Afrocarpus mannii explained

Afrocarpus mannii is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the Afromontane forests of São Tomé Island in the Gulf of Guinea, growing on Pico de São Tomé at altitudes of 1300m (4,300feet) up to the summit at 2024m (6,640feet). This is the only Gymnosperm found on São Tomé e Príncipe. It was formerly classified as Podocarpus mannii.

It is a small tree, growing 10–15 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, lanceolate, 6–8 cm long on mature trees, larger, to 15 cm long and 2 cm broad, on vigorous young trees. The seed cones are highly modified, with a single 2 cm diameter seed with a thin fleshy coating borne on a short peduncle. The pollen cones are 1.5-2.5 cm long, solitary or in pairs on a short stem.

References