Bulbophyllum jaapii
Encyclopedia
Bulbophyllum jaapii is a species of plant
in the Orchidaceae
family. It is endemic to Cameroon
. Its natural habitat
is subtropical or tropical moist montane
s. It was described botanically in 2001.
The distribution and range of B. jaapii is extremely limited; confined entirely to the summit forests and scrublands of a singular mountain in Camaroon (Mount Kupe, a dormant volcano
on the Western High Plateau
), at elevations of approximately 1,800 meters. It was first collected in November (during flowering), 1985 as a new discovery by D.W. Thomas and H.L. MacLeod, whom characterized them as locally common. However, despite several detailed surveys of the area a decade later, no further specimens have been collected.
Although its habitat is situated above the elevation where local human activity could pose a significant threat, B. jaapii is more subject to catastrophic reduction in population from a singular event, such as a mudslide or forest fire, owing to its extremely small and isolated range.
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
in the Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
family. It is endemic to Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
is subtropical or tropical moist montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
s. It was described botanically in 2001.
The distribution and range of B. jaapii is extremely limited; confined entirely to the summit forests and scrublands of a singular mountain in Camaroon (Mount Kupe, a dormant volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
on the Western High Plateau
Western High Plateau
The Western High Plateau, Western Highlands, or Bamenda Grassfields is a region of Cameroon characterised by high relief, cool temperatures, heavy rainfall, and savanna vegetation. The region lies along the Cameroon line and consists of mountain ranges and volcanoes made of crystalline and igneous...
), at elevations of approximately 1,800 meters. It was first collected in November (during flowering), 1985 as a new discovery by D.W. Thomas and H.L. MacLeod, whom characterized them as locally common. However, despite several detailed surveys of the area a decade later, no further specimens have been collected.
Although its habitat is situated above the elevation where local human activity could pose a significant threat, B. jaapii is more subject to catastrophic reduction in population from a singular event, such as a mudslide or forest fire, owing to its extremely small and isolated range.
External links
- Specimen isotype of B. jaapii from Aluka.org
- Specimen holotype of B. jaapii from Aluka.org
- Specimen filed as B. jaapii from Aluka.org