The new tree is critically endangered and grows only in the Cameroon forest. It has yellow-green and glossy flowers, and its leaves emit a strong citrus scent when crushed. The Uvariopsis DiCaprio will now be a part of the ylang-ylang family.
Still, while the scientists were excited to dedicate this discovery to DiCaprio, they are also eager to continue working.
Just last year, the group named over two hundred new fungi and plants. Unfortunately, some of these species are already endangered or extinct due to destructive environmental practices.
“There are still thousands of plant species and maybe millions of fungal species out there that we do not know about,” said Dr. Martin Cheek.
“This natural habitat that they’re growing in is increasingly and more rapidly being destroyed by us humans without even knowing what’s there.”
To read the complete scientific journal, visit the link here.