Comparison of morphological variation indicative of ploidy-level in Phragmites australis (Poaceae) from Eastern North America.

ABSTRACT. Variation in ploidy levels in Phragmites australis is a welldocumented phenomenon although North American populations are less studied than European ones. It has been suggested, based on morphological measurements, that native and introduced P. australis subspecies in North America represent different ploidy levels. The objectives of this study were to assess whether guard cell size and stomatal density, morphological differences indicative of variation in ploidy level between native and introduced P. australis, are truly associated with different ploidy levels as measured by flow cytometry. Significant differences in guard cell size and stomatal densities were found between subspecies, with native plants having larger guard cells and lower stomatal density. However, no differences in 2C DNA content were found. Although these morphological measurements are significantly correlated with subspecies and can be added to the list of useful morphological characters distinguishing the two subspecies, it does not appear that they are accurate indicators of ploidy levels. Potential implications of these differences on the invasion biology of introduced P. australis are discussed

Evidence for Hybridization Between the Endangered Roan Mountain Bluet, Houstonia Purpurea var. Montana (Rubiaceae) and its Common Congener

Hybridization in plants can be common, may lead to increased genetic variation, and in some instances the formation of new species. For endangered species, hybridization can introduce novel genetic variation and potentially increase genetic diversity. In contrast, hybridization can negatively affect an endangered species or population by introducing maladaptive alleles into locally adapted lineages or lead to the homogenization of once distinct lineages. We used microsatellites, AFLP markers, and morphological data to identify potential hybridization between the endangered Roan Mountain bluet (Houstonia purpurea var. montana) and its commonly occurring congener (H. purpurea var. purpurea). We used these data to clarify the taxonomic relationship of these varieties and to assess population structuring of the Roan Mountain bluet. The results showed that these lineages are distinct and few individuals exhibited admixture in several populations. Additionally, the results showed there is genetic population structure among the remaining populations of H. purpurea var. montana, which is consistent with other mountaintop species. Our results show that Roan Mountain bluet populations should be protected to maintain genetic diversity and monitored to assess future hybridization, and additional studies that comprise a greater population sampling would provide more information

Hypoxis parvula var. parvula var. parvula

H. parvula var. parvula = Hypoxis brevifolia Baker (1896: 183). Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Liddesdale, Wood 3940 (holotype NH! [image]; isotype K! [image]). Diagnostic characters and relationships:—The variety is morphologically most similar to H. limicola from which it can be distinguished by having tepals that are (7–) 8–10 mm long (not 2–6 mm long), an inconspicuous (not conspicuously swollen) articulation between scape and pedicel, and a single 1–4 mm long bract (not one or two 5–7 mm long bract(s)) when present. It also resembles H. uniflorata in its habit, thin leaves, long slender inflorescences, and delicate flowers. It can, however, be easily distinguished from H. uniflorata in having lanceolate (not linear) leaves, filiform (not subulate) anther filaments, and a spherical (not pyramidal) stigma. Distribution and habitat:— Hypoxis parvula var. parvula occurs in South Africa and Lesotho. In South Africa, it is found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces (and rarely in the Mpumalanga province). It is widespread in the Drakensberg mountains, where it grows in masses on the summit and slopes of the mountains, usually with Rhodohypoxis. Hypoxis parvula var. parvula is found in rock crevices or moist areas among short grass in full sun. The variety prefers high altitude areas of 1900–2200 m.a.s.l. Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Underberg distr., Upper Tributaries of Mkomazi River (QDS: 2929CB), 4 December1982, Hilliard & Burtt 15864 (NU); Underberg distr., Bushman’s Nek, Thamathu Pass (QDS: 2929CC), 4 February 1976, Hilliard & Burtt 8912 (NU); Natal, Underberg distr., upper tributaries S. of Mkomazi R. (QDS: 2929CB), 4 December 1982, Hilliard & Burtt 15864 (NU); Cathedral peak forest research station (QDS: 2829CC), 7 November 1951, Killick 1539 (CPF); Liddesdale (QDS: 2930CA), 17 February 1888, Wood 3940 (NH); Underberg distr., Garden Castle (QDS: 2929CA), 4 November 1977, Hilliard & Burtt 10395 (NU); Kamberg “Game Pass” (QDS: 2929BC), December 1947, Gordon-Gray 66 (NU); Mpendhle distr., Mulangane ridge (QDS: 2929BC), 1 December 1983, Hilliard & Burtt 16976 (NU); Underberg distr., Cobham Nature Reserve (QDS: 2929CB:), 20 November 1976, Hilliard & Burtt 9288 (NU); Underberg distr., Bushman’s Nek (QDS: 2929CC), 21 November 1973, Hilliard & Burtt 7400 (NU); Underberg (QDS: 2929BC), 7 March 1970, Clarke 16 (PRE); Giants Castle Game Reserve (QDS: 2929AB), 10 November 1966, Trauseld 683 (NU); Mooi River District (QDS: 2929BC), 10 January 1990, Balkwill & Balkwill 5194 (J); Dundee, Culvers Weenen (QDS: 2829DD), February 1924, Rogers 28312 (NGB); Polela district, Marwaqa (QDS: 2929DD), 23 December 1975, Rennie 678 (NU); Weenen County, Natal (QDS: 2830CC), December 1890, Woods 22265 (NBG); Kokstad, Ensekeni (Insikeni) (QDS: 3029AB), 3 December 1912, Haygarth 12077 (NH). Free State: Sentinel Peak, start of trail (QDS: 2828DC), 6 January 1999, Singh 465 (NH); Sentinel car park (QDS: 2828DB), 14 January 1982, Jacob 4865 (NBG). Mpumalanga: Mount Sheba Nature Reserve (QDS: 2430DC), November 1980, Kerfoot 8204 (J). LESOTHO. Qacha’s Nek District: Sehlabathebe National Park (QDS: 2929CC), 18 January 1977, Hoener 1772 (PRE).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on pages 79-80, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis parvula var. albiflora B. L. Burtt

