Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard, Hist. phys. Cuba, Pl. vasc. 53. 1841 [ "1845" ].

Johnson, David M. & Murray, Nancy A., 2018, A revision of Xylopia L. (Annonaceae): the species of Tropical Africa, PhytoKeys 97, pp. 1-252 : 61-74

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scientific name

Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard, Hist. phys. Cuba, Pl. vasc. 53. 1841 [ "1845" ].
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8. Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard, Hist. phys. Cuba, Pl. vasc. 53. 1841 [ "1845"]. Figs 2 View Figure 2 , 3D View Figure 3 , 4B View Figure 4 , 16 View Figure 16

Unona aethiopica Dunal, Monogr. Anonac. 113-114. Aug-Nov 1817.

Uvaria aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard, Fl. Senegamb. Tent. 1: 9. 1831.

Anona aethiopica (Dunal) Steudel, Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 2: 737. 1841.

Xylopicrum aethiopicum (Dunal) Kuntze, Revis. gen. pl. 1: 8. 1891. Type. SIERRA LEONE. Without definite locality, s. d., H. Smeathman s. n. (lectotype, designated by Verdcourt (1971b, p. 77): G!, secondary lectotype, designated here: G-DC! [00201441 on 2 sheets]; isolectotypes: BM! [000510763, branch on right-hand side of sheet]], FI-W! [005603]).

Xylopia eminii Engler, Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas C: 179. 1895. Type. UGANDA. Western Province, Bugoma, Ins. Ssese [ “Sesse”], 15 Dec 1890, F. L. Stuhlmann 1233 (holotype: B! [100153132]).

Xylopia dekeyzeriana De Wildeman, Ann. Mus. Congo, Sér. 5, Bot. 1: 43 + t. 19. 1903. Type. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ["Belgian Congo"]. Kongo Central Province, Sanda, 1902, M. L. van Houtte in J. Gillet 2258 (lectotype, here designated: BR!; isolectotypes: BR! [8824257, 8824264]).

Xylopia gilletii De Wildeman, Ann. Mus. Congo, Sér. 5, Bot. 1: 42. 1903. Type. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ["Belgian Congo"]. Kongo Central Province, Inkisi-Kisantu [ “Kisantu”], 1899, J. Gillet 207 (holotype: BR!).

Description.

Tree up to 46 m tall, commonly 15-30 m, d.b.h. 30-58 cm, bole slender, base of trunk with plank buttresses 0.5-3 m high extending 0.9 m from trunk, forming a relatively small dense crown; bark gray with shallow longitudinal fissures. Twigs brown to dark gray, glabrous or sparsely and finely pubescent, the hairs 0.1-0.4 mm long, but soon blackish gray, glabrate. Leaf with larger blades 7.3-16.3 cm long, 2.1-6.6 cm wide, subcoriaceous, slightly discolorous, shiny adaxially and dull and often paler abaxially, lanceolate-ovate to elliptic, occasionally oblong, narrowly elliptic, oblanceolate, or rarely ovate, apex acuminate, the acumen 6-20 mm long and sometimes falcate, rarely obtuse, base cuneate to broadly cuneate and short-decurrent on the petiole, glabrous adaxially, finely appressed-pubescent to glabrate abaxially; midrib raised or plane at the base but becoming plane to impressed toward the leaf apex adaxially, often drying dark red toward the base, raised abaxially, secondary veins indistinctly and irregularly brochidodromous, 9-13 per side, diverging at (35-) 45-60° from the midrib, somewhat arcuate, these and higher-order veins slightly raised on both surfaces, sometimes forming a visible reticulum abaxially; petiole 4-9 mm long, somewhat flattened or shallowly canaliculate, transversely wrinkled, sparsely pubescent to glabrate. Inflorescences axillary or from the axils of fallen leaves, 1-5 (-7)-flowered, pedunculate, appressed-pubescent; peduncle 1.5-2.8 (-4) mm long; pedicels 2-4 per peduncle, 4.5-15 mm long, 0.8-1.4 mm thick; bracts 1-2, typically one to either side of pedicel midpoint, caducous, 1.7-2.4 mm long, 2.5-2.9 mm wide, quadrate, semicircular, or ovate, often splitting down the middle, apex obtuse, rounded, or truncate; buds linear-oblong, rarely oblong, apex obtuse to acute, often curved. Sepals erect to slightly spreading at anthesis, 1/4-2/3-connate, 2.2-4.1 mm long, (3.2-) 4.4-6 mm wide, coriaceous, semicircular to broadly triangular, apex acute to rounded, sparsely pubescent to glabrate abaxially. Petals greenish white to yellow, the inner petals sometimes with a tinge of purple at the base in vivo; outer petals spreading but with the apices incurved at anthesis, (11.6-20.9) 28-64 mm long, 3.8-6 mm wide at base, 2.7-3.7 mm wide at midpoint, coriaceous, linear, apex obtuse, longitudinally concave adaxially up to ca. 5 mm from apex, glabrous at base but otherwise densely puberulent adaxially, appressed-pubescent abaxially; inner petals spreading but with the apices incurved at anthesis, (18.7-19.5) 33-51 mm long, 3.6-5.0 mm wide at base, 0.8-2.0 mm wide at midpoint, coriaceous, linear, apex acute, base with undifferentiated margin, densely puberulent adaxially, the hairs becoming sparser toward base, but then densely pubescent within the basal concavity and glabrous again at very base, puberulent except at base abaxially. Stamens 140-300; fertile stamens 1.2-1.7 mm long, oblong, apex of connective 0.2-0.5 mm high, dome-shaped, bluntly conical, or somewhat flattened, overhanging anther thecae, pubescent to glabrous, anthers 6-10-locellate, filament 0.3-0.5 mm long; outer staminodes 1.4-1.7 mm long, oblong, apex acute to truncate; inner staminodes 1.1-1.5 mm long, narrowly oblong, apex rounded; staminal cone (2.2-2.4) 2.9-4.0 mm in diameter, 1.1-1.5 mm high, completely concealing the ovaries, rim even. Carpels (11-14) 45-50; ovaries 1.4-2 mm long, narrowly oblong, densely pubescent; stigmas connivent, 3.5-4.7 mm long, linear, warty, glabrous to pubescent. Torus concave beneath the ovaries but otherwise flat, 2.6-4.6 mm in diameter. Fruit of up to 36 glabrate monocarps borne on a pedicel 10-18 mm long, 2-6 mm thick, glabrate; torus 7-20 mm in diameter, 4-10 mm high, depressed-globose. Monocarps with a green exterior and a pink to pale red endocarp in vivo, 3.2-8.2 cm long, 0.3-0.8 cm wide and thick, linear-cylindrical to narrowly oblong, weakly torulose, apex formed into a blunt beak 1.5-3.5 mm long, base slightly narrowed or contracted into a discernible stipe (1.5-) 3-8 mm long and 1.7-3.5 mm thick, strongly and obliquely wrinkled, verrucose; pericarp 0.5-0.8 mm thick. Seeds 4-12 per monocarp, in a single row, lying oblique to nearly parallel to long axis, 5.0-6.0 mm long, 3.4-3.7 mm wide, 2.5-3.1 mm thick, ellipsoid, elliptic to nearly circular in cross-section, obliquely truncate at micropylar end, rounded at chalazal end, dark brown to black, smooth, shiny, raphe/antiraphe slightly raised, micropylar scar minute; sarcotesta absent; aril pale yellow to orange in vivo, white to dull yellow when dried, bilobed, the lobes 1.5-1.9 mm long, 1.9-2.8 mm wide, fleshy, smooth.

