4, basal or inserted along the pedicel, 1–5 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, free, 3–4 mm long, triangular to ovate, apex acute, base truncate; petals free; outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, valvate, 10–15 mm long, 8–10 mm wide, ovate, apex acute, base truncate; inner petals 3, valvate, 8–10 mm long, 3–4 mm wide, narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, apex acute to obtuse, base truncate; stamens 65 to 700, in 2 to 3 rows, 2–3 mm long, linear; connective discoid, shortly pubescent; staminodes absent; carpels free, 180 to 260, ovary 1–2 mm long, stigma capitate, glabrous or pubescent. Fruit pseudosyncarpous, 20–50 mm long, 20–50 mm in diameter, obovoid to globose; monocarps sessile, completely fused, 250 to 500; seed 1, 8–10 mm long, 4–5 mm in diameter, flattened ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of trees with four species distributed in Central Africa, one widespread and common across its range (
No recent revision has yet been published, but see
1 | Leaves obovate to oblong-elliptic, 20–45 cm, upper bract inserted at middle of flowering pedicel; individuals male or hermaphrodite (androdioecious); sepals basally fused; outer petals 25–50 mm long, 20–40 mm wide, elliptic to obovate | |
– | Leaves distinctly oblong, 37–50 cm long; upper bract inserted directly under the calyx, orbicular; individuals female or male (dioecious), sepals free, outer petals 35–60 mm long, 10–18 mm wide; narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bas-Congo; Ganda-Sundi,
Tree, 15–25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 35 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–10 mm long, 2–5 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent, soon becoming glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 37–50 cm long, 10–16 cm wide, oblong, apex rounded to abruptly acuminate, acumen 2–3.5 cm long, base rounded, subcordate, subcoriaceous to coriaceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib impressed, above glabrous when young and old, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old; secondary veins 14 to 16 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate.
A central African species, known from Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of the Congo and Angola (Cabinda); in Cameroon known from the Littoral and South-West regions.
An uncommon species, in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 100–350 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Narrowly elliptic petals are also found in the Gabonese species
Two herbarium specimens (
The sheet
Finally, for the type of
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Tree, 8–30 m tall, d.b.h. 30–80 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–7 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 20–45 cm long, 7–18 cm wide, obovate to oblong-elliptic, apex rounded to abruptly acuminate, acumen 2–3 cm long,
A central African species, from southeastern Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West and West regions.
A widespread and very common species across its range; in evergreen or semi-deciduous primary, old or young secondary, lowland or premontane rain forests. Altitude: 0–1600 m a.s.l.
mbé, nbwé, ombé (dial. Bagali, Baka), ébom, ében, ébon ntangan (dial. Ewondo,
Least Concern (
Lianas, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs or absent. Leaves: petiole 1–15 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter; blade 7–26 cm long, 2.5–14 cm wide, elliptic to ovate to obovate to oblong, apex acuminate to acute, base decurrent to subcordate, concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 7 to 16 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 90 per inflorescence; pedicel 2–25 mm long; in fruit 2–25 mm long; bracts 2, all basal, minute, soon falling; sepals 3, valvate, free, 1–15 mm long, triangular, apex acute, base truncate; petals free, sub equal; outer petals 3, valvate, 5–35 mm long, 1–14 mm wide, ovate to elliptic to linear to tubular, apex acute to rounded, base broad and concave; inner petals 3, valvate, 5–30 mm long, 1–9 mm wide, ovate to elliptic to linear to tubular, apex acute to rounded, base broad and concave, forming a pollination chamber over the receptacle; stamens 15 to 70, in 2 to 5 rows, 2–3 mm long, linear or cuneiform; connective discoid, glabrous or pubescent; staminodes absent; carpels free, 3 to 32, ovary 1–4 mm long, stigma bilobed or cylindrical, pubescent or glabrous. Monocarps sessile or substipitate, stipe, when present 1–25 mm long, 1 to 20 monocarps, 6–60 mm long, 5–25 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to obovoid, apex rounded to apiculate, smooth or verrucose; seed 1 to 2, 5–25 mm long, 5–15 mm in diameter, ellipsoid or flattened ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of lianas with around 105 species distributed across the paleotropics in South East Asia, Australia, Madagascar and Africa (
Genus easily identifiable by its lianescent habit with the presence of characteristic inflorescences in form of a hook (the peduncle) and flowers that have a broad and concave base.
To date there are no taxonomic revisions for
1 | Upper side of midrib glabrous, or pubescent just at the basal part, never densely pubescent |
|
– | Upper side of midrib densely pubescent | |
2 | Young foliate branches and petioles glabrous or sparsely pubescent |
|
– | Young foliate branches and petioles densely pubescent to tomentose |
|
3 | Petioles 10–15 mm long | |
– | Petioles less than 8 mm long |
|
4 | Leaves 10–20 cm m; sepals 10–15 mm long and 5–8 mm wide, apex of monocarps clearly apiculate, apicule curved | |
– | Leaves smaller than 13 cm; sepals < 5 mm long and < 3 mm wide, apex of monocarps rounded |
|
5 | Flowering pedicels 10–25 mm long; sepals minute, ca. 1 mm long and ca. 1 mm wide, petals linear, 1–2 mm wide above the broad base, pubescent; monocarps 20–40 mm 10–20 mm in diameter, warty to verrucose, faintly ribbed | |
– | Flowering pedicels 7–10 mm, sepals 3–5 mm long 2–3 mm wide, petals elliptic to ovate, 4–9 mm wide above the broad base, tomentose; monocarps 15–20 mm 7–13 mm in diameter, smooth, not ribbed |
|
6 | Inflorescence pauciflorous, 1 to 4 flowers | |
– | Inflorescence multiflorous, 6 to 15 flowers | |
7 | Young foliate branches and petioles hirsute with long erect hairs | |
– | Young foliate branches densely pubescent with appressed or shortly erect hairs |
|
8 | Lower side of leaf blade densely pubescent brown, base of leaves subcordate with the leaf base inserted on top of petiole, secondary veins 13 to16 pairs, inflorescences multiflorous, > 15 flowers, generally on leafless branches | |
– | Lower side of leaf blade sparsely pubescent to glabrous, base of leaves decurrent to acute with the leaf base inserted on the side of petiole, secondary veins 8 to 12 pairs, inflorescences pauciflorous, < 10 flowers, generally on leafy branches |
|
9 | Leaves 10–20 cm, leaf base acute, sepals 10–15 mm long and 5–8 m wide, petals 30–35 mm long, 7–12 mm wide, elliptic, not tubular | |
– | Leaves 8–12 cm, leaf base usually decurrent (but can also be acute), sepals 2–3 mm long and 2–3 m wide, petals 5–15 mm long, 1–2 mm wide, linear, tubular in shape | |
Cameroon. Central Region; Yaoundé,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central, East, Littoral, South, South-West and West regions.
A common species across its range; in sub montane (sometimes lowland) secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude (100)500–1600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Gabon. Ogooué-Lolo; Lastoursville,
Differs from the type variety by the presence of numerous densely packed flowers (6–15 versus 1–4).
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the
A rare variety; in sub montane (sometimes lowland) secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 700–1600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
The variety status is doubtful, but without further investigation, we shall follow
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Lukolela,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. ca. 8 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central, East, Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A common species; in lowland or premontane secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 400–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Le Thomas described
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches pubescent,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the South region.
Rare species; in primary lowland rain forest. Altitude 0–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, up to 10 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A west and central African species, from Sierra Leone to Benin and from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from Central, East, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species in Cameroon, in secondary rain forests a long fringes of forests, in swampy regions too. Altitude 100–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Cameroon. East Region; Bitya, near Dja river,
Differs from the type variety by its densely brown tomentose and shortly hirsute branches and petioles, pubescent lower side of leaf blades and tomentose petals.
A west and central African species, from Sierra Leone to Benin and from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from Central, East, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species in Cameroon, in secondary rain forests a long fringes of forests, in swampy regions too. Altitude 100–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Differences between var.
Cameroon. Central Region; Nkidi forest,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A central African species, only known from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central and South regions.
A rare species across its range, in primary lowland rain forests. Altitude 500–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Likimi,
Liana, to 20 m tall, d.b.h. 3–5 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent,
A mainly central African species, from Benin to Nigeria and Cameroon to the Republic of the Congo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central and East regions.
A fairly common species, in secondary lowland or premontane rain forests. Altitude 400–900 m a.s.l.
nginda (pygmée–bibaya) (
Not evaluated.
None recorded.
We here synonymize the names
More detailed studies across the range of these species (
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Liana, 30 m tall, d.b.h. 10–20 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 1–10 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7–20 cm long, 5–10 cm wide, elliptic to oblong, apex acute to abruptly acuminate, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base rounded to obtuse, coriaceous, below sparsely pubescent to glabrous when young, sparsely pubescent to glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib
A central African species; from Nigeria to Angola (Cabinda) and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central, East, Littoral, South, South-West and West regions.
A common species, in lowland and premontane secondary or primary rain forests, along forests margins and in logging areas. Altitude 100–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
There seems to be confusion around the type specimen of the name
The collection
For what it is worth, the fruit and leaves on
Sierre Leone: Northern Region; Falaba,
Liana, up to 10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A west and central African species, from Sierra Leone to Nigeria and Cameroon to the Republic of the Congo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Adamaoua, Central, East, North, South, South-West, and West regions.
A fairly common and widespread species; in secondary lowland premontane and montane rain forests, and in gallery forests occurring in the drier regions of the country, it is one of the few
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
The variety
Same as species.
A genus with two species, one widespread and one restricted to northern Angola. One species in Cameroun, not endemic.
A genus easily confused with
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bas-Congo; Kingamu, Ganda sumi,
Tree, 10–25 m tall, d.b.h. 16–50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 12–24 cm long, 6–8 cm wide, obovate to oblanceolate, apex acuminate to obtuse, acumen 0.5–0.8 cm long,
From Côte d’Ivoire to Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola; in Cameroon known from East, South, Centre, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species when present, in lowland to submontane rain forests in primary or secondary habitats. Altitude 250–810 m a.s.l.
baouéfou à grandes feuilles (french) (
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Trees, 15–35 m tall, d.b.h. 30–80 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk white or brown. Indumentum of simple hairs when present, but species generally glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–20 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, blade 4.5–31 cm long, 2–6.5 cm wide, elliptic to obovate to oblong, apex acuminate, base acute to rounded, discolorous, whitish below or concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 8 to 24 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, axillary, occurring or not on a short peduncle. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 2 to 9 per inflorescence; pedicel 10–25 mm long; in fruit 15–35 mm long; bracts 2 to 3, all basal, 1–2 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, free, 2–3 mm long, triangular to ovate, apex acute, sometimes rounded, base truncate; petals free; outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, valvate, 7–20 mm long, 2–7 mm wide, oblong to elliptic to obovate to linear, apex acute to rounded to obtuse, base truncate; inner petals 3, imbricate, 2–4 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, ovate to suborbicular, apex acute to obtuse, base truncate; stamens 20 to 40, in 3 to 4 rows, ca. 1 mm long, broad; connective discoid, glabrous; staminodes absent; carpels free, 10 to 24, ca. 1 mm long, stigma flat to capitate, glabrous. Monocarps stipitate, stipes 1–50 mm long, 3 to 18 monocarps, 15–30 mm long, 10–25 mm in diameter, globose to ellipsoid to obovoid, apex rounded, smooth, bumpy or constricted around the seeds, glabrous; seeds 1 to 2, 12–25 mm long, 8–12 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus with four accepted species, two widespread, one known only from Cameroon and Gabon and one from Equatorial Guinea and possibly Cameroon. Three (four?) species in Cameroun, none endemic.
None to date, but partial treated in this present work and
1 | Trunk brown, petioles ca. 3 mm long; monocarps with stipes 49–50 mm long, thing, ca. 1 mm in diameter | |
– | Turk white, petioles generally 10–20 mm long (in |
|
2 | Inflorescences with a distinct peduncule; monocarps ellipsoid to obovoid, drying smooth; lower leaf side glaucous, at least when fresh | |
– | Inflorescences fasciculate, without a peduncule; monocarps globose to bilobed; lower leaf side not glaucous |
|
3 | Outer petals linear, 15–20 mm long; monocarps drying smooth, not bumpy; petiole 10–15 mm long | |
– | Outer petals oblong, elliptic or obovate, 7–12 mm long; monocarps bumpy, constricted around the seeds; petiole 3–12 mm long | |
Gabon. Estuaire; Libreville,
Tree, 10–35 m tall, d.b.h. 80 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 10–20 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 5–15 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, oblong to elliptic, apex acuminate, acumen 0.5–1.5 cm long, base decurrent to cuneate, subcoriaceous,
Central Africa; from Cameroon to Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from South, Central, Littoral, South-West and East regions, with one collection from Adamaoua region.
A very common species, mainly growing as a pioneer species in disturbed areas and along forest margins. Altitude 100–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Closely resembles
Cameroon. South Region(?) or Equatorial Guinea. Río Muni; Campo-Gebiet; Bebao[i?], Weg nach Olonga [Manga?],
Tree, to 19 m tall, d.b.h. to 16 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent,
Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon (?); if present in Cameroon then from South region.
A rare species, in primary submontane tierra firme forest. Altitude 750–850 m a.s.l. (altitude in Equatorial Guinea).
Akom (Equatorial Guinea) (
No assessed, but probably
None recorded.
The taxonomic affinities of this species were unclear for some time but suggested to be conspecific with either
Recently, we located two specimens collected from Monte Alén in Guinea Equatorial (
One specimen collected from southern coastal Gabon (
Sierra Leone. Northern Region; Bagroo River,
Tree, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 60 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole (3–)10–20 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 4.5–31 cm long, 2.5–6 cm wide,
In West Africa, Senegal, Sierra Leone to Nigeria, and Central Africa from Cameroon to Uganda; in Cameroon known from South, Central, Littoral, South-West and East regions.
A very common species, mainly growing as a pioneer species in disturbed areas and along rain forest margins. Altitude 0–600 m a.s.l.
avom, sobu (pygmée Bibaya) (
Least Concern (
Cameroon. South-West Region; Johann-Albrechtshöhe [Kumba],
Tree, 15–30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 30 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous.
From Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species when present, in lowland rain forests in primary or secondary habitats. Altitude 50–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
Easily distinguished from
Same as species.
A genus with a single widespread species from West Africa (Sierra Leone to Nigeria) and in Cameroon. One species in Cameroon, not endemic.
Nigeria. Edo State; Benin City,
Shrub to small tree, 2–5 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
Mainly a West African species from Sierra Leone to Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South-West region.
an uncommon species; in lowland to premontane primary or secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–1000 m a.s.l.
Bushpèpè (
Least Concern (
It has been reported that some
Trees, 8–50 m tall, d.b.h. up to 50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of stellate or fasciculate hairs. Leaves: petiole 1–10 mm long, 2–6 mm in diameter; blade 7–34 cm long, 3–8 cm wide, ovate to elliptic to obovate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base cordate to acute, discolorous, whitish below or concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 8 to 25 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on young and old leafless branches, leaf opposed or supra-axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 2 to 5 per inflorescence; pedicel 3–22 mm long; in fruit 1–50 mm long; bracts 2, one basal and one upper in the lower half of pedicel, basal bract 7–12 mm long, upper bract similar than basal one; sepals 3, valvate, free, 6–15 mm long, apex acute, base truncate; petals free, outer petals longer than inner to sub equal; outer petals 3, valvate, free, 10–30 mm long, 4–10 mm wide, elliptic to ovate, apex acute to acuminate, base truncate; inner petals 3, imbricate, free, 4–20 mm long, 4–9 mm wide, elliptic to ovate to obovate, apex acute to acuminate, base truncate; stamens numerous, 1–2 mm long, broad; connective discoid; staminodes absent; carpels free, 50 to 125, 1.5–3.5 mm long, stigma globose. Fruit pseudosyncarpous; carpels sessile, connate or free, 60 to 125 carpels, 15–55 mm long, 7–30 mm in diameter, globose to ovoid to ellipsoid, apex domed-shaped to acute to apiculate; seed 1, 7–20 mm long, 4–13 mm in diameter, obovoid to ellipsoid; aril present, rudimentary.
A genus of 94 species, with a disjunct distribution, 89 in the Neotropics and 4 in Africa, but absent from Madagascar. All four African species are known from Cameroon, one endemic.
