Vol. 80 No. 2 Suppl. (2025)
Articles

Keetia tinka & K. kounounkan sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) new threatened forest climbers and shrubs of sandstone plateaux of the Republic of Guinea

Faya Julien Simbiano
Herbier National de Guinée, Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea
Charlotte Couch
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
Sekou Magassouba
Herbier National de Guinée, Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea
Xander M. van der Burgt
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
Jack Plummer
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
Martin Cheek
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK

Published 2025-11-17

Keywords

  • conservation,
  • Keetia,
  • lianas,
  • Rubiaceae,
  • taxonomy

How to Cite

Simbiano, F. J., Couch, C., Magassouba, S., van der Burgt, X. M., Plummer, J., & Cheek, M. (2025). Keetia tinka & K. kounounkan sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) new threatened forest climbers and shrubs of sandstone plateaux of the Republic of Guinea. Webbia, 80(2), 183–195. https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-19152

Abstract

Two new species of Keetia are described from recent botanical collections for conservation management made in surviving submontane forest areas of the sandstone plateau areas of the Republic of Guinea. Keetia kounounkan Cheek & Simbiano is a shrub of the Kounounkan Plateau towards the border of Sierra Leone, so far with a single location in gallery forest. K. tinka Cheek & Simbiano is an evergreen rainforest climber of the main part of the Fouta Djalon Highlands with two locations both in degraded forest. Both species are described, illustrated and provisionally assessed for their conservation status, the first as Critically Endangered, the second as Endangered.