Phenology.

Phenology varies with geography. From Senegal to Nigeria, specimens with flowers have been collected from March to December and with fruits from all months of the year except September and November. From central Africa, specimens with flowers have been collected in all months of the year except May, and with fruits from every month of the year. From the eastern and southern parts of the range, specimens with flowers have been collected in March, May, and from September to December, and with fruits in March and from June to January.

Distribution

(Fig. 17 View Figure 17 ). Xylopia aethiopica has the widest distribution of any African species of Xylopia , occurring in moist forests from Senegal eastward to southwestern Ethiopia and then south to northern Angola, eastern Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It also occurs on the Gulf of Guinea islands of Bioko and Principe. Xylopia aethiopica grows in a wide range of habitats, including primary forest, secondary forest, upland forest, inundated forest, and lower montane forest, from near sea level up to 1600 meters.

Local names.

Békala (Kelai, Le Testu 2178), luvinda (Gossweiler 9060), dodo (Ivory Coast, Thoiré 85), eru (Yoruba, Forestry Department, Benin City 194), macua (Gossweiler 8972), mgana (Bayaka, Le Testu 1877), msaou (Chilunda, Milne-Redhead 2883), muengeve (Harder et al. 2126), mughâna (Echira, Pounou, Vili ou la legounyé, Le Testu 2178), mwawia (Tanzania, Johnson & Murray 1944), mweya (Kiluba de Kabongo, Schmitz 5764), n’cana (Angola, Gossweiler 7845), n’gani (Dioula, Ambe 186), nkana (Havili, Le Testu 1877, Vile eu Loango, Le Testu 2178), nsagalane (Luganda, Eggeling 1524), ojă,ṅ [name would be approximately rendered ‘oyang”] ( Tessmann 1913), oyang (Carvalho 4751), oukalla (Pahouin, Fleury 26582), ogana (Gallois, Fleury 26582), okala (Wilks 922, Pahouin, Le Testu 2178), pedjericou (Fon, Laffitte 92), sange (Angola, Welwitsch 765), sengi (Aka, Carroll 1077), ughâ ( oghâ?) (Itsogho, Viya, Le Testu 2178), unien (Benin, Forestry Department, Benin City 194, Johnson and Johnson 1974). Additional names reported in the research literature for this species include hwentea (Ghana, Aburi and Kondonuru Regions, Agbovie et al. 2002) or its variant hwentia (Ghana, Konning et al. 2004, Abbiw 1990; a Twi name meaning "slender nose," referring to the shape of the fruits, according to Burkill 1985), kimba (Nigeria, Barminas et al. 1999, Abubakar et al. 2007), mchofu (Tanzania, World Agroforestry Centre 2017) and spais tik (Sierra Leone, Cline-Cole 1987). Additional common names for the species in West Africa are catalogued in Burkill (1985).

Representative specimens.

