Dicraeanthus africanus Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 38(1): 96 (1905)

Kuetegue, Felix, Sonke, Bonaventure & Ameka, Gabriel K., 2019, A checklist of rheophytes of Cameroon, PhytoKeys 121, pp. 81-131 : 81

1. Dicraeanthus africanus Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 38(1): 96 (1905)

Dicraeanthus ramosus H.E.Hess, Ber. Geobot. Inst. Eidg. Techn. Hochsch. Rübel Heft 32: 187 (1961).

Type.

Cameroon, Winkler 901 (holotype: B).

Specimens examined.

Edea at Sanaga waterfall, Annet 498 (P); 8 km S Kribi Lobe fall, J.J. Bos 3590, 3887, 3888 (K, WAG); Ngaoundere, Vina waterfall, Dulieu 4 (P); Natchigal, 62 km southeast of Bafia, J. & A. Raynal 10544 (P).

Habitat.

River rapids and waterfalls.

Distribution.

Cameroon (Fig. 25 ), Gabon.

Conservation status in Cameroon.

Dicraeanthus africanus has been assessed for the IUCN Red List, globally, in 2007 as Least Concern ( Ghogue 2010b). This species was not assessed by Onana and Cheek (2011). Two localities, waterfalls, are known for this species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are both estimated at less than 10 km2. There are currently two major threats to the survival of this species at the Edea and Lobe waterfalls. First is the planned hydropower dam on the Sanaga River. Secondly the waterfalls on Lobe River is a big tourist attraction site. The dam across the river and activities (e.g., trampling) of tourists will adversely impact the habitats of the species and affect its survival. D. africanus is currently reassessed as Critically Endangered. IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered CRB1+2ab (iii).

Figures

Figures 20 - 25. 20 Ixora inundata Hiern 21 Virectaria angustifolia (Hiern) Bremek 22 Virectaria salicoides (C. H. Wright) Bremek 23 Deinbollia angustifolia D. W. Thomas 24 Deinbollia saligna Keay 25 Podostemaceae distribution.