Plectranthus cataractarum B.J.Pollard, Kew Bull 56(4): 976 (2001)

Kuetegue, Felix, Sonke, Bonaventure & Ameka, Gabriel K., 2019, A checklist of rheophytes of Cameroon, PhytoKeys 121, pp. 81-131 : 81

Plectranthus cataractarum B.J.Pollard, Kew Bull 56(4): 976 (2001)

Type.

Cameroon: Hunters path to Lake Njonji at side of seasonal watercourse, M. Cheek 5563 (holotype: K; isotypes: MA, MO, SCA, WAG, YA).

Description.

Annual or perennial herb growing to 60 cm tall; stems decumbent to ascending, sub-woody at the base; leaves slightly fleshy, 20-45(-70) × 5-20(-25) mm, 2-2.5 times as long as broad; inflorescence terminal.

Specimens examined.

Etinde, Njonji, footpath from Cameroon Development Corporation oil palm plantations to the summit, 24 Nov 1993, Williams 52 (K, SCA, WAG, YA); Bakossi Mts: Chutes de 'Ile Ndip Medschang, 21 Nov 1998, Satabie 1109 (K, K000051130).

Habitat.

Invariably growing in spray zone of waterfalls, on wet rocks or on river banks, up to flood level, of swift-running water; lowland or submontane evergreen forest, 300-1450 m alt.

Distribution.

Cameroon (Fig. 12 ) and Equatorial Guinea.

Conservation status in Cameroon.

Plectranthus cataractarum is listed on http://www.iucnredlist.org. The species was assessed as Vulnerable ( Pollard and Paton 2003). Eight years later it was reassessed as Endangered ( Onana and Cheek 2011). The taxon is currently known from three collecting localities. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are both estimated to be less than 10 km2. The associated threats, such as forest logging and plantation establishment, mentioned by Pollard and Paton (2003) are still ongoing. Based on these threats, and that the habitats are still under pressure, the species is here re-evaluated as Endangered. IUCN Red List Category: Endangered ENB1+2ab (ii+iii).

Figures

Figures 11 - 19. 11 Cyperus cataractarum K. Schum ex Engl. 12 Plectranthus cataractarum B. J. Pollard 13 Calvoa stenophylla Jacq. - Fel. 14 Eugenia dusenii Engl. 15 Biophytum talbotii (Baker f.) Hutch. & Dalziel 16 Biophytum zenkeri Guillaumin 17 Pandanus satabiei Huynh 18 Eragrostis barteri C. E. Hubb. 19 Ixora euosmia K. Schum.