Bullock described Gongronema obscurum "with some hesitation" in 1961: "the four specimens cited are certainly very much alike and are sufficiently different in facies from all the numerous specimens of G. angolense which I have seen. The differences may well be of the same kind, however, as those which I have considered insufficient to separate Marsdenia leonensis and M. glabrifolia from G. latifolium, and the specimens will then represent no more than an ecotypical form of G. angolense. The point is one which can be settled finally only by further field observations. If it will survive such treatement, the new growths of G. angolense after bush clearance or burning would provide strictly comparable specimens."

No such investigation appears to have been carried out since and the "Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Mali" (1986) and the "Cataloge des Plantes Vasculaires du Burkina Faso" (1991) also state the possibility of this species actually being an ecotype of G. angolense, highlighting that all known specimens of the species lack mature fruits.

A genus revision occurred in 1998, moving this species from Gongronema to Marsdenia. There was no further mention of the possibility of M. obscura being an ecotype of Marsdenia angolensis N.E.Br. and Goyder (pers. comm. 2007) confirms its accepted status as a species.

Mardenia obscura is a woody creeper known from a total of thirteen specimens collected from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Benin between 1935 and 2005. The extent of occurrence (EOO) of M. obscura has been estimated at 172,431 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) at 76,832 km². If presence of the species in the Bosumtwi Reserve in Ghana is confirmed, the species’ range will be extended further south and both EOO and AOO values will increase accordingly. Both these values suggest the species is of least conservation concern, on the basis of its range alone.

Mardenia obscura has been collected from various savanna habitats within the West Sudanian Savanna ecoregion of Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana and Guinean Forest Savanna Mosaic ecoregion in Benin from altitudes ranging from 67 to 449 m. Threats to the savanna regions were this species grows include mining, unsustainable agricultural activities, drought, fires and deforestation. Although many protected areas exist, most are under-resourced "paper parks" with little active enforcement on the ground.

However, it is not known how these threats are affecting this species specifically. Mardenia obscura is contained within the Mole National Park in Ghana which boasts a large area of well-protected and undisturbed open savannah woodland and the species is on the target list for seed collection for the International Millennium Seed Bank Project. Mardenia obscura has a large calculated AOO and sightings/collections of the species exist from as recently as 2005. It is rated here as Least Concern.

Known from thirteen specimens collected from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Benin. Several data sources claim this species is endemic to Ghana, however this is not the case. Specimen data was used to create the distribution map and carry out range calculations, however online references also refer to the presence of this species in the Mole National Park and the Bosumtwi Range Forest Reserve, both in Ghana (The Virtual Field Herbarium 2007). If presence of the species in the Bosumtwi Reserve is confirmed both AOO and EOO values would increase.

There is no population data available for this species.

Marsdenia obscura is a small woody lacteous climber/creeper growing in the West Sudanian Savanna ecoregion of Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana and in the Guinean Forest Savanna Mosaic ecoregion in Benin. If presence in the Bosumtwi Range Forest Reserve in Ghana is confirmed, the species will also be represented in the Eastern Guinean Forests ecoregion. Habitat descriptions accompanying specimens include:

- wet area of savanna
- in savanna forest
- among grasses
- open savanna woodland

Altitude range, estimated using GIS, is 67 to 459 m.

Human activities have reduced, degraded, and fragmented both the West Sudanian Savanna and Guinean Forest-savanna Mosaic ecoregions. Both ecoregions are considered critical/endangered. Population densities of 50 to 100 persons per km² are found widely. There are considerable pressures on the land from seasonal farming, grazing animals, cutting trees and bushes for wood, burning woody material for charcoal, and from wild fires. Climatic desiccation is a further threat, exacerbating human pressures, as the ability of the ecosystem to recover from overuse is reduced when there is little rainfall. Although many protected areas exist, most are under-resourced "paper parks" with little active enforcement on the ground. It is unknown to what extent these threats are affecting M. obscura, however.

No uses are known for this species, however, M. angolensis (which is closely related) is used – the stems as chew sticks in Sierra Leone and the roots are eaten in Rwanda.

The species is known to exist in the following protected areas: Mole National Park and World Heritage Site and Kani Kani Forest Reserve (Ghana); Razinga Ranch Protected Zone (Burkina Faso). Presence in the Bosumtwi Range Forest Reserve in Ghana needs to be confirmed.

According to UNESCO, “the Mole National Park represents a fairly undisturbed guinea Savannah ecosystem dominated by open savannah woodland” – suggesting that M. obscura populations within this national park are likely to be well protected. Marsdenia obscura is on the target species list for the Millennium Seed Bank Project and was included in the Mali Collection Guide compiled by the Species Targeting Team. Seed for banking (in Mali and the UK), however, has not been collected as yet.