<i>Cassytha</i> ( <i>Lauraceae</i> ) in Africa and the description of a new species from Gabon

Cassytha is a (hemi)parasitic genus of Lauraceae with its main diversity in Australia. To characterise a new species from Gabon, we studied and revised the African species of this genus. Previously 3 or 4 taxa were recognised to occur in Africa, in this study we recognise 5 species; next to our new species we resurrect Cassytha schliebenii to species level. The new species, Cassytha graminicola , is parasitising on monocotyledons, especially grasses, and is likely the first recorded annual among the Lauraceae . Cassytha paradoxae from the New World also seems to use monocotyledons as host, and should be recognised as a valid species.