The Republic of Kenya, located in the equatorial zone of eastern part of Africa continent, has abundant types of vegetation and a huge diverse of higher plants as a result of its geographical distribution, different climatical conditions, soil types, which attracts scientists from all over the world to explore the land of wonder.  

In June 2016, researchers from Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, had collected some special specimens of Zehneria (Cucurbitaceae) from Mt. Kenya, and made clear photos of the plant, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. After further study and identification by reviewing relevant documents and comparing with type specimens, researchers named this new species as Zehneria subcoraicea Y.D. Zhou, & Q. F. Wang, and it was published in the latest journal of plant taxonomy Phytotaxa in Oct. 2016.

This new species was easily recognizable, with its sub-coriaceous leaves and hairy stamens and staminodes. It was distributed in montane rain-forest, riverine thickets, Hagenia forest or bamboo zone from 2050 to 3150 m. 

Since 2009, Prof. WANG Qingfeng from Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, and his research team have been focusing on plants diversity of Kenya and organized a series of scientific investigation. Before Zehneria subcoraicea Y.D. Zhou, & Q. F. Wang, a new special Sedum (Crassulaceae) from Chogoria Waterfall, Mt. Kenya has already be identified and named as Sedum keniense Y. D. Zhou, G. W. Hu & Q. F. Wang, which was published in the journal of plant taxonomy Phytotaxa in May 2016. 

Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJORIC) of Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Museums of Kenya have started the project of Flora of Kenya in November 2015. The publication of these two new species Sedum keniense and Zehneria subcoraicea was the initial results of the cooperation of Chinese and Kenyan researchers. This research is conducive to the conservation of biodiversity in Kenya, and settled the foundation for further research. 

Figure 1: Sedum keniense Y. D. Zhou, G. W. Hu & Q. F. Wang (Image by ZHOU Yadong)