H. parvula var. albiflora B.L.Burtt in Hilliard & Burtt (1988: 190). Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Richmond district, escarpment above Byrne valley (QDS: 2930CD), 13 November 1975, Hilliard & Burtt 5589 (holotype E! [image]; isotype NU! [image]). Diagnostic characters and relationships:— Hypoxis parvula var. albiflora is separated from H. parvula var. parvula by its tepal colour being white (not yellow). This character also easily distinguishes it from the closely related H. limicola. This variety is morphologically most similar to H. membranacea from which it can be distinguished by having yellow (not white) anther filaments and usually only one flower per inflorescence (not two or three flowers). Distribution and habitat:— Hypoxis parvula var. albiflora is a South African endemic and appears to be plentiful in the midlands and uplands of the KwaZulu-Natal province. Hilliard & Burtt (1988) recorded that the variety is widespread in southern and western KwaZulu-Natal along foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains from Kokstad through to the Karkloof range. The variety forms large colonies in damp areas on mountain ridge grasslands of high altitudes, 1500–1850 m.a.s.l. When growing with H. parvula var. parvula, it is usually found at slightly lower (about 20 m) altitudes, and they seldom overlap. The proximity of the most southern populations near Kokstad (KwaZulu-Natal) to the Eastern Cape provincial border suggests that it is feasible that H. parvula var. albiflora may cross over into the Eastern Cape in this area, but this needs to be verified. Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Richmond district, escarpment above Byrne valley (QDS: 2930CD), 13 September 1975, Williams 5589 (NH); Fort Nottingham (QDS: 2929BD), 22 November 1996, Greene 886 (NH); Springfontein (Blauw river) (QDS: 3029AD), November 1902, Thode 5293 (NH); Sani Pass (QDS: 2929CB), 6 December 1997, von Fintel 646 (NH); Karkloof (QDS: 2930AD), 26 September 1945, Acocks 11833 (NH); Fort Nottingham (QDS: 2929BD), 18 November 1988, Edwards 341a (NU); Escort District (QDS: 2929BC), 27 November 1982, Balkwill & Manning 330 (NU); Underberg district (QDS: 2929CB), 17 December 1958, Werdermann & Oberdick 1435 (PRE); Howick (QDS: 2930AC), November 1939, Thomas 17 (NBG); Victoria Country Club (QDS: 2930AD), 18 October 1997, Kennedy 505 (NU); Richmond district, Game Valley Estate (QDS: 2930CD), 11 October 1998, Maclean 150 (NU); Greytown (QDS: 2930BA), 14 September 2002, Potgieter 769 (NU); Greytown (QDS: 2930BA), 1 December 2001, Potgieter 609 (NU); Marwaqa Sisonke District (QDS: 2929DE), 15 November 1989, Rennie 1816 (CFP); Swartkop (QDS: 2930CA), October 1944, Fisher 724 (NH); Ngele, Kwa Shwili (QDS: 3029DA), 17 December 1989, Abbott 4764 (NH); Ngele Mountain, Kwa-Shwili (QDS: 3029DA), 23 November 1994, Abbott 6592 (NH); Ngele Mountain (QDS: 3029DA), 10 November 1990, Abbott 5429 (NH); Umgeni Poort (QDS: 2930CA), 3 November 1964, Moll 1362 (NU); Le Sueur’s Dam (QDS: 2929BD), 23 November 1992, Greene 426 (NH); Mondi’s Linwood Estate (QDS: 2929DB), 29 November 2013, Styles 4638 (NH); New Hanover district (QDS: 2930BD), 15 October 1989, Balkwill & Balkwill 4998 (J).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on page 80, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis parvula Baker 1878

