Virectaria salicoides (C.H.Wright) Bremek., Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Natuurk., Sect. 2, 48(2): 21 (1952)

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

Virectaria salicoides (C.H.Wright) Bremek., Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Natuurk., Sect. 2, 48(2): 21 (1952)

Virecta salicoïdes C.H.Wright, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1898(1430): 302 (1898)

Type.

Cameroon, Mfoa, rocky bank of Mbei River, 00 Oct 1827, G. L. Bates 527 (holotype: K; isotypes: BM, P).

Description.

Herb 25 cm high; stems flexible and tough; strongly rooted; leaves narrow 3-9 × 0.5-0.9 cm; inflorescence terminal.

Specimen examined.

Nkolebenga, northwest of d’Ebianemeyong, near Nyabesan, 60 km east of Campo, 2°25'N, 10°20'E, 11 Apr 1970. R. Letouzey 10357 (YA).

Habitat.

Rocks at banks and beds of rivers and streams.

Distribution.

Cameroon (Fig. 22 ) and Gabon.

Conservation status in Cameroon.

Virectaria salicoides is not listed on http://www.iucnredlist.org, nor assessed by Onana and Cheek (2011). The taxon is currently known from two localities (Kribi and Ebianemeyong). The extent of occurrence of the species is estimated at less than 100 km2, and its area of occupancy is about 4 km2. The habitat is threatened by dam construction ( Memve’ele Hydro-electric dam on Ntem waterfall at Nyabesan). Based on this threat, and the continuous decline of vegetation cover in the area, extent and /or quality of habitat V. salicoides is here assessed as Endangered. IUCN Red List Category: Endangered EN B2ab (ii, iii).

Figures

Figures 20 - 25. 20 Ixora inundata Hiern 21 Virectaria angustifolia (Hiern) Bremek 22 Virectaria salicoides (C. H. Wright) Bremek 23 Deinbollia angustifolia D. W. Thomas 24 Deinbollia saligna Keay 25 Podostemaceae distribution.