In 2019, three botanists explored the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. The forests and remote valleys of these mountains are full of unique plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
While exploring, botanist Andrea Bianchi and local plant experts Aloyce and Ruben Mwakisoma found a large, mysterious tree that none of them had seen before. They were immediately excited! Had they possibly found a new species unknown to science?
Andrea counted the tree rings from the trunk of one fallen mystery tree. He estimated that the largest of the mystery trees could be up to 3000 years old. And it turned out that the mystery tree was an undescribed species!
Scientists described the new species and named it Tessmannia princeps. The trees’ specific name – princeps – comes from the Latin word for “most eminent.” This name suits this towering tree that grows up to 40 meters (130 feet) tall and emerges through the forest canopy.
Interestingly, similar trees related to the newly described species are usually found in the rainforests of West Africa, a long distance from Tanzania.
A total of around 100 mature Tessmannia princeps trees were found growing in two village land forest reserves. These reserves are surrounded by abandoned croplands. The trees are in possible danger of extinction because of their low numbers and tiny home range.
Fortunately, the area where the trees are found is part of a forest restoration project. This gives hope for the long-term survival of the newly described tree species.
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by Ryan Truscott, published on Mongabay News.
