Englerodendron libassum (Leguminosae-Detarioideae-Amherstieae), a new Critically Endangered tree species from coastal Liberia

Abstract

Background and aims – While searching the banks of a lagoon close to Monrovia for known local endemic plant species, an unknown tree species was discovered. Its unijugate leaves allowed to quickly establish that this legume belongs to Englerodendron. This paper formally describes the finding as a new species and assesses its conservation status.Material and methods – The paper is based on data from fieldwork and morphological investigation of available herbarium material.Key results – The novelty named here E. libassum is one more endemic species from the special coastal vegetation on old beach sand. Only five mature trees were found in a relatively well-known area where not much original forest is left. The species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered.

Keywords

• conservation
• endemism
• tropical forest
• Africa