Abstract:
Hymenodictyon kaokoensis, here described as a new species, has a restricted range and is only known from the mountains
along the Kunene River in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia. It is represented by shrubs or small
trees growing in rocky places, on mountain slopes and river valleys. Diagnostic characters for H. kaokoensis include the
thickset semi-succulent older stems, echinate (scabrid when dry) leaves that turn stramineous before falling, simple racemose,
erect inflorescences, and ellipsoid fruits with round or elongated prominent lenticels. A comparison of some of the more
prominent morphological features to differentiate between H. kaokoensis and its possible nearest relatives, H. floribundum
and H. parvifolium, are provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable
(VU D1 & D2) is recommended for the new species.