SENEGAL. Rufisque, Sangalkam, 29 Jan 1948 (st), Adam 417 (MO, P); Presqu’ile du Cap Vert, Sangalkam, Berhaut 1035 (P); Niayes, Dec 1899 (fl, fr), Chevalier 2545 (K, P); D. Pierre du Yolofs, 1837 (fl), Heudelot 566 (P); Senegambie, 1824-1829, Perrottet 9 (P); without definite locality, Perrot[t]et s. n. (BM); Mboro niaye degradée au bord de la route neuve des Niayes, 9 Mar 1965 (yg fr), Raynal 13562 (K, P). GAMBIA. Without definite locality, Ingram s. n., comm. Whiteley (K-000354675). GUINEA BISSAU. Bissau, Brene, 31 Jan 1945 (yg fr), Explorações Botânicas 1717 (B, K, WAG) [= 1709 at B, FI-T, P]; Bissau, Prabis, 22 Feb 1945 (yg fr), Explorações Botânicas 1809 (BR, K, P, WAG); Maolina de Cantankez, 11°13'312N, 15°02'503W, 12 m, 14 Nov 1995 (fl), Malaisse & Claes 14911 (BR); Cacine, 30 Jan 1954, d’Orey 264 (K). GUINEA. Kouria, 22 Sep 1905 (fl), Caille 14771 (P); Kouria, Bourkonkourí, 16 Nov 1905 (fl), Caille 14812 (P); [ “Senegambia,”] Rio Nunez, 1828, Heudelot s. n. (K-2 sheets, one with date and flowers ex herb. Hook.); environs de Kindia, 1929-1932 (fl), Jacques-Félix s. n. (P); Nzérékoré, Nimba Mountains, just N of Camp 1 (Mifergui), 7°42.40' N, 8°23.90'W, 650 m, 1 Dec 2006 (fl, fr), Jongkind et al. 7407 (MO); Nzérékoré, Nimba Mountains, between Mifergui camp and old camp 2, 7°41.93'N, 8°23.76'W, 750 m, 23 Jun 2007 (fl), Jongkind et al. 7818 (MO); Conakry (see Keay 1954-1958) [K sheet says Conokry on one label and Coleah on the other], 21 Oct 1896 (fl), Maclaud 189 (K-000354678, P); Cungha, 11°05'50"N, 15°08'45"W, environs Jembezem, 27 Jan 1975 (fr), Malaisse 14705 (BR); Biudélya, Apr 1903 (fr), Paroisse 7 (P); Franceville, Ile Tristão [near Guinea-Bissau border on coast, 10°55, 14°55], Paroisse 54 (P); Kouroussa, Jan 1903 (st), Pobéguin 849 (P). SIERRA LEONE. Without definite locality, Afzelius s. n. (BM-same sheet as Smeathman specimen); without definite locality, 1854, Daniell s. n. (BM, MO); Mt Loma, 28 Sept 1945, Jaeger 2018 (K); Waterloo, 29 June 1914, Lane-Poole 319 (K); Sierra Leon Boundary Commission, 1891-92, Scott-Elliot s. n. (K). LIBERIA. Yékepa, Grassfield, 22 Feb 1965 (st), Adam 20994 (MO), 23 May 1970 (fl), Adam 25627 (MO); Sanniquellie, 1 Jun 1973 (fl), Adam 27753 (MO); Grand Bassa Co., Fortsville, 3 Mar 1948 (fr), Baldwin 11141 (MO); Bomi Hills, Bos 2344 (K); along Dukwia [ “Dukwai”] River (near Firestone Plantations), 1929 (fr), Cooper 174 (A, K, BM, F, GH, NY, US); Grand Bassa, 27 Aug 1898 (fl), Dinklage 2005 (A-2 sheets, B, K, MO); 22 mi N of Buchanan, 19 Feb 1970 (fr), Jansen 1874 (MO); Division 33, Firestone plantations 10 mi S of Kakata, Aug 1970 (fl), Jansen 2184 (MO); Bomi Hills, 8 Oct 1970 (fr), Jansen 2219 (MO); 5 mi N of Bomi Hills, 18 Nov 1970 (fl), Jansen 2281 (MO); near Cavalla River, E of Harper, 20 Jul 1971 (yg fr), Jansen 2433 (MO); Bong Range, 32 km N of Kakata, 200 m, 11 Aug 1962 (fl), Leeuwenberg & Voorhoeve 4924 (B, MO, P); near Fetoma, 2 Oct 1926 (fl), Linder 881 (A); on road Bomi Hills-Yoma, 1 mile after bifurcation to "Smal Bopolu," 24 Jul 1965 (fl), van Meer 74 (MO); Gola National Forest, Bomi Hills, 15 Oct 1965 (fl), van Meer 184 (MO); ca. 15 km E of Monrovia, between Paynesville and Duport, 22 Mar 1962 (fl, fr), de Wilde & Voorhoeve 3633 (A, K, B, P). IVORY COAST. Soubré, Parc National de Taï, 18 Dec 1975 (fr), Aké Assi 13159 (MO); région de Bassam, Yakassé, 18 May 1982 (buds, old fr), Aké Assi 16073 (B, MO); Tchesso, 12 Oct 1997 (st), Ambe 186 (MO); route Bouaké - Tiébissou, 2 Feb 1932 (yg fr), Aubréville 828 (K, P); Abidjan, Jun 1932 (fl, yg fr), Aubréville 1329 (P); Port-Bouet, Aubréville 1944 (P); Lamto Station, ca. 6°15'N, 5°03'W, 11 Jul 1968 (st), Breteler 5251 (K, MO); embouchure du Cavally à Bliéron, 11-13 Aug 1907 (fl, fr), Chevalier 19912 (MO--2 sheets, P); Bingerville, Jul 1901 (fl), Jolly 287 (K, P); Baoulé, Oct 1895 (fl), Pobéguin 255 (MO-2 sheets, P); bassin du Haut Sassandra et Bassin du Haut Cavally, Dec 1930 (fr), Portères s. n. (MO); 10 km SE of Dabou, direction lagune, 21 May 1969 (st), Versteegh & den Outer 97 (MO); c. 6 km E. and 5 km inland of Bébéby forest bordering Savane de Néro-Mer, 6 Nov 1963, Oldeman 514 (K); San Pedro, 13 Nov 1900 (fr), Thoiré 85 (P). GHANA. Gold Coast, Princes W. Province, 15 January 1939, Akpabla 797 (K); "Gold Coast," 20 Dec 1923, G. H. Eady s. n. (K); Ankasa Forest Reserve, Mpataba-Elubo Rd., W Region, Jan 1973 (fr), Enti R.1002 (MO). TOGO. Lzory [?], 1905, Kersting A.181 (A, K). BENIN. Adjara, pres du Marché (cercle de Porto Novo), 17 Jan 1910, Chevalier 22747 (K, MO-2 sheets, P); Mts Atakora [ “Atacora”] Pays des So(rn)mbas de 400 m a 600 m alt de Natitingou à Bocorona, 21 Jun 1910 (fl), Chevalier 24177 (K, P); Savi environs de Ouidah, Apr 1937 (fl), Laffitte 92 (P). NIGERIA. Akwa Ibom: without definite locality [Eket, according to Keay 1954-1958], Talbot 3281 (BM).-Cross River: Calabar Province, Uwet Dist., Buden Dunlop Estate, 23 Jun 1959 (yg fr), Binuyo FHI 41375 (P); Southern Nigeria "Consulate Hill. O. Calabar, Mar 1900 (fl), Holland 296 (K); Cross River National Park, Oban Hills, ca. 5 km NNW of Ntebachot, 5°32'2"N, 8°43'8"E, 19 Feb 1995 (st), Schmitt et al. 429 (MO); Oban, S. Nigeria, 1911 (fl, fr), Talbot 226 (BM).-Edo: Ohoghobi, 17 Aug 1908 (fr), Forestry Department, Benin City 194 (K-000354684).-Lagos or Osun: Lagos, Dawodu s. n. (K); Southern, near Modakeke, Lagos (sic) Ado, Foster 116 (K).-Ogun: Ijebu East, near Itele Junction along Shagamu Benin Road, 31 Aug 1994 (st), Daramola 441 (F, MO).-Rivers: Nun River, 1860, Mann s. n. (no other data except name (K-0006233420 in herb. Hook.); Keay (1954-1958) cites Mann 485 from this locality, so possibly the same as: "West tropical Africa," 1859-63, Mann 485 (GH)).-State unknown: S. Nigeria, Without definite locality [probably Sapoba], Kennedy 2172 (A, BM, F, K, MO, US). CAMEROON. Bitya near the River Ja, Bates 1813 (P); a 27 km route Mbalmayo, subdivision Yaoundé, 3 Oct 1953 (fl), Benoit 61 (SRFK 1719) (P); pres du Campement, forêt de Bidou-subdiv. Kribi, 27 Sep 1955 (fl), Benoit 111 (SRFK 1916); km 48 route Kribi-Ndjabilobi, village Elone, 13 Dec 1958 (bud), Benoit 282 (P); Ebolowa road, 5 km from Kribi, 2°55'N, 9°56'E, 20 Nov 1968 (fr), Bos 3341 (P, WAG-2 sheets); NE of Mt. Elephant, about 20 km SE of Kribi, 2°48'N, 10°02'E, 10 Feb 1970 (fl), Bos 6296 (B, MO, P); about 15 km from Kribi, 1 km S of Ebolowa road, 2°51'N, 10°01'E, 20 Feb 1970 (fl), Bos 6382 (B, M, MO, P, WAG-3 sheets); South Province, Department Ocean, Mvie, about 11 km ENE of village Mvie, 2.55N, 10.39E, 400 m, 20 Jan 1998 (fl, yg fr), van der Burgt 328 (MO); 3°37'33"N, 11°34'49"E, 700 m, Oct (fr), Cheek 11057 (K); Douala route Razel, 1955-6, Elias s. n. (P); Bakolle Bakossi on Kumba-Mamfe road, 5°01'N, 9°40'E, 350 m, 24 May 1986 (fr), Etuge & Thomas 148 (MO); 3°36'06"N, 11°35'49"E,700 m, 16 Oct 2002 (fl), Gosline 423 (K); Dengdeng, Jul 1939 (fl, yg fr), Jacques-Félix 4673 (P), 4679 (P); 60 km S of Edea, S of Mboké, 11 km E of km 58 of road Edea-Kribi, ca. 100 m, 22 Apr 1965 (fl, fr), Leeuwenberg 5504 (K, MO, P, WAG); Piste du massif de Fessimi, 9 Feb 1961 (fl), Letouzey 3433 (K, P-2 sheets); a 15 km au SE de Molobo (village situe à 50 km au S de Batouri), 21 Jul 1963 (yg fr), Letouzey 5456 (P, WAG); Mebemonko (20 km NW d’Oveng), 26 Oct 1966 (fl, fr), Letouzey 8186 (B, P-2 sheets); route Mintom I (70 km N de Djoum) a Alati (100 km SE de Djoum), PK 14, 1 Jan 1973 (fl), Letouzey 11773 (K, P, WAG); Dengdeng ca. 700 m April 1914, Mildbraed 8826 (K); Prov. Littoral, 5 km S of Dibombari, near Bonambwasse Village, 04°09'N, 09°41'E, 0-20 m, 18-20 Feb 1988 (fr), Nemba et al. 812 (MO); Canon du Ntem, 16 km SW de Nyabessan, 30 Nov 1982 (fr), Nkongmeneck 399 (P); Nkalé, 1924-5, Pobéguin s. n. (P); Southwest Province, forest in the Korup National Park, elev. 50 m, 5°03'N, 8°48'E, Feb-Apr 1984 (fr), Thomas 3177 (B, MO, P); 16 km on the newly reconstructed road from Ebolowa to Minkok, and then about 2 km to the left along a forest exploitation track, ca. 650 m, 2°58'N, 11°17'E, 29 Jan 1975 (fl, fr), de Wilde 7931 (B, K, MO, P); station du Cacaoyer de N’Koemvone, 14 km on the road from Ebolowa to Ambam, 2°49'N, 11°08'E, 17 