Lycium strandveldense (Solanaceae), a new species from the western coast of South Africa

A new species, L. strandveldense, from the western coastal region of the Western and Northern Cape Provinces, is described and figured. L. strandveldense, which is functionally dioecious, resembles the bisexual L. afrum L., a species also found along the western coast. Because of the near similarity in leaf and floral characteristics, specimens of L. strandveldense have in the past been regarded as atypical forms of L. afrum. This new species is distinguished by its functionally dioecious habit, relatively short, narrowly oblong, bright green leaves instead of the long, linear, glaucous leaves of L. afrum, corolla dark purple instead of claret coloured, corolla tube shorter than in L. afrum, stamens of the male flowers slightly exserted from corolla mouth in contrast to the included stamens of L. afrum, and finally a smaller ellipsoid red berry instead of the large spherical black berry of L. afrum

The ‘minor confusion’ around Parquetina nigrescens (Periplocaceae)

A correction of the taxonomy of Parquetina nigrescens (Afz.) Bullock with its synonyms Periploca nigrescens Afz. and Omphalogonus calophyllus Baill, is presented. Our investigation reveals that Periploca nigrescens and Omphalogonus calophyllus are two distinct taxa, as their floral morphology differs conspicuously. The name, Parquetina nigrescens, is therefore an incorrect combination. A taxonomio revision of Periploca nigrescens and Omphalogonus calophyllus completes this account

Raphionacme chimanimaniana (Periplocaceae), a new species from Zimbabwe

Raphionacme chimanimaniana Venter & Verhoeven, a new species from Zimbabwe is described. It is recognized by its erect stems, linear-lanceolate leaves which are hirsute and glandular, few-flowered inflorescences and magenta to white flowers. Plants inhabit scrubby veld at high altitude in the Chimanimani Mountains. R. chimanimaniana resembles R. brownii Scott Elliot and R. pulchella Venter & Verhoeven. All three species erect with linear leaves and white to purple flowers. R. chimanimaniana is distinguished from R. brownii and R. pulchella by the few-flowered inflorescences with large flowers, its columnar corona bases and glandular hirsute indumentum

Raphionacme haeneliae (Periplocaceae), a new species from the Namib Desert, Namibia

Raphionacme haeneliae Venter & Verhoeven, a new species collected in the Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia, is described and illustrated. A map with its present known distribution is provided. R. haeneliae reveals affinity with R. lanceolata Schinz in the spreading, much-branched plants, large ovate foliage leaves and corona lobes that are basally unsegmented. R. haeneliae is distinguished by its lemon-green and pink corolla lobes, long filiform corona lobes and paired pincer-like follicles

An anatomical investigation of the stem and leaf of the South African species of Lycium L. (Solanaceae)

The anatomy of the leaf and stem of the eleven South African Lycium L. species is described and discussed. Owing to poor differentiation between palisade and spongy parenchyma the leaves are considered to be isobilateral. The most important diagnostic characteristic of the leaves is the trichomes. Short-stalked glandular trichomes with either globular or elongated heads are found on all the species and long-stalked glandular trichomes on L. pilifolium C.H. Wr. and L. hirsutum Dun. only. A non-glandular multicellular hair type is present on L. hirsutum only. Another less important diagnostic characteristic is the presence or absence of collenchyma on the adaxial and/or abaxial side of the main vascular bundle.No anatomical differences were found between the stems of the species examined. The vascular bundles are bicollateral with a well developed monofacial internal cambium. Phloem fibres are absent. Trichomes, similar to those present on the leaves, occur on the young stems

Plant communities of the western part of the Bloemfontein district: the Ca land type

An analysis of the plant communities of the Ca land type of the Bloemfontein West District is presented. The Braun-Blanquet technique, supplemented by TWINSPAN, was used for phytosociological classification of the vegetation of the study area. Eleven distinct vegetation units were recognized and described. An hierarchical classification is suggested and each vegetation unit is related to its particular environmental characteristics. Relevés were compiled in 76 sample plots.‘n Ontieding van die plantgemeenskappe van die Ca-landtipe van die Bloemfontein-Wes-distrik word aangebied. Die Braun-Blanquet-tegniek, ondersteun deur TWINSPAN, is gebruik vir die fitososiologiese klassrfikasie van die plantegroei van die studiegebied. Elf plantegroei-eenhede is geïdentifiseer en beskryf. ‘n Hiërargiese klassifikasie word voorgestel en elke plantegroei-eenheid word aan die hand van toepaslike omgewingsfaktore verklaar. Reievés is in 76 monsterpersele saamgestel

A new species of Raphionacme (Periplocaceae) from the Orange Free State

Raphionacme dyeri Retief & Venter, a new species from the Orange Free State, is described. The species is closely related to R. zeyheri Harv. The yellowish green inner surface of each corolla lobe with a purple or magenta ‘V’ marking on the upper half, distinguishes R. dyeri from all the other Rtaphionacme species