This genus of trees is characterized by stellate hairs on its leaves and pseudosyncarpous fruits. The only other tree genus with stellate hairs in Cameroon is
1 | Leaf blabes narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong, 4 to 6 times longer than wide and leaves verruculose | |
– | Lower side of the leaves sparsely to densely covered with appressed (flattened), stellate hairs; fruit globose or ovoid |
|
2 | Leaf base generally cordate, mid rid furrowed above, secondary veins weakly distinct | |
– | Leaf base acute, mid rid not furrowed above, secondary veins clearly distinct, forming loops |
|
3 | Inflorescences forming on a short peduncle in leafless parts of branches; fruiting carpels totally fused, areoles domed-shaped; seeds brown | |
– | Inflorescences not forming a short peduncle in leafy part of branches; fruiting carpels basally fused, areoles obovoid to deltoid; seeds black | |
Nigeria. Anambra state; Onitsha,
Tree, 8–40 m tall, d.b.h. 40–60 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of stellate or fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–7 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, densely to sparsely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 10–23 cm long, 3–7 cm wide, ovate to elliptic, apex acuminate to acute, acumen ca. 1 cm long, base cordate to acute, subcoriaceous, below densely pubescent when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib
A central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
In periodically or permanently inundated forests. Altitude 350–600 m a.s.l.
ntom (dial. Bagali) (
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Gabon. Estuaire; Libreville,
Tree, 15–40 m tall, d.b.h. 40–85 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of stellate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 1–8 mm long, 2–6 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 9–31 cm long, 3–8 cm wide, elliptic, apex acute, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base rounded to acute, coriaceous,
From Cameroon to Gabon and Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South and Littoral regions.
In lowland periodically inundated or non-inundated rain forests. Altitude 0–50 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Gabon. Ngounié; new road from Mouila to Yeno, 5 km on either side of Kembele village,
Tree, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of stellate or fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 4–5 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 7–16 cm long, 2.5–6 cm wide,
Known from Gabon and Cameroon; in Cameroon known from South and Littoral regions.
A rare species known from four specimens; in lowland periodically inundated or non-inundated rain forests. Altitude 0–500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None recorded.
Cameroon. South Region; near Lolodorf,
Tree, 15–50 m tall, d.b.h. 20–70 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of stellate or fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–10 mm long, 2–4 mm in diameter, densely pubescent to sparsely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 13–34 cm long, 3–8 cm wide,
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Nigeria) and in Central Africa from Cameroon to Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species; in lowland or premontane primary and secondary non-inundated rain forests. Altitude 100–900 m a.s.l.
ntom (dial. Bagali); nto ntomba (dial. Bagielli) (
Least Concern (
Trees, 7–45 m tall, d.b.h. 3–125 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 2–8 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, blade 6.5–16.2 cm long, 2–6.7 cm wide, elliptic to oblong, apex acuminate to caudate, base cuneate to rounded, concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 5 to 18 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals androdioecious; male and bisexual inflorescences similar in appearance, ramiflorous on young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 4 per inflorescence; pedicel 4–6 mm long; in fruit 6–13 mm long; bracts 2, one basal and one upper, 1–2 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, free, 2–4 mm long, ovate, apex acuminate, base truncate; petals free; outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, valvate, 8–18 mm long, 2.3–2.6 mm wide, oblong to elliptic, apex acuminate, base rounded; inner petals 3, valvate, 8–18 mm long, 1.3–2.6 mm wide, ovate to elliptic, apex acuminate, base rounded; stamens 15 to 25, in 4 to 5 rows, ovary 1–2 mm long, elongated; connective tongue-shaped, glabrous; staminodes absent; carpels free, 10 to 20, 1–2 mm long, stigma ovoid, pubescent. Fruits apocarpous, monocarps stipitate, stipes 5–10 mm long, monocarps 2 to 8, 8–21 mm long, 7–21 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to globose, apex rounded, smooth, green turning wine red when ripe; seed 1 to 4, 3–13 mm long, 3–13 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to flattened ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of six currently described species distributed across Africa. Two species are known from Cameroon, none endemic.
1 | Petiole and midrib glabrous above | |
– | Petiole and midrib pubescent or sparsely pubescent above | |
Cameroon. South Region; 40 km from Kribi, 5 km. E. of Edea road, tract of Fifinda-Bella road (SFIA),
Tree, 7–30 m tall, d.b.h. 3–20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–6 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter,
Known from Cameroon and Gabon; in Cameroon known from the Littoral and South regions.
A common species when present and growing in sympatry with
None recorded, but possibly same as
Least Concern (
None recorded.
This species is very close morphologically to
Gabon. Estuaire; Munda, Sibange Farm,
Tree, 8–45 m tall, d.b.h. 10–125 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent to sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–8 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter,
Known from Nigeria to the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A very common species across the forest zone of Cameroon (growing in sympatry with
Moabé noir (dial. Nzime), Otunga (dial. Fang), Otungui (dial. Ewondo), Ntoulen (dial. Bassa), Botounga, Botunga (dial. Baka).
Least Concern (
See under
Trees, 10–40 m tall, d.b.h. 35–100 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, but trunk strongly fluted. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 1–8 mm long, 1–4 mm in diameter; blade 3.6–36 cm long, 1.2–10 cm wide, elliptic or obovate or ovate, apex acuminate or rounded to obtuse, base cuneate or cordate, concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 5 to 17 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old leafless or young foliate branches, axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 2 whorls, 1 to 3 per inflorescence; pedicel (0)1–15 mm long, 1–5 mm in diameter; in fruit 2–30 mm long, 1–5 mm in diameter; bracts 5 to 6, several basal and two (sometimes fused) on upper half of pedicel; sepals 3, valvate, free, 4–21 mm long, 3–14 mm wide, ovate, apex acute, base truncate; petals 6, in a single whorl and basally fused, tube 2–10 mm long, inner and outer whorl not differentiated, equal or subequal; lobes 9–80 mm long, 3–21 mm wide, margins plicate (folded in bud) or wavy; stamens numerous, in 10 to 13 rows, 1–8 mm long, elongated; connective discoid or elongated; staminodes absent; carpels free, 2 to 16, ovary 2–5 mm long, stigma bilobed or divided into two lobes with margins coiled inwards. Fruit apocarpous, monocarps stipitate or sessile, stipes 0–3 mm long; monocarps 1 to 8, 22–95 mm long, 13–65 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to cylindrical, apex rounded, smooth or rugose or warty, pubescent, orange-brown to medium brown when ripe; seeds 2 to 36, 10–40 mm long, 7–20 mm in diameter, flattened ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of five species, distributed across Africa. Four species are known from Cameroon, one endemic.
This genus of trees is characterized by thin plicate (folded) petals, a unique character for
1 | Leaf apex rounded to obtuse; pedicel 0–2 mm long, in drier regions of northern Cameroon | |
– | Leaf apex acuminate; pedicel 8–25 mm long, in wetter regions of southern Cameroon |
|
2 | Petiole > 2.5 mm in diameter; stamens 6–8 mm long; monocarps irregularly ribbed, rugose | |
– | Petiole < 2.5 mm in diameter; stamens > 5 mm long; monocarps not ribbed, smooth or verrucose |
|
3 | Leaf blade 5–10 cm long, 1.5–4 cm wide, base cuneate; corolla lobes < 30 mm long; stamens ca. 2 mm long; carpels 3–4; monocarps verrucose | |
– | Leaf blade 7–25 cm long, 2.5–8.5 cm wide, base rounded to cordate or occasionally cuneate; corolla lobes > 35 mm long; stamens 3–5 mm long; carpels 7–16; monocarps smooth | |
Cameroon. South Region; Kribi,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the South region.
A rare species, in primary lowland rain forests, sometimes riverine. Altitude 0–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None recorded.
Guinea. Labé; Fouta D’hiallon [Djallon],
A widespread species, known from Guinea-Bissau to the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species across the forested region of the country; in lowland or premontane periodically or non-inundated, primary or secondary rain forests, including gallery forests in savanna. Altitude 0–1000 m a.s.l.
évota, pota (dial. Bibaya, baka), owé (dial. Ewondo,
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Senegal. Tambacounda; Galam prope Bakel,
A widespread species, known from Senegal to northern South Africa, with a disjunct population in southern Angola; in Cameroon known from the North and Far-North regions.
A common species in drier regions of Africa; in woodland, savannas or gallery forests, on sandy soils or in rocky places. Altitude 200–1000 m a.s.l.
Bohili (Fulfuldé) (
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Known from Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo (one specimen); in Cameroon known from the East, South and Central regions.
A fairly scarce species, in primary and secondary lowland and pre-montane rain forest, occasionally in semi-deciduous forests, in periodically inundated forests and on river banks. Altitude 50–900 m a.s.l.
Ooué (dial. Jaundi,
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Trees, 3–30 m tall, d.b.h. 5–60 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs or glabrous. Leaves: petiole 1–15 mm long, 1–4 mm in diameter, blade 8.5–29 cm long, 3–15 cm wide, elliptic or obovate or oblong, apex acuminate, base decurrent to rounded or acute, concolorous; midrib
A genus of trees with 20 known species, 15 in Africa and 5 in Madagascar. In Cameroon nine species are known, none endemic.
1 | Leaves and/or young foliate branches pubescent |
|
– | Leaves and young foliate branches completely glabrous |
|
2 | Leaf blade inserted on top of petiole; lobes glabrous outside, pubescent inside | |
– | Leaf blade inserted on side of petiole; lobes pubescent on both sides | |
3 | Leaf blade inserted on top of petiole |
|
– | Leaf blade inserted on sides of petiole |
|
4 | Flowering pedicels 14–25 mm long, corolla smooth in dried material; corolla lobes 8–15 mm long with flat margins; fruits not ribbed | |
– | Flowering pedicels 3–7 mm long, corolla clearly verrucose in dried material; corolla lobes 15–25 mm long with margins curving inwards; fruits ribbed longitudinally | |
5 | Sepals 4–9 mm long, papyraceous; upper bract, when present, halfway up the pedicel or subbasal, sometimes leaf-like; flowers campanulate | |
– | Sepals 1–3 mm long, coriaceous; upper bract absent or minute; flowers not campanulate |
|
6 | Base of leaf blade acute to obtuse | |
– | Base of leaf blade decurrent to narrowly cuneate |
|
7 | Corolla lobes 4–10 times as long as wide; sepal margins glabrous | |
– | Corolla lobes 1.6–3.5 times as long as wide; sepal margins covered with short appressed hairs |
|
8 | Flowering pedicels 2–7 mm long; corolla lobes with rounded tips, narrowly elliptic to elliptic, the margins sparsely covered with short hairs | |
– | Flowering pedicels 10–20 (-23) mm long; corolla lobes with acute tips, narrowly ovate to ovate, the margins glabrous | |
Cameroon. Northern Region; Bangwe,
Tree to shrub, 10–15 m tall, d.b.h. 10–15 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana) and Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon); in Cameroon known from South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
An infrequent species in Cameroon; in lowland primary and secondary forests, also along rivers. Altitude 0–500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
This species is characterized by its large, foliaceous, and glabrous sepals, not appressed against the corolla tube, as well as the sometimes leaf-like upper bract. It is also a completely glabrous species, a character only shared with
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Lukandu,
Tree, 10–30 m tall, d.b.h. 5–45 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 4–7 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 13–19 cm long, 4–5 cm wide,
A central African species, with a disjunct distribution between the Cameroon Volcanic Line in Cameroon, and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, one collection from Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from the Littoral, North-West and South-West regions.
A common species when present, mainly in montane or premontane rain forests, along rivers and bush land. Altitude 800–1700 m a.s.l.
Ndin (
Least Concern (
This the only species of
Liberia. Montserrado; near Firestone plantations, along Dukwai road,
Tree, 6–18 m tall, d.b.h. 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
A mainly West African species, from Liberia to Ghana, with a few specimens from Cameroon and one from Gabon; in Cameroon known from South and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon; in lowland primary and secondary forests, also along rivers, on sandy soils. Altitude 0–300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bas Congo; Lemba-Luki,
Tree to shrub, 8–15 m tall, d.b.h. 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
A widespread species, but with few overall specimens, from Liberia to Nigeria, and from Cameroon to Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon in the South and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon known from two specimens; in lowland primary and secondary forests. Altitude 0–860 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Estuaire; Environs de Libreville,
Tree to shrub, 15–30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent,
A widespread species from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola (one specimen); in Cameroon known from Adamaoua, East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West, North-West regions.
A relatively rare species in Cameroon; in lowland primary and secondary evergreen forests, but also in semi-deciduous forests, also along rivers. Altitude 0–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kasai Oriental; Lualaba,
Tree, 13 m tall, d.b.h. up to 50 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk not fluted. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A central African species with a disjunct distribution, from Cameroon to Gabon and the Republic of Congo, also present in the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the extreme East region.
A rare species in Cameroon; in lowland rain forests or swampy areas. Altitude 100–450 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable B2ab(iii) (
None reported.
Several specimens collected by Harris DJ are reported from The Lobéké National Park in East Cameroon, but we were not able to see them and verify their identification (e.g.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree, 15–30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 60 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk fluted. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
Known from Nigeria and Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South and South-West regions.
An infrequent species; in lowland rain forests on non-inundated soils. Altitude 0–550 m a.s.l.
Avom (
Endangered (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Massanga (près de Monveda),
Tree to shrub, 3–10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 25 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk not fluted. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–8 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved,
A central African species, known from Cameroon to Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South and East regions.
An infrequent species; in lowland rain forests, near rivers and swamps. Altitude 450–750 m. a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree to shrub, 7–15 m tall, d.b.h. up to 15 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk not fluted. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–6 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, glabrous,
Known from Cameroon to the west of Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South and Littoral regions.
A fairly infrequent species, growing in lowland rain forests. Altitude 0–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Lianas, to 40 m tall, d.b.h. up to 4 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 3–12 mm long, 1–6 mm in diameter, pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 5–28 cm long, 3–12 cm wide, elliptic to obovate to oblong, apex acuminate to emarginate, base rounded to cordate; secondary veins 11 to 20 pairs; tertiary venation percurrent to indistinct. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old leafless branches, extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 3–11 mm long, 1–7 mm in diameter; in fruit 3–7 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter; bracts 2, one basal and one upper towards the lower half of pedicel; sepals 3, valvate, completely fused forming a nearly closed cup but tearing open at anthesis, 10–20 mm long; petals free, outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, imbricate, 30–55 mm long, 15–55 mm wide, ovate, apex acute to rounded, base attenuate; inner petals 3, imbricate, 15–35 mm long, 10–25 mm wide, elliptic to ovate, apex acute, base attenuate to acute; stamens up to 800, in 16 to 20 rows, 2–10 mm long, broad; connective flattened, pubescent, red; staminodes absent; carpels free, 150–175, 2–2.5 mm long, stigma capitate, pubescent. [Fruits only known from
A genus of lianas with three known species, from Angola (Cabinda), Cameroon, Gabon and Republic of Congo; in Cameroon two species, none endemic.
1 | Leaves generally elliptic (sometimes obovate), 5–18 cm long; upper bract not clasping base of flower buds | |
– | Leaves generally obovate (sometimes oblong), 15–28 cm long; upper bract clasping (amplexicaul) around the base of flower buds | |
Gabon. Nyanga; Midounga, near Tchibanga,
Liana, 16–40 m tall, d.b.h. up to 4 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–10 mm long, 1–4 mm in diameter, pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
Known from Angola, Cameroon to Gabon and in the Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South region.
Growing in lowland primary and secondary rain forests. Altitude 50–750 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Gabon. Woleu-Ntem; Ncout,
Liana, 20 m tall, d.b.h. 2–3 cm in diameter; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
Known from southern Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A frequent species when present; growing on non-inundated soils, in primary or secondary forests, sometimes near rivers and swampy areas. Altitude 100–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
See under
Same as species.
A monotypic genus from the Central Atlantic African region (Lower Guinea).
Equatorial Guinea. Rio Muni; Muni River,
Tree, 8–20 m tall, d.b.h. 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
Known from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Gabon and Republic of Congo, one collection for the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South, Littoral and Central regions.
A frequent species when present; growing on swampy, periodically inundated or well-drained soils, in primary or secondary forests, sometimes near rivers and swampy areas. Altitude 50–500 m a.s.l.
mambéléngé, mandongé (dial. Baka bibaya).
Not evaluated (probably
The species was previsously known under the name
Genus description for Cameroon same as species.
