Friday, June 10, 2016

[Botany • 2016] Polyceratocarpus askhambryan-iringae • A New Species in the Tree Genus Polyceratocarpus (Annonaceae) from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania


Polyceratocarpus askhambryan-iringae 
A.R. Marshall & D.M. Johnson


Abstract
Polyceratocarpus askhambryan-iringae, an endemic tree species of Annonaceae from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, is described and illustrated. The new species is identified as a member of the genus Polyceratocarpus by the combination of staminate and bisexual flowers, axillary inflorescences, subequal outer and inner petals, and multi-seeded monocarps with pitted seeds. From P. scheffleri, with which it has previously been confused, it differs in the longer pedicels, smaller and thinner petals, shorter bracts, and by generally smaller, less curved monocarps that have a clear stipe and usually have fewer seeds. Because P. askhambryan-iringae has a restricted extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and ongoing degradation of its forest habitat, we recommend classification of it as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Keywords: East Africa, Eastern Arc, endemism, Ndundulu, Polyceratocarpus


Figure 2. Polyceratocarpus askhambryan-iringae drawings of A tree architecture B fresh fruits C fresh flower below D fresh ramiflorous flower buds EF dry and fresh bisexual flower (one petal removed) G fresh bisexual flower above H dried stamens IJ fresh and dry carpels lacking stigmas K dried carpel with stigma, plus photographs of L fresh leaves M fruit and N flower.
Drawings by Sue Sparrow, A by Andrew Marshall, E and K by Andrew Brown, from the following specimens: Marshall 2070 (B); Marshall 2117 (C-E and G-L) and Luke 11279 (F). Scale bars: 20 mm unless stated.DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.63.6262



Andrew R. Marshall, Thomas L.P. Couvreur, Abigail L. Summers, Nicolas J. Deere, W.R. Quentin Luke, Henry J. Ndangalasi, Sue Sparrow and David M. Johnson. 2016. A New Species in the Tree Genus Polyceratocarpus (Annonaceae) from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. PhytoKeys. 63: 63-76. DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.63.6262

Schoolkids name a new tree species from Tanzania while fundraising for tropical forests http://scienmag.com/schoolkids-name-a-new-tree-species-from-tanzania-while-fundraising-for-tropical-forests via  @Scienmag