Flora of Cameroon – Annonaceae Vol 45

Abstract

Annonaceae is a major pantropical family with 113 genera and about 2550 species. Cameroon is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa but its flora remains incompletely known. In this volume of the Flora of Cameroon, we describe 166 native taxa representing 163 species in 28 native genera within the family Annonaceae. A total of 22 species (about 13%) are endemic to the country. We provide keys to all native genera, species, and infraspecific taxa. For each species a detailed morphological description and a map of its distribution in Cameroon are provided. Distribution maps and diversity analyses are based on a taxonomically verified database of 2073 collections. Across Africa, Cameroon is a center of diversity for Annonaceae harboring one of the highest numbers of species and genera. For example, Cameroon harbors the highest number of African species for the only pantropical genus of Annonaceae, Xylopia. Annonaceae are found across all 10 administrative regions of Cameroon but diversity is concentrated within the tropical rain forest areas situated in the south and South-West. The areas around Bipindi and Mount Cameroon show the highest levels of diversity, but this is correlated with collection effort. Line drawings and/or photographs accompany most species. One species new to science Uvariopsis etugeana Dagallier & Couvreur sp. nov. is described. We also undertake a number of nomenclatural changes such as lectotypifications, six new synonymies and two new combinations (Uvaria anisotricha (Le Thomas) Couvreur, comb. nov.; Uvariodendron fuscum var. giganteum (Engl.) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. nov.).

Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand

“…2022 plus subsequent publications: Cheek & al. 2022 [ Lukea Cheek & Gosline, a recently established genus]; Couvreur & al. 2022 [acceptance of Dennettia Baker f.]) and about 2550 species (Couvreur & al.…”

Impatiens banen and Impatiens etugei (Balsaminaceae), new threatened species from lowland of the Cross-Sanaga Interval, Cameroon

“…The plant species of Kom Wum are imperfectly known and there is no checklist of species yet available. Impatiens etugei is probably the first species of plant to be described from the reserve, however, a second species, Uvariopsis etugeana Dagallier & Couvreur (Annonaceae) is in the course of publication (Couvreur et al 2022), which is known from Kom Wum and only one other location outside. Therefore, it is likely that additional range-restricted and globally threatened plant species will be found at Kom Wum so long as natural habitat remains there.…”

Keetia nodulosasp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) of West - Central Africa: bacterial leaf nodulation discovered in a fourth genus and tribe of Rubiaceae

“…Within Africa, Cameroon remains a major source of discovery for new species to science of vascular plants, with more species new to science published per annum than any other country in tropical Africa (Cheek et al 2020a). Recent novelties range from forest trees (Quintanar et al 2023;Cheek et al 2022a;, shrubs and small trees (Couvreur et al 2022;Gosline et al 2022;Stone et al 2023;Cheek et al 2023b), lianas (Jongkind & Lachenaud 2022), rheophytes (Cheek et al 2022b), terrestrial herbs , to epilithic herbs (Janssens et al 2022;Cheek et al 2023c) and ferns (Shang & Zhang 2023;Dubuisson et al 2022).…”