Spiny African Allophylus (Sapindaceae): a synopsis

Summary Allophylus samoritourei from the lowland and submontane forests of the Loma-Man highlands in Guinea-Conakry and Liberia, Africa and Allophylus bertoua from lowland eastern Cameroon are described and illustrated as part of a synoptic revision of the four spiny African species of Allophylus. IUCN conservation assessments are given for all species. The phenomena of androgynophores and of spiny structures in the Sapindaceae, and the possibility of monophyly of spiny Allophylus are discussed.