Chlorophytum unifolium (Anthericaceae), espèce nouvelle du Katanga (Rép. Dém. Congo)

In order to preserve the biodiversity of Katanga mining sites before their exploitation, a special investigation was carried out in the Tenke-Fungurume mining concession. As a first result, a new species of Chlorophytum is described. C. unifolium is the third taxon of this genus described has having only one leaf, the two other ones being C. monophyllum Oberm. from S. Africa, Western Cape, and Anthericum monophyllum Baker, now synonym of C. subpetiolatum (Baker) Kativu, from Sudan. These two species have linear or linear-lanceolate leaf-blades, unlike the blades widely ovate and cordate at the base in C. unifolium. The conservation of the new species is critically endangered. © 2009 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Permission for use must always be obtained from the National Botanic Garden of Belgium.