Berlinia rabiensis

Botanical Description

Berlinia rabiensis is a tree that can grow 25 - 40 metres tall. The bole can be 75 - 110cm in diameter. The tree was only described as a distinct species in 2006, and there are no specific records of it being used. However, given its size, it is very likely to be harvested for its wood which would be used locally and also probably traded in mixed assignments with other Berlinia species[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Berlinia rabiensis occurs in an area of forest in Gabon that is managed by Shell Gabon, hence access to the area is severely limited, and the sites where this species occurs are protected from encroachment. However recent reports add weight to the likelihood of the withdrawal of Shell Gabon from this area, and as such indicate a plausible future threat to this species. With less than 250 known individuals this species is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].