Uvariodendron calophyllum R.E.Fr., Acta Horti Berg. 10: 63, 1930

Fig. 121; Map 15C

Type.

Cameroon. South Region; Bipindi, Zenker G.A. 2344, 1901: holotype: B[B 10 0153116]; isotypes: BM[BM000636669]; G[G00412241]; GOET[GOET005732]; HBG[HBG502513]; K[K000198797, K000198796]; M[M0107940]; P[P00362661, P00362658, P00362659]; S[S07-13396, S07-13393]; WAG[WAG.1418666] .

Description.

Tree, 2-20 m tall, d.b.h. 20-35 cm; stilt roots or buttresses absent. Indumentum of simple hairs; old leafless branches sparsely pubescent, young foliate branches densely pubescent to brown tomentose. Leaves: petiole 4-25 mm long, 2-9 mm in diameter, densely pubescent to brown tomentose, slightly grooved, blade inserted on top of the petiole; blade 25.8-76.5 cm long, 6.1-24.8 cm wide, oblong to obovate, apex acuminate to emarginate, acumen 0.6-3.2 cm long, base rounded, coriaceous, below glabrous to pubescent at base when young and old, above glabrous when young and old; midrib sunken or flat, above glabrous when young and old, below densely pubescent when young and old; secondary veins 19 to 40 pairs per side, glabrous above, slightly pubescent to pubescent below; tertiary venation reticulate. Individuals bisexual; inflorescences cauliflorous or ramiflorous on old or young foliate branches, axillary. Flowers with 9 perianth parts in 3 whorls, 1 to 3 per inflorescence; pedicel 0-9 mm long, 4-7 mm in diameter, tomentose; in fruit 1-9 mm long, ca. 4-7 mm in diameter, tomentose; bracts 2-6, several basal and one upper towards the middle of pedicel, basal bracts 2-3 mm long, 1-3 mm wide; upper bract 10-23 mm long, 10-40 mm wide; sepals 3, valvate or imbricate, basally fused, 10-27 mm long, 10-26 mm wide, ovate, apex acuminate, base truncate, brown, densely pubescent to brown tomentose outside, pubescent except towards center inside, margins flat; petals free, sub equal; outer petals 3, 15-37 mm long, 10-28 mm wide, ovate, apex acuminate, base truncate, greyish yellow, margins flat, densely pubescent to brown tomentose outside, glabrous but pubescent towards margins inside; inner petals 3, valvate, 14-34 mm long, 11-20 mm wide, ovate, apex acuminate, base truncate, light yellow to cream, margins flat, densely pubescent to brown tomentose outside, pubescent towards margins inside; stamens 3680 to 5256, in 25 to 35 rows, 3.5-4.5 mm long, linear; connective discoid, glabrous, cream; staminodes absent; carpels free, 23 to ca. 150, ovary 4-5 mm long, stigma bilobed, slightly capitate, densely pubescent. Monocarps sessile to stipitate, stipes 0-5 mm long, 2.5-3 mm in diameter; 3 to 35 monocarps, 27-55 mm long, 9-25 mm in diameter, ellipsoid, apex rounded, tomentose, bumpy, otherwise smooth, brown when ripe; seeds 7 to 13 per monocarp, ca. 13 mm long, 8-10 mm in diameter, ellipsoid to oblong; aril absent.

Distribution.

A widespread species with a disjunct distribution in West and Central Africa, from Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana, and from Nigeria to Cameroon. In Cameroon known from the South, Central, Littoral, South-West and North-West regions.

Habitat.

A fairly common species; in lowland primary or old secondary rain forests, near streams. Altitude 50-30 m a.s.l.

Local and common names known in Cameroon.

None recorded.

IUCN conservation status.

Least Concern (LC) (Cosiaux et al. 2019a f).

Uses in Cameroon.

None reported.

Notes.

Uvariodendron calophyllum is distinguished by a dense brown tomentose pubescence on the young foliate branches, petioles, flowering pedicels, and outer side of the sepals and petals. Uvariodendron fuscum var. giganteum also has a dense pubescence on the young foliate branches, but the hairs are long and white, and soon disappearing with age. Stamen count was taken from Meinke (2008).

