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New tree is a towering East African giant of the rainforest
- A newly discovered species, Tessmannia princeps, a giant tree found in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, is a towering East African giant of the rainforest.
- Tessmannia princeps reaches heights up to 130 feet above the rainforest canopy and has a trunk diameter of about 9 feet, with additional buttresses of 10 feet.
- The tree, belonging to the Fabaceae family, is estimated to have existed for thousands of years with some individuals possibly being over 3,000 years old.
- Discovered by Andrea Bianchi and the Mwakisoma brothers in 2019, Tessmannia princeps was unknown to botanical science and is found in two isolated areas in Tanzania.
- The new tree's uniqueness and limited habitat make it vulnerable, as it may not adapt outside its current ecosystem.
- The tree's name, princeps, means 'foremost' in Latin, reflecting its towering presence in the rainforest comparable to giant sequoias.
- Tessmannia princeps' growth at high elevations, vine-like limbs, clustered leaves, and bean-like seeds place it in the bean, pea, and legume family.
- Research indicates the tree's slow growth rate, with larger specimens estimated to be around 2,000 to 3,000 years old.
- Despite threats from deforestation, Tessmannia princeps remains a remarkable find contributing to the biodiversity of the East African rainforest.
- In conclusion, Tessmannia princeps stands as a monumental addition to the rainforest ecosystem, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect such unique species.
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