An endangered new species of edible yam (Dioscorea, Dioscoreaceae) from Western Madagascar and its conservation

Abstract

A new species of Dioscorea from Morondava prefecture in Western Madagascar is described. Dioscorea bako Wilkin differs from D. alatipes Burkill & H. Perr. by its usually shallowly and irregularly lobed leaf margins, broader leaf blade (grey-green below), longer petiole and the broadly cuneate area where the petiole is inserted onto the leaf blade in the basal sinus. It is pubescent, especially densely on young shoots and inflorescences. It is endemic to Morondava Prefecture and is endangered under IUCN Red List category criteria (IUCN 2001). The unusual morphological features of its inflorescences, some of which are shared with D. alatipes are discussed. Dioscorea bako is a favoured food source for people of the Menabe region and is reported by them to be increasingly hard to find. Immediate conservation measures are necessary to ensure that it remains extant and, in the medium to long term, research should be undertaken to guide its sustainable utilisation.