A rare new species of Polhillia (Genisteae, Fabaceae)

The new species Polhillia ignota Boatwr. is described. This species is known only from two collections, one between Vredenburg and Saldanha and the other close to Porterville. The new species is most similar to P. obsoleta, which is known only from a few localities around Worcester, in its narrow, sericeous leaflets and flowers of equal size, but differs in its flattened mature leaves with larger leaflets (up to ± 12 mm long), longer pseudo-peduncles (up to ± 15 mm long), denser inflorescences (with up to four flowers), shorter pedicels (1–2 mm long) and non-auriculate wing- and keel petals

Lasiosiphon rigidus, a new species from the Tankwa Karoo and two new combinations in the genus for South Africa

Thymelaeaceae are well represented in southern Africa, with ± 190 species in nine genera (Bredenkamp & Beyers 2000; Beaumont et al. 2009). Preliminary phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and plastid DNA sequences (Van der Bank et al. 2002; Beaumont et al. 2009) indicate the need for substantial revision in the generic circumscriptions in subfamily Thymelaeoideae.Web of Scienc

Two new species of Trachyandra sect. Liriothamnus (Xanthorrhoeaceae, Asphodeloideae) from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa

Trachyandra eriocarpa and T. bulbosa are two new species from Northern and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. They are placed in T. sect. Liriothamnus based on their wiry roots, the cataphylls not forming membranous collars, and the remains of the outer leaves forming a fibrous collar. Trachyandra eriocarpa from the Great Winterberg in Eastern Cape is recognised by its unusual, villous ovary and capsules; and T. bulbosa from north of Springbok in Northern Cape by the irregular, bulbous rhizome, microscopically puberulous leaves and maculate tepals.Web of Scienc

A global infrageneric classification system for the genus Crotalaria (Leguminosae) based on molecular and morphological evidence

Crotalaria is a large genus of 702 species with its centre of diversity in tropical Africa and Madagascar and secondary radiations in other parts of the world. The current infrageneric classification system is based on morphological and morphomet- ric studies of the African taxa only and is here re-evaluated using a phylogenetic approach. DNA sequences derived from the nuclear ITS and the plastid matK, psbA-trnH and rbcLa markers were analyzed using parsimony and model-based (Bayesian) approaches. The resultant molecular phylogeny allowed for a new interpretation of diagnostically important morphological characters, including specialisations of the calyx, keel, standard petal and style, which are variously convergent in several unrelated infrageneric groups. Of particular interest is the congruence between the new phylogeny and the distribution of stand- ard petal callosity types. A sectional classification system for the entire genus is proposed for the first time. The new system that is formalised here comprises eleven sections: Amphitrichae, Calycinae, Crotalaria, Geniculatae, Glaucae, Grandiflorae, Hedriocarpae, Incanae, Schizostigma, Borealigeniculatae and Stipulosae. Sectional limits of the Geniculatae, Calycinae and Crotalaria are modified. The subsections Stipulosae, Glaucae and Incanae are raised to sectional level, while some groups previously recognized as subsections are abandoned due to non-monophyly (subsections Chrysocalycinae, Hedriocarpae, Macrostachyae and Tetralobocalyx). Two new sections are recognized, Amphitrichae and Borealigeniculatae.Web of Scienc

Phylogenetic placement and generic re-circumscriptions of the multilocular genera Arenifera, Octopoma and Schlechteranthus (Aizoaceae: Ruschieae): Evidence from anatomical, morphological and plastid DNA data

