Dorstenia luamensis (Moraceae), a new species from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

By

Leal, Miguel Esteban, 1967-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2014

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

42

Pages

49-55

Subjects

Albertine Rift , Dorstenia , endemic , lithophytic

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.42.7604

 

Abstract

A new species of Dorstenia L. (Moraceae), D. luamensis M.E.Leal, is described from the Luama Wildlife Reserve, west of Lake Tanganyika and north of the town of Kalemie in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This species is endemic to the region and differs from any of the other species by its fernlike lithophytic habit and lack of latex. A description and illustration of this species is presented here. Dorstenia luamensis M.E.Leal inhabits moist and shady vertical rock faces close to small waterfalls in the forest; the species is distributed in small populations within the type locality, and merits the conservation status of endangered (EN).