Revision and new species of the African genus Mischogyne (Annonaceae)

Mischogyne (Annonaceae, tribe Monodoreae) is a genus of tropical shrubs and. It is characterized by: (1) stamens and carpels on a more or less extended receptacle (torus); (2) carpels divergent from each other at the apex of the torus above the anthers; (3) anthers linear and anther connectives not expanded above the thecae; (4) inflorescences extra-axillary (or sometimes terminal in M. michelioides) with usually solitary flowers, (5) petals reflexed at anthesis (except M. michelioides), and (6) prominent reticulate tertiary veins. The genus is found in the lowland tropical rain forests of Africa with precipitation of 1 - 4 m. and in the dry coastal foothills of Angola. Five species and one variety of Mischogyne are recognized. One newly discovered species from the Eastern Arc Mountains, M. iddii is described. The variety M. elliotiana var. glabra is reduced into synonymy with M. elliotiana var. elliotiana. Mischogyne elliotiana var. gabonensis is raised to species level as M. gabonensis. Specimens from the Congo are recognized as a new species, Mischogyne congensis. Preliminary conservation status assessments are provided for each species, as well as a key and detailed species descriptions. An unusual distribution pattern for the genus which includes dry coastal Angola in addition to wet forest is discussed.