A new endangered species of Jollydora (Connaraceae) represents the first record of the genus from Upper Guinea (tropical Africa)

Abstract

Background and aims - A small cauliflorous treelet found in the South of Sino County in Liberia was identified as Jollydora in the field. This genus was, however, not yet known outside central Africa. The collection indeed proved to be a Jollydora and to represent an undescribed species, the fourth in the genus. Key results - The new forest species Jollydora armandui is described and illustrated here. It is the first Jollydora species known outside central Africa. It resembles J. duparquetiana, but the fruits of the new species are spindle-shaped and usually one-seeded and not pear-shaped and two-seeded. The new species is only known from the type locality in Liberia. Conservation Status - Because it is likely that the new species only lives in a relatively small area between Greenville and Buchanan, and because the forest where it grows is not protected, it should be listed as endangered until more is known about it.