Open AccessThe genus Borassus (Arecaceae) in West Africa, with a description of a new species from Burkina Faso
Author(s) -
BAYTON ROSS P.,
OUÉDRAOGO AMADÉ,
GUINKO SITA
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00485.x
Subject(s) - arecaceae , biology , reticulate , inflorescence , botany , genus , pollen , apex (geometry) , taxon , palm , physics , quantum mechanics
Borassus akeassiiBayton, Ouédraogo & Guinko sp. nov. (Arecaceae) is described as a new species from western Burkina Faso in West Africa. It has been confused with the widely distributed African species B. aethiopum and more recently with the Asian B. flabellifer . However, it is distinguished by its glaucous, green leaves with weakly armed petioles and a characteristic pattern of lamina venation. The fruits have a pointed apex and are greenish when ripe, and the flowers of the pistillate inflorescence are arranged in three spirals. The pollen has a reticulate tectum and distinctive ornamentation. The distribution of B. akeassii is discussed and the status of the varieties of Borassus aethiopum (var. bagamojensis and var. senegalensis ) is examined. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 419–427.