Les forêts littorales de la région de libreville (Gabon) et leur importance pour la conservation: Description d'un nouveau Psychotria (Rubiaceae) endémique

Background - A new species of Rubiaceae, Psychotria wieringae O.Lachenaud, is described and illustrated. Methods-Normal practises of herbarium taxonomy have been applied. Key results - P. wieringae is endemic to the Libreville peninsula (Gabon), where it is locally abundant in the undergrowth of littoral forests on sandy soils. It is related to P. gabonica Hiern but differs in its pale bark, glabrous inflorescences, flower colour, and leaves with a prominent midrib on the upper surface. IUCN assessment - The species is considered as Endangered EN B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) according to IUCN criteria. Its survival in situ will likely depend on the maintenance of the subpopulation at the "Ferme des crocodiles", situated in the Raponda-Walker Arboretum. The occurence of several other endemic species in the area, and their conservation, are also discussed. © 2013 National Botanic Garden of Belgium and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium.SCOPUS: ar.j