A genus of trees or shrubs with five known species (
The genus
Gabon. Nyanga; Mayumba,
Tree, 3–25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 25 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches shortly pubescent. Leaves: petiole 5–10 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, cylindrical, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 8–16 cm long, 4–7 cm wide, obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 1–3 cm long, base cuneate, papyraceous to subcoriaceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib impressed, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 6 to 9 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, extra-axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 5–12 mm long, 0.5–1 mm in diameter, pubescent; in fruit 7–15 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, glabrous; bracts few, reduced to a tuff of hairs, all basal;
Cameroon, Gabon and Bioko island (Equatorial Guinea); in Cameroon known from the South and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon (or at least uncommonly collected); in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Scrambling shrubs or lianas, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 11 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 1–11 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter; blade 3–35 cm long, 1.4–12.5 cm wide, linear to elliptic to ovate to obovate to oblong, apex acuminate to acute, base decurrent to subcordate, discolorous, whitish below; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 6 to 23 pairs; tertiary venation percurrent. Individuals unisexual or bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous or ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, axillary, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with (6-)9 perianth parts in 2 or 3 whorls, 1 to more than 50 per inflorescence with a peduncle from 1 to 70 mm long; pedicel 1–60 mm long; in fruit 2–55 mm long; bracts 2 to 3, one or two basal and one inserted on the pedicel at varying levels; sepals 3, valvate, free, 0.5–10 mm long, ovate to elliptic to triangular, apex acute or obtuse, base truncate; petals free; outer petals 3 or 6 (when petals in one whorl), valvate, 1–50 mm long, 1–25 mm wide, ovate to elliptic, apex acute to rounded, base truncate; inner petals (0-)3, valvate, 0.5–25 mm long, 0.3–10 mm wide, ovate to elliptic to rhombic, apex acute to rounded, base truncate; stamens 1 to more than 125, in 1 to 6 rows, 1–2 mm long, linear or cuneiform to clavate; anthers sometimes connate apically covering connectives, connective discoid to truncate to absent, glabrous or pubescent; staminodes 6 to 12(13) or absent; carpels free, 3 to 150, 1–4 mm long, stigma bilobed or cylindrical or elongate and flattened at top, pubescent or glabrous. Monocarps sessile or stipitate, stipes 1–25 mm long; monocarps 2 to 25, 6–60 mm long, 5–25 mm in diameter, moniliform, cylindrical to ellipsoid, apex rounded to apiculate, smooth or verrucose or weakly torulose; seeds 6–25 mm long, 4–11 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of scrambling shrubs or lianas with 79 known continental African species, from West, Central and East Africa, plus around 23 endemic species from Madagascar. In Cameroon 26 species are known, six endemic.
The genus
In the checklist to the plants of Mt Cameroon (
African species (excluding Madagascar) are revised in
The species of
1 | Young foliate branches covered with erect hairs longer than 0.5 mm, normally around 1 mm long |
|
– | Young foliate branches almost glabrous, or covered with appressed to ascending hairs, or with erect hairs shorter than 0.5 mm. (if in doubt choose this option: |
|
2 | Inflorescences cauliflorous or axillary |
|
– | Inflorescences extra–axillary |
|
3 | Petiole 5–7 mm long; flowers unisexual; female inflorescences cauliflorous; petals < 7 mm | |
– | Petioles 2.5–6 mm long; flowers bisexual, all axillary; petals > 8 mm | |
4 | Leaves smaller than 17 cm; stamens 22 to 34; carpels glabrous; monocarps glabrous or at most with few scattered hairs on the stipe |
|
– | At least several leaves larger than 18 cm; stamens 90 to 120; carpels pubescent; monocarps pubescent |
|
5 | Leaf apex normally obtuse; outer petals 15–19 mm long; carpels 27 to 38; seeds cylindrical, 14–21 mm long; stipes 7–10(–25) mm long | |
– | Leaf apex acute; outer petals 5.8–6.7 mm long; carpels 12 to 24; seeds ellipsoid, 7–8 mm long; stipes 3–4 (–6.5) mm long | |
6 | Hairs on young foliate branches around 1.5 mm long; leaves normally oblong to slightly obovate with broad leaf base and acute apex; outer petals 21–50 mm long; thecae large, covering more than half of the stamen length; carpels 22 to 24 | |
– | Hairs on young foliate branches around 1 mm long; leaves normally oblong–oblanceolate with narrow leaf base and acuminate apex; outer petals 12–22 mm long; thecae small, covering less than half of the stamen length; carpels 40 to 60 | |
7 | Leaves linear to narrowly elliptic, at least 5 times longer than wide, widest in middle or lower half of the leaf, secondary veins almost perpendicular to the primary vein (>75) | |
– | Leaves oblong, elliptic, obovate or oblanceolate, if > 5 times longer than wide then widest in upper half of the leaf and secondary veins forming acute angle with the primary vein (<60) |
|
8 | Inflorescences leaf-opposed or extra–axillary, but not consistently a few mm above the leaf axils |
|
– | Inflorescences cauliflorous, axillary or supra–axillary and then consistently 1–8 mm above the leaf axils |
|
9 | Upper bract leaf-like, 7–15 mm long; stamens 15 | |
– | Upper bract not leaf-like, shorter than 5 mm or absent; stamens 9 or more than 5 mm or absent; stamens 9 or more than 23 |
|
10 | Young foliate branches with sparse hairs not covering the entire surface; old leafless branches light brown or reddish brown |
|
– | Young foliate branches with dense hairs completely covering the surface; old branches dark brown to blackish (or grey in |
|
11 | Branches light brown; stamens 80 to 125; carpels and monocarps hairy | |
– | Branches reddish brown; stamens 23 to 24; carpels and monocarps glabrous | |
12 | Inflorescence a 1 to 8 flowered glomerule–like rhipidium; pedicels 1.2–2(–5) mm long; stamens 9; staminodes 6 | |
– | Inflorescence a solitary flower or a 2 to 4 flowered fascicle; pedicels 5–33 mm long; stamens more than 35; staminodes absent |
|
13 | Petiole 0.8–1.5 mm diam.; pedicels 0.4–0.5 mm diam.; stamens 36 to 48; carpels 11 to 14 | |
– | Petiole 1.6–2.8 mm diam.; pedicels 1.4–2.1 mm diam.; stamens >60; carpels 41 to 50 |
|
14 | Young foliate branches orange brown, densely covered with appressed, orange brown hairs; stamens c. 65 | |
– | Young foliate branches brown, densely covered with appressed, pale brown hairs; stamens >100 | |
15 | Inflorescences cauliflorous, at least most of them (in some species with unisexual flowers the male inflorescences are axillary on foliate branches) |
|
– | Inflorescences axillary or supra–axillary, rarely some inflorescences cauliflorous; flowers always bisexual |
|
16 | Young foliate branches densely covered with erect or curly hairs 0.4–0.6 mm long |
|
– | Young foliate branches covered with appressed to ascending hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long |
|
17 | Young foliate branches with reddish brown hairs; male flowers with 31 to 40 stamens in four whorls; 0 staminodes; carpels c. 120; seeds globose | |
– | Young foliate branches with yellow-brown hairs; male flowers with 6 stamens in one whorl and 12 small staminodes in an external whorl; carpels 80 to 100; seeds ellipsoid | |
18 | Young foliate branches with very short yellow-brown hairs; petiole long and less than 1 mm in diam.; carpels 65 to 85 | |
– | Young foliate branches with very short reddish brown or dark brown hairs; petiole thick, more than 1 mm in diam.; carpels 20 to 60(–76) |
|
19 | Flowers unisexual; female inflorescences cauliflorous in many-flowered panicle–like rhipidia, male inflorescences axillary; stamens 6; staminodes 12; carpels 48 to 60; leaf base rounded to cuneate; secondary veins 11 to 16 | |
– | Flowers bisexual; inflorescences a solitary flower, a few flowered fascicle or a short glomerule; stamens 9; staminodes 9; carpels 20 to 34; leaf base rounded to subcordate; secondary veins 7 to 14 |
|
20 | Leaf base rounded or subcordate; flower buds ovoid, with outer petals and base of the 3 inner petals visible; monocarps with 1 seed; stipes 1–3.5 mm long |
|
– | Leaf base narrowly subcordate; flower buds globose, with inner petals entirely covered by outer petals; monocarps with 1 to 3 seeds; stipes 4.5–12 mm long | |
21 | Leaf underside with dense appressed hairs more than 1 mm long, giving a silky appearance; inflorescences raceme-like or paniculate rhipidia; all 6 petals in one whorl |
|
– | Leaf underside with different pubescence, not silky, the hairs either shorter or not appressed; inflorescences 1-flowered or in few-flowered fascicle-like rhipidia; petals in 2 whorls of 3 |
|
22 | Leaf underside with yellowish hairs; inflorescence a many–flowered panicle-like rhipidium; flower buds depressed-globose | |
– | Leaf underside with whitish hairs; inflorescence a 4–10 flowered raceme-like rhipidium; flower buds deltoid–ovoid | |
23 | Young foliate branches covered with white-yellowish hairs; stamens 6; filaments >1 mm long, much longer than half the total length of the stamen | |
– | Young foliate branches covered with yellowish-brown, reddish brown or dark brown hairs; stamens 8 to 35; filaments <1 mm long, occupying about half or less than the total length of the stamen |
|
24 | Young foliate branches covered with appressed hairs |
|
– | Young foliate branches covered with ascending to erect hairs |
|
25 | Young foliate branches covered with yellowish–brown hairs, 0.2–0.4 mm long; stamens 15 to 17; thecae converging on top of the stamen, leaving only a small part of connective visible from above, filament wider than connective | |
– | Young foliate branches covered with reddish–brown hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long; stamens 8 to 12; thecae on sides of the stamen (not on top) with connective clearly visible from above, as wide as or wider than filament |
|
26 | Leaf base cuneate or sometimes rounded, with slightly thickened black margin; secondary veins forming an acute angle with primary vein, straight at their base; petals 6 in 2 whorls; 1 ovule; monocarps with 1 seed | |
– | Leaf base rounded, sometimes with thick globose glands at the margin; secondary veins curving from base; petals 3 to 4; 3 to 4 ovules; monocarps with 1 to 4 seeds | |
27 | Young foliate branches with dense erect hairs, 0.3–0.4 mm long; stamens 35 in three to four whorls, sparsely hairy; carpels 16 | |
– | Young foliate branches with ascending or erect hairs 0.1–0.3 mm long; stamens 8 to 24 in one or two whorls, glabrous, papillate or with a few hairs on the inner side of the connective; carpels 6 to 21 |
|
28 | Flower bud just before anthesis with only 3 petals visible, inner petals completely covered by outer petals, normally clearly different in shape and smaller; stamens 15 to 24, glabrous, thecae converging on top of the stamen, connective much narrower than width of filament | |
– | Flower bud just before anthesis with inner petals at least partly visible, only slightly differing from outer petals in shape and size; stamens 8 to 15, papillate or with a few hairs on the inner side of the connective, thecae not converging on top of the stamen, connective clearly visible from above and as wide or wider than filament |
|
29 | Petiole 3–5 mm long, 0.8–0.9 mm thick inflorescences cauliflorous, ramiflorous or axillary; flower buds ovoid; stamens 13 to 15, basally connate | |
– | Petiole 4.5–8 mm long, 1.2–2.6 mm thick; inflorescences axillary or slightly supra-axillary; flower buds rounded or slightly ovoid; stamens 9, free |
|
30 | Tertiary venation on upper leaf side strongly raised; inflorescences normally 3 to 16 flowered, with a sympodial rachis 3–17 mm long; ovules 2 to 3; monocarps smooth | |
– | Tertiary venation on upper leaf side flat; inflorescences 1 to 4 flowered, sympodial rachis absent; ovules 4 to 6; monocarps strongly tuberculate-rugulose | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Orientale; Yamboa,
Liana, 30 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent with lenticels,
A central African species, known from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species only known by two collections in Cameroon, in swamp and secondary rain forests. Altitude: 100–650 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None recorded.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. no region; no location,
Shrub to liana, 6 m tall, d.b.h unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon, and the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Adamaoua, East and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon but with a wide distribution; in swamp forests, gallery forests, premontane primary and secondary rain forests. Altitude: 600–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least concern (
None recorded.
Ivory Coast. no region; “l’est du pays d’Attié”,
Shrub to liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent with ascending to erect reddish brown hairs 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaves: petiole 5–8 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7.4–19.7 cm long, 3.4–7.7 cm wide, oblong to oblanceolate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 1.5 cm long,
A west and central African species with a disjunct distribution between Ivory Coast and Cameroon to Gabon, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from Adamaoua and West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon known from two collections; in gallery forests in drier regions, swamp forests, in submontane rain forests and old secondary forest. Altitude 700–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None recorded.
In the fruiting stage,
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Liana, 25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 4 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A central African species, from Nigeria to Gabon and in Equatorial Guinea; in Cameroon known from the Central, Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species; in primary rain forest, old secondary forest and gallery forests. Altitude 0–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None recorded.
The collection
Gabon. no region; Ogooué,
Shrub to liana, 2–5 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent with appressed pale brown hairs 0.7–1.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–ca. 8 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7.5–25 cm long, 1.9–6 cm wide, oblong to oblanceolate or elliptic, apex acuminate to acute, acumen ca. 1.5 cm long, base cuneate to cordate, papyraceous,
A central African species, in Cameroon and Gabon; in Cameroon known from the Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A uncommon species when present, in primary and old secondary rain forest, periodically inundated rain forests, gallery forests or forest edges, on rocky soil. Altitude 50–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None recorded.
Cameroon. Central Region; Ottotomo Forest Reserve,
Liana, up to 20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 4 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent with dense ascending reddish brown hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–5 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 4.5–12 cm long, 1.5–4.5 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen ca. 1 cm long, base cuneate to rounded, papyraceous, below sparsely pubescent when young and old, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below pubescent when young and old; secondary veins 7 to 11 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent. Individuals bisexual;
endemic to Cameroon; known from the Central Region.
A rare species, in lowland old secondary rain forests. Attitude around 700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Critically Endangered (
None recorded.
Gabon. Estuaire; Gaboon River,
Liana, 25 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Littoral and South regions.
An uncommon species; in primary or old secondary rain forests, swamp and gallery forests. Altitude 50–300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the Central and South regions.
A rare species, known from two collections; in primary rain forests. Altitude 0–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Critically Endangered (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, up to 4 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent with dense appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–5 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 4.6–15.4 cm long, 2.3–4.6 cm wide,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the Central and South regions.
In primary lowland rain forests and gallery forests, open rocky spot on sandy soil. Altitude 50–500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
The specimen
Type. Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nord Kivu; Fort Beni à Semliki,
Liana, up to 15 m tall or up to canopy, d.b.h. to 6 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A widespread west and central African species, from Guinea to Ivory Coast, and from Cameroon to the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Uganda; in Cameroon recorded from Adamaoua, Central, East, Littoral, South, South-West regions.
A very common and widespread species; in primary and young or old secondary rain forests, or semi-deciduous forests, submontane forests, gallery forests and swamp forests. Altitude 0–1200 m a.s.l.
Mavembegne (Pygmée name, language not specified).
Least Concern (
None reported.
This is one of the most common species of
Angola. Cuanza Norte; Golungo Alto,
Shrub to liana, 3–6 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A widespread species in Central and East Africa, with a disjunct distribution between Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and western Democratic Republic of the Congo and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and western Tanzania and Kenya; in Cameroon known from the East and South regions.
A fairly uncommon species in Cameroon, known from three collections to date; in gallery forests, lowland rain forest, brachystegia woodlands, forest edges, old secondary forests, montane forests and rocky plateaus. Altitude 300–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, 10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A widespread central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from Central, East, Littoral, South, and South-West regions.
A common species in Cameroon; in lowland or submontane primary and old secondary rain forests, and gallery forests, on rocky soil. Altitude 100–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
In the checklist to the plants of Lebialem (
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Shrub when young (?) to liana, 4 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches reddish brown to yellowish brown, with dense erect reddish brown hairs 0.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 5–7 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 8.8–20 cm long, 5.2–8.9 cm wide, elliptic to oblong, apex acute to obtuse, base rounded to narrowly cuneate, subcoriaceous, below sparsely to densely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib depressed, above densely pubescent when young and old, below densely pubescent to sparsely pubescent when young and old; secondary veins 7 to 10 pairs, glabrous above;
A widespread west and central African species, from Ivory Coast to eastern Nigeria and Cameroon to Gabon, with a disjunct distribution in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the South and South-West regions.
A, uncommon species when present; in primary or secondary rain forests, and gallery forests. Altitude 300–1500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches pubescent to glabrescent,
Known from Nigeria and Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South-West region.
A rare species, in submontane primary forest. Altitude 950 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
It is possible that
Sierra Leone. no region; no location,
Shrub to liana, 4–20 m tall, d.b.h. 10–20 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous,
A mainly west African species, from Sierra Leone to Nigeria, just reaching into Cameroon where known from the South-West region.
A rare species in Cameroon; in primary and secondary rain forests, swamp forests and gallery forests, on river banks and summit ridges. Altitude: 100 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
This species is only known from a single collection in Cameroon to date.
Cameroon. South Region; près de zingui,
Liana, up to 3 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
endemic to Cameroon; known only from the type locality in the South region.
In bushy scrub. Altitude ca. 450 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Critically Endangered (
None reported.
Equatorial Guinea. Bioko Norte; Fernando Poo,
Shrub to liana, up to 3 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A mainly west African species from Guinea to Ivory Coast, and eastern Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea; in Cameroon known from the Central, Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A fairly uncommon species in Cameroon; in primary and secondary rain forest, in swamp forests, gallery forests. Altitude 50–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Throughout its range,
Gabon. Ogooué-Lolo; région de Lastoursville,
Liana, 7 m tall, d.b.h. up to 4 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A central African species, from Cameroon to Angola; in Cameroon known from the East and South regions.