Hypoxis parvula Baker (1878: 113) Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Inexact locality, 1854, Sanderson s.n. (holotype K! [image]). Rhizome 4–8 mm in diam., mostly oblong, sometimes globose, with few contractile roots, crowned by leaves and few fine bristles, white inside. Leaves few, 3–5, wrapped at base in membranous, white or brown tunic, lanceolate, 15– 70(–90) × 5–10 mm, soft to membranous, smooth or upper surface covered with translucent pustules visible against light, veins 14–18, inconspicuous, all flush with surface; sparsely hairy throughout, mainly on lower surface; hairs bifurcate or stellate interspersed with simple hairs, white. Inflorescence 1(–3) per plant, corymbose; scapes as tall as or taller than leaves, weak, lax, 30–50 mm long, covered with soft, white hairs; bracts usually absent, if present usually only 1, subulate, 1–4 mm long, lightly hairy below. Flowers 1(2); pedicels, long, weak, 30–40 mm when flower open; tepals yellow or white adaxially, (7–) 8–10 mm long in open flowers. Stamens 3+3, with filaments filiform, yellow, short inner filaments (2.5–) 3.5 mm, long outer filaments (3.5–) 5 mm; anthers 1.25–1.50 mm long, sagittate, apex split. Ovary 1.0– 1.5 mm long; style filiform, 4.5–5.0 mm long; stigma minute, spherical, 0.50–0.75 mm in diam. Capsule turbinate or subglobose, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, opening by a circular slit, splitting longitudinally into 3 lobes. Seeds ovoid, 0.9–1.0 × 0.7–0.8 mm, black, dull; seed coat epidermal cells are isodiametric, 4–8-gonal with straight, channelled, anticlinal boundaries that are smooth and well defined; convex outer periclinal cell wall colliculate and/or columellate, micropapillate; micropapillae rarely overlap and shorter at top of convex projection, becoming longer across periclinal wall and again becoming shorter/ absent towards anticlinal boundaries. Flowering time: September–March(–May).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on page 79, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence

Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J., Glennon, Kelsey L. (2023): Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence. Phytotaxa 619 (1): 63-85, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.

