Uvariopsis zenkeri Engl., Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 2: 298, 1899

Figs 139, 140; Map 17A

Type.

Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi, Zenker G.A. 1117, 1896: holotype: B[B 10 0153124]; isotypes: BM[BM000554075]; GOET[GOET005734]; HBG[HBG502515]; P[P00362604, P00362603]; K[K000199042]; M[M0107936]; S[S07-11029]; WU[WU0025790]

Description.

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, young foliate branches densely pubescent. Leaves: petiole 2-5.5 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, densely to sparsely pubescent, grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 11-15.8 cm long, 3.5-5.8 cm wide, elliptic to obovate, apex long acuminate, acumen 1-2.4 cm long, base acute to decurrent, papyraceous, above glabrous when young and old, below glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below pubescent when young, glabrous when old; secondary veins 6 to 13 pairs, glabrous above and below; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals unisexual, monoecious; inflorescences cauliflorous or ramiflorous on old leafless branches, axillary. Flowers with 6 perianth parts in 2 whorls, globose in bud, 1 per inflorescence, male and female inflorescences similar; pedicel 0 - 7 mm long, 1-1.5 mm in diameter, densely pubescent; in fruit ca. 10 mm long, 2-3 mm in diameter, glabrous; bracts 1 to 2, all basal 1-4 mm long, 2.5-5 mm wide; sepals 2, valvate, basally fused, 3-7 mm long, 4.5-7 mm wide, circular, apex obtuse, base truncate, brown, densely pubescent outside, glabrous inside, margins flat; petals 4, basally fused, tube 1-4 mm long, 6-13 mm long, 4-7 mm wide, triangular, apex acute, base truncate, greenish-white, margins flat, densely pubescent outside, glabrous inside; male flowers: stamens 100 to 150, in 10 to 12 rows, 0.5 mm long, broad; connective reduced or absent, glabrous, pinkish red; staminodes absent; female flowers: carpels free, 13 to 22, ovary 1.5-3 mm long, 1-1.5 wide, stigma coiled, densely pubescent. Monocarps stipitate, stipes ca. 1 mm long, ca. 2 mm in diameter; monocarps 1 to 3, ca. 37 mm long, ca. 17 mm in diameter, cylindrical, apex rounded, tomentose, bumpy when dry, green when ripe; seeds 10 to 12 per monocarp, ca. 13 mm long, ca. 7 mm in diameter, ellipsoid; aril absent.

Distribution.

endemic to Cameroon; known from the South, Littoral and South-West regions.

Habitat.

In lowland primary or old secondary rain forests. Altitude 0-700 m a.s.l.

Local and common names known in Cameroon.

None recorded.

IUCN conservation status.

Vulnerable (VU). (Texier and Stévart 2021b).

Uses in Cameroon.

None reported.

Notes.

Uvariopsis zenkeri closely resembles U. congensis. See notes under the latter species.

Specimens examined.

Littoral Region: Ebo Forest proposed National Park Ebo Forest Research Station-Bekob, 4.36°N, 10.41°E, 27 October 2006, Osborne J. 200 (K). South Region: Bipindi, 3.26°N, 10.20°E, 20 June 1918, Annet E. 351 (P); Campo Ma’an National Park 11 km on trail from Ebinanemeyong village on road 7 km from Nyabessan to Campo town, 2.47°N, 10.34°E, 14 February 2015, Couvreur T.L.P. 707 (WAG,YA); Efoulan, 2.74°N, 10.53°E, 25 April 2000, Tchouto Mbatchou G.P. 2846 (KRIBI,WAG); Campo-Ma’an area Mamelles Massif, 2.56°N, 9.949°E, 23 April 2001, Tchouto Mbatchou G.P. 3252 (KRIBI,WAG); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.42°E, 1896, Zenker G.A. 1117 (K,L,P); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.42°E, 01 January 1904, Zenker G.A. 3045 (K,L,P,WAG); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.42°E, 01 January 1904, Zenker G.A. 3228 (L); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.41°E, 01 March 1914, Zenker G.A. 515 (U,WAG). South-West Region: on trail leading to top of Mt Etinde after Ekonjo village, 4.06°N, 9.153°E, 01 April 2016, Couvreur T.L.P. 1027 (WAG,YA); on top of hill near Small Ekombe village 3 km after Kumba on road to Ekondo Titi town, 4.62°N, 9.374°E, 13 January 2016, Couvreur T.L.P. 978 (WAG,YA); Mokoko Forest Reserve Dikome, 4.48°N, 9.033°E, 05 May 1994, Ekema S.N. 944 (K); Mount above Batoke, 4.08°N, 9.083°E, 24 April 1984, Thomas D.W. 3455 (BR,LBV,MO,P,WAG,YA); Takamanda Forest Reserve, 6.21°N, 9.433°E, 30 April 1987, Thomas D.W. 7372 (MO,P,WAG).