A rare taxon in Cameroon; in lowland primary rain forests, gallery forests, along river banks and forest edges along savannas. Altitude 100–450 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
The variety
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Bikoro,
Shrub to liana, 20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A widespread West and Central African species, from Sierra Leone to Nigeria and Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola; in Cameroon known from the Central, North and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in primary or old secondary lowland or submontane forests, forest pockets in savanna and gallery forests. Altitude 300–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. East Region; Nkoum,
Liana, 30 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East and South regions.
An uncommon species; in primary and old secondary rain forests, gallery forests and swamp forests, on sandy clay. Altitude 300–750 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. Central Region; Yaoundé-Station,
Shrub to liana, up to 7 m tall, d.b.h. up to 1 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent with dense appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–6 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 5.5–20 cm long, 2.8–6.7 cm wide, elliptic to oblanceolate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 1.5 cm long, base subcordate, subcoriaceous, below pubescent when young and old, above sparsely pubescent to glabrous when young and old,
A central African species from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Angola; in Cameroon known from the Central and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon, only known from two collections; in primary or old secondary rain forests, swamp forests, gallery forests, on rocky soil and along river banks. Altitude: 500–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Ogooué-Ivindo; north of Koumameyong along SHM lumber roads,
Liana, 20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent with appressed reddish-brown hairs 0.5 mm long. Leaves: petiole 4–8 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 8.5–23.5 cm long, 3.3–6.6 cm wide, ovate to oblanceolate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 0.5–2.7 cm long, base cuneate to broadly cuneate with small linear black glands, chartaceous,
A central African species from Gabon and Cameroon; in Cameroon known from Littoral and South regions.
A rare species in Cameroon; in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 300–350 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Fruits were unknown when the species was first published (
The presence of
Gabon. Woleu-Ntem; region de Bitam,
Shrub scrambling when young (?) to liana to ca. 3 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A central African species from Cameroon to Gabon and Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from Adamaoua region.
A rare species in Cameroon; in montane forests margins, near roads and on river banks. Altitude 1200–1300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Mbandaka, Eala,
Liana, 20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 2 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent,
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from the East region.
Very frequent when present (
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
Gabon. Woleu-Ntem; on road from Mitzic to Lalara (N2), just after the bridge over the Lara,
Scrambling shrub to liana, up to 6 m tall, d.b.h. up to 2 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs to glabrous; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent with dense appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs 0.2–0.4 mm long. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, pubescent with appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
A central African species, from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central and Littoral regions.
A fairly common species when present, but collected only twice in Cameroon; in primary and old secondary rain forests, along small streams, sometimes on sandy soils. Altitude 100–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
The first author has seen this species numerous times across central Africa, either as a young sapling on the ground or a young liana, but was never able to find any flowering or fruiting material. The DNA analyses indicated that
Cameroon. Littoral Region; Nlonako,
Liana, 6–10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 5 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches pubescent with short 0.1–0.2 mm long appressed to half-erect yellowish hairs. Leaves: petiole 6–10 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, pubescent, weakly grooved adaxially, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 7.2–14.1 cm long, 2.1–3.5 cm wide,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South-West and Littoral regions.
In sub-montane or montane rain forests and swamp forests. Altitude 800–1700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Specimens identified as
Cameroon. East Region; 15 km E of Dimako, village halfway Bertoua-Doumé,
Liana, 3 m tall, d.b.h. to 11 cm. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches pubescent with very short appressed reddish brown hairs 0.1 mm long. Leaves: petiole 2–8 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 4.2–16.2 cm long, 1.8–5.3 cm wide, oblong to elliptic, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base rounded, subcoriaceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above sparsely pubescent to glabrous when young and old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib impressed, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, below pubescent when young, sparsely pubescent when old; secondary veins 7 to 10 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent
A Central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon, in Cameroon known from the East region.
A rare species, known from a single collection in Cameroon; in lowland primary or secondary rain forests, on hillsides. Altitude ~650 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Nigeria. Benue State; Abinsi,
Scandent shrub to liana, 3 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent with appressed reddish brown hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm long, 1 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent with appressed reddish brown hairs, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 9.7–17.5 cm long, 2.5–5.6 cm wide,
Known from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, Nigeria and just reaching into Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South-West region.
An infrequent species in Cameroon known from a single collection; in gallery or swamp forests, savannah open woodland and open high forest. Growing in cracks of schist rocks, on rocky islands, on loamy soil and on black clay. Altitude ~800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
The only specimen of this species from Cameroon was initially identified as
Cameroon. South-West Region; NW du Mt Cameroon,
Liana, to 20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent with appressed yellowish hairs 0.2 mm long to almost glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–6 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent with appressed yellowish hairs, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 5.6–11.8 cm long, 2.3–3.9 cm wide, oblong elliptic, apex acuminate to acute, acumen up to 2 cm long, base rounded to narrowly cuneate or cordate, papyraceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib impressed, above sparsely pubescent when young and old, below sparsely pubescent when young and old; secondary veins 8 to 12 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old leafless branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 19–25 mm long, 0.5–1 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent; in fruit 20–37 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter; basal bract ca. 1 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide; upper bract,
From Nigeria to Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the North-West, South-West and West regions.
In sub-montane rain forest and on forest edges. Altitude 800–2600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
In the check list to the plants of Mt Oku (
Liberia. Sinon; Sinoe Basin,
Shrub to liana, 2–50 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent with appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs 0.2 mm long. Leaves: petiole 1–7 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, densely pubescent with appressed to ascending reddish brown hairs, weakly grooved adaxially, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 8.8–19.4 cm long, 3.5–8.5 cm wide, obovate, apex acuminate to acute, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base subcordate, papyraceous to subcoriaceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib sunken or flat, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old; secondary veins 8 to 14 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent, sometimes not visible. Individuals bisexual;
A mainly West African species, from Sierra Leone to Benin, and Nigeria to Cameroon; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species just reaching in Cameroon and known by a single collection in Cameroon, in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests, swampy forests, gallery forests and in savanna regions. Altitude 0–50 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South region.
Only known from the type collection, in lowland rain forests. Altitude ca. 200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Critically Endangered (
None reported.
Trees, rarely shrubs or rarely lianas, 4–40 m tall, d.b.h. 6–100 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs, or absent. Leaves: petiole 2–14 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 4–50 cm long, 2–15 cm wide, elliptic or obovate or oblong or ovate, apex acuminate, acumen ca. 1 cm long; base cuneate to rounded, concolorous; midrib
A genus of trees with 14 known species, from West, Central and East Africa. In Cameroon six species are known, one endemic.
1 | Inner petals with two conspicuously hairy appendages at midpoint on margins of the blade | |
– | Inner petals lacking two conspicuously hairy appendages at midpoint on margins of the blade |
|
2 | Margin of outer petals straight, with two small lobes at the base (rare) | |
– | Margin of outer petals undulate or crisped, without two small lobes at the base |
|
3 | Inner petals 20–35 mm long, with claw less than 1/3 of the length of the blade; receptacle strongly convex. |
|
– | Inner petals 4–17 mm long, claw more than 1/3 of the length of the blade; receptacle slightly convex to flat. |
|
4 | Upper bract with clearly undulate margins, elliptic to obovate; flowering pedicels 7–27 cm long, in fruit 30–35 cm long; fruit generally globose, finely ribbed, glabrous | |
– | Upper bract with straight margins, very broadly ovate; flowering pedicels 3–5.5 cm long, in fruit shorter than 10 cm long; fruit generally ovoid, not finely ribbed, tomentose | |
5 | Inner petals with hairs 2–3 mm long on inner surface; outer petals crisped; fruit conspicuously 5 to 7-ribbed, otherwise smooth. | |
– | Inner petals glabrous on inner surface; outer petals undulate; fruit rugose, bumpy, not ribbed | |
Angola. Malanje; Pungo Andongo,
Tree, 18–20 m tall, d.b.h. 10–25 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent.
A widespread species from eastern Nigeria to northern Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, western Tanzania and northern Zambia, with one collection from Ivory Coast; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central and Adamaoua regions.
Fairly uncommon in Cameroon; in primary, secondary, and montane rain forests, gallery forest, sometimes in dry forests. Altitude 0–1800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
None reported.
Least Concern (
Cameroon. South Region; 9 km N. of Kribi,
A widespread species present in West and Central Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and from southeastern Nigeria to Gabon; in Cameroon known from South and South-West regions.
An uncommon species in Cameroon; in primary and secondary rain forests and along streams, generally on sandy soil. Altitude 0–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cheek and Cable (1998) mention from Mt Cameroon an
Jamaica. Cultivated, obtained from Banks: holotype: BM.
Tree, 30–40 m tall, d.b.h. 40–100 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs if present; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous, covered with a whitish wax. Leaves:
A widespread species, from Sierra Leone to northern Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, western Kenya and Tanzania, also on the Island of São Tomé; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West and Adamaoua (one collection) regions.
A common species with a wide ecological amplitude, in primary and secondary rain forests, sometimes along rivers and near marshes, on sandy or rocky soils. Altitude 0–1600 m a.s.l.
Avom (
Least Concern (
Nigeria. Lagos State; Eppah,
Tree, 10–20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 60 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–7 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 6–21 cm long, 2–7.5 cm wide, ovate to elliptic, apex acuminate, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base cuneate, coriaceous to papyraceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib raised above, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 9 to 15 pairs, glabrous below; tertiary venation intermediate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old leafless branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 25–75 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous; in fruit 30–70 mm long, 3–4 mm in diameter, glabrous; bracts 1, upper only, towards the upper half of pedicel, 55–65 mm long, 10–30 mm wide; sepals 3, valvate, free, 10–35 mm long, 4–16 mm wide, ovate, apex rounded to attenuate, base truncate, green with red-brown markings, pubescent towards margins outside, pubescent towards margins inside, margins wavy; petals basally fused, tube 2–3 mm long, inner and outer whorl differentiated, outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, 30–90 mm long, 25–30 mm wide, ovate, apex acute to rounded, base truncate, yellow-greenish, streaked with red-brown, base shading into bright white, margins wavy, glabrous outside, glabrous inside; inner petals 3, valvate, 10–35 mm long, 6–10 mm wide,
A widespread species across West and central Africa, from Guinee-Bissau to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from Central, East, Littoral, South or South-West regions.
A common species with a wide ecological amplitude, in evergreen primary and secondary rain forests, gallery forests, and disturbed and deciduous forests, sometimes in gallery forest (Benin), on sandy soils. Altitude 0–800 m a.s.l.
Orchid tree, African nutmeg (English) (
Least Concern (
None reported.
Nigeria. no region; no location,
Tree, up to 20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 100 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–14 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 10–40 cm long, 8–15 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 3–9 cm long, base rounded to obtuse, coriaceous to papyraceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib raised above, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 9 to 17 pairs, glabrous below; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers bisexual with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence;
A widespread species, disjunct between West Africa (Sierra Leone to Togo) and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon and São Tome Island); in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A fairly uncommon species even though it has been collected numerous times in Cameroon; in lowland primary and secondary rain forests, along rivers and in swamps. Altitude 0–700 m a.s.l.
Yellow-Flowering Nutmeg (English) (
Least Concern (
Cameroon. Central Region; Yaoundé,
Leaning tree [or liana?], to 6 m tall, d.b.h. up to 6 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 1 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 10–15 cm long, 8–14 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 3–6 cm long, base rounded to obtuse, coriaceous to papyraceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, concolorous; midrib raised above, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 10 to 13 pairs, glabrous below; tertiary venation intermediate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers bisexual with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 28–50 mm long, 1 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent; in fruit unknown; bracts 1, towards the upper half or middle of pedicel, 11–20 mm long, 10–13 mm wide; sepals 3, valvate, free, 2–5 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, ovate, apex acute, base truncate, green to brown-red, glabrous outside, glabrous inside, margins flat; petals basally fused, tube 4–7 mm long, inner and outer whorl differentiated, outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, 35–45 mm long, 20–28 mm wide, ovate, apex acute to obtuse, base truncate flanked by two small lobes, speckled and streaked yellow-purple, base creamy-white,
endemic to Cameroon; known from Central, East, South regions.
A rare species, not collected recently; in secondary and disturbed lowland rain forests. Altitude 600–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated (certainly threatened).
None reported.
A widespread genus with five species (including
When sterile, this genus can be confused with
1 | Large trees taller than 8 m and larger than10 cm in d.b.h.; flowering peduncles ramified (arbuscular-like); flowers usually cauliflorous, sometimes ramiflorous on old leafless branches, rarely on young leafy branches; petals brown and thick; monocarps tomentose brown | |
– | Small trees smaller than 10 m tall and smaller than10 cm in d.b.h.; flowering peduncles not ramified (unbranched); petals flat, yellow to green; monocarps glabrous. |
|
2 | Young foliate branches densely pubescent, lower side of leaf blades covered with erect slightly curly hairs, outer petals 8–15 mm wide, monocarps sessile, pyramidal | |
– | Young foliate branches glabrous or sparsely pubescent, lower side of leaf blades covered with appressed short and straight hairs, monocarps stipitate, ellipsoid to fusiform |
|
3 | Inflorescences single or more rarely 2 flowered; monocarps fusiform, longitudinally ribbed (species not observed in Cameroon yet) | |
– | Inflorescences 2 to 4 flowered; monocarps ellipsoid, not ribbed | |
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Tree to shrub or scandent shrub, 3–5 m tall, d.b.h. 6–20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
From Nigeria to Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, South-West and South West regions.
A common species across its range; in secondary forests and along roads and swampy areas. Altitude 300–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
From Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South, Central Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in primary or old secondary rain forests, non-inundated soils. Altitude 200–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
This species is closely related to
We transfer
In addition, we also consider the name
Gabon. Ogooué-Lolo; Lastoursville,
Tree, 5–25 m tall, d.b.h. 10–30 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
Southern Cameroon and Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species in Cameroon; in primary or old secondary rain forests on non-inundated soils. Altitude 200–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Trees, 1–20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 21 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 2–11 mm long, 1–6 mm in diameter; blade 7–66 cm long, 3–3 cm wide, ovate or elliptic or obovate or oblong, apex acuminate to emarginate, acumen 0.2–2.7 cm long, base cordate to decurrent, blade inserted on top of the petiole,
A genus of 13 species from West and Central Africa (no species yet known from East Africa); all species are present in Cameroon, six endemic, making it the center of diversity for this genus.
compact: internodes are shorter than 1 cm giving a very compact appearance to the inflorescence.
lax or sub-lax: internodes are between 1 and 4 cm long, leading to more or less long inflorescences. This is found in most species.
panicle-like: internodes between 5 and 10.5 cm long leading to long pendant inflorescences.
We shall refer to these terms in the descriptions below and the key. Finally, we end up with the pedicel and flower
1 | Petioles, young foliate branches and leaf midribs densely tomentose golden-brown, secondary veins (30)40 to 65 pairs, rarely less than 40 |
|
|
– | Petioles, young foliate branches and leaf midrib not tomentose, but either glabrous, densely pubescent or hispid; secondary veins less than 40 |
|
|
2 | Leaf base decurrent to cuneate, secondary veins 58 to 65; petiole 2–4 mm long; fruits verrucose, verrucate, very shortly pubescent; above 1000 m elevation. | |
|
– | Leaf base acute to obtuse or rarely broadly cordate, secondary veins 30 to 40; petiole 4–11 mm long; fruits smooth or puncticulate, brown tomentose; below 1,000 m elevation | |
|
3 | Leaf base rounded. |
|
|
– | Leaf base acute, obtuse or cuneate |
|
|
4 | Leaf blade narrowly oblong to oblong, rarely narrowly obovate, shiny above; carpels 9–12. | |
|
– | Leaf blade obovate to narrowly obovate, narrowly elliptic to elliptic, matt above; carpels 3–8 |
|
|
5 | Petiole and young foliate branches hispid, hairs up to 4 mm long; petiole 4–7 mm long; leaf blade 7–24 cm long, glabrous between the veins below | |
|
– | Petiole and young foliate branches densely pubescent, hairs shorter than 4 mm, petiole 2–4 mm long; leaf blade 25–41 cm long, sparsely pubescent between the veins below | |
|
6 | Upper side of the leaf blade pubescent at least towards the base and the midrib. |
|
|
– | Upper side of the leaf blade glabrous even at the base and near the midrib |
|
|
7 | Leaf blade 11.5–20.5 cm long, petiole 3–4 mm long; young foliate branches hispid; inflorescence 30–270 cm long; carpels 3 to 4; monocarp broadly ovoid, tuberculate and pubescent. |
|
|
– | Leaf blade 21–41 cm long, petiole 6–7 mm long; young foliate branches not hispid, but normally pubescent; inflorescence up to 8 cm long; carpels c. 5; monocarps (sub) globose, verrucose and glabrous | |
|
8 | Leaf blade elliptic to narrowly elliptic. |
|
|
– | Leaf blade obovate to very narrowly obovate |
|
|
9 | Petiole 6–8 mm long; leaf base obtuse; inflorescence composed of 2 to 5 rhipidia; sepals 1.8–3 mm long, carpels 4; monocarps shortly pubescent | . | |
– | Petiole 3–4 mm long; leaf base cuneate; inflorescence composed of 1(2) rhipidia; sepals 5–6 mm long; carpels 3; monocarps glabrous on old fruits (shortly pubescent on young ones) | |
|
10 | Inflorescence composed of a single flower; carpel generally one, sometimes 3, more rarely 4 | |
|
– | Inflorescence composed of more than 2 multi-flowered rhipidia; carpels 4 or more |
|
|
11 | Monocarps ovoid or ellipsoid, obtuse at the base, smooth or puncticulate, finely pubescent to glabrous. | |
|
– | Monocarps ellipsoid, aculeate, rarely verrucate, sparsely pubescent to glabrous. Cameroon, Gabon | |
|
– | Monocarps oblong, often transversally ribbed, bumpy and puncticulate (blister like), glabrous | |
Cameroon. South Region; Ebolowa,
Tree, 8–10 m tall, d.b.h. 6–20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
From Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from the Central, South and Littoral regions.