Hypoxis uniflorata Markotter 1930

Hypoxis uniflorata Markötter (1930: 15) Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Free State: Koolhoek O.F.S on wet rocks (QDS: 2729DC), November 1907, Thode 2548 (holotype NH! [image]). Rhizome 15 mm in diam. on average, globose with few contractile roots, crowned by leaves and few fine bristles. Leaves few, 3–8, wrapped at base in membranous, brown tunic, linear, 20–65 × 2–5 mm, soft to membranous, smooth; veins 3(–5), all flush with surface, hardly thickened, sparsely hairy on both surfaces, but dense on midrib and veins; hairs bifurcate or stellate, white. Inflorescence 1(–3) per plant, corymbose, covered in long, weak, white hairs; scapes shorter than or as tall as leaves, delicate, 20–40 mm long; bracts 1(2), subulate, ca. 2mm long, lightly hairy below. Flowers 1(2); pedicels weak, lax, 20–40 mm when flowers open; tepals yellow adaxially, 5–8 mm long in open flowers. Stamens 3+3, with filaments subulate, yellow, short inner filaments ca. 1 mm, long outer filaments ca. 2.5 mm; anthers ca. 2.5 mm long, sagittate, apex split. Ovary 1.0– 1.5 mm long; style 1.5 mm long; stigma pyramidal with 3 concave faces, 1 mm in long. Capsule turbinate, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, opening by a circular slit, splitting longitudinally into 3 lobes. Seeds ovoid, 1.05–1.10 mm × 0.95–1.00 mm, black, dull; seed coat epidermal cells are isodiametric, 4–8-gonal with straight, channelled, anticlinal boundaries that are smooth and well defined; convex outer periclinal cell wall columellate and/or capitate/pilate, micropapillate; micropapillae rarely overlap and shorter at top of convex projection, becoming longer across periclinal wall and again becoming shorter towards anticlinal boundaries. Flowering time: October to December (insufficiently known). Diagnostic characters and relationships:— Hypoxis uniflorata is morphologically most similar to H. floccosa Baker (1894: 357) with which it shares linear leaves and weak scapes with slender pedicels bearing one or two flowers. It can be distinguished from H. floccosa by having leaves with 3(–5) veins that are hardly thickened (not 8–10 veins with one near each margin slightly thickened and raised on upper surface) and bracts that are ca. 2mm long (not 4–10 mm long). Although it was thought to be a synonym of H. parvula var. parvula, it has linear (not lanceolate) leaves, subulate (not filiform) anther filaments, and a pyramidal (not spherical) stigma. It also did not clade with H. parvula var. parvula in the phylogeny produced in the current study, but instead resolved as sister to the clade containing H. hemerocallidea (albeit with moderate to poor support). Although both H. uniflorata and H. hemerocallidea have pyramidal stigmas and subulate anther filaments, these shared character states are the most commonly present among the southern African Hypoxis. It is plausible that this grouping might be an artifact of the limited taxon coverage in the current dataset. Distribution and habitat:— Hypoxis uniflorata is a South African endemic, originally thought to be restricted to the Free State province where it was only known from the type locality on the farm Koolhoek. It may also be found in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province based on the specimen Singh 308 (PRE), which was collected from the Ncandu State Forest Reserve, but the species identity of this population needs to be verified. At the type locality, H. uniflorata mostly grows in wet rock crevices at altitudes of 1820–1900 m.a.s.l. Additional specimen examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. Kwazulu-Natal: Newcastle, Incandu (Ncandu) State Forest Reserve, c. 1 km SW from the Hikers Hut (QDS: 2729DC), 19 November 1997, Singh 308 (NH).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on page 77, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis parvula Baker 1878

Key to the morphologically similar but artificially grouped H. parvula species complex 1a. Staminal filaments subulate; stigma pyramidal; leaves linear....................................................................................... H. uniflorata 1b. Staminal filaments filiform; stigma spherical; leaves lanceolate.......................................................................................................2 2a. Staminal filaments white......................................................................................................................................... H. membranacea 2b. Staminal filaments yellow..................................................................................................................................................................3 3a. Tepals 2–6 mm long, distinctly swollen articulation between scape and pedicel; 1–2 bracts usually present, 5–7 mm long........................................................................................................................................................................................................ H. limicola 3b. Tepals (7–) 8–10 mm long, no distinct articulation between scape and pedicel; bracts usually absent, if present, 1–4 mm long.....4 4a. Tepals yellow adaxially................................................................................................................................ H. parvula var. parvula 4b. Tepals white adaxially................................................................................................................................. H. parvula var. albifloraPublished as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on pages 76-77, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis membranacea Baker 1878

