Three new species of Uvariodendron (Annonaceae) from coastal East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania

Abstract

East Africa is a hotspot of biodiversity with many endemic plant species. We describe three new species of the genus <i>Uvariodendron</i> (Annonaceae) from the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania. <i>Uvariodendron mbagoi</i> Dagallier & Couvreur, <b>sp. nov.</b> is endemic to Tanzania and unique within the genus by its strong bergamot scent and its tomentose fruits having regular tufts of higher hair density. <i>Uvariodendron dzomboense</i> Dagallier, W.R.Q. Luke & Couvreur, <b>sp. nov.</b> is endemic to Dzombo Hill in Kenya and is rendered distinct by its small leaves and very densely pubescent carpels. <i>Uvariodendron schmidtii</i> W.R.Q. Luke, Dagallier & Couvreur, <b>sp. nov.</b> is endemic to Shimba Hills in Kenya and differs by its small flowers and fused sepals forming a ring. Following IUCN criteria we assessed <i>U. mbagoi</i> and <i>U. dzomboense</i> as endangered (EN) while <i>U. schmidtii</i> is assessed as Vulnerable (VU). We also propose a new combination: <i>Polyceratocarpus oligocarpus</i> (Verdc.) Dagallier, <b>comb. nov.</b> The description of these three new species underlines the richness in endemics in East Africa and that new discoveries might arise from further botanical exploration of this region.