An uncommon species; in lowland rain forests on non-inundated soils. Altitude 0–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable B2ab(iii) (
None reported.
Ivory Coast: Bas-Sassandra; Cavally basin, Tepos country: Grabo and surrounding villages, at the foot of Mount Copé,
Tree to shrub, 1–10 m tall, d.b.h. 6–7 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7–24 cm long, 3–6.5 cm wide,
A mainly West African species from Liberia to Togo and Nigeria; in Cameroon known from the South and South-West regions.
In the understory of primary and secondary rain forests on granitic and clay soils. Altitude 100–700(–1300) m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Equatorial Guinea. Rio Muni; Kongui River,
Tree, 8–10 m tall, d.b.h. 12–15 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–3 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 12–30 cm long, 4–8.5 cm wide, obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 1.4–1.7 cm long, base obtuse to acute, papyraceous, below pubescent when young, glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib impressed, above glabrous when young and old, below pubescent when young and old; secondary veins 19 to 27 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous, peduncle like base 5–20 mm long, axial internodes 10–150 mm long,
From Cameroon to Gabon, one specimen from Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in forests and plantations on black volcanic soils. Altitude 200–1000 m a.s.l.
nom otoungui (Dial. Boulou,
Near Threatened B2ab(iii) (
None reported.
Cameroon. Littoral Region; around Douala,
Tree, 8–30 m tall, d.b.h. 12–15 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 9.5–26 cm long, 3.5–10 cm wide, obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 0.5–1.8 cm long, base obtuse to acute, papyraceous, below sparsely pubescent when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, discolorous, whitish below; midrib impressed, above glabrous when young and old, below pubescent to tomentose when young, pubescent to tomentose when old; secondary veins 17 to 33 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation percurrent. Individuals bisexual; inflorescence cauliflorous, peduncle like base 15–65 mm long, axial internodes 5–35 mm long, compact to lax,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the Littoral and South-West regions.
A fairly uncommon species; in the understory of submontane and lowland rain forests. Altitude 200–900 m a.s.l.
Niock (Dial. Yaoundé,
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) (
None reported.
In the check list of the plants of Mt. Kupe and Bakossi (
Cameroon. South Region; around Bipinde,
Tree, 4–16 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South and South-West regions.
A rare species; in the understory of lowland primary rain forests. Altitude 0–120 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Tree, 6–18 m tall, d.b.h. 15–21 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–3 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 14–31 cm long, 7–9 cm wide,
From Cameroon to the Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the South and Central regions.
A rare species in Cameroon; in forest edges or in closed forests along rivers. Altitude 50–500 m a.s.l.
Nom-owé (Dial. Yaoundé,
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South-West Region; above small Koto village (Mt. Cameroon),
Tree, 5–10 m tall, d.b.h. 10–20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 6–7 mm long, 3–4 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 25–41 cm long, 9–16 cm wide,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South, Littoral and South-West regions.
A rare species; in primary or secondary lowland or premontane rain forests on black volcanic soils, sometimes in plantations. Altitude 550–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable B2ab(iii,iv) (
None reported.
The monocarps of
Cameroon. South-West Region; Korup National Park,
Tree, up to 10 m tall, d.b.h. 17 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 6–8 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 23.5–36.5 cm long, 6.5–8.5 cm wide,
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South and South-West regions.
A very rare species known from five collections; in primary rain forest on well-drained sandy soils, intermixed with crystalline rocks. Altitude c. 100 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Dundusana,
Tree, 8–10 m tall, d.b.h. 18 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent, trunk funneled. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
From Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one specimen from Ghana and two from Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South, Central, Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in lowland rain forest understory, often on inundated or swampy soils and along rivers. Altitude 30–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree, 8–10 m tall, d.b.h. 10–15 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 13–21 cm long, 3–8 cm wide,
Known from Cameroon and Gabon, and probably present in Equatorial Guinea; in Cameroon known from South, Central and Littoral regions.
A common species within its range; in the understory of old secondary or primary lowland rain forests, often on swampy soils. Altitude 200–900 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Woleu-Ntem; Oyem,
Tree, 2–6 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 11–27 cm long, 4–9 cm wide,
Known from Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from South and South-West regions.
A rarely collected species in Cameroon; in rain forests on the slope of mountains. Altitude 450–900 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable B2ab(iii) (
None reported.
Cheek and Cable (1998, p. 11) mention two specimens as
Nigeria. Cross River State; Old Calabar,
Tree, up to 12 m tall, d.b.h. 8–10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, densely pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 25–41 cm long, 9–17.2 cm wide,
A central African species, from south eastern Nigeria to Gabon; in Cameroon known from East, South and mainly South-West regions.
A fairly uncommon species; in the understory of primary and old secondary rain forests. Altitude 50–390 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South-West Region; Rumpi Mountains, between Lokando and Dikome Balue, 30 km NNW Kumba,
Tree, up to 25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent,
Endemic to Cameroon; known from the South-West and Littoral regions.
A fairly uncommon species; in submontane rain forests. Altitude 900–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
See under
Trees, 5–12 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 2–8 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, blade 9–34 cm long, 3–10 cm wide, oblong to obovate to elliptic, apex acuminate to acute, base cuneate to rounded, discolorous, whitish below; midrib sunken or flat or raised; secondary veins 9 to 17 pairs; tertiary venation intermediate to percurrent. Species unisexual and bisexual, androdioecious, inflorescences ramiflorous on young foliate or old leafless branches, axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 4 per inflorescence; male and bisexual flowers similar; pedicel 5–10 mm long; in fruit 5–15 mm long; bract 1, basal, 2–3 mm long; sepals 3, valvate, basally or entirely fused, 1–4 mm long, triangular to ovate, apex acute, base truncate; petals free, petals subequal or outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, valvate, 10–25 mm long, 5–9 mm wide, oblong to elliptic to ovate, apex acute, base truncate; inner petals 3, valvate, 5–14 mm long, 3–7 mm wide, oblong or elliptic to obovate, apex acute, base truncate; stamens 90 to 200 (or numerous), in 7 to 20 rows, 1–6 mm long, linear or clavate; connective discoid, glabrous; staminodes absent; carpels free, 2 to 9, ovary 2–4 mm long, stigma cylindrical, glabrous or pubescent. Monocarps sessile, 2 to 7, 20–110 mm long, 10–30 mm in diameter, oblong to obovoid, apex rounded, glabrous, smooth or ribbed; seeds biseriate, 5–20 mm long, 3–10 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.
no recent revision, but see
A genus of ca. eight species; in Cameroon three species are reported, none endemic.
1 | Leaf blades glabrous on lower surface, midrib raised above; outer petals 20–25 mm long | |
– | Leaf blades pubescent (sparsely or densely) on lower surface, midrib impressed, not raised; outer petals 10–15 mm long |
|
2 | Petiole 5–8 mm long; petals subequal, inner petals 10–14 mm long; fruits obovoid, 20–30 mm long, 15–25 mm in diameter, smooth not ribbed, white. | |
– | Petiole 2–3 mm long; outer petals longer than inner, inner petals 5–7 mm long; fruits oblong, irregularly and transversally ribbed, green | |
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree, up to 8 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves:
From Cameroon to Gabon, in Cameroon known from the South and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon; in premontane primary rain forests. Altitude: 100–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
See under
The collection
Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Tree, 5–12 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves:
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West Africa, and central Africa, from eastern Nigeria to Gabon. In Cameroon known from Littoral, South and South West regions.
A common species when present; in lowland or premontane primary rain forests. Altitude: 100–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Ogooué-Lolo; Poungui,
Tree, 5–6 m tall, d.b.h. up to 10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 5–6 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 13–31 cm long, 3.6–5 cm wide, oblong, apex acuminate, acumen 0.5–1 cm long, base narrowly cuneate to shortly attenuate, coriaceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old, (concolorous or) discolorous, whitish below;
From Cameroon to Gabon, and one collection from Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the Littoral and South regions.
An uncommon and rarely collected species in Cameroon; in lowland or premontane primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude: 0–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Same as species.
Gabon. Estuaire; Monts de Cristal, near first bridge after Kinguele,
Tree, 4–6 m tall, d.b.h. 2–4 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–4 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 20–26 cm long, 4.5–9 cm wide, ovate to elliptic or obovate,
Cameroon and Gabon; in Cameroon known from the Littoral region.
A rare species, only collected once in 1973 in Cameroon, but it is common in the forest understory when present (e.g. Monts de Cristal, Gabon); in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests on non-inundated soils. Altitude 100–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
In the original description, we didn’t have access to a fruiting specimen. Here, we provide a description of the fruit (
Same as species.
A genus with four species having a disjunct distribution between Africa and South East Asia. Two species are known from Africa, one (
The Central African species was initially placed within
Equatorial Guinea. Bioko, Fernando
A central African species, from Nigeria to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea; in Cameroon known from the Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species, in lowland or submontane primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not assessed yet.
None reported.
In the check list to the plants of Mt Kupe and Bakossi (
Same as species.
A small genus of four species (
There is no revision available for this genus yet, but
Gabon. Ogooué-Ivindo; Belinga,
A central African species, known from Gabon, Cameroon and Republic of Congo. In Cameroon known from the East region (one collection).
A very rare species across its range. In primary rain forests. Altitude ca. 400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Lianas, up to 20(–30) m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm. Indumentum of star, fasciculate and/or simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 2–15 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter; blade 5–26 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, elliptic, ovate, obovate or oblong, apex acuminate to obtuse, base acute to cordate, discolorous, whitish below or concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 6 to 25 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate or percurrent. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous and ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 5 per inflorescence; pedicel 2–50 mm long; in fruit 5–60 mm long; bracts 2 (or 1), one basal and one upper, 1–15 mm long; sepals 3, valvate (or imbricate), free or basally fused or completely fused tearing at anthesis, 2–20 mm long, ovate or triangular to semiorbicular, apex acute or acuminate or truncate, base truncate; petals free; outer petals 3, valvate or imbricate, 7–35 mm long, 5–25 mm wide, ovate to elliptic to obovate to semiorbicular, apex acute to rounded, base truncate; inner petals 3,
A diverse genus of ca. 200 species distributed across Africa (west to east), Madagascar and in South East Asia, 17 species occur in Cameroon, one endemic.
There has yet to be a complete taxonomic revision of African and Malagasy
In the key below, we tried to use as many vegetative characters as possible, although in some cases flower or fruit characters are needed. Using mainly vegetative characters is an advantage, but also has drawbacks linked to some characters that can be variable (e.g. pubescent density could vary). The user should be aware of that and check the descriptions and illustrations carefully to confirm identification.
We provide here illustrations to the different types of hairs and combinations which will help with the key (Fig.
1 | Young foliate branches and petioles sparsely pubescent, glabrescent or glabrous |
|
– | Young foliate branches and petiole tomentose to densely pubescent |
|
2 | Upper side of leaf blade completely glabrous even along the midrib in old leaves |
|
– | Upper side of leaf blade pubescent, at least along the midrib |
|
3 | Leaves generally oblong, leaf base largely cordate, inflorescence 1 to 3 flowered, flowering pedicel < 10 mm long, monocarps sessile | |
– | Leaves elliptic to ovate, leaf base acute to rounded or subcordate, inflorescence one flowered, flowering pedicel > 10 mm long, monocarps stipitate |
|
4 | Sepals valvate; stipes 10–15 mm long, monocarps cylindrical | |
– | Sepals imbricate, stipes 20–30 mm long, monocarps ellipsoid, smooth, two-ribbed | |
5 | Tertiary veins percurrent (parallel) but not very visible; sepals free in bud not tearing at anthesis, monocarps globose (10–18 × 10–18 mm) | |
– | Tertiary veins reticulate (network-like); sepals completely fused in bud and tearing at anthesis; monocarps cylindrical (13–45 × 6–20 mm) |
|
6 | Leaf margin thickened, leaf base acute, secondary veins > 14 and weak | |
– | Leaf base rounded, subcordate to obtuse, secondary veins < 14 and prominent |
|
7 | Lower side of leaf blade densely to sparsely pubescent with simple or fasciculate hairs; blade connective of stamens tongue shaped | |
– | Lower side of leaf blade glabrous; connective of stamens discoid | |
8 | Leaves strongly discolorous, their lower surface completely covered with minute stellate hairs obscuring the tertiary venation |
|
– | Leaves green on both sides, their lower surface clearly visible between the hairs and with conspicuous tertiary venation |
|
9 | Lower side of leaf blade with a dense lower layer of minute stellate hairs and a more scattered upper layer of larger stellate hairs, secondary veins > 15, prominent below, tertiary veins percurrent. |
|
– | Lower side of leaf blade with stellate hairs of two sizes, but not forming conspicuous distinct strata, secondary veins < 15, not prominent below, tertiary veins reticulate |
|
10 | Upper side of leaf blade pubescent with stellate; sepals free, reflexed, flower bud pyramidal | |
– | Upper side of leaf blade generally glabrous above; sepals completely fused in bud and tearing at anthesis, flower bud globose | |
11 | Upper side of leaf blade smooth and glabrous; sepals basally fused, flowering pedicel 5–8 mm long, monocarps globose and rounded with stipes 25–40 mm long | |
– | Upper side of leaf blade pubescent with minute scabrid hairs, sepals fused (but not tearing at anthesis); flowering pedicel 10–30 mm long, monocarps cylindrical and apiculate with stipes 10–15 mm long | |
12 | Tertiary veins reticulate (network) |
|
– | Tertiary veins percurrent (parallel) |
|
13 | Upper side of leaf blades and midrib pubescent |
|
– | Upper side of leaf blades glabrous, midrib pubescent or not |
|
14 | Both sides of leaf blade with simple and stellate hairs; monocarps ellipsoid, shortly pubescent | |
– | Lower side of leaf blade with long fasciculate hairs, upper side with sparse non-scabrid simple hairs; monocarps club-shaped, densely pubescent, hispid | |
15 | Twigs and lower side of leaf blade with intermixed simple and stellate hairs; monocarps subglobose and long-stipitate. | |
– | Twigs and lower side of leaf blade with fasciculate or simple hairs only; monocarps cylindrical, shortly stipitate (unknown in |
|
16 | Secondary veins > 13 pairs; sepals completely fused in bud and tearing at anthesis, monocarps cylindrical (13–45 × 6–20 mm) (common, widespread) | |
– | Secondary veins < 13 pairs; sepals not fused, fruits unknown (rare, endemic) | |
17 | Upper side of leaf blades usually with simple scabrid (hard) hairs (but sometimes almost glabrous), monocarps sessile forming a compact fruit | |
– | Upper side of leaf blades usually with simple non-scabrid (hard) hairs, monocarps medium to long stipiate |
|
18 | Lower side of leaf blade with long fasciculate hairs; inflorescence with up to 5 flowers and usually cauliflorous, monocarps cylindrical with up to four ribs | |
– | Lower side of leaf blade with minute stellate hairs; inflorescence one flowered and never cauliflorous, monocarps globose, verrucose, not ribbed |
|
19 | Leaf blade with simple hairs above and stipitate stellate hairs below, secondary veins > 16; sepals free, stipes more than twice as long as monocarps, 30 to 35 monocarps | |
– | Leaf blade glabrous above and with sessile stellate hairs below, secondary veins < 16; sepals fused, not tearing at anthesis, stipes as long as the monocarps, 8 to 2 monocarps | |
Sierra Leone. Southern Province; between Kahreni and Port Lokko,
Liana, ca. 3 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple or fasciculate 4 or 3 branched hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous,
A mainly west African species, just reaching into Cameroon with a single collection to date, in the North-West region.