Hypoxis membranacea Baker (1878: 106) Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Tugela River, 1 March 1872, Gerrard 1835 (holotype K! [image]; isotype P! [image]). Rhizome 4–6 mm in diam., oblong with few contractile roots, crowned by leaves and few fine bristles, white inside. Leaves few, 6–8, wrapped at base in membranous, brown tunic, lanceolate or ovate, 80–150 × 8–25 mm, membranous, scattered with pustules, translucent and visible against light; veins 13–14, all flush with surface, sparsely hairy on both surfaces; hairs long, weak, stellate interspersed with simple hairs, white. Inflorescence 1 or 2 per plant, corymbose, covered in long, weak, white hairs; scapes shorter than or as tall as leaves, delicate, 40–90 mm long, flattened in cross section (ancipitous); bracts 2, subulate, 3–6 mm long, lightly hairy below. Flowers (1)2 or 3; pedicels weak, lax, 12–40 mm when flowers open; tepals white adaxially, 4.5–8.0 mm long in open flowers. Stamens 3+3, with filaments filiform, white, 1.5–2.0 mm long; anthers 1.2–1.5 mm long, sagittate, apex split. Ovary 1.0– 1.5 mm long; style filiform, 2.0– 2.5 mm long; stigma minute, spherical, ca. 0.5 mm in diam. Capsule turbinate or subglobose, 2–3 × 1.5–3.0 mm, opening by circular slit, splitting longitudinally into 3 lobes. Seeds ovoid, 1.10–1.25 mm × 0.95–1.00 mm, black, dull; seed coat epidermal cells isodiametric, 4–8-gonal with straight, channelled, anticlinal boundaries smooth and well defined or indistinct and/or covered with micropapillae; convex outer periclinal cell wall columellate and/or capitate/ pilate, micropapillate; micropapillae commonly overlap with no clear pattern in distribution of different lengths across periclinal wall. Flowering time: November to February (–April). Diagnostic characters and relationships:— Hypoxis membranacea is most often confused with the H. parvula varieties (particularly the white-flowered var. albiflora). It is distinguished from H. parvula var. albiflora by having white (not yellow) anther filaments and usually having two or three flowers per inflorescence (not just one flower). It can easily be distinguished from H. parvula var. parvula by having tepals that are white adaxially (not yellow). Hypoxis membranacea is closely related to H. angustifolia and H. nivea with which it shares soft leaves and lax inflorescences. It is distinguished from both taxa by having lanceolate leaves (not linear leaves) that bare translucent pustules on the adaxial surface (not smooth). It can further be distinguished from H. angustifolia by having tepals that are white adaxially (not yellow). Distribution and habitat:— Hypoxis membranacea is thought to be a South African endemic, restricted to KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces, with a coastal to inland distribution. The species is also reported to be present in Eswatini by Singh (2009). Although there is lack of verifiable evidence to support its presence in that country, it is feasible given the proximity of Mountainlands Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa (where H. membranacea can be found) to Eswatini. The species is plentiful in coastal forest where it can occur with H. angustifolia var. buchananii Baker (1878: 111) and/or H. nivea. It grows on the forest floor or cliff faces in rock crevices and is known from altitudes of 20– 900 m.a.s.l. Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. KwaZulu-Natal: Oribi Gorge (QDS: 3030CB), 7 January 1971, Glen 274 (NH); Alexandra county, Ellesmere, Umgaye flat (QDS: 3030CB), 16 October 1910, Rudatis 910 (NH); Richmond (QDS: 2930CD), 3 November, Weeler s.n. (AMD 75317); District Alexandra, Station Dumisa, Ellesmere (QDS: 3030CB), 11 December 1911, Rudatis (WAG); Kranskop Escarpment (QDS: 2830DD), 25 December 1969, Bourquin 708 (CPF); Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Bulolo Trail (QDS: 3029DD), 11 November 1994, Abbott 6528 (NU); Near Clydesdale, Griqualand East (QDS: 3029DB), December 1885, Tyson 2880 (SAM); Ndwedwe Municipality Area, Mona, KwaNgongoma Village, Ifafa Hill (QDS: 2930DB), 21 November 2008, Ngwenya 3282 (NH); Inanda District (QDS: 2930DB), 22 October 1987, Ngwenya 489 (NH). Eastern Cape: Butterworth, Kei Mouth (QDS: 3227DB), March 1963, Bokelmann 9 (NBG); Kabongaba (QDS: 3228DA), 26 October 1951, Taylor 3710 (NH); Mansfield Nature reserve (QDS: 3326BD), 25 September 2005, Styles 2618 (NH); Transkei, Mtentu river near Flagstaff (QDS: 3129BA), 14 November 1970, Strey 10241 (NH); Komgha (QDS: 3227BD), December 1891, Flanagan 1172 (SAM); East London, Near Kwenquira River mouth (QDS: 3228CC), 23 December 1900, Galpin 5810 (SAM); East bank of Umzimvubu River, near Lutengela (QDS: 3129AD), 27 August 2002, Van Jaarsveld & Harrower 73 (NH); Mateku, Tezana River (QDS: 3129BD), 29 November 2002, Singh 826 (NH); Lumbasi Administrative Area (QDS: 3129BD), 29 November 2002, Nombekela 366 (NH); Stutterheim, Keibolo above Bolo River gorge (QDS: 3227BC), 23 October 1997, McMaster s.n. (NBG 267840). Mpumalanga: Hyslops Creek, near Barberton (QDS: 2531CC), January 1906, Thorncroft 634 (NH); Barberton (QDS: 2531CC), December 1900, Thorncroft 1063 (PRE).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on pages 77-78, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574