Feb 1975 (fl), de Wilde 7970 (K, MO, P); 17 km S of the Lobé River, along road to Campo, 2°43'N, 9°52'E, 18 Mar 1975 (fl), de Wilde 8085 (BR, MO, P); station du Cacaoyer de N’Koemvone, 14 km along the road from Ebolowa to Ambam, 2°49'N, 11°08'E, 10 Dec 1975 (fr), de Wilde 8707 (BR, MO, P); ca. 50 km NW of Eséka, W of Yaoundé, on opposite of the Kelè-river, 23 Nov 1963 (fl), de Wilde 1322 (B, EA, K, MO, P); Mimfia, Jan 1914 (fl), Zenker 499 (B, GH, M, MO, P, US); Bipinde, 1900 (fl, fr), Zenker 2112 (A, B, BM, G, L, MO, WAG); Bipindi, Oct 1903 (fr), Zenker s. n. (F). CHAD. N’Djamena ["Fort Lamy"], Nov 1919 (fl), Allouette s. n. (L). CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Bai Hoker gorilla study area 25 km E of Bayanga, 02°52'N, 16°29'E, 435 m, 26 Feb 1988 (fl), Carroll 1077 (MO); Chari oriental (Pays de Snoussi) [Dar Kouti, fide Tisserant and Sillans 1953], Bakala, 22 Jan 1903 (st), Chevalier 7331 (P); Seriki près Kembe, (fl), Eaux Forêts et Chasses 1946 (P); Botonnti, Tokoli, 4 Dec 1959 (yg fr), Eaux Forêts et Chasses 1989 (P); Yagounda creek 5 km from Koumbala confluence 600 m, 8°25'N × 21°19'E, Fay 4121 (K); Sangha Economique Prefecture, Ndakan, gorilla study area, 02°21'N, 16°10'E, 350 m, 8 Apr 1988 (fl), Harris & Fay 447 (MO); Sangha Economique Prefecture, Ndakan, gorilla study area, 02°21'N, 16°09'E, 350 m, 12 Apr 1988 (fr), Harris & Fay 479 (MO); Sangha Economique Prefecture, Ndakan, gorilla study area, 02°20'N, 16°10'E, 350 m, 28 Apr 1988 (fr), Harris & Fay 536 (MO); Sangha Economique, Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, Ndakan Gorilla study area, 02°21'N, 16°10'E, 350 m, 16 Sep 1988 (fl), Harris & Fay 1132 (K, MO); Yalinga, 1 Apr 1921 (fr), Le Testu 2613 (BM, MO, P); Yalinga, 27 Mar 1923 (fl), Le Testu 4635 (BM, P); Boukoko, 11 Oct 1947 (fl), Tisserant 337 (BM, OWU, P); Boukoko, 20 Mar 1948 (fr), Tisserant 791 (BM); région de Bambari, Maroubas, 3 Mar 1924 (fl, fr), Tisserant 1436 (BM, P-2 sheets). ETHIOPIA. Rég. de Bonga, Jul 1909 (yg fr), Rousseau s. n. (L). SAO TOME & PRINCIPE. Principe: Ôque Pipi, ca. 1000 ft., 6 Dec 1932 (fl), Exell 490 (BM-2 sheets); forest above Infante D. Henrique, ca. 1000 ft., 19 Dec 1932 (fl, fr), Exell 620 (BM); Principe [ “Prince’s Island"], 1861, Mann s. n. (K-000623422 ex herb. Hook); Infante Dom. Henrique [ “Ricque”], 1956, Rose 386 (P). EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Bioko: Bata-Bolondo, estrada km 15 e nos arredores da povoacao Macomo, 25 Jun 1991 (fr), Carvalho 4751 (B, MO, NY); Moca to Areha Beach pt168 to pt 169, 3.2355 N, 8.6778 E, Luke 12099 (K).- Río Muni: Spanish Guinea, 1908 und 1909 (fl), Tessmann 913 (K). GABON. Estuaire: Envs. Libreville, Mar 1900 (fl), Chalot 45 (P); env. Libreville, 1-5 May 1917 (fr), Fleury 33530, 33531, 33532 (P); Libreville, Apr 1891 (fl, fr), Klaine 176 (P); Libreville, 26 Jan 1896 (fl), Klaine 310 (P); au platform de forage, Remboué 1, 0°13'S, 10°02'E, 21 Jan 1991 (fl), Louis & Moungazi 3293 (MO); Réserve de Wongua Wongué, 23 Jan 1986 (fl), Louis & Reitsma 2006 (WAG-2 sheets); Libreville, Route d’Idokogo, Reserve forestiere de la Mondah, 28 Oct 1948 (fr), Morel 63 SRF (P); Chantier Rougier-Ocean, Oveng, 0°52'N, 11°10'E, 7 May 1985 (fr), Reitsma et al. 855 (MO, NY, RSA); Okala, N of Libreville, forêt de Mondah, Odeg, 0°37'N, 9°20'E, 4 Aug 1992 (fl, fr), Wilks 2610 (MO).- Haut-Ogooué: Without definite locality, 10 Mar 1930 (fl, fr), Le Testu 7960 (BM-2 sheets, MO); Batéké Plateau, Mpassa River watershed, Projet de Protection des Gorilles, 4 km S on Mpassa River, 02°08'15"S, 014°03'59"E, 6 Dec 2001 (buds), Walters et al. 1079 (OWU); ca. 20 km on the road from Franceville to Lékoni, 450 m, 1°37'S, 13°45'E, 28 Aug 1992 (bud, fr), Wieringa & van de Poll 1506 (MO, WAG-2 sheets).- Moyen-Ogooué: 5-15 km NNW of Ndjolé, 0°05'S, 10°45'E, Missanga, 13 Nov 1991 (fl, fr), Breteler & Jongkind 10458 (W, WAG-2 sheets); sur l’Ogooué, près du lac Zile aux env. de Lambaréné, 10 Aug 1912 (st), Fleury 26582 (MO, P); Petit Bam Bam, 21 Aug 1966 (fr), Hallé & Le Thomas 581 (P); SW of Lambaréné, near Lake Ezanga, 01°00'S, 10°17'E, 15 m, 29 Jan 1991 (fl), McPherson 15168 (MO, P); eastern part of the Presidential Reserve Wonga-Wongué, about 100 km S of Libreville, ca. 130 m, 28 Feb 1983 (fl), de Wilde et al. 804 (MO).- Ngounié: Outembo 4 Nov 1916 (fl), Le Testu 2178 (BM, MO); Waka National Park, along bank of Oténinga, 01°09'08"S, 011°06'36"E, 350 m, 2 May 2005 (fr), Leal et al. 634 (MO); SE of Sindora, right bank of Ngoumié R., 17 km W of Camp Waka, 1°13'S, 10°49'E, 400 m, 22 Sep 1985 (fr), Leeuwenberg & Persoon 13614 (MO, P, WAG), 27 Sep 1985 (fl), Leeuwenberg & Persoon 13701 (K, MO, P); Fougamou, 5 km on forestry road following Bendolo River, 90 m, 1°11.7'S, 10°33.1'E, 2 Nov 1994 (fl, fr), Wieringa et al. 3031 (W, WAG-2 sheets).-Nyanga: Tchibanga, 21 Nov 1914 (fl), Le Testu 1877 (BM, EA, K, P); chantier CEB, ca. 50 km SW of Doussala, 2°36'S, 10°35'E, 28 Aug 1985 (fl, fr), Reitsma & Reitsma 1442 (MO, NY-2 sheets, RSA); about 46 km along the track from Doussala to Igotchi, in SW direction from Doussala, 2°40'S, 10°32'E, ca. 160 m, 29 Nov 1986 (fr), de Wilde et al. 9040 (B, BR, K, MO, WAG-3 sheets).- Ogooué-Ivindo: M’Passa Field Station, near Makokou on Riviere Ivindo, 480 m, 14 Jul 1981 (bud, fr), Gentry 33323 (MO); Ipassa, 10 km S of Makokou, 500 m, 29 Oct 1971 (fl), Hladik 1470 part A & B (P), part C (US); Ijessa route du barage Makokou, 8 Feb 1972 (yg fr), Hladik 1943a (P); Res. Lopé-Okanda, 1 km S of Campement (= 26 km E of Ayem), 0°06'S, 11°30'E, ca. 200 m, 1 Nov 1982 (fl), Leeuwenberg & Louis 12424 (K, MO, P, WAG); Réserve de la Lopé, au sud d’Ayem, chantier SOFORGA, ca. 200 m, 0°25'S, 11°30'E, 5 Mar 1989 (fr), McPherson 13712 (MO); Lopé-reserve chantier SOFORGA, 0°30'S, 11°33'E, 25 Jun 1986 (st), Reitsma & Reitsma 2355 (MO, NY); Ivindo National Park, ca. 2 km W of Langoúe Bai, 0°10'15"S, 12°32'33"E, 5 Dec 2002 (fr), Stone & Niangadouma 3664 (MO); Lopé-Okanda Reserve, 2.6 km E along road from Kazambika to Offoué River, 00°07'12"S, 11°42'57"E, 290 m, 31 Oct 2000 (fl), Walters et al. 465 (MO); Reserve de Lopé-Okanda, 200 m, 00°25'S, 11°30'E, 15 Jul 1990 (fr), White [series 2] 29 (MO); Reserve de Lopé-Okanda, 00°25'S, 11°30'E, 200 m, 2 Oct 1990 (fl, fr), White [series 2] 154 (MO); Lopé Reserve, 0°15'S, 11°40'E, 8/5/91 (yg fr), White LJTW 0471 (MO); forêt des Abeilles, 21 km S du confluent Ogooué-Ivindo, 4 May 1983 (fr), Wilks WIL 922 (WAG-2 sheets).- Ogooué-Lolo: "Deforestage Eurotrag," about 20 km N of Lastoursville, 0°45'S, 12°43'E, ca. 250 m, 16 Nov 1983 (yg fr), Louis et al. 798 (MO).- Ogooué-Maritime: Toucan, 01°47'665S, 9°53'387E, 1 June 2002 (yg fr), Bourobou Bourobou et al. 654 (K, MO-2 sheets); SE of Port Gentil, about 0°40'S, 8°50'E, 16 Sep 1968 (bud, fr), Breteler & van Raalte 5563 (MO, WAG); Gamba, about 2°46'S, 10°02'E, 21 Sep 1968 (fl, fr), Breteler & van Raalte 5612 (MO, WAG-2 sheets); Cap Lopez, 2 Jul, (fl, fr), Chevalier 4305 (P); Rabi, North of Divangui Road, S 1 52.6, E 9 56.1, 6 Mar 2007 (fr), Choo 764 (MO); near Lake Divangui, 20 m, 1°57'S, 9°59'E, 2 Jan 1994 (fr), Haegens & van der Burgt 233 (WAG); near RamboRabi, NW of Rabi site, 1°53.8'S, 9°50.5'E, 10 Nov 1990 (fr), van Nek 300 (WAG); forest near Checkpoint Est, 1°52'S, 9°58'E, 17 Nov 1990 (fr), van Nek 345 (WAG); Rabi-Kounga, Divangui, ca. 1°57'S, 9°59'E, 25 Dec 1991 (fr), Schoenmaker 306 (WAG); Ogooué, route entre Batanga et la riviére Awagné 0 18 10 S 9 18 40 E, Sosef 1759 (K); Gamba, 7.3 along road from airport to Vera, ca. 2°47'S, 10°06'E, 23 Nov 1994 (fl, fr), de Wilde & de Wilde-Bakhuizen 11172 (WAG-2 sheets); Olendé, 01°19'S, 09°02'E, 29 Dec 1988 (fl), Wilks 1890 (MO, OWU).-Woleu-Ntem: Woleu-Ntem, Mbe National Park, Monts de Cristal, Tchimbele Dam area, 00°37'08"N, 010°24'35"E, 300 m, Apr 2004 (st), SIMAB 020102 (MO); about 22 km NE of Asok, newly constructed road, close to the Mbé River, ca. 600 m, 23 Aug 1978 (fr), Breteler & de Wilde 246 (K, MO); 0.5 km NW of Tchimbélé, 550 m, ca. 0°37'N, 10°23'E, 28 Jan 1990 (fl), Wieringa 485 (WAG).