Scientists have discovered a new species of ancient trees in Tanzania's mountain forests

Scientists from Italy, Tanzania and Kenya have discovered a previously unknown species of tree that grows in the mountain rain forests of Tanzania. The new species has been named Tessmannia princeps. The discovery is described in the scientific journal Phytotaxa.

Details: Andrea Bianchi et al, Tessmannia princeps (Fabaceae), a new rainforest tree from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, Phytotaxa(2025). DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.694.2.1

The unusual trees were first spotted back in 2019 in the Udzungwa Mountains region of eastern Tanzania. Researchers came across a tree with unusual white flowers with thin petals and yellow stamens that no one had ever seen before. Interested in the discovery, the botanists collected leaf samples and took photographs to analyse in the laboratory.

After careful examination, it became clear that this was a species completely new to science. Scientists named it Tessmannia princeps, which is Latin for "outstanding" or "chief". The name was not chosen by chance - these trees stand out noticeably among other plants. They are much taller than neighbouring trees and have massive trunks with large root supports.

The researchers recently returned to the site of the discovery and found about 100 of these trees. One of them fell naturally, which allowed them to take wood samples and do more research.

Analyses revealed that some of the Tessmannia princeps trees are incredibly ancient. Individual specimens can be up to 3,000 years old. These trees grow very slowly: it takes up to 15 years for the trunk to grow just one centimetre in circumference.

Udzungwa is part of the Eastern Arc of Mountains, known for its unique nature. It is home to rare species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. The area where the trees were found is under special protection and is a national park, so it is strictly forbidden to cut or damage the trees.

This is great news for Tessmannia princeps, as its slow growth and small population make the new species extremely vulnerable to humans. Any interference could lead to the extinction of these rare trees.