"Ruschieae is the largest tribe in the highly speciose subfamily Ruschioideae (Aizoaceae). A generic-level phylogeny for the tribe was recently produced, providing new insights into relationships between the taxa. Octopoma and Arenifera are woody shrubs with multilocular capsules and are distributed across the Succulent Karoo. Octopoma was shown to be polyphyletic in the tribal phylogeny, but comprehensive sampling is required to confirm its polyphyly. Arenifera has not previously been sampled and therefore its phylogenetic placement in the tribe is uncertain. In this study, phylogenetic sampling for nine plastid regions (atpB-rbcL, matK, psbJ-petA, rpl16, rps16, trnD-trnT, trnL-F, trnQUUG-rps16, trnS-trnG) was expanded to include all species of Octopoma and Arenifera, to assess phylogenetic placement and relationships of these genera. Three phylogenetic analyses were carried out, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Leaf anatomical sections were studied to further inform generic circumscriptions. The phylogenies showed Octopoma to be polyphyletic, with the type, O. octojuge, and the related O. nanum, resolved as sister to Zeuktophyllum and Smicrostigma, while the other species were placed in the Conophytum-clade. Arenifera was also shown to be polyphyletic, with the type, A. pillansii, placed in the xeromorphic-clade, and the remainder of the species recovered among the Octopoma species in the Conophytum-clade (forming the Octopoma subglobosum-Arenifera spinescens subclade). Generic affinities of the O. subglobosum-A. spinescens subclade were assessed in relation to the sister taxon Schlechteranthus. The leaf anatomy was found to be informative within the study group. Bladder cells were observed in Arenifera pillansii, a hypodermis in Little Karoo Octopoma (O. octojuge, O. nanum, O. quadrisepalum) and epidermal cells forming blunt papillae in Schlechteranthus and the O. subglobosum-A. spinescens subclade. Upon assessment of the anatomical, morphological and phylogenetic data, Schlechteranthus is here expanded to include the species in the O. subglobosum-A. spinescens subclade. Eight new combinations are made in Schlechteranthus. As a result, Arenifera is again monotypic and the circumscription of Octopoma is refined to include three species restricted to the Little Karoo. Two subgenera within Schlechteranthus s.l. (subg. Schlechteranthus, subg. Microphyllus) are erected to accommodate differences in leaf size, capsule size, closing body size and locule number."Web of Scienc

Notes on the genus Trachyandra (Asphodelaceae: Asphodeloideae) 1: A review of the T. thyrsoidea group (Section Trachyandra) including three new species from the Northern Cape

Three new species of the genus Trachyandra are described, T. hantamensis Boatwr. & J.C.Manning, T. kamiesbergensis Boatwr. & J.C.Manning and T. sanguinorhiza Boatwr. & J.C.Manning. These species form part of a group of morphologically similar species referred to here as the T. thyrsoidea group and are distinguished by their generally small stature, filiform leaves (except for T. tortilis), and simple or shortly branched racemes of patent flowers with maculate tepals. Many of the species in the group have roots that contain abundant anthraquinones, visible as a red substance below the outer skin of the roots, and which is soluble in alcohol, thus often staining herbarium papers purple. A synopsis of the eight species that comprise the T. thyrsoidea group is presented, with maps of each species and illustrations of those described as new

Taxonomic studies of the genus Rhynchosia Lour. (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in South Africa: A review of section Chrysoscias

BACKGROUND: A taxonomic study of the genus Rhynchosia section Chrysoscias is presented. The section (as classified by Baker) comprises five taxa (four species and one variety). Previous revisions of the section by various botanists placed emphasis on leaflet shape and number of flowers as the primary characters to distinguish the species, however, these characters were found to be highly variable even within species. In addition, species distribution overlaps and therefore no conclusions can be made based on distribution patterns. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to provide diagnostic features of the four species of the section recognised in the current study, a key to the species, correct nomenclature, complete synonymy, typification, description, distribution maps as well as habitat notes. METHODOLOGY: We studied herbarium specimens housed at BOL, JRAU, PRE, and those loaned from NBG (including SAM) supplemented by extensive field work. Morphological features were studied; measurements of characters recorded and illustrations were drawn using a camera lucida attachment. Anatomical and scanning electron microscopy studies were also carried out. RESULTS: The current study revealed that there are four species in this section: Rhynchosia angustifolia, R. chrysoscias, R. leucoscias and R. microscias. The distribution and type of trichomes, degree of fusion in the uppermost calyx lobes and size of the standard petal are important taxonomic characters for distinguishing between the species. Leaflet shape can only be used in distinguishing R. angustifolia from the other species. The section is restricted to the Core Cape Subregion of the Greater Cape Region of South Africa. CONCLUSION: Four species are recognised, Rhynchosia angustifolia, R. chrysoscias, R. leucoscias and R. microscias. R. leucoscias var. angustifolia is here synonymised with R. angustifolia and the latter name is preserved to take Jacquin's earlier name of Glycine angustifolia referring to the narrow leaflets. The distributions and types of trichomes are reported here for the first time

