Inversodicraea abbayesii G.Taylor

Tchouto, P. & Burgt, X. van der, 2017, A synoptic revision of Inversodicraea (Podostemaceae), Blumea 62 (2), pp. 125-156 : 140

15. Inversodicraea abbayesii G.Taylor

Inversodicraea abbayesii G. Taylor (1953) 67;(1954) 126. — Ledermanniella abbayesii (G.Taylor) C. Cusset (1974) 273; (1983) 385. — Type: H. des Abbayes 898/1948 (holotype BM; isotypes U n.v., ZT n.v.), Guinea, Pita, Chûtes Kinkon, 880 m, fl., 22 Feb. 1948.

Etymology. Named for the collector of the type specimen, Prof. H. des Abbayes, of the University of Rennes, Brittany, France, collector of the type specimen.

Distribution — Guinea, endemic.

Habitat & Ecology — “Tres abondant dans la rivière au dessus des Chûtes, attaché aux rochers dans le courant. Seul le sommet fleuri émerge de l’eau” (H. des Abbayes 898/1948); waterfall, 880 m altitude.

Conservation — Known from two collections at one location, Chûtes de Kinkon in the Fouta Djalon of Guinea. Inversodicraea abbayesii was listed on www.iucnredlist.org as Data Deficient in 2008 ( Diop 2010a) citing the National Monograph of Guinea as evidence that the species, known only from a single location, Chûtes de Kinkon, is not threatened. However, in recent years a Chinese hydroelectric dam has been constructed near the falls. The resultant changes to the natural alternation of water levels may explain why this species has not been recollected since, despite being so close to the major town of Pita. Here the species is assessed as Critically Endangered since there is a single location, with area of occupancy estimated at 1 km 2 and with the threats ascribed above: CR B2 ab(iii).

Additional specimens. GUINEA, type specimen ; ibid., fl., fr., Dec. 1948 ,

Bourdu s.n. (P00179245 image).

Note — In habit similar to I. adamesii but with well-developed commissural ribs, and with scale-leaves much more acute, longer and more slender. The scale-leaves have similarities to the minute I. pygmaea of Grandes Chûtes, Kindia, but the habit, and fruit ribs greatly differ.