Leonardoxa africana subsp. gracilicaulis, McKey, 2000

Mckey, Doyle B., 2000, Leonardoxa africana (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae): a complex of mostly allopatric subspecies, Adansonia (3) 22 (1), pp. 71-109 : 103

both L. africana subsp. gracilicaulis (in P and YA) and of subsp. africana (in BR).

ECOLOGY. — This subspecies is not a myrmecophyte, but is “myrmecophilic,” attracting many different species of tree-dwelling ants to its foliar nectar. Some of these (e.g., Tetramorium aculeatum , Oecophylla longinoda ) establish nests on leaf surfaces, but no ants nest in twigs. Ant-exclusion experiments found no effect of these opportunistically attracted ants in protecting young leaves of the plant against herbivores (GAUME 1998). This subspecies was termed “ L. gracilicaulis ” by MCKEY (1991) and “ L. africana taxon T1” by CHENUIL & MCKEY (1996) and BROUAT et al. (1998).

PARATYPES. — CAMEROON, Central-South Province : Bitye, Bates 1660 ( MO) ; Nkomnyat , 4 km N Ekekam, Dang 651 ( P, YA) ; hill near Mt. Febe , Yaoundé, Manning 2157 ( MO) ; Colline Ngwon , 38 km E Kribi, Letouzey 9371 ( P, WAG, YA) ; Evelessi , 30 km W Sangmelima, Letouzey 10158 ( BR, K, P, WAG, YA) ; 20 km NE Yaoundé, Mildbraed 8065 ( K) ; Makak , SRFCam/1141 ( P, YA) ; Lolodorf , Staudt 427 ( G, K) ; colline Nkoltsia , Villiers 807 ( P) ; 5 km S Mbalmayo, W. de Wilde 1862 ( BR, K, MO, P, WAG, YA) ; Bipindi , Zenker ed. Weigel 37 ( G, US, WAG) , Zenker s.n. ( BR, P) , 1696 (K, WAG), 1698 (BR), 2255 (K), 2255b (BR, G, K, P, WAG, Z), 2303a (K, P), 2989a (BR, K, P, WAG), 3747 (MO), 4545 (BR, K), 4972 (BR, K); 3km WNW Bipindi, Manning 1397 ( MO) . Littoral Province : 14 km from Douala on the old road to Edea, Mpom 303 in part ( P, YA) . — GABON, Province Estuaire: near Libreville, Klaine 3361 ( P) ; Sibange- Farm , Munda, Soyaux 104 ( K, P) ; ca. 15 km along road from Assok to hydroelectric power plant in the Tchimbele River, ca. 600 m, Breteler & de Wilde 226 ( WAG) . Province Woleu-Ntem: region of Oyem, between the Ogouée R. and Cameroon, Le Testu s.n. ( BR, K, MO) , 9079 (BR, P); Assoc Ngoum , Le Testu 8995 ( P, BR) . Province Ogouée-Ivindo : Mambanza , between Gazi and Dembona, Le Testu 8888 ( B, K, MO) ; ca. 24 km along SOMIFER road towards Makokou , elev. 950-1000 m, Breteler & de Wilde 704 ( WAG) ; Village Manyal , Bord Ivindo, Eckendorff 128 ( P) . — EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Nkolentangun , Nscha’bat (undetermined locality), Tessmann 284a ( K) . — CONGO REPUBLIC (BRAZZAVILLE): Mbouamo (Sangha) forêts (undetermined locality), Chevalier s.n. ( P) .