Description of Dactyladenia globosa (Chrysobalanaceae), a new tree species from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire

Background and aims – While working on an inventory of forests in Nimba County in Liberia several species were collected that could not be identified. One of them, the Dactyladenia described here, proved to be new to science. Key results – The new forest tree species Dactyladenia globosa Jongkind is described and illustrated. It resembles D. barteri (Hook. f. ex Oliv.) Prance & F. White and D. scabrifolia (Hua) Prance & F. White, but the fruits of the new species are globose and not pear-shaped and pointed as in the other species. The new species is known from four localities in West Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and East Sierra Leone. Conservation Status – The new species is not likely to be common with its conspicuous flowers and fruits and only five specimens collected in the fairly well known area where it occurs. Looking at the relatively small area of occupancy and the rapidly ongoing deforestation in this area the species should be listed as Endangered: EN B2ab(iii)