Uvariopsis korupensis
# Uvariopsis korupensis

Uvariopsis korupensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Annonaceae endemic to Cameroon.

## Description

This shrub or small tree is of a height of 6 to 15 m, with a trunk of up to 14 cm in diameter. Young branches slightly velvet. Leaves coriaceous, glabrous, oblong-oblanceolate, 30–52 cm long, 9-14 cm broad. The inflorescence is fasciculate and the (cauliflorous) monoecious flowers are borne on a wooden collar at the base of the trunk (which sometimes extends up to 3.8 m from the base). Flowers orange and cream-coloured. Stigma glabrous, sessile. Fruit ellipsoid-cylindrical, 3–6 cm long, 1.8–3 cm thick. Seeds ellipsoid-oblong, 10–22 mm by 5–8 mm.

## Distribution

Endemic to Cameroon, the species grows in the south-west region on Mounts Cameroon, Korup, Bakossi and Takamanda. The plant grows in lowland evergreen forest in hilly terrain at an altitude of between 50 and 1,000 metres on wet soils.

### Threats

Uvariopsis korupensis is threatened by deforestation for agriculture and timber. Currently occupying an area of up to 36 square kilometres, it is in continuing decline due to the loss of its habitat.

## Uses

The leaves are wrapped around fish before cooking in the littoral provinces of Cameroon.

