| Abstract: | Raphia (Arecaceae, Calamoideae) is the most diverse genus of African palms with around 20 species.
Two new species from Cameroon and Gabon, Raphia gabonica Mogue, Sonké & Couvreur, sp. nov. and
Raphia zamiana Mogue, Sonké & Couvreur, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their affinities are
discussed and the conservation status of each species is assessed. For both species, distribution maps are
provided. Raphia gabonica is restricted to two small populations from central Gabon, where it occurs on
hillsides on tierra firme soil, and close to small streams. Its preliminary IUCN status is Endangered, being
amongst the five most threatened palm species in Africa. Raphia gabonica potentially belongs to the moniliform
section. Raphia zamiana is largely distributed from south Cameroon to south Gabon and is very
common. It is also a multi-used palm, from which wine, grubs and construction material are extracted and
sold. It generally occurs in large stands in a wide range of ecosystems such as swamps, coastal forests on
partially inundated sandy soils and inundated savannahs. Its large stature, hard to access habitat (swamps)
and abundant presence might have discouraged botanists to collect it until now. Raphia zamiana belongs
to the taxonomically complex raphiate section.
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