A rare species in Cameroon (a single collection); along scrub vegetation near cultivation. Altitude 10–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Angola. Malanje; Pungo Andongo,
Liana, 2–6 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of mixed simple, fasciculate or stellate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent,
A widespread tropical African species, occurring from Sierra Leone to Central African Republic, Sudan and Ethiopia, and from Kenya to Zambia, one of the few
A common species in Cameroon; mainly occurring in gallery forests in drier regions of the country but also in rain forests. Altitude 500–1400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Ogooué-Ivindo; Bélinga,
Liana, 5–20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of stellate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent,
Different type of hairs on lower side of leaf blades in Cameroonian
A central African species, known from Gabon, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon only known from the South West region.
An uncommon species in Cameroon; mainly occurring in submontane or montane rain forests. Altitude 800–1300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Cheek and Cable (1998, p. 12) tentatively named
Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Liana, unknown height, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of stellate, minute hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent, young foliate branches tomentose. Leaves: petiole 4–8 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, tomentose, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 7–25 cm long, 5–13 cm wide, obovate to oblong or elliptic, apex acuminate, acumen 1.5–2 cm long,
A West and Central African species, known from Sierra Leone to Nigeria and Cameroon with a disjunct distribution in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon only known from the East and South West regions.
An uncommon species in Cameroon; mainly occurring in lowland rain forests. Altitude 600–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
The name
Togo. Plateaux; Misahöhe,
Scrambling shrub to liana, 5–m tall, d.b.h. 6 cm. Indumentum of small stellate hairs; old leafless branches pubescent to glabrous, young foliate branches tomentose to densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent, cylindrical, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 4.5–19 cm long, 2.5–6.5 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 1–1.5 cm long, base rounded to subcordate, papyraceous to subcoriaceous,
A widely distributed species in West and Central Africa, from Sierra Leone to Benin and from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South and South West (?) regions (see notes).
An uncommon species in Cameroon; in swampy regions on sand soils. Altitude 400–750 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
In Cameroon this species is restricted to the East and South regions. One collection (
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana, 5–20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of fasciculate hairs; old leafless
A central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (recently collected in those latter two countries); in Cameroon known from the Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A locally common species when present; occurring in primary rain forest on drained or swampy regions of sand soils, often in sandy areas. Altitude 0–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
This species was thought to be endemic to Cameroon, but has now been collected in Gabon several times (e.g.
Cameroon. West Region; Balong,
Scrambling shrub or liana, height unknown, d.b.h. to 25 cm in diameter. Indumentum of simple or fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent becoming quickly glabrous. Leaves: petiole 5–9 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 10–24 cm long, 3.5–9 cm wide, obovate to oblong, apex acuminate, acumen ca. 1 cm long, base obtuse to subcordate, papyraceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, sparsely pubescent to glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old; secondary veins 10 to 14 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on old leafless branches, leaf opposed or extra axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 per inflorescence; pedicel 20–25 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, pubescent; in fruit 25–27 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, glabrous; bracts 2, one basal and one upper towards the upper half of pedicel, basal bract 1–2 mm long, 1 mm wide; upper bract 4–6 mm long, 3–5 mm wide; sepals 3,
A central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from the East, South, South West and West regions.
An uncommon and rarely collected species but is suggested to be frequent when present; in rain forests near rocky outcrops. Altitude 100–800(1000) m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
The imbricate aestivation of the sepals led
Le Thomas suggested that this species might be a small tree or a shrub (
Nigeria. no region; no locality,
Scrambling shrub to liana, 3–10 m tall, d.b.h. 3–10 cm. Indumentum of minute stellate hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A mainly west African species from Senegal to Cameroon, Central African Republic, and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central, Far-North, North and North-West regions.
Occurring in drier regions of the country; in dry forest, thickets and gallery forests. Altitude 100–800(1000) m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Ogooué-Ivindo; Belinga,
Liana, 3–5 m tall, d.b.h. 3–5 cm. Indumentum of simple or fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A central African species, known from Cameroon, Gabon and Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Littoral and South-West regions.
A rare species in Cameroon; in secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–100 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Gabon. Woleu-Ntem; Oyem,
Liana, 3–10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm. Indumentum of simple to stellate and fasciculate hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous,
A central African species, known from Cameroon and Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South West region.
A common species when present; in submontane or montane secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 700–1400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
This species was only known from Gabon (
Gabon. Estuaire; Libreville,
Scrambling shrub to liana, 3–20(30) m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of
A central African species, known mainly from Gabon, but also from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the South region.
A rare species in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 0–100 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
In Cameroon, this species is only known from a single collection in the Massif des Mamelles near Campo (
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Liana(?), unknown height, d.b.h. unknown.
endemic to Cameroon, known from the Central and South regions.
A rare species; in lowland primary rain forests. Altitude 200–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
The name
We chose here the specimen
Gabon. Estuaire; Environ de Libreville,
Only var.
Central African Republic: Haute-Kotto; Yalinga,
Scrambling shrub to liana, 3–10 m tall, d.b.h. 6 cm. Indumentum of
In its broad sense
A fairly common species in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 0–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
To date, of the three varieties of
Type. Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Liana, 3–10 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of simple or fasciculate hairs,
Known from Nigeria to Cameroon, and more recently from Gabon (see below); in Cameroon known from South and South West regions.
A fairly rare species in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 0–300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
We recently collected
The monocarps are here described for the first time (but we did not see the seeds) based on a collection from Gabon (
Cameroon. East Region; Molundu,
Liana, 4–6 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of
A central African species, known from Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola; in Cameroon known from the East region.
A fairly rare species in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 500–900 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kasaï Central; Mukenge,
Liana, 15–18 m tall, d.b.h. 3–10 cm. Indumentum of
A central African species, known from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Angola; in Cameroon known from the East region.
A fairly rare species (or at least rarely collected) in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests. Altitude 400–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Cameroon. Littoral Region; Cameroons River,
Liana, 2–20 m tall, d.b.h. unknown. Indumentum of
A widespread species in west and central Africa, in Liberia and Nigeria and in Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola; in Cameroon known in the Central, East, Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species in Cameroon; in lowland secondary or primary rain forests, gallery forests, growing along forest openings. Altitude 0–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
A few collections from Cameroon (
Trees or shrubs, 4–30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 30 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 1–4 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter; blade 6–22 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, elliptic or obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 0.7–2 cm long, base subcordate to decurrent to rounded to cuneate, concolorous; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 7 to 17 pairs, arching well before the margin; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous, or ramiflorous young foliate branches and axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 3 per inflorescence; pedicel 8–50 mm long; in fruit 10–50 mm long; bracts 1 to 3, all basal; sepals 3, reduplicate-valvate, free, 10–25 mm long, apex acute, base truncate; petals free, sub equal; outer petals 3, valvate, 20–40 mm long, 5–15 mm wide, ovate to elliptic, apex acute, base truncate or narrowed; inner petals 3, valvate, 10–28 mm long, 6–15 mm wide, ovate or elliptic, apex acute, base cuneate; stamens numerous (not counted), 2–6 mm long, linear; connective elongated to discoid; staminodes absent; carpels free, 5 to 16, 2–6 mm long, stigma bilobed or capitate. Monocarps stipitate or sessile, stipes 1–6 mm long; monocarps 2 to 8, 30–100 mm long, 10–50 mm in diameter, globose or ellipsoid, apex apiculate or acute to rounded; seeds 16 to 27, 10–25 mm long, 7–15 mm in diameter, flattened ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus of five species from West and Central Africa; one species adapted to the drier regions in southern Central Africa (
1 | Upper side of midrib glabrous, or sometimes very sparsely pubescent in young leaves |
|
– | Upper side of midrib conspicuously pubescent, especially in younger leaves | |
2 | Blade inserted on top, pinched, not forming a groove above on the petiole; flowering pedicels and sepals drying black | |
– | Blade inserted on the sides, not pinched, forming a groove; flowering pedicels and sepals drying light brown | |
Cameroon. South-West Region; Johann-Albrechtshöhe[Kumba],
Tree to shrub, 4–15 m tall, d.b.h. 3–5 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
A mainly West African species, but with a disjunct distribution in West and Central Africa, from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire, and from Nigeria to Gabon. In Cameroon known from the South-West region.
A rare species in Cameroon known from three old collections (including the type) plus a more recent one we did not see; in lowland primary and secondary rain forest. Altitude 0–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Gabon. Estuaire; Libreville,
Tree to shrub, 4–25 m tall, d.b.h. 40 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs;
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in west and central Africa, from Guinea and Liberia to Ghana, and from Nigeria to Republic of Congo, and northern Democratic Republic of Congo. In Cameroon known from the East, South, Central and South-West regions.
A fairly common species; in primary or secondary lowland rain forest or in gallery forests near savannas, on non-inundated soils or along rivers, occurring on sandy or rocky soils. Altitude 0–600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree to shrub, 20–30 m tall, d.b.h. 20–30 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches sparsely pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–3 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent, not grooved,
A widespread species in Central Africa, from extreme southeast of Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Cameroon known from the East, South, Central, South-West regions.
A common species, in primary or secondary lowland rain forest, mainly on non-inundated soils, but also on marshy or sandy soils. Altitude 0–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Trees, 3–20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs or absent. Leaves: petiole 4–20 mm long, 1–9 mm in diameter; blade 13–70 cm long, 3.6–15 cm wide, ovate or elliptic or obovate or oblong, apex acuminate to emarginate, acumen 0.7–2 cm long, base acute to rounded; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 11 to 36 pairs per side; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous or ramiflorous on old leafless branches, axillary, 1 to 3 per inflorescence; pedicel 1–19 mm long; in fruit 6–38 mm long; bracts 2 to 6, several basal and one upper towards the middle of the pedicel; sepals 3, valvate, basally fused, 6–35 mm long, apex acuminate, base truncate; petals free, sub equal; outer petals 3, valvate, 12–33 mm long, 8–25 mm wide, ovate, apex acuminate, base truncate; inner petals 3, valvate, 6.5–26.5 mm long, 5–17 mm wide, ovate, apex acute, base truncate; stamens 200 to 5000, 2–5 mm long, linear to narrowly oblong; connective discoid; staminodes absent; carpels free, 6 to 104, 3–7 mm long, stigma bilobed. Monocarps sessile or shortly stipitate; monocarps (1) 5 to 63, 20–70 mm long, 12–30 mm in diameter, globose or ellipsoid or oblong, apex acute or rounded; seeds 6–29 mm long, 4–21 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to flattened ellipsoid or oblong; aril absent.
A genus of 14 species from West, Central and East Africa; in Cameroon five species, none endemic.
1 | Crushed leaves with strong lemon scent; leaf blades 10–19.9 cm long; leaves invariably narrowly elliptic | |
– | Crushed leaves without strong lemon scent; leaf blades 16–76.5 cm long (largest leaves with blade generally > 20 cm long); leaves narrowly elliptic to narrowly obovate to obovate |
|
2 | Young branches, petioles, and mid rib below the blade covered with a brown tomentum, generally persisting on older branches | |
– | Young branches, petioles, and mid rib below the lamina pubescent covered with long soft hairs to glabrous |
|
3 | Young branches invariably glabrous; flowering pedicel ≥ 10 mm, petals wine red outside and inside; monocarps sparsely pubescent to glabrous | |
– | Young branches pubescent to glabrous; flower pedicel ≤ 15 mm, petals wine red cream to light yellow outside, cream with dark red steak inside; monocarps pubescent to sparsely pubescent |
|
4 | Bracts 3–8 mm long and 3–10 mm wide; sepals free and imbricate, 5–9 mm long and 5–10 mm wide | |
– | Bracts 8–22 mm long and 10–50 mm wide; sepals fused at base over 20–50% of their length, 11–30 mm long and 13–26 mm wide |
|
5 | Young branches glabrous to pubescent; leaf blade 15.9–45 cm long, 15 to 24 secondary veins; sepals 11–23 mm long, petals 20–42 mm long and 15–26 mm wide; carpels 20 to 70 | |
– | Young branches with long whitish hairs, generally falling off with age; leaf blade 30–70 cm long, 22 to 33 secondary veins; sepals 21–30 mm long, petals 25–40 mm long and 20–30 mm wide; carpels 33 to 104 | |
Cameroon. South-West Region; Johann-Albrechtshöhe[Kumba],
Tree to shrub, 3–12 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–7.5 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous to pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
A species with a disjunct distribution in West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast) and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon); in Cameroon, known from the South-West region.
A rare species, only collected five times in Cameroon, the last collection from 1987. In lowland primary or secondary rain forest. Altitude 200–400 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Two collections,
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree, 2–20 m tall, d.b.h. 20–35 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent,
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West and Central Africa, from Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana, and from Nigeria to Cameroon. In Cameroon known from the South, Central, Littoral, South-West and North-West regions.
A fairly common species; in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests, near streams. Altitude 50–30 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Equatorial Guinea. Bioko Norte; Bioko (Fernando
Tree, 3–20 m tall, d.b.h. 2–25 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous. Leaves: petiole 4.5–21 mm long, 2–6 mm in diameter, glabrous, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West and Central Africa, from Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana, and from Nigeria to Gabon. In Cameroon known from the Littoral, South, and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in lowland and premontane primary and old secondary rain forests, can be found in swamp forests. Altitude 50–1000 m a.sl.
Ikeinju (Bakweri language,
Near Threatened (
None reported.
Type. Equatorial Guinea. Bioko Norte; Bioko (Fernando
Tree, 3–15 (20) m tall, up to 35 cm d.b.h.; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea; in Cameroon known from the South-West region.
A common species; mainly in lowland to premontane to mountain primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 100–1400 m a.s.l.
Obom, ossoé (Yaoundé, Biholong 279), Limboto (Bakweri, van Andel 3761).
Not evaluated yet as taxonomically defined here.
None reported.
The description of the fruits are based on specimens assigned to var.
We synonymize here the name
We also recombine the name
Cameroon. Central Region; Yaoundé,
Differs from the type variety in having
From southern Nigeria to Gabon and Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central and South-West regions.
a common variety; in lowland or premontane primary or old secondary rain forests, on inundated soils or along streams or rivers. Altitude: 100–1300 m a.s.l.
Vernacular names (as assigned to
Least Concern (
None reported.
This variety is more common and widespread than the type variety. Most of these characters provided above overlap with the type variety. Without the young branches covered with long soft hairs it can be hard to identify some specimens as var.
The specimen
Cameroon. East Region; Südkameruner Waldgebiet: Bezirk Molundu, ‘Bange Busch’, unbewohnter Urwald zwischen Lokomo, Bumba und Bange,
Tree to shrub, 1.2–10 m tall, d.b.h. up to 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to slightly pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–17 mm long, 1.5–5 mm in diameter, glabrous to slightly pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 14.1–46 cm long, 5.1–16 cm wide,
From south Nigeria to Gabon to Central African Republic (southeast), and one collection from Democratic Republic of Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Central Littoral and South-West regions.
A common species in Cameroon, locally dominant in the understory; in lowland and premontane primary and old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
This species is very variable in terms of leaf size and shape. It is characterized by few carpels (< 40) and imbricate sepals.
In the check list of Mount Cameroon (
Trees, 3–25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 40 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs or glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–8 mm long, 1–6 mm in diameter; blade 10–52 cm long, 3.5–14 cm wide, ovate, elliptic, obovate or oblong, apex acuminate to abruptly acuminate, acumen 0.7–2 cm long, base cuneate to cordate; midrib sunken or flat; secondary veins 6 to 20 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Flowers unisexual, monoecious, male and female flowers similar or dissimilar, or bisexual (in one species not present in Cameroon), with (5) 6 perianth parts in 2 whorls. Inflorescences ramiflorous or cauliflorous, flower buds globose or conical, 1 to 6(50) per inflorescence; pedicel 1–450 mm long; in fruit 3–450 mm long; bracts 1 to 4, one basal and one upper, or all basal, 1–2 mm long; sepals 2, valvate (imbricate), free or basally fused, 1.5–10 mm long, ovate to semi-circular, apex acute, acuminate or attenuate, base truncate; petals free or basally fused, (3)4, valvate, 2–45 mm long, 2.5–17 mm wide, oblong, ovate, elliptic or linear, apex acuminate or attenuate, base truncate; stamens 100 to 1000, in 9 to 30 rows, 1–2 mm long, oblong to elongated; connective reduced or absent, glabrous; staminodes absent; carpels free, 15 to 280, 1–4 mm long, stigma ovoid, coiled or flat, glabrous. Monocarps sessile or stipitate, stipes 1–10 mm long; monocarps 2 to 25, 15–80 mm long, 9–55 mm in diameter, cylindrical, ellipsoid or globose, apex rounded or apiculate, smooth, verrucose or bumpy; seeds 4–25 mm long, 3–15 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.
A genus with 18 species, 13 of which occur in Cameroon, three being endemic, making Cameroon a center of diversity for this genus.