References

  1. Beentje H, Cheek M. 2003. Glossary. In: Beentje H. (Ed.), Flora of Tropical East Africa. Balkema, Lisse. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482283808
  2. Breteler FJ, Baldé A. 2024. Casearia septandra (Salicaceae), a new tree species from the mountains of Guinea, West Africa. Kew Bulletin. 79(2): 341-344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10166-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10166-8
  3. Bridson DM. 1985. The reinstatement of Psydrax (Rubiaceae, subfam. Cinchonoideae tribe Vanguerieae) and a revision of the African species. Kew Bulletin. 40: 687–725. https://doi.org/10.2307/4109853 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4109853
  4. Bridson DM. 1986. The Reinstatement of the African genus Keetia (Rubiaceae, Cinchonoideae, Vanguerieae). Kew Bulletin. 41(4): 956–994. https://doi.org/10.2307/4102996 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4102996
  5. Bridson DM. 1994. A new species of Keetia (Rubiaceae-Vanguerieae) Kew Bulletin. 49: 803–807. https://doi.org/10.2307/4118075 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4118075
  6. Bridson DM. 1998. Rubiaceae (Tribe Vanguerieae) Flora Zambesiaca. 5(2): 1–377. https://doi.org/10.2307/4111186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4111186
  7. Bridson DM, Robbrecht E. 1993. A spiny-fruited new Keetia (Rubiaceae, Vanguerieae) from Kivu (Zaire). Belgium Journal Botany. 126: 29–32.
  8. Bridson DM, Verdcourt B. 1991. Flora of Tropical East Africa–Rubiaceae, 3. Rotterdam/Brookfield, A.A.Balkema. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203755860 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203755860
  9. Brown M, Bachman S, Lughadha EN. 2023. Three in four undescribed plant species are threatened with extinction. New Phytologist. 240: 1340-1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19214 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19214
  10. Burgt van der XM, Haba PM, Magassouba S, Veranso-Libalah MC. 2022. Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), a new herbaceous genus and species from Guinea, West Africa. Willdenowia. 52(1): 25–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.52.52102
  11. Burgt XM van der, Konomou G, Haba PM, Magassouba S. 2019. Gladiolus mariae (Iridaceae), a new species from fire-free shrubland in the Kounounkan Massif, Guinea. Willdenowia. 49: 117–126. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.49.49112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.49.49112
  12. Cheek M. 2006. A New Species of Keetia (Rubiaceae-Vanguerieae) from Western Cameroon. Kew Bulletin. 61(4): 591–594.
  13. Cheek M, Bridson DM. 2019. Three new threatened Keetia species (Rubiaceae), from the forests of the Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 71(Suppl.2): 155–169. https://doi.org/10.26492/gbs71(suppl.2).2019-12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26492/gbs71(suppl.2).2019-12
  14. Cheek M, Cable S. 1997. Plant Inventory for conservation management: the Kew-Earthwatch programme in Western Cameroon, 1993–96: 29–38. In Doolan S. (Ed.) African Rainforests and the Conservation of Biodiversity, Earthwatch Europe, Oxford.
  15. Cheek M, Onana JM. 2024. Keetia nodulosa sp. nov. (Rubiaceae-Vanguerieae) of West- Central Africa: bacterial leaf nodulation discovered in a fourth genus and tribe of Rubiaceae. Webbia. 79(1): 31–46. https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-15946 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-15946
  16. Cheek M, Bissiengou P, Lachenaud O. 2024a. Keetia gordonii sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae), a new species of threatened forest liana from Gabon. Kew Bulletin. 79: 841–853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10219-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10219-y
  17. Cheek M, Feika A, Lebbie A, Goyder D, Tchiengue B, Sene O, Tchouto P, van der Burgt X. 2017. A synoptic revision of Inversodicraea (Podostemaceae). Blumea. 62: 125–156. https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2017.62.02.07 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2017.62.02.07
  18. Cheek M, Haba PK, Cisse S. 2020a. Hibiscus fabiana sp. nov. (Malvaceae) from the Guinea Highlands (West Africa). Blumea. 65(1): 69–74. https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2020.65.01.08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2020.65.01.08
  19. Cheek M, Haba PM, Konomou G & van der Burgt XM. 2019. Ternstroemia guineensis (Ternstroemiaceae), a new endangered, submontane shrub with neotropical affinities, from Kounounkan, Guinea, W. Africa. Willdenowia. 49 (3): 351–360. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.49.49306 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.49.49306
  20. Cheek M, Harvey YB, Onana J-M. 2011. The Plants of Mefou Proposed National Park. Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Conservation Checklist. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  21. Cheek M, Magassouba S, Howes MR, Doré T, Doumbouya, Molmou D, Grall A, Couch C, Larridon I. 2018b. Kindia (Pavetteae, Rubiaceae), a new cliff-dwelling genus with chemically profiled colleter exudate from Mt Gangan, Republic of Guinea. PeerJ. 6:e4666 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4666 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4666
  22. Cheek M, Magassouba S, Molmou D, Doré TS, Couch C, Yasuda S, Gore C, Guest, A, Grall A, Larridon I, Bousquet IH, Ganatra B, Gosline G. 2018a. A key to the species of Keetia (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) in West Africa, with three new, threatened species from Guinea and Ivory Coast. Kew Bulletin. 73: 56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-018-9783-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-018-9783-0
  23. Cheek M, Molmou D, Gosline G, & Magassouba S. 2024c. Keita (Aptandraceae-Olacaceae sl), a new genus for African species previously ascribed to Anacolosa, including K. deniseae sp. nov., an Endangered submontane forest liana from Simandou, Republic of Guinea. Kew Bulletin 79: 317-332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10172-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10172-w
  24. Cheek M, Molmou D, Magassouba S, Ghogue J-P. 2022. Taxonomic Monograph of Saxicolella (Podostemaceae), African waterfall plants highly threatened by Hydro-Electric projects, with five new species. Kew Bulletin 77: 403-433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-022-10019-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-022-10019-2
  25. Cheek M, Nic Lughadha E, Kirk P, Lindon H, Carretero J, Looney B, Douglas B, Haelewaters D, Gaya E, Llewellyn T, Ainsworth M, Gafforov Y, Hyde K, Crous P, Hughes M, Walker BE, Forzza RC, Wong KM, Niskanen T. 2020b. New scientific discoveries: plants and fungi. Plants, People Planet. 2: 371–388. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10148
  26. Cheek M, Pollard BJ, Darbyshire I, Onana JM, Wild C. 2004. The Plants of Kupe, Mwanenguba and the Bakossi Mts, Cameroon. A Conservation Checklist. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  27. Cheek M, Poundje M, Pearce L. 2024b. Keetia korupensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) a threatened lowland evergreen forest climber and the endemic plant species of Korup National Park, SW Region, Cameroon. bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.13.598689 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.13.598689
