Plant Ecology and Evolution 152(3): 546-553, doi: 10.5091/plecevo.2019.1595
Justicia gigantophylla (Acanthaceae), an endangered litter-gathering species from southern Cameroon
expand article infoHarry J. Smith‡, Con Moran§, Olivier Lachenaud|, Iain Darbyshire‡
‡ Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, United Kingdom§ School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland| Botanic Garden Meise, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium

Corresponding author: Harry Smith ( harry.smith@kew.org )

© Harry J. Smith, Con Moran, Olivier Lachenaud, Iain Darbyshire1.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Smith HJ, Moran C, Lachenaud O, Darbyshire I (2019) Justicia gigantophylla (Acanthaceae), an endangered litter-gathering species from southern Cameroon. Plant Ecology and Evolution 152(3): 546-553. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2019.1595
Open Access
Abstract

Background and aims – The taxonomic status of Duvernoia gigantophylla Lindau from southern Cameroon is considered in relation to the wider Justicia extensa-laxa complex of tropical Africa. Its unusual litter-gathering habit (currently unique in Acanthaceae) is also discussed.

Methods – This study was based on normal practices of herbarium taxonomy and morphological analysis. All relevant protocols were followed in the production of the conservation assessment and selection of the lectotype.

Key results – A new combination Justicia gigantophylla (Lindau) H.J.Sm. & C.Moran is proposed for this narrowly endemic and endangered species, which is re-instated, with a new description and conservation assessment. A basic key to the wider J. extensa-laxa complex is presented. Justicia gigantophylla is assessed as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) according to the 2012 criteria of IUCN and a new lectotype is also designated.

Keywords
Cameroon, Acanthaceae, Justicia, litter-gathering, species complex, conservation

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