Taxonomic studies on the genus Placodiscus (Tribe: Lepisantheae) in West Africa and Cameroon.

A taxonomic study was carried out of members of the genus Placodiscus represented in West Africa and Cameroon, in order to present complementary data on adequate recognition of the species. A total of thirteen species were assessed based on quantitative and qualitative macro-morphological and foliar epidermal characters. The findings have shown that the distinctive characters of the species are chiefly quantitative and vary greatly between the species. Hence, they serve as useful characters for delimitation of the species. A systematic description and a descriptive key for identification of the studied species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]