Lurking in the Shadows: A New Species of Drypetes (Putranjivaceae) from Central Africa Hiding in Forest Plots and Herbaria

Alejandro Quintanar; Patricia Barberá; Diosdado Nguema; Vincent Medjibe; Zoë A. Goodwin; Jean Michel Onana; Sydney T. Ndolo Ebika; Corneille E. N. Ewango; Jean Marie Moutsamboté; David J. Harris

doi:10.3417/2020637

Alejandro Quintanar Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid CSIC
Patricia Barberá Missouri Botanical Garden
Diosdado Nguema TROPIC-FOREST
Vincent Medjibe Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux
Zoë A. Goodwin Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Jean Michel Onana Université de Yaoundé I & Herbier national du Cameroun
Sydney T. Ndolo Ebika Université Marien Ngouabi
Corneille E. N. Ewango Centre de Formation et de recherche en Conservation Forestiere
Jean Marie Moutsamboté Institut National en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN)
David J. Harris Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/2020637

Keywords: Central Africa, Drypetes, new species, Putranjivaceae

Abstract

Here we publish a new species of forest tree of the genus Drypetes Vahl (Putranjivaceae), D. umbricola D. J. Harris & Quintanar, which has a wide distribution in Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo). It is known from 70 herbarium collections and additional sterile plot vouchers. A differential diagnosis, detailed morphological description, photographs, an illustration, and information about its habitat, distribution, and conservation status are provided.