Pseudohydrosme ebo explained

Pseudohydrosme ebo, commonly known as the Ebo false hydrosme, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae. It was described by Xander Van der Burgt in 2015 but was not officially classified as a true species in the genus Pseudohydrosme until 2018.[1]

Description

Pseudohydrosme ebo on average reaches about 30 cm (11.81 inches) tall. Spathe is 5 cm (1.96 inches) long, a dull white color, with brown stripes on the outer portion, and a light red-brown color with pale green veins on the inner portion. Leaves are 10 cm (3.93 inches) long, thick, oval shaped, and glossy.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Pseudohydrosme ebo is endemic to the Ebo Forest, Cameroon, at elevations of 300-400 m, where its range stretches only 1.3 km (0.80 miles) within a small valley. It is quite rare, with only 50-100 mature individuals recorded in the past years, but approximately 1,000 specimens have been recorded and collected previously.[3]

Conservation

Pseudohydrosme ebo is currently listed as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN Red List, for excessive logging, slash-and-burn, and poaching are greatly affecting the species population.

Poaching

Pseudohydrosme ebo is at a serious threat of poaching in its native habitat, with locals and wealthy collectors wanting to make a profit in the illegal plant trade and other major plant markets.

Notes and References

  1. Cheek . Martin . Tchiengue . Barthelemy . Burgt . Xander van der . 2020-10-07 . bioRxiv . Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, Critically Endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon . en . 2020.10.05.326850 . 10.1101/2020.10.05.326850.
  2. Web site: Pseudohydrosme ebo Kew . 2023-05-01 . www.kew.org.
  3. Pseudohydrosme ebo . amp . Whittaker, A. . Cheek, M. . e.T194745722A196446862 . 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T194745722A196446862.en . 2021 . 10 January 2024.