Hypoxis limicola B. L. Burtt

Hypoxis limicola B.L.Burtt in Hilliard & Burtt (1988: 188) Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Mpumalanga: Mac Mac Pools (QDS: 2530BB), 23 October 1985, Hilliard & Burtt 18455 (holotype E! [image]; isotype NU! [image]). Rhizome 3–6 mm in diam., oblong with few contractile roots, crowned by leaves and few fine bristles, white inside. Leaves few, 6–8, wrapped at base in membranous, white or brown tunic, lanceolate, 60–70 × 10–12 mm, soft to membranous, smooth or upper surface covered with translucent pustules visible against light, veins 14–18, all flush with surface; sparsely hairy throughout, mainly on lower surface; hairs bifurcate or stellate interspersed with simple hairs, white. Inflorescence 1(–3) per plant, corymbose; scapes as tall as or taller than leaves, weak, lax, 20–40 mm long, covered with soft, white hairs; bracts usually 1–2, 5–7 mm long, hairy, rarely absent. Flowers 1(2); pedicels, long, weak, 20–40 mm when flower open, conspicuous articulation between scape and pedicel; tepals yellow adaxially, 2–6 mm long in open flowers. Stamens 3+3, with filaments filiform, yellow, short inner filaments 2 mm, long outer filaments 2.5–3.0 mm; anthers 0.50–0.75 mm long, sagittate, apex split. Ovary 1.0– 1.5 mm long; style filiform, 3.50– 3.75 mm long; stigma minute, spherical, 0.25–0.50 mm in diam. Capsule turbinate or subglobose, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, opening by circular slit, splitting longitudinally into 3 lobes. Seeds ovoid, 0.8–1.0 × 0.75–0.85 mm, black, dull; seed coat epidermal cells isodiametric, 4–8-gonal with straight, channelled, anticlinal boundaries smooth and well defined; convex outer periclinal cell wall colliculate and/or columellate, micropapillate; micropapillae commonly overlap and get shorter towards anticlinal boundaries. Flowering time: September–December(–February). Diagnostic characters and relationships:— Hypoxis limicola is most often confused with the H. parvula varieties (particularly the yellow-flowered var. parvula). It is distinguished from H. parvula var. parvula by having tepals that are 2–6 mm long (and not (7–) 8–10 mm long), a conspicuously swollen articulation between the scape and the pedicel (not an inconspicuous articulation), and one or two 5–7 mm long bract(s) (not a single 1–4 mm long bract) when present. It can easily be distinguished from H. parvula var. albiflora by having tepals that are yellow adaxially (not white). Distribution and habitat:— Hypoxis limicola occurs in South Africa and Eswatini. In South Africa, it is found in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. It is associated with marshy places where it occupies wet ground that is otherwise more or less bare—with plants forming small patches. It grows at 1260–1980 m.a.s.l. Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. Mpumalanga: Buffelskloof Nature Reserve (QDS: 2530BC), 12 December 2013, Turpin 868 (BNRH); Songimvelo Game Reserve (QDS: 2531CC), 11 February 1992, Stalmans 2643 (LYD); Blydepoort Nature Reserve, Belvedere (QDS: 2430DD), 10 September 1970, Kerfoot 6459 (J); Mount Sheba Nature Reserve (QDS: 2430DC), October 1975, Getliffe, Hearne & Kerfoot 30 (J). Limpopo: Serala forestry farm, Wolkberg 634 LT (QDS: 2430AA), 23 October 1985, Venter 10227 (LYD). ESWATINI. Hhohho: Forbes Reef (QDS: 2631AC), 5 November 1959, Compton 29335 (NBG); Mbabane District, Dalriach (QDS: 2631AC), 18 November 1957, Compton 27243 (NBG).Published as part of Niemann, Hendrik J., Coetzer, Dewald J. & Glennon, Kelsey L., 2023, Hypoxis limicola and H. uniflorata (Hypoxidaceae) deserve species rank: multiple new lines of evidence, pp. 63-85 in Phytotaxa 619 (1) on pages 78-79, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/842574