The species
1 | Crushed leaves emitting a strong citrus scent when fresh; combination of leaves greater than 30 cm long and flowering pedicels smaller than 2 mm long | |
– | Crushed leaves without citrus scent; leaves smaller than 30 cm long, or leaves greater than 30 cm long but then flowers on pedicels longer than 3 mm long |
|
2 | Leaf blades generally < 15 cm long; pedicel < 7 mm long and petals < 7 mm long |
|
– | Leaf blades generally > 15 cm long, pedicel > 10 mm long and/or petals > 7 mm long |
|
3 | Young branches glabrous, inflorescences cauliflorous and flowers sessile | |
– | Young branches densely pubescent to glabrous, flowers ramiflorous or cauliflorous and flower pedicels more than 3 mm long; or young branches densely pubescent to pubescent and flower pedicels less than 3 mm long |
|
4 | Young foliate branches glabrous or very sparsely pubescent; petals free; monocarps glabrate to glabrous | |
– | Young foliate branches and petioles densely to sparsely pubescent; petals basally fused; monocarps tomentose | |
5 | Petals basally fused |
|
– | Petals free |
|
6 | Petals 3 | |
– | Petals 4 |
|
7 | Flower buds globose, monocarps verrucose | |
– | Flower buds conical to pyramidal, monocarps smooth |
|
8 | Sepals 5–10 mm long, flowers completely covering base of trunk, generally occurring above 800 m a.s.l. | |
– | Sepals 2–4 mm long, flowers partially covering base of trunk, generally occurring below 800 m a.s.l. | |
9 | Flowering pedicels 2–10 mm long |
|
– | Flowering pedicels 10–198 mm long |
|
10 | Petals linear, 25–45 mm long, more than 6 times longer than wide | |
– | Petals elliptic to ovate, 10–14 mm long, less than 6 times longer than wide | |
11 | Flower buds globose; monocarps not ribbed | |
– | Flower buds conical or narrowly ovoid to pyramidal |
|
12 | Young foliate branches and petioles tomentose; secondary veins 8 to 13 pairs per side; petals wine-brown | |
– | Young foliate branches and petioles glabrous; secondary veins 5 to 8 (9) pairs per side; petals yellow-green | |
Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Tree, 2–7 m tall, d.b.h. 3–7 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–5 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, glabrous to pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
From eastern Nigeria to northern Cameroon; in Cameroon known from South and South-West regions.
A common species when present; in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 50–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Vegetatively,
Gabon. Estuaire; Monts de Cristal, near first bridge after Kinguélé village, 0°46'66"N, 10°27'81"E,
Tree, 4–10 m tall, d.b.h. 3–10 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent. Leaves: petiole 4–8 mm long, 3–5 mm in diameter, pubescent when young, pubescent to glabrous when old, grooved on top, blade inserted on top of the petiole,
A species only known from southern Cameroon and two localities in Gabon (Monts de Cristal National Park, Mbé sector); in Cameroon known from the South Region.
A rare species; in mature or old secondary forests near rivers in periodically flooded soils, in flat valley bottoms or in well-drained forests on slope. Altitude 60–300 m a.s.l.
Ntala (Yaoundé,
Data deficient (
None reported.
This species was suggested to be endemic to Gabon (
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bandundu; Lusambo,
Tree to shrub, 2–6 m tall, d.b.h. up to 6 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs or glabrous; old leafless branches glabrous,
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West Africa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, and in Central Africa from eastern Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan; in Cameroon known from the Central, South and South west regions.
An uncommon species, in lowland and premontane primary or old secondary rain forests, and in seasonally flooded forest along rivers. Altitude 500–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Liboko,
Tree to shrub, 4–10 m tall, d.b.h. 20 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 3–8 mm long, 1–4 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 16.3–39.2 cm long, 5–11 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex attenuate to acuminate, acumen 1–1.5 cm long, base acute to rounded, papyraceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 11 to 22 pairs per side, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals unisexual, monoecious; inflorescences cauliflorous. Flowers
A central African species, from Cameroon(?) and Gabon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; unseen and verified specimens were collected in Cameroon from the South-West and South regions.
An uncommon(?) species; in lowland or premontane primary or old secondary rain forest. Altitude 200–1000 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. Littoral Region, Yabassi, Ebo Forest, Dicam Trail 2000 m from Bekob camp,
Endemic to Cameroon; known from the Littoral region.
A rare species only known by the type, in submontane primary rain forests. Altitude 850 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not officially evaluated, but suggested as
None reported.
Cameroon. Littoral Region; Ed
Tree to shrub, 6–20 m tall, d.b.h. 14–40 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches pubescent to glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm long, 1–2.5 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, narrowly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
A central African species, from Nigeria to Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the Central, East, Littoral, South and South-West regions.
A common species, in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 50–800 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Contrary to what the name suggests,
Cameroon. North-West Region; Wum,
Endemic to Cameroon, only known from two localities in North-West and South-West Regions.
A rare species, only known from two collections to date; in mature rain forests or semi-deciduous forests. Altitude 170–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated.
None reported.
Named in honor of the late Martin Etuge Ekwoge (1966–2020), a passionate Cameroonian horticulturalist, botanist and parataxonomist from Nyassosso village, South-West Cameroon. He was one of the main collectors for the ‘Plants of Mount Mwanenguba and the Bakossi Mountains’ (
Cameroon. South Region; Korup National Park, Chimpanzee Camp, 5°04'N, 8°52'E,
Tree to shrub, 6–15 m tall, d.b.h. 12–14 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–7 mm long, 2–6 mm in diameter, glabrous to pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 30–61.5 cm long, 5.9–16.5 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex abruptly acuminate, acumen 1.8–3.2 cm long, base rounded to cordate, coriaceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 10 to 26 pairs per side, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals unisexual, monoecious; inflorescences cauliflorous, towards base and up to 3 m on trunk. Flowers with 6 perianth parts in 2 whorls,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the South, South-West and Littoral regions.
In primary or old secondary lowland rain forests. Altitude 100–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
In the check list of Mt Cameroon (
Cameroon. South Region, Bipindi,
Shrub to tree, 3–8 m tall, d.b.h. 1.5–5 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–3 mm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 17.2–29 cm long, 5.7–11 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex acuminate, acumen 0.3–2.3 cm long, base acute, coriaceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; secondary veins 8 to 15 pairs per side, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals unisexual, monoecious; inflorescences cauliflorous. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 2 whorls,
A central African species from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Gabon and Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from South, South-West and Littoral regions.
In primary or secondary lowland rain forests. Altitude: 200–1100 m a.s.l.
assessed under the name
None reported.
Cameroon. East Region; Bezirk Lomié, im grossen Dscha-Bogen,
Tree, height unknown, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots or buttresses not observed. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2–3 mm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole;
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South region.
Only known from the type specimen; in primary lowland rain forests. Altitude: ca. 600 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated (but probably Critically Endangered).
None reported.
The latest phylogenetic studies of
Type. Democratic Republic of the Congo. Orientale; Yambuya,
Shrub to tree, 3–8 m tall, d.b.h. 1.5–8 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous to pubescent,
A central African species, from Cameroon to Gabon and Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the South and Central regions.
A fairly uncommon species in Cameroon, in lowland or more rarely submontane, growing in primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude: 0–1200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South-West Region; Rumpi Hills,
Tree, 8–25 m tall, d.b.h. up to 30 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous, young foliate branches glabrous to pubescent. Leaves: petiole 3–8 mm long, 3–5 mm in diameter, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 16–38 cm long, 5–11 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex attenuate to acuminate, acumen 2–3 cm long, base rounded to subcordate, papyraceous to subcoriaceous, below glabrous when young and old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous when old; secondary veins 9 to 18 pairs per side, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals unisexual, monoecious;
endemic to Cameroon, known from the South, Littoral and South West regions.
A species restricted to submontane primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude: (600) 900–1300 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Shrub to tree, 2–7 m tall, d.b.h. 1.5–11 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches glabrous,
endemic to Cameroon; known from the South, Littoral and South-West regions.
In lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
Trees or shrubs, 2–50 m tall, d.b.h. up to 90 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent or present. Indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves: petiole 1–12 mm long, 1–2 mm wide; blade 3.6–21.3 cm long, 1.2–8.4 cm wide, lanceolate, ovate, elliptic, obovate, oblong, or oblanceolate, apex acuminate or acute or obtuse or cuspidate, acumen 0.2–2.1 cm long, base rounded, cordate, cuneate, obtuse, or truncate; midrib sunken or flat above, rarely slightly raised; secondary veins 7 to 20 pairs; tertiary venation reticulate. Inflorescences axillary, plants ramiflorous on young foliate or older leafless branches, rarely cauliflorous, 1–32-flowered; pedicel 1–12 mm long; in fruit 1–30 mm long; bracts 1–6, basal or inserted along the pedicel. Flowers bisexual with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls; sepals 3, valvate, free or basally fused, 1–7 mm long, apex acute or acuminate or rounded or apiculate, base truncate; petals free, outer petals longer than inner; outer petals 3, 5.8–64 mm long, 1.2–6 mm wide, linear, lanceolate, ligulate-lanceolate, or ovate, apex acute, rounded, or obtuse, base broad and concave; inner petals 3, valvate, 3.5–48 mm long, 1–5.4 mm wide, linear, ovate, oblong, rhombic, or lanceolate, apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate, base broad and concave,; stamens 40–300, 1–2 mm long, oblong or clavate; connective apex capitate, shieldlike, or conical, filaments connate at base to form a cone surrounding the carpels, or staminal cone absent; staminodes present, in one outer and one inner whorl, the inner whorl absent in
A genus of nearly 200 species trees and shrubs, the genus with a pantropical distribution. In Cameroon there are 22 species, comprising over 13% of the
(Note: the presence and color of the seed sarcotesta often cannot be discerned in dried material.)
1 | Twigs with longer hairs erect, 1–2 mm long |
|
– | Twigs with longer hairs < 1 mm long, hairs appressed or rarely erect, or twigs glabrous |
|
2 | Upper bark red, rough, and scaly; leaves obtuse or rarely acute at the apex | |
– | Upper bark gray or dark brown; leaves acuminate, the acumen 0.3–1.7 cm long |
|
3 | Leaf blades with sparse to dense tightly appressed gold hairs below | |
– | Leaf blades with loosely appressed to erect rusty, brown, or gray hairs below, or glabrous |
|
4 | Pubescence of twigs dense, rust-colored | |
– | Pubescence of twigs sparse to moderate, dull gray to brown |
|
5 | Leaf blades with reticulate tertiary venation prominent below; tree of montane habitats |
|
– | Leaf blades with reticulate tertiary venation indistinct below; shrub or tree of lowland habitats | |
6 | Leaf blades appressed-pubescent below, the hairs overlapping and forming a visible indument; seeds in two rows |
|
– | Leaf blades glabrate to pubescent below, hairs erect or not overlapping; seeds in one or two rows |
|
7 | Leaf blades densely covered with shiny silver hairs below; monocarps with abundant conspicuous lenticels | |
– | Leaf blades with shiny gold or dull gray to brown hairs below; monocarps with lenticels small, indistinct, or absent |
|
8 | Leaf blades cuneate to broadly cuneate at base, acuminate at the apex, appressed -pubescent with golden hairs below | |
– | Leaf blades truncate at the base, acute at apex, appressed-pubescent with dull grayish brown hairs below | |
9 | Apex of anther connectives capitate to conical; stigmas separate, narrowly oblong to clavate; aril membranous, fimbriate, covering at least half and often the entire seed |
|
– | Apex of anther connective shield-like, sometimeswith a slight bump in the center; stigmas more or less connivent, linear; aril covering only the base of seed, or aril absent |
|
10 | Leaf blades elliptic to oblong, rarely oblanceolate; inner petals with a distinct truncate tooth overhanging basal concavity; seeds 13–21 mm long | |
– | Leaf blades oblanceolate to obovate; inner petals lacking tooth overhanging basal concavity; seeds 10–13 mm long | |
11 | Plants with flowers |
|
– | Plants with fruits |
|
12 | Outer petals ovate or elliptic, < 3 times as long as wide |
|
– | Outer petals linear, narrowly elliptic, or lanceolate, > 3 times as long as wide |
|
13 | Twigs pubescent, hairs erect; leaf blades obtuse to acute at the apex | |
– | Twigs glabrous or pubescent, hairs appressed; leaf blades acuminate at the apex, the acumen 2–10 mm long |
|
14 | Sepals 5–7 mm long, 5–6 mm wide; aril blood-red | |
– | Sepals 2–3 mm long, 3–4 mm wide; aril yellow to orange | |
15 | Inner petals much shorter than outer petals, rhombic, 3.5–6.7 mm long | |
– | Inner petals subequal to outer petals, linear, > 9 mm long |
|
16 | Carpels 45–50 | |
– | Carpels < 13 |
|
17 | Pedicels 1, rarely 2 per axil, bracts 3–6, usually imbricate and more or less persistent |
|
– | Pedicels 1–12 per axil, bracts 2, rarely 3–4, not overlapping and with the upper persistent in flower and the lower caducous |
|
18 | Outer petals 45–79 mm long, 3.6–5.5 mm wide at base; inner petals with a tuft of long hairs at the top of concavity on inner base | |
– | Outer petals (14.6–) 22–49 mm long, 2.4–3.8 mm wide at base; inner petals with only uniform fine short hairs on inner base | |
19 | Leaves glabrous or with a few scattered hairs below | |
– | Leaves appressed-pubescent below |
|
20 | Sepals reflexed at anthesis; petals lax and crinkled when dried; stigmas 3.8–7 mm long | |
– | Sepals erect to slightly spreading at anthesis; petals rigid and flat when dried; stigmas 1.3–3 mm long |
|
21 | Outer petals oblong-lanceolate, glabrous on inner surface except at the apex | |
– | Outer petals linear to linear-lanceolate uniformly pubescent on inner surface |
|
22 | Inflorescences with up to 32 flowers in a highly branched inflorescence; inner petals 9.7–13.1 mm long; | |
– | Inflorescences with 12 flowers, often fewer, unbranched or with few branches; inner petals 15–24 mm long |
|
23 | Young branches appressed-pubescent; inflorescences 1–10-flowered, commonly 2–3-flowered; leaves 5.7–17.2 cm long | |
– | Young branches erect-pubescent; inflorescences 1(–2)-flowered; leaves 4.5–9.5 cm long | |
24 | Seeds in two rows in the monocarp |
|
– | Seeds in a single row in the monocarp |
|
25 | Monocarps with abundant conspicuous lenticels, seed sarcotesta orange to red | |
– | Monocarps lacking conspicuous lenticels, seed sarcotesta white, pale blue, or green |
|
26 | Monocarps with strong longitudinal ridges when dried | |
– | Monocarps smooth when dried, or at most obliquely wrinkled |
|
27 | Leaf blades 10–17.2 cm long, 3.6–6.5 cm wide | |
– | Leaf blades 4.5–9.5 cm long, 1.8–5.6 cm wide |
|
28 | Leaf blades glabrous below, apex acuminate to acute | |
– | Leaf blades finely appressed-pubescent below, eventually glabrous, apexobtuse or rarely acute | |
29 | Seeds arillate |
|
– | Seeds lacking an aril, but with a thin sarcotesta covering the seed (may be indistinct in dried seeds) |
|
30 | Monocarps up to 36 per fruit; seeds 5–6 mm long; aril bilobed | |
– | Monocarps up to 15 per fruit; seeds 10–20 mm long; aril brushlike |
|
31 | Monocarps smooth to weakly torulose | |
– | Monocarps distinctly torulose to moniliform |
|
32 | Apical beak of monocarp 1–1.5 mm long; twigs brown; tree of montane forests | |
– | Apical beak of monocarp up to 5 mm long; twigs grayish white; tree of lowland swamp forests | |
33 | Sarcotesta orange to red; leaf blade at the apex obtuse, rarely acute, erect-pubescent below | |
– | Sarcotesta white, pale green, gray, or blue; leaf blade at the apex acuminate, rarely acute, glabrous to sparsely appressed-pubescent below |
|
34 | Monocarps 31–40 mm wide, stipe 2–3 mm long; seeds 16–17 mm wide | |
– | Monocarps 6–15 mm wide, stipe 4–15 mm long; seeds < 10 mm wide |
|
35 | Seeds 13–14 mm long; twigs appressed-pubescent | |
– | Seeds 9–12 mm long; twigs glabrous or erect-pubescent |
|
36 | Monocarps 12–15 mm wide; twigs glabrous or with a few scattered hairs; tree up to 13 m tall | |
– | Monocarps 6–12 mm wide; twigs persistently erect-pubescent; scandent shrub, rarely a tree to 10 m tall | |
Sierre Leone. without definite locality,
Tree, up to 46 m tall, d.b.h. 30–58 cm;
A widespread species in West, Central and East Africa, from Senegal to Kenya and south to Angola and northern Mozambique; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West, and West and regions.
A very common species (the most common species of
ngwo (Bibaya); akwi (Yaoundé); Poivre de Guinée (French).
