Novelties in Uvaria (Annonaceae) from West Africa

A new species of Uvaria (Annonaceae) from Liberia, only known from one fruiting collection, is described and illustrated. Uvaria tobliensis sp. nov. differs from all other African Uvaria species by the combination of a relatively small leaf blade (4–6.5 × 1.8–2.8 cm) with a very dense indumentum on the lower surface, and relatively large subglobose monocarps (2.2–2.5 × 1.9–2.1 cm). The conservation status of the new species is assessed as CR following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

The two subspecies of Uvaria ovata, subsp. ovata and subsp. afzeliana, are treated here as distinct species, U. ovata and U. leonensis, and lectotypes are designated.