-Province unknown: Kouilou, N’kana, 4 Mar 1920 (fr), Sargos 60 (P), 4 Mar 1920 (bud), Sargos 126 (P), 12 Feb 1924 (fr), Sargos 206 (P), 15 Oct 1929 (fr), Sargos 223 (K, P); in ditione Munda Sibange = Farm, 22 Sep 1880 (fr), Soyaux 131 (K). REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. Village de Loubofo, forêt sur les bords de la Bouénza depuis les chutes jusqu’au bord de la route à 5 kms du village, 8 Nov 1964 (bud, fr), Bouquet 685 (P); bassin de l’Alima-Likouala, environs de Fort Rousset à 16 km sur la route de Gamboma, 21 Jul 1961 (fl), Descoings 8272 (P); Guéne [Guena = Bilala, 4°26', 12°15', NE of Pointe Noire], 1960 (fr), Centre Technique Forestier Tropical CTFT 170 (P); Ouesso, 12 May 1971 (st), Grison FG 87 (P); Kouilou, Bena, 8 Oct 1990 (fr), Lisowski B-7179 (BR); Pool, Réserve de Chasse de Léfini, banks of the Léfini River near its confluence with the Louna River, ca. 20 km upstream from Mbouanbé, 320 m, 3°00'S, 15°28'E, 24 Oct 1991 (fl), Thomas et al. 8746 (MO). DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. Bas-Uele: Tukpwo, galeire de la Diagbe, 25 Jun 1954 (fr), Gerard 1532 (BR). Digba, Prov. Orientale, Terr. Ango, forêt des Akare entre riviére Bili et Asa, 7 Nov 1963 (fr), Gerard 5574 (WAG-2 sheets), Gerard 5616 (MO, WAG); piste Gwane-Balikwe, Jan 1946 (fr), Germain 737 (FI-T, K, P).- Équateur: Eala, 30 Apr 1928 (fl), Corbisier[-Baland] 806 (A, EA, K, MO, US); Botsima, 1°09'S, 21°57'E, 26 Feb 1991 (buds), Dhetchuvi 756 (BR); Eala, 1936 (fl), Leemans 488 (K, MO, P, US); Boyeka (Eala), 16 Aug 1946 (fl, fr), Léonard 311 (BM, K, MO, P, US); de long d’un bras de la riviere Ruki le “Yali,” près d’Eala, Équateur, 2 Jun 1936 (fl), Louis 2147 (RSA).-Haut-Katanga: environs de Elisabethville, galerie de la Kisanga Dec 1939 (fl), Quarré 6201 (BR).-Katanga: Kamunza, 25°50'E, 07°02'S, fin Sep 1957 (buds), Schmitz 5764 (BR).-Kinshasa: Maluku, Tpiene (Menkao ambouchure Bombo), 21 Oct 1970 (fl), Breyne 934 (MO); Kimuenza, 23 Jun 1959 (st), Pauwels 3411 (BR); au dela de la Nsele terr. Maluku, 26 Jan 1965 (fl), Pauwels 4877 (MO, WAG-2 sheets).-Kongo Central: Leopoldville, Prov. Thysville, Territ. Songa, Devred 885 (K); Kinkasi (Benga), Terr. Popakabaka, 1 Jul 1959 (st), Pauwels 3617 (BR); vers Kingoma, Terr. Popakabaka, 4 Jul 1959 (fr), Pauwels 3760 (BR), 22 Jul 1959 (st), Pauwels 3936 (BR); Luki, 8 Aug 1949 (yg fr), Toussaint 2430 (EA, K, P).-Kwilu: Kiyaka - Kwango, Prov. Katanga, Terr. Kikwit, 7 Sep 1955 (fr), Devred 2585 (WAG-2 sheets).-Mongala: Équateur Prov territ Bumba loc. Vallee de la Loeka, 5 Feb 1958 (fr), Evrard 3436 (K).-Nord-Kivu: Walikale Mt. Mika, 1°26'S, 28°03'E, 850 m, 27 Jun 1957 (fr), Pierlot 1707 (BR).-Sankuru: Katakokombe, Sep 1932 (fr), Lebrun 6117 (K, P).-Sud-Kivu: Bulumbu Terr. Shabunda, 780 m, 9 Apr 1959 (buds), Léonard 3759 (BR); Nzowo, Prov. Kivu, Terr. S[c]habunda, 1180 m, 13 Apr 1959 (fl), Léonard 3837 (MO).-Tshopo: Prov. Orientale, Terr. Tsangi, Yangambi, Jan 1961 (fl), Bolema 374 (P); Prov. Orientale, Terr. Tsangi, Ligasa-Mangala, forêt periodiquement inondeé de la Lukombe, 21 Mar 1957 (fl), Evrard 2262 (WAG); Yangambi, Prov. Orientale, Terr. Tsangi, 23 Jul 1958 (fl), Léonard 980 (BR, EA, MO, WAG); Yangambi, 6 Feb 1936 (fr), Louis 1203 (BM, K); Yangambi, km 8.400 de la route de Ngazi, 17 Nov 1936 (old fl), Louis 2848 (NY); Yangambi, ca. 470 m, 27 Apr 1938 (fr), Louis 9099 (B, BM, K, MO, P, US).-Tshuapa: Botsima, 1°09'S, 21°57'E, 7 Mar 1991 (fr), Dhetchuvi 874 (MO); dist. de la Tshuapa, Sep 95 (fl), Dubois 780 (K, P); cerque de Malela 16 Nov 1945 (fl), Donis 1354 (K).-Province unknown: entre Bubinga et Tarawa, Jan 1931 (fl), Lebrun 1964 (K, MO, P). UGANDA. Entebbe District, 3900 ft., 1904, Dawe 118 (K); Bujeje District, 3600 ft, 1905 (fl, fr), Dawe 229 (K); Masaka District, NW side of Lake Nabugabo, 1140 m, 9 Oct 1953 (fl, fr), Drummond & Hemsley 4714 (B, EA, FI-T, K-2 sheets); Namanve, Mengo, 3700 ft., Jan 1935 (fr), Eggeling 1524 (BR, K-indicates Eggeling 1583 to be a wood collection of this number, but duplicates at EA and NY bear only the number 1583); without definite locality, 1922 (yr fr), Maitland s. n. (K). KENYA. Kwale: Ramisi-Mrima Hill road, ca. 7 km past the crossing of the Ramisi River, ca. 4°32'S, 39°19'E, ca. 40 m, 23 Mar 1974 (fl, fr), Faden & Faden 74/306 (K, MO, WAG); Shimba Hills, Mwele Grid Ref. 3922E0416S, 300 m, 13 Nov 1992 (st), Luke 3378 (EA); Shimba Hills, Buffalo Ridge, Grid Ref 3926E0413S, 280 m, 15 Mar 1991 (fl), Luke & Robertson 2709 (K, MO, US). TANZANIA. About 20-30 km SW of Bukoba, 1300 m, 31 Oct 1992 (fl), Breteler 11626 (WAG). Rubare, Bukoba, Bukoba District, Lake Province, 4000 ft., Jul 1951 (buds, fr), Eggeling 6241 (K); Lindi, SE Tanganyika, Chilangal, 800 m, 16 Dec 1942 (fl), Gillman 1261 (K); Bukoba District, Rubogo Swamp, Sep-Oct 1935 (fl), Gillman 398 (BM, K); Amani, 16 Nov 1928 (fl, fr), Greenway 1006 (K); Mlinga, 2800 ft. alt., 18 Feb 1937 (fl), Greenway 4909 (EA, K); Tanga Region, Muheza District, Amani, Mbomole Hill Trail, 05°02'S, 39°10'E, 900 m, 4 Jun 1996 (st), Johnson et al. 1943A (OWU), 1943B (OWU), 1944 (OWU); Stromgebiet des oberen Ruhudje [tributary of Kilombero by Njombe], Landschaft Massagati nördlich des Flusses, ca. 35°30'E, 700 m, 27 Nov 1931 (fl), Schlieben 1480 (BM, K); Amani, Zimmerman 2630 (A, BM, EA). ANGOLA. At Rio Munze, Buco Zau, 26 Aug 1916 (bud), Gossweiler 6612 (BM); along the river Luali, Buco Zau, Mayumbe, 27 Dec 1916 (fl), Gossweiler 6903 (BM, K-2 sheets); Belize, 10 Mar 1917 (fl), Gossweiler 7032 (BM); banks of the rio Lufo, Maiombe, 22 Feb 1919 (fl), Gossweiler 7845 (BM, K-3 sheets); Sumba, Peco, proximum flumen Zaire, 3 Dec 1924 (fl), Gossweiler 8972 (BM, K, US); Maiombe, Nkanda Mbaku, proximum flumen Luali-Chiloango, 50 m, 22 Jun 1924 (fr), Gossweiler 9060 (BM); Maiombe, Nkanda Mbaku, proximum flumen Luali-Chiloango, 50 m, 25 Apr 1923 (fl), Gossweiler 9073 (BM); Sumba, Peco, July 1926 (fr), Gossweiler 9134 (A, BM, MO, US); Sumba, Peco, proximum flumen Zaire, Jun 1926 (fr), Gossweiler 9138 (BM, US); Dundo, proximum flumen Luachimo, Mar 1949 (st), Gossweiler 14222 [leg. Barros Machado] (BM, P); Mayumbe, Gossweiler s. n. (BM); Hochland von Quela, Nolde 216 (BM); in regno Hungo ad limites boreali-orientales regni Angolae, s. d. (fr), Welwitsch 765 (BM). ZAMBIA. Copperbelt: Chingola, Luano Catchments, 31 Oct 1978 (fl), Bingham 3250 (K); Mufulira, 11 Aug 1954 (fr), Fanshawe 1447 (K).-Northern: Shiwa Ngandu, 5400 ft, 21 Jul 1938 (fl, fr), Greenway 5452 (EA, K); Chinsali District, Shiwa Ng’andu, Mansha River, Chusa Falls, 11°09'19"S, 31°33'04"E, 1470 m, 25 Nov 1993 (fl, fr), Harder et al. 2126 (MO).-Northwestern: Mwinilunga, 7 Sep 1955 (fr), Holmes H.1179 (K); Mwinilunga District, R. Matonchi, 21 Oct 1937 (fl), Milne-Redhead 2883 (A, B, BM, BR, EA, FI-T, K-2 sheets, P). MALAWI. Southern: near Likabula Forest Station, at about 3000 ft, 4 Dec 1957 (fl), Chapman 494 (BM, K); lower slopes Mt. Mulanje, near Manager’s House at Esperanza Estate, 700 m, 18 Nov 1985 (fl, fr), Chapman & Chapman 6829 (MO); half way up the outer slopes of Mt. Mulanje at a cliff foot in a hollow on the mountainside above the Chitakale stream (east branch), in full view of the Boma Path to Lichenya Plateau, 4 Dec 1985 (fl), Chapman & Chapman 6921 (K, MO). MOZAMBIQUE. Cabo Delgado: Cabo Delgado, 11°33'05"S, 39°20'51"E, 796 m, 11 Sep 2009 (st), Lötter & Turpin 1898 (K).-Mozambique: Serra Chinga, entre a Chinga-1 e a Chinga 2-A caminho do Chinga 2 [14°59'37.01"S, 38°33'20.98"E], 28 May (fl), Aguiar Macedo & Macuácua 3291 (DSM).-Niassa: Chomba, entre o cruzamento & Chomba, 20 Sep 1948 (st), Pedro & Pedrogão 5285 (EA).- Ribáuè: encosta da Serra Mepáluè (Ie.), 700 m, 12 Dec 1967 (yg fr), Torre & Correia 16453 (BR, EA, K); serra de Chinga, 1100 m, 12 Dec 1967 (fl), Torre & Correia 16460 (B, WAG).-Sofala: Cheringoma, Dando, serração de Inhansato, de Cardoso & Lopes, 1 Jun 1948 (yg fr), Mendonça 4442 (EA, K, MO, WAG).-Zambezia: Mabu Mountain [16.2825°S, 36.3817°E], (fl, fr), Harris 644 (K). ZIMBABWE. Manicaland: [Melsetter District], 1300 ft, 3 Sep 1964 (fl, fr), Wild et al. 6618 (BR, K); Inyanga District, Eastern Highlands Plantation, Pungwe Valley, 3500 ft, 9 Nov 1960 (fl, fr), Wild 5267 (K, MO).-Province unknown: Near Mozambique border, Müller 564 (K).

