Jump to content

Berlinia korupensis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Berlinia korupensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Berlinia
Species:
B. korupensis
Binomial name
Berlinia korupensis
Mackinder & Burgt

Berlinia korupensis is a species of tree up to 42 m (138 feet) tall and 88 cm (35 in) in diameter, belonging to the Senna subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the Bean Family, and is endemic to the Korup National Park in Cameroon, West Africa. Having produced large, delicate white flowers remindful of Bauhinia, the species' seed pods can grow to be 30 cm long. Seed dispersal is explosive with the opposing halves of the pods tightening as they dry until suddenly they split and shoot seeds for a distance that can be as great as 50 metres (165 feet).[2] It is on the Critically Endangered list as thus far only 17 trees have been found.[3][4] This is a very recent discovery, having been unknown to the outside world prior to June of 2010.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mackinder, B. & Hargreaves, S. (2017). "Berlinia korupensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017. IUCN: e.T103851066A112188846. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103851066A112188846.en. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  2. ^ "New to Nature No 11: Berlinia korupensis" The Observer 20 June 2010 Retrieved 20 June 2010
  3. ^ Mackinder Barbara A., van der Burgt Xander M. (2009). "Berlinia korupensis (Leguminosae – Caesalpinioideae), a new tree species from Cameroon". Kew Bulletin. 64: 129–134. doi:10.1007/s12225-009-9100-z.
  4. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8424817.stm BBC News
[edit]