Least Concern (
This common species is readily distinguished from all other African
In Cameroon three species of monkeys eat and defecate the seeds (summarized in
Cameroon. South-West Region; Mount Cameroon,
Tree, up to 20 m tall, d.b.h. up to 30 cm;
Eastern Nigeria and Cameroon, also on the Islands of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) and São Tomé (São Tomé & Principe); in Cameroon known from Central, South-West, Northwest and West regions.
A fairly common species, in montane and submontane mossy forests, on non-inundated soils. Altitude 900–2000 m a.s.l.
Vulnerable (
None recorded.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Coquilhatville[= Mbandaka],
Tree to shrub, 2–10 m tall, d.b.h. 30 cm; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous, young branches glabrous to sparsely pubescent, the hairs 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–7 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, slightly grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 6.3–11.1 cm long, 2.5–4.7 cm wide,
From southern Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East region.
An uncommon species; in riparian forest, on riverbanks, and in inundated rain forests. Altitude 0–500 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi,
Tree, height unknown, d.b.h. up to 30 cm;
From southern Nigeria to Cameroon; in Cameroon known only from the South region.
A rare species, known from three collections, two in Cameroon. Altitude 150–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
The relatively broad petals of
Cameroon. East Region; Deng-Deng,
Tree, up to 35 m tall, d.b.h. up to 50 cm;
A widespread species across Central Africa, from southeastern Nigeria to northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to Angola; in Cameroon known from the East, South, Littoral and South-West regions.
An uncommon species in lowland rain forest, semi-deciduous forest, forest-savanna edges, and secondary forest. Altitude 50–800 m a.s.l.
odjobi (Yaoundé,
Least Concern (
None reported.
Guinea. Farana Region; Farana,
Tree, 10–18 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous,
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West and Central Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to Togo and from Cameroon to Central African Republic; in Cameroon known from Adamaoua and West regions.
A species from the drier forests, in gallery forests along streams and rivers and occasionally extending into drier uplands. Altitude 1100–1400 m a.s.l.
ké (
Least Concern (
Collections from the area of Bayangam (
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tshopo Region; Yangambi, plateau de la Luweo,
Tree, up to 40 m tall, d.b.h. up to 40 cm;
From southern Cameroon to northern Gabon and Central African Republic and east to the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East and South regions.
An uncommon or infrequently collected species, in submontane rain forests. Altitude 470–900 m. a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
Cameroon. East Region; Lomié,
Tree, 30–40 m tall, d.b.h. up to 80 cm; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous, young branches glabrous to pubescent, with fine matted hairs 0.2–0.4 mm long. Leaves: petiole 5 mm long, 1–2 mm wide, pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole;
Central Cameroon to southwestern Central African Republic and south to southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central and South-West regions.
A common species, in lowland or submontane evergreen or semi-deciduous rain forest, sometimes along forest edges, and in gallery forest. Altitude 400–900 m. a.s.l.
abiès (Bulu,
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Katanga; Lukafu,
Tree, up to 13 m tall, d.b.h. 60 cm;
From north-central Nigeria to southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to northeastern Zambia; in Cameroon known from a single collection in the Central region.
A very rare species in Cameroon, not re-collected since 1962; in riparian inundated habitats and swamp forests (the collection from Cameroon was made along the Nyong). Altitude 470 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
In its exceedingly narrow petals and long stigmas
Gabon. Nyanga; Mayombe Bayaka, Tono-Sanga
Tree, up to 40 m tall, d.b.h. up to 30 cm;
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution between West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and Central Africa from eastern Nigeria to western Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from the East, South and South-West regions.
A fairly common species, especially visible as a young tree in the understory; in lowland primary and more rarely secondary rain forests, on both clay and well-drained sandy soil, Altitude 50–450 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Bangala,
Tree to shrub, up to 15 m tall, d.b.h. up to 40 cm; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous, young branches glabrous to sparsely pubescent with erect hairs 0.1–0.5 mm long. Leaves: petiole 3–6 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide, pubescent to glabrous, slightly grooved, blade inserted on the side of the petiole; blade 4.2–8.8 cm long, 1.7–3.7 cm wide, oblong or elliptic, occasionally lanceolate, lanceolate-ovate, or ovate-oblong, apex acuminate to obtuse, acumen 0.4–0.8 cm long, base rounded, papyraceous to subcoriaceous, below sparsely pubescent when young, sparsely pubescent to glabrous when old, above glabrous when young and old, slightly discolorous; midrib sunken, above sparsely pubescent when young, glabrous to sparsely pubescent when old, below sparsely pubescent when young, sparsely pubescent when old; secondary veins 9 to 14 pairs, glabrous above; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences ramiflorous on young foliate branches, axillary, peduncle 1–1.5 mm long. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 4 per inflorescence; peduncle 1–1.5 mm long; pedicel 2–3 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous; in fruit 10–17 mm long, 7–11 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent to glabrous; bracts 2 to 3, towards the middle of pedicel, 1–2 mm long, 1–2 mm wide; sepals 3, valvate, basally fused,
Occurs from Senegal to southern Chad and south to northern Angola and the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from East, Central and Adamaoua regions.
A species of inundated riparian forests, sometimes on sandy soils. Altitude 30–700 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Not evaluated yet.
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; 45 km west of Grand Batanga,
Tree up to 9 m tall, rarely a shrub, d.b.h. up to 9 cm; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous,
From Cameroon to Gabon; in Cameroon known from the South and Littoral regions.
A rare and rarely collected species; in primary and older secondary rain forest Altitude 100–520 m. a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
The petal length of
Nigeria. Taraba [“N. E. State”] State, Sardauna Province, Kurmin Kugapa, below Kurmin Dodo below the western edge of Cabbal Wade [“Chappal Waddi”], ca. 5500 ft, 28 Feb 1975,
Tree up to 10 m (–20 m) tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrate,
Easternmost Nigeria and adjoining Cameroon (South-West region).
A rare species; in gallery forest along streams and in understory of lower montane forests. Altitude 650–1670 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Vulnerable (
None reported.
Angola. Cabinda; Belize, Mayumbe,
Tree, up to 35 m tall, d.b.h. up 35 cm;
A sparsely distributed species from Cameroon to Angola (Cabinda); in Cameroon known from a single collection in the East region.
A very rare species in general; in primary rain forests. Altitude unknown, but probably lowland.
None recorded.
Endangered (
None reported.
Cameroon. South Region; between Bipindi and Ebolowa near Malakat,
Tree, 30–35 m tall, d.b.h. up to 80 cm;
A central African species, from southern Nigeria to Republic of Congo and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from East, South and Central regions.
A fairly common species; in lowland moist forest habitats. Altitude 200–900 m a.s.l.
odjobbo (Bulu, Mildbraed (1921)), odzobi (
Not assessed yet.
None reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Equateur; Eala,
Tree, up to 35 m tall, d.b.h. up to 40 cm;
Sparsely occurring from eastern Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in Cameroon known from two collections in the South and Central regions.
A rare and little known species; in primary rain forest and semi-deciduous forests. Altitude 20–200 m a.s.l.
None recorded.
Least Concern (
Sao Tome and Principe. Insel St. Thomé, bei Angolares,
Tree, 10–42 m tall, d.b.h. up to 75 cm;
A widespread species in West and Central Africa, from Sierra Leone to northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to northern Angola, also on the island of São Tomé; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West and West regions.
A locally common species in primary lowland rain forest on a variety of soils, occasionally in secondary forest or rarely in inundated forest. Altitude: 0–200(680) m a.s.l.
mbonba (Yaoundé,
Least Concern (
None reported.
The short blunt petals and fimbriate orange aril of
Monkeys of several species have been reported as dispersers of the seeds of
Nigeria. Rivers state; Old Calabar,
Tree, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 70 cm;
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to Ghana, and in Central Africa from Nigeria to southern South Sudan and south to northern Angola and Mozambique; in Cameroon known from East, South, Littoral and regions.
A common species, in a range of wetland habitats, including gallery and other riparian forests, swamp forest,
ntua (
Least Concern (
None reported.
Cameroon. South-West Region; Johann-Albrechtshöhe[Kumba],
Tree, up to 30(50) m tall, d.b.h. up to 80 cm;
A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and in Central Africa from eastern Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, western Uganda and Cabinda (Angola); in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West and West regions.
A fairly common species, in primary and old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0–1350 m a.s.l.
nkala (Bulu,
Least Concern (
None reported.
The seeds of
Nigeria. Cross River State; Oban,
Tree, up to 5 m tall, d.b.h. unknown; stilt roots and buttresses absent. Old branches glabrous to pubescent,
Eastern Nigeria and Cameroon; in Cameroon known from South and South-West regions.
A rare species, in Cameroon known from three collections; in gallery forests near rivers (
None recorded.
Data Deficient (
None reported.
Nigeria. Rivers state; Old Calabar,
A widespread species in central Africa, from Nigeria to South Sudan and south to northeastern Angola; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central, Littoral, South-West, West and Adamaoua regions.
A common species with a wide ecological amplitude, in the understory of primary or old secondary rain forest or gallery forest, occasionally in marshy forest or forest edges near water. Altitude 0–1300 m a.s.l.
akwi (Ewondo,
Least Concern (
None reported.
Nigeria. Lagos State; Ibadan Forest Reserve, Lagos,
Tree, up to 30 m tall, d.b.h. up to 90 cm;
A widespread species in West Africa from Liberia to Ghana, and in Central Africa from southern Nigeria to Cameroon; in Cameroon known from East, South, Central and South-West regions. Given the past confusion with
A large tree species not commonly collected, although locally common westward (O. Lachenaud, personal communication); in evergreen or semi-deciduous rain forests of
oyakwi (
Least Concern (
None reported.
This species was published by Unwin in his West African Forests & Forestry book (
This name was first (?) published in
We dedicate this flora treatment to Annick Le Thomas (1936-), a French botanist and palynologist, whose
Achoundong G. 1385, 3419 (
Acworth J.M. 289 (
Adebusuyi J.K. 44049 (
Akogo M. 34 (
Annet E. 174 (
Ashworth J. 310 (
Asonganyi J.N. 275, 310 (
Aubréville A. 729, 787, 804 (
Baker W.J. 294 (
Bamps P.R.J. 1679 (
Bates G.L. 1959 (
Biholong M. 28 (
Binuyo A. 35606 (
Bongyu J. 42 (
Bos J.J. 6894 (
Box H.E. 3556 (
BPFV 2664 (
Brenan J.P.M. 9410 (
Breteler F.J. 1185 (
Brunt M.A. 51 (
Buchholz R.W. 103 (
Büsgen M. 191 (
Busse W.C.O. 3216 (
Cable S. 2801 (
Cheek M. 8297, 9354, 9654 (
Chevalier A.J.B. 33132 (
CNAD 317, 808.(
Conrau G. 93 (
Couvreur T.L.P. 426, 437, 469, 492, 519, 621, 657, 671, 1153, 1203 (
Dahl A. 622 (
Dang D. 681 (
de Bruijn J. s.n. (
de Kruif A.P.M. 1046 (
de Wilde J.J.F.E 7930 (
de Wilde W.J.J.O 2359, 2589 (
de Wit H.C.D 7182 (
Deistel H. 151, 454 (
Dong E. 391 (
Doumenge C. 554 (
Droissart V. 1416, 2158 (
Dundas J. 13989 (
Ekema S.N. 1208 (
Elad M. 132, 510 (
Endengle E. 116 (
Endengle E. SRFK 2121 (
Etuge M. 2049, 4235, 4850, 5139 (
Farron C. 7335 (
Fay J.M. 8299 (
Fenton E. 163 (
Fleury F. 33400 (
Fogiel M.K. 947 (
Fotius G. 2144, 2660 (
Foury P. 57 (
Geerling C. 5666 (
Gentry A.H. 52942 (
Gereau R.E. 5185 (
Ghogue J.-P. 500 (
Gosline W.G. 99 (
Groves M. 21, 77 (
Hallé F. 4220 (
Harris D.J. 883, 1518 (
Hédin L. 409 (
Hoshino J. 359 (
Huber H.F.J. 982 (
Jacques-Félix H. 3026, 3033, 3136, 3423, 4012 (
Jaff B. 73 (
Kaji M. 4 (
Kamdem N. 143, 422, 521 (
Keay R.W.J. 37372 (
Kenfack D. 984 (
Koufani A. 123 (
Kwangue A.T. 22 (
Lachenaud O.L. 659 (
Lane P. 532 (
Latilo M.G. 34468 (
Ledermann C.L. 2462 (
Leeuwenberg A.J.M. 7355, 7787 (
Lehmbach H. 224 (
Letouzey R. 5412, 11751, 12361 (
Lissambou B.J. 1745, 1748, 1775, 1788, 1807, 1828, 1830, 1855-1856 (
Lolo 6 (
Mackinnon L.E. 52 (
Maitland T.D. 626, s.n. (
Malzy P. 309 (
Mann G. 709 (
Manning D. 1453 (
Mbarga A. 58 (
Mbenkum T.F. 310 (
McKey D.B. 111 (
Médou J. SRFK 1703 (
Meijer D. 15033 (
Mezili P. 193 (
Mikio K. 5 (
Mildbraed G.W.J. 7727 (
Mitani M. 134 (
Mpom B. 544 (
Nana P. 213, 257 (
Ndam N. 1205 (
Ndoum D. 129 (
Nemba J. 953 (
Ngameni B.K. 51 (
Nkongmeneck B.A. 256 (
Nning J. 385 (
Nordal I. 929 (
Nzooh Dongmo Z.L. 578 (
Olorunfemi J. 30760 (
Onana J.M. 3101 (
Onochie C.F.A. 30860 (
Osborne J. 200 (
Parmentier I. 1943, 1961 (
Parren M.P.E. 4 (
Preuss P.R. 1303 (
Raynal A. 10569 (
Raynal J. 13392 (
Rudatis H. 54 (
Sainge M. 558 (
Satabié B. 702, 781 (
Sebsebe D. 5035 (
Senterre B. 1641 (
Service Forestier du Cameroun 32 (
Sonké B. 591 (
SRFK 1372 (
Staudt A. 133, 138 (
Tadjouteu F. 566 (
Tchiengue B. 2816 (
Tchinaye V. 103 (
Tchouto Mbatchou G.P. BIFAX_150 (
Tekwe C.F. 49 (
Tessmann G. 767 (
Thomas D.W. 6327, 7494 (
Tisserant C. 3651 (
Ujor E.U. 29281 (
Vaillant A. 15 (
van Andel T.R. 3784 (
van der Burgt X.M. 219 (
van der Zon A.P.M. 1122 (
van Velzen R. 90 (
Villiers J.-F. 2441 (
Vroumsia T. 116 (
Waterman P.G. 874 (
Watts J. 1104 (
Westphal E. 9932 (
Wheatley J.I. 644 (
Wieringa J.J. 2327 (
Winkler H. 909 (
Wit P. 2955 (
Zenker G.A. 576, 2980, 3023, 2102a (
Figure S1
Figure (tiff. image)
Figure S1. Distribution of protected areas in Cameroon, and represented across the species distribution maps (green). 1. Bakossi (NP); 2. Barombi Mbo Crater Lake (Ramsar Site, WII); 3. Bayang-Mbo (Wildlife Sanctuary); 4. Bouba Ndjida (NP); 5. Boumba Bek (NP); 6. Bénoué (NP); 7. Campo-Ma’an (NP); 8. Deng Deng (NP); 9. Dja (UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve); 10. Douala Edea (NP); 11. Ebo (NP); 11. Estuaire du Rio Del Rey (RS-WII); 13. Faro (NP); 14. Kagwene (WS); 15. Kalamaloué (NP); 16. Kilum Ijim, Mont Oku (FS); 17. Kimbi-Fungom (NP); 18. Kom (NP); 19. Korup (NP); 20. Lac Ossa (Faunal Reserve); 21. Lobéké (NP); 22. Ma Mbed Mbed (NP); 23. Mbam et Djerem (NP); 24. Mefou (NP); 25. Mengame (WS); 26. Mont Cameroun (NP); 27. Mozogo Gokoro (NP); 28. Mpem et Djim (NP); 29. Ngoyla (Faunal Reserve); 30. Nki (NP); 31. Parc National de Waza (UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve); 32. Fleuve Ntem (RS-WII); 33. Rumpi Hills (WS); 34. Santchou (Faunal Reserve); 35. Takamanda (NP); 36. Tchabal Mbabo (NP); 37. Tofala Hill (WS); 38. Vallée du Mbéé (NP); 39. Waza (NP); 40. Waza Logone Floodplain (RS-WII); 41. Zone Humide d’Ebogo (RS-WII). Abreviations. Ramsar Site, Wetland of International ImportancE RS-WII; NP. National Park; Wildlife Sanctuary. WS; Flora Sanctuary. FS.
Distribution data used for the flora of Cameroon -
Occurrences (excel file)
List of herbarium specimens with identification and geolocalization.