A taxonomic revision of chamaecrista (caesalpinioideae, cassieae, cassiinae) in Southern Africa

The southern African species of Chamaecrista were all treated under Cassia in Gordon-Gray’s treatment for the Flora of Southern Africa. However, given the subsequent generic recircumscriptions in the subtribe Cassiinae, and the expanded collections of these taxa, there is a need to revisit the taxonomy of the group. The present study aimed to conduct a detailed taxonomic revision of the species of Chamaecrista indigenous to the flora of southern Africa region. Extensive fieldwork was carried out to study the taxa in their natural environment and morphological characters were additionally studied using herbarium material. The revision presented here includes comprehensive descriptions, a key to the species, nomenclature, typifications, diagnostic characters with illustrations, and geographical distribution maps of all recognised taxa. Eleven species of Chamaecrista are recognised for the flora of southern Africa, two of which are described as new, i.e. Chamaecrista grandiglandulata and C. gordon-grayei. In addition, one new subspecies is described, namely C. gordon-grayei subsp. longipedicellata, while Chamaecrista comosa var. capriconia is raised to the rank of subspecies, viz. Chamaecrista comosa subsp. capriconia. The typifications published here include lectotypes designated for Chamaecrista plumosa and C. stricta, neotypes designated for C. capensis var. flavescens, C. comosa, and C. plumosa var. diffusa, and an isolectotype designated for C. stricta

Felicia douglasii (Asteraceae-Astereae), a distinctive new species from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

Felicia Cass. (Asteraceae) is the largest of the African members of tribe Astereae, and comprises ±90 species from southern and tropical Africa to Arabia. As currently circumscribed, it is rather weakly diagnosed by the herbaceous or shrubby habit, mostly radiate capitula with epaleate receptacle, ± concolorous rays, mostly bisexual disc florets, and eglandular cypselas with several scabrid or barbellate pappus bristles (Grau, 1973; Herman et al., 2000; Manning and Goldblatt, 2012)

Molecular and morphological analysis of subfamily Alooideae (Asphodelaceae) and the inclusion of chortolirion in aloe

Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae (Asparagales) currently comprises five genera, four of which are endemic to southern Africa. Despite their importance in commercial horticulture the evolutionary relationships among the genera are still incompletely understood. This study examines phylogenetic relationships in the subfamily using an expanded molecular sequence dataset from three plastid regions (matK, rbcLa, trnH-psbA) and the first subunit of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1). Sequence data were analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian statistics, and selected morphological traits were mapped onto the molecular phylogeny. Haworthia is confirmed as being polyphyletic, comprising three main clades that largely correlate with current subgeneric circumscriptions. Astroloba and Gasteria are evidently each monophyletic and sister respectively to Astroloba and H. subg. Robustipedunculares. Chortolirion is shown to be deeply nested within Aloe and is formally included in that genus. Aloe itself is clearly polyphyletic, with the dwarf species A. aristata allied to Haworthia subg. Robustipedunculares. The taxonomic implications of these findings are examined but branch support at critical lower nodes is insufficient at this stage to justify implementing major taxonomic changes