Specimens examined.

Central Region: Sonossi 26 km W of Ndikinimeki, 4.77°N, 10.83°E, 29 March 1982, Asonganyi J.N. 421 (P,YA); Colline entre Tcherikoy et Sokelle II (30 km NW Eséka), 3.80°N, 10.56°E, 14 December 1973, Letouzey R. 12352 (P,YA). Littoral Region: 8 km W of Masok, 4.13°N, 10.4°E, 31 March 1965, Leeuwenberg A.J.M. 5282 (BR,K,MO,P,WAG,YA). North-West Region: Baji-Tumbo (Wum), 6.38°N, 10.07°E, 12 July 1975, Letouzey R. 14020 (K,P,WAG,YA); Bamenda Prov Wum Distr Nkom-Wum FR, 6.26°N, 10.13°E, 03 July 1951, Ujor E.U. 29281 (K). South Region: on road Lolodorf-Bipindi ca half way near Mbiguiligui village (Mbikiliki), 3.16°N, 10.53°E, 26 February 2018, Couvreur T.L.P. 1157 (K,MPU,P,WAG,YA); 31 km east from Lélé village, 2.27°N, 13.29°E, 09 September 2013, Couvreur T.L.P. 486 (WAG,YA); ca 7 km NE of Ebom, 3.11°N, 10.75°E, 01 August 1996, Parren M.P.E. 223 (KRIBI,WAG); ca 7 km NE of Ebom, 3.11°N, 10.75°E, 01 August 1996, Parren M.P.E. 68 (KRIBI,WAG); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.42°E, 1898, Zenker G.A. 1738 (B,M,P,WAG); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.41°E, 01 January 1901, Zenker G.A. 2344 (B,L,M,P,WAG); Bipindi, 3.08°N, 10.42°E, 01 April 1903, Zenker G.A. s.n. (P). South-West Region: Along the path from Pete to Bopo at the right hand side of the road in S Bakundu FR, 4.46°N, 9.392°E, 23 February 1956, Binuyo A. 35564 (K,WAG); Mungo river forest reserve ca 1 km East of bridge Chained road to S, 4.73°N, 9.55°E, 24 October 1998, Cheek M. 9337 (K,YA); Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary after Mbu river, 5.35°N, 9.500°E, 26 March 2016, Couvreur T.L.P. 1013 (WAG,YA); on top of hill near Small Ekombe village 3 km after Kumba on road to Ekondo Titi town, 4.62°N, 9.376°E, 13 January 2016, Couvreur T.L.P. 980 (WAG,YA); Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary after Mbu river, 5.35°N, 9.500°E, 25 March 2016, Couvreur T.L.P. 999 (WAG,YA); South Bakundu, 4.49°N, 9.374°E, 19 February 1946, Dundas J. 13989 (K); Entre Babong et Okurikang 35 km WSW Mamfé, 5.58°N, 9.05°E, 29 May 1975, Letouzey R. 13673 (P,YA); Bolo forest 5 km west of Kumba-Mamfe road near Konye, 4.64°N, 9.45°E, 25 March 1986, Nemba J. 64 (K,MO,P,WAG,YA); Kumba Distr Mumbo-Southern Bakossi, 4.83°N, 9.333°E, 09 May 1951, Olorunfemi J. 30561 (K); S Bakundu FR between Bombe Rest House and Mbalange, 4.46°N, 9.452°E, 19 March 1953, Onochie C.F.A. 30860 (K); Korup National Park, 5.26°N, 9.183°E, 24 March 1984, Thomas D.W. 3322 (K,P,YA); Takamanda Forest Reserve, 6.23°N, 9.316°E, 21 March 1985, Thomas D.W. 4549 (YA); 31 km West of Kumba on Mbonge road, 4.51°N, 9.366°E, 26 March 1986, Thomas D.W. 5965 (K,MO,P,WAG,YA); Lake Barombi Kumba, 4.65°N, 9.4°E, 01 April 1986, Thomas D.W. 6090 (P,YA); Korup National Park, 5.27°N, 9.1°E, 01 April 1988, Thomas D.W. 7499 (P).