Xylopia aethiopica is readily distinguished from all other African Xylopia species by the distinctly connate sepals, the large number (up to 36) of narrow, weakly torulose monocarps, and the bilobed aril of the small seeds. The inflorescences are always pedunculate, with the 2-4 large flowers borne on long pedicels. In dried condition, the subcoriaceous leaves have a distinctive dark red midrib on the adaxial surface and a pale abaxial blade surface. Xylopia aethiopica is sometimes confused with Xylopia rubescens , which also has relatively narrow monocarps. Xylopia rubescens has, however, inner petals much shorter than the outer petals, up to 15 monocarps that are strongly torulose and usually distinctly beaked at the apex, and a distinctive reddish cast on the abaxial leaf surface The aril on the seeds of Xylopia rubescens also has the brushlike appendages characteristic of section Neoxylopia .

Although Xylopia aethiopica shows morphological variability, we could not detect any consistent ecological or geographic pattern to the variation. In the field in northeastern Tanzania, we observed that smaller individuals have relatively large “shade” leaves, and that leaves in the canopy of large trees tend to be smaller and narrower "sun leaves." Herbarium specimens with such small leaves were occasionally seen, e.g. Leemans 488, Léonard 311, both from the western Democratic Republic of the Congo). There is variability in the number of monocarps per fruit and in the number of seeds per monocarp, but this seems to reflect pollination success, with small fruits being scattered throughout the distribution. A number of specimens from the Congo River basin exhibited relatively small flowers at maturity, with petals only ca. 20 mm long, more flowers per inflorescence, sometimes as many as seven, glabrous or sparsely pubescent foliage and inflorescences, smaller numbers of carpels (11-14), and a smaller staminal cone (2.2-2.4 mm in diameter) in the flower. It is possible that this variant is the plant described as Xylopia gilletii by De Wildeman, but the type specimen of that name is in fruit. A field study of this variant is needed.

