Rootstock of Ipomoea beninensis.

Endemism is known to be ecological state of a species being unique to a defined area or habitat. For Benin (having much of his flora shared with surrounding countries), very few species are endemic among which Ipomoea beninensis. Due to the number of threats encountered, the species comes to be one of top priority deserving urgent conservation actions. As such a first investigation helped to assess distribution, use and use-impacts on the species conservation. It came out that local people have a particular knowledge on its uses for men and animal needs (medicine and fodder). However, the species conservation status is worrying: a disjunctive distribution and a very limited occurrence area. In addition, its population encompasses very few adult individuals and its regeneration are scarce (no seedlings within 58% of investigated sites). No information also exists on its phenology. The work will therefore contribute to setting the long-term conservation strategies for I. beninensis in Benin. Specifically, it aims to:

(i) understand the reproductive biology of Ipomoea beninensis across its distributional area,

(ii) assess the pollination pattern of the species and the major pollinators in its natural populations,

(iii)test for the best regeneration practice for the species.

A comprehensive knowledge of the flowering phenology of the species could help to be sure of when to have flowers of the species, when to get seeds of the species and concomitantly make a better follow up of the dynamic of the population of the species. All these added to assessment of the diversity of the pollinators of the species and their behavior could be useful in providing a better restoration plan and appropriate follow-up of the species population. The study could provide some insight into the mating system of the species. Restoration strategy could not be a success if appropriate seeds and vegetative organs’ germination methods and seedlings’ growth are mastered for ecological restoration.