  28. Cheek M, Tchiengue B, Thiam A, Molmou D, Dore TS, Magassouba S. 2024d. New discoveries of plants from Republic of Guinea, W. Africa, including Gymnosiphon fonensis Cheek, sp. nov. (Burmanniaceae), a new Critically Endangered species from Simandou. Adansonia. 46 (10): 89-101. https://doi.org/10.5252/adansonia2024v46a10. http://adansonia.com/46/10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5252/adansonia2024v46a10
  29. Cheek M, Yasuda S, Jongkind CCH, Bowden-Pickstock J. 2025. Keetia magassoubiana sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae), a threatened evergreen forest climber and an updated key to Keetia in West Africa. Kew Bulletin. 80: 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10234-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10234-z
  30. Couch C, Cheek M, Haba PM, Molmou D, Williams J, Magassouba S, Doumbouya S, Diallo MY. 2019. Threatened habitats and tropical important plant areas (TIPAs) of Guinea, West Africa. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  31. Couch C, Molmou D, Magassouba S, Doumbouya S, Diawara M, Diallo MY, Keita SM, Koné F, Diallo MC, Kourouma S, Diallo MB. 2022. Piloting development of species conservation action plans in Guinea. Oryx 57(4): 497-506 (July 2023). https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605322000138 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605322000138
  32. Darbyshire I, Anderson S, Asatryan A, Byfield A, Cheek M, Clubbe C, Ghrabi Z, Harris T, Heatubun CD, Kalema J, Magassouba S, McCarthy B, Milliken W, Montmollin B de, Nic Lughadha E, Onana JM, Saıdou D, Sarbu A, Shrestha K, Radford EA. 2017. Important Plant Areas: revised selection criteria for a global approach to plant conservation. Biodiversity Conservation. 26: 1767–1800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1336-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1336-6
  33. Darbyshire I, Kordofani M, Farag I, Candiga R, Pickering H. 2015. The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  34. Davies NMJ, Drinkell C, Utteridge TMA. 2023. The Herbarium Handbook. Kew Publishing
  35. Gosline G, Bidault E, Burgt XM van der, et al. 2023a. A Taxonomically-verified and Vouchered Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea. Scientific Data. 10: 327. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02236-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02236-6
  36. Gosline G, Bidault E, Burgt XM van der, et al. 2023b. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea–printable format (1.10). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7734985
  37. Haba PM, Holt BJ, van der Burgt XM. 2023. Tephrosia kindiana (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), a new species from Guinea. Kew Bulletin. 78; 271–276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-023-10096-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-023-10096-x
  38. Hoekstra PH, Wieringa JJ, Maas PJM, Chatrou LW. 2021. Revision of the African species of Monanthotaxis (Annonaceae). Blumea. 66(2): 107–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-022-10019-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2021.66.02.01
  39. Humphreys AM, Govaerts R, Ficinski SZ, Lughadha EN, Vorontsova MS. 2019. Global dataset shows geography and life form predict modern plant extinction and rediscovery. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 3(7): 1043–1047. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-0906-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-0906-2
  40. IPNI. 2024. International Plant Names Index. Published on the Internet http://www.ipni.org, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Herbarium. [Retrieved 16 April 2024].
  41. IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition.–Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org/
  42. Jongkind CH. 2021. Tarenna harleyae (Rubiaceae), a new forest species from West Africa. Phytotaxa. 520(2): 15 Sept. 2021 https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.520.2.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.520.2.8
  43. Jongkind CH, Lachenaud O. 2022. Novelties in African Apocynaceae. Candollea. 77(1): 17–51. https://doi.org/10.15553/c2022v771a3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15553/c2022v771a3
  44. Jongkind CH. 2002. Two New Species of Keetia (Rubiaceae) from West Africa. Kew Bulletin. 57(4): 989–992. https://doi.org/10.2307/4115730 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4115730
  45. Lachenaud O, Luke Q, Bytebier B. 2017. Keetia namoyae (Rubiaceae, Vanguerieae), a new species from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Candollea. 72: 23–26. https://doi.org/10.15553/c2017v721a2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15553/c2017v721a2
  46. Lantz H, Bremer B. 2004. Phylogeny inferred from morphology and DNA data: characterizing well-supported groups in Vanguerieae (Rubiaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 146: 257–283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2004.00338.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2004.00338.x
  47. Murphy B, Onana JM. van der Burgt XM, Tchatchouang Ngansop E, Williams J, Tchiengué B, Cheek M. 2023. Important Plant Areas of Cameroon. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  48. Onana J-M. 2011. The Vascular Plants of Cameroon. A Taxonomic Checklist with IUCN Assessments. Flore Du Cameroun 39. Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  49. Onana JM, Cheek M. 2011. Red Data Book of the Flowering Plants of Cameroon, IUCN Global Assessments. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  50. POWO continuously updated. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org (downloaded 1 May. 2024).
  51. Sayer AJ, Harcourt CZ, Collins NM. 1993. The conservation atlas of tropical forests-Africa. Journal of Tropical Ecology. 9: 543-543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12961-4
  52. Simbiano FJ, van der Burgt XM, Darbyshire I, Haba PM, Konomou G, Cheek M, Couch C, Magassouba S. 2024. Possible horizontal gene transfer: Virectaria stellata (Sabiceeae-Rubiaceae), a new sandstone cliff species from the Republic of Guinea with stellate hairs recorded for the first time in the Rubiaceae. Webbia. 79(2): 227–237. https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-16523 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-16523
  53. Sosef MSM, Wieringa JJ, Jongkind CCH, Achoundong G, Azizet Issembé Y, Bedigian D, Van Den Berg RG, Breteler FJ, Cheek M, Degreef J. 2006. Check-list des plantes vasculaires du Gabon. Scripta Botanica Belgica 35: 1-435. National Botanic Garden of Belgium.
  54. Thiers BM. updated continuously. Index Herbariorum. https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/ih/
  55. Turland NJ, Wiersema JH, Barrie FR, Greuter W, Hawksworth DL, Herendeen PS, Knapp S, Kusber W-H, Li D-Z, Marhold K, May TW, McNeill J, Monro AM, Prado J, Price MJ, Smith GF. (Eds.) 2018. International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017. Regnum Vegetabile 159. Glashütten: Koeltz Botanical Books. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12705/Code.2018
  56. Xanthos M, Konomou G, Haba P, van der Burgt XM. 2020. Trichanthecium tenerium (Poaceae: Panicoideae), a new species from Guinea-Conakry. Kew Bulletin. 75: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-020-9864-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-020-9864-8
  57. Xanthos M, Konomou G, Haba PM & van der Burgt XM. 2021. Ctenium bennae (Poaceae; Chloridoideae), a new rheophytic species from Guinea-Conakry. Kew Bulletin. 76: 745–750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09989-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09989-6