Xylopia aethiopica grows in a range of habitats across its distribution, and it is difficult to determine from herbarium label data whether its presence in secondary vegetation, and along riverbanks, is spontaneous or the result of deliberate planting and tending. Only a single collection (Kisantu, cultivé, 7 Sep 1912 (st), Chevalier 28331 (P)) explicitly states that the specimen came from a cultivated plant. Savill and Fox (1967) described X. aethiopica in Sierra Leone as inhabiting a wide variety of forest zones, and explicitly characterized it as a tree of secondary forest, where it often formed pure stands in regenerating forest but was absent from older forests ( Savill and Fox 1967). In eastern Africa, the species is largely restricted to mountainous areas where the rainfall is higher than in the surrounding lowlands. In the Usambara Mountains near Amani, we found it growing in sapling, subcanopy, and canopy stages in an area of disturbed forest, at one site occurring with smaller trees of Parinari excelsa at the top of a steep slope along a road.

As discussed in the Ethnobiology section, the ethnobotanical literature attests to the continued wide use of the monocarps across West and Central Africa as a spice and medicine. It has been used since ancient times for these purposes. We have seen herbarium specimens from Nigeria (Lagos, Dawodu s. n. (K)), Cameroon (Messa Market, Yaoundé, 7 Mar 1979, Westphal 10202 (P), and Gabon (without definite locality, 1854, Aubry-Lecomte s. n. (P)) with labels stating that the fruits were obtained from or sold in the market. The label of Dawodu s. n. adds "invariably included in the Agbo pot to give tone and strength to the whole compound." Van Andel (2015) recently reported that the fruits of the Neotropical species X. discreta in Suriname are used medicinally, in ways similar to those for X. aethiopica , by local people of African descent. The name van Andel reported for the plants in Suriname was “pechereku,” and she observed its similarity to the Fon name “pedjericou” applied to X. aethiopica in Benin.

