A taxonomic treatment of Drypetes calvescens and a new endangered species from the western Congolian swamp forest, D. palustris sp. nov. (Putranjivaceae)

Abstract

We publish in this article a new species of tree of Drypetes (Putranjivaceae) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo, D. palustris, which occurs in the Western Congolian Swamp Forests ecoregion. It is known from eight gatherings and we compare it with the species with the most similar morphology, D. calvescens, of which we have studied 51 gatherings collected in Central Africa. A taxonomic treatment of both species, including their detailed descriptions, typification of their names, a comparative table summarizing their main morphological differences, an illustration and information about their habitat and distribution are provided. A provisional IUCN Red List assessment shows that D. palustris is Endangered and D. calvescens is of Least Concern.