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| Tessmannia princeps A.Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri & Q.Luke, in Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri et Luke, 2025. |
Abstract
Tessmannia princeps, a new canopy emergent rainforest tree species from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, is described and illustrated. It is a montane, unarmed tree distinguished by its large stature, extensively buttressed bole, and high number of leaflets. Tessmannia princeps shows morphological affinities with another Tanzanian species, T. densiflora, nevertheless the two species can be distinguished by morphological characters as well as by ecology and geography. A diagnostic key to the East African species of Tessmannia is provided. Due to its restricted range and small number of recorded mature individuals, the conservation status of T. princeps is assessed as Vulnerable under the IUCN criteria.
Eastern Arc, Fabaceae, Detarieae, new species, taxonomy, Eudicots
Tessmannia princeps A.Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri & Q.Luke, sp. nov.
Diagnosis:—Superficially comparable to Tessmannia densiflora, but Tessmannia princeps is a taller tree, growing up to 40 m in height; leaves bear 18–24 pairs of leaflets on a rachis 68–94 mm long; leaflets are opposite to alternate, sub-rectangular or oblong in shape; flowers are white, with sepals and tepals up to 5 mm in length. Tessmannia densiflora is a smaller tree, reaching 20–25 m in height; leaves bear 8–13 pairs of leaflets on a rachis 30–60 mm long; leaflets are sub-opposite to alternate and may be oblong, lanceolate, ovate-oblong, or ovate-lanceolate in shape; flowers are red, with sepals and tepals measuring 10–20 mm in length.
ANDREA BIANCHI, LAURA TOMASI, ALOYCE MWAKISOMA, MATTEO BARBIERI and QUENTIN LUKE. 2025. Tessmannia princeps (Fabaceae), A New rainforest Tree from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Phytotaxa. 694(2); 109-118. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.2.1 [2025-03-20]
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/3000-year-old-trees-in-tanzania-are-new-species/