Xylopia aethiopica has been reported as a food source for animals. Usongo and Amubode (2001) indicated that the young leaves of Xylopia aethiopica made up 22.2% of the diet of red colobus monkeys ( Colobus badius preussi ) at a field site in Korup National Park in western Cameroon. In Ivory Coast, the arillate seeds are consumed by Diana monkeys, which spit out the seeds ( Koné et al. 2008) and, in Cameroon, three species of monkeys eat and defecate the seeds ( Poulsen et al. 2001). The seeds are also reported to be taken by two species of hornbills in Cameroon ( Wang 2008); Gautier-Hion (1985) and Clark and Poulsen (2001) reported the seeds of X. aethiopica to be bird-dispersed. Seeds of X. aethiopica , with the aril still intact, were recovered by T. Engel from the dung of a genet cat in the Shimba Hills of Kenya.

We follow the conclusion of Brizicky (1962) in accepting the year of publication of the combination Xylopia aethiopica as 1841, rather than the printed date of 1845. A lectotype for Unona aethiopica Dun. was chosen by Verdcourt (1971b), who indicated the lectotype to be at G. In the Prodromus herbarium at G there are three sheets, however, and it is not clear whether the lectotypification was intended to include all of them or just a single sheet, so a secondary lectotypification is explicitly designated here.

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Magnoliales

Family

Annonaceae

Genus

Xylopia

Loc

Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard, Hist. phys. Cuba, Pl. vasc. 53. 1841 [ "1845" ].

Johnson, David M. & Murray, Nancy A. 2018
2018
Loc

Anona aethiopica

Linnaeus 1927
1927
Loc

Xylopia dekeyzeriana

De Wildeman 1903
1903
Loc

Xylopia gilletii

De Wildeman 1903
1903
Loc

Xylopia eminii

Engler 1895
1895
Loc

Xylopicrum aethiopicum

Kuntze 1891
1891
Loc

Unona aethiopica

Dunal 1817
1817