Nicipe rosulata (Ornithogaloideae, Hyacinthaceae), a New Species from the Little Karoo in South Africa, with a New Combination in the Genus

A new species of Nicipe from the Little Karoo in South Africa is here described. Nicipe rosulata sp. nov. is characterized by its (3‐)5‐8 short and broad, somewhat leathery leaves disposed in a basal rosette, its narrowly ovate, acute-apiculate capsules, and its long papillate-echinulate seeds. This species is at first sight related to Nicipe britteniae and Ornithogalum lithopsoides based on their short leaves with ciliate to fimbriate margins, but it differs in floral and vegetative characters that clearly support its recognition as a distinct species. Nicipe britteniae differs from N. rosulata by the hard, distichous, ensiform, conduplicate, and densely fimbriate leaves and the rugose seeds. Ornithogalum lithopsoides clearly differs by the more numerous and much thinner leaves, and the rugose seeds, among other characters. Here we provide a detailed morphological description for Nicipe rosulata, including ecological and chorological data, and discuss relationships with its close allies. Finally, the recently described Ornithogalum lithopsoides, also from the Little Karoo, clearly belongs to Nicipe based on the leathery rosulate leaves all arising nearly at the same level, the relatively small flowers, the tepals with a dark longitudinal band mostly visible on the abaxial side, and the small capsules and seeds. This new combination in the latter genus is also presented here.This work was partly supported by the Fundación Ramón Areces (Spain) and Universidad de Alicante (Spain)

SEM observations on the seed surface of Hyacinthaceae

Data on seed morphology of 132 species from 40 genera of all subfamilies (Ornithogaloideae, Hyacinthoideae, Urgineoideae, Oziroëoideae) of Hyacinthaceae are presented. So far, this is the most extensive study on the seed surface of Hyacinthaceae using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and we also give insights into the systematic implications of seed surface micromorphology

Striatula (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae), a new genus from South Africa and southern Namibia

Within the framework of the taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae of Hyacinthaceae, we here describe the new genus Striatula from South Africa and southern Namibia. Striatula is at first sight related to Rhadamanthus species, but can be easily distinguished by the one or two flat, ovate to elliptic, sulcate leaves which are appressed to the ground. This genus includes Rhadamanthus platyphyllus, a species native to the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape Province of South Africa, and the more recently described Drimia oliverorum from Namibia. A morphological description for Striatula is presented, including the most important characteristics and the necessary new combinations.This work was partly supported by the University of Graz (Austria), Fundación Ramón Areces (Spain), H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh), the grant ACIE18–03 UAUSTI18–02 from the University of Alicante (Spain)

Seed morphology of Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae) and its systematic implications

As part of studies of seeds in Hyacinthaceae, we detected the genus Rhodocodon as a rare example in the family that shows remarkable variability in seed morphology. Detailed descriptions and a key for the seeds of 13 species and their systematic implications are presented

A taxonomic revision of Tenicroa (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae) – including four new species and two new combinations

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Tenicroa. Species of Tenicroa have a very intricate history and therefore, unlike many others, they have been placed by time in eight different genera. Tenicroa is characterized by having (mostly) synanthous leaves and sheathing cataphylls with raised darker transversal ridges, diurnal stellate flowers with white tepals having a distinct narrow, reddish-brown or greenish band, subbasifixed anthers, and the ovary elliptic-oblong to oblong, with an elongate, deflexed and often sigmoid style, and a papillate stigma. In this context, we here describe four new species (T. applanata, T. fibrosa, T. namibensis, T. polyantha) and present two new combinations (T. flexuosa, T. unifolia) in this genus. An identification key is provided for the 12 accepted species in the genus.This work was partly supported by the University of Graz (Austria), Fundación Ramón Areces (Spain), H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh), the grant ACIE18–03, UAUSTI18–02 and UAUSTI19–08 from the University of Alicante (Spain)

Aulostemon (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a new genus from South Africa

As part of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) based on morphological and genetic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus from south-eastern South Africa. Aulostemon includes Drimia mzimvubuensis, a species recently placed in Sagittanthera. However, distinct morphological character states, especially regarding connation of stamen filaments to form a distinct tube that surrounds the gynoecium, the free anthers, the lack of bracteoles and its isolated phylogenetic position within subfamily Urgineoideae, support the description of the new genus.This work was partly supported by Fundación Ramón Areces (Spain), and H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh)

Molecular phylogenetics of subfamily Urgineoideae (Hyacinthaceae): Toward a coherent generic circumscription informed by molecular, morphological, and distributional data

The taxonomy and systematics of Urgineoideae (Hyacinthaceae) have been controversial in recent decades, with contrasting taxonomic treatments proposed based on preliminary and partial studies that have focused on morphology and/or solely plastid DNA sequence data. Some authors have recognized only two genera, with a very broadly conceived Drimia, while others have accepted several genera that, although better defined morphologically, were doubtfully monophyletic. Here, we present phylogenetic analyses involving four plastid DNA regions (trnL intron, trnL-F spacer, matK, and the trnCGCA-ycf6 intergenic region), a nuclear region (Agt1), and a selection of 40 morphological characters. Our study covers 293 samples and ca. 160 species of Urgineoideae (ca. 80% of its global diversity). Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses were performed to derive the phylogenetic patterns. The combination of data yielded phylogenetic trees with 31 well-defined clades or lineages, most corresponding to previously described genera, although some have required description or revised circumscription. As with other monocot families, a considerable degree of homoplasy was observed in morphological characters, especially in those groups with unspecialized flowers; nonetheless, consistent syndromes of traditional and novel characters are shown to support clade recognition at genus rank. The forthcoming revised classification of Urgineoideae is outlined here.This work was partly supported by H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh) and the complementary supporting funds UAUSTI17-03, ACIE17-01, UAUSTI2019-008 (University of Alicante, Spain)

Massonia inaequalis (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a distinct new species from South Africa

Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae, a treatment we favour. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) belongs to tribe Massonieae of Hyacinthoideae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004) and is confined to South Africa and southwestern Namibia. Our studies in Massonia reveal that the taxonomy of the genus, as presented in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species concepts have been overlooked and misunderstood (Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, 2017, 2018, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015, Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, 2016). Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Massonia, the study of herbarium vouchers in the main South African herbaria and natural populations, revealed the existence of some populations of Massonia growing in the surroundings of Elands Bay (Western Cape Province of South Africa), that represent an undescribed species based on a distinct combination of morphological features, especially regarding flower morphology which show permanently erect perigone segments at anthesis, being unique in the genus. These plants were first collected by W.F. Barker in August 1966 in fruit near Elands Bay and after cultivating them at Kirstenbosch in the following 2 years, Barker deposited 4 herbarium vouchers including plants in flower and fruit, and also photographs of the plants. Barker left the plants unnamed in the original collection in fruit in August 1966 but later, after seeing flowers in cultivation, she named the plants as "Polyxena? Massonia?" evidencing her doubts on their generic placement in June 1968. Finally she recognized it as a new species as "Massonia? inaequalis Barker ms." in May 1969. However, this name has never been published and this species has remained unnamed ever since. Therefore, a formal description for this species is here presented, accepting the Barker's suggested name and authority, and including complete data on morphology, habitat, biology and distribution.This work was partly supported by H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh)

Massonia visseriae (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae): rediscovery of a neglected species of Neobakeria and its transfer to Massonia

Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) belongs to tribe Massonieae of Hyacinthoideae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004) confined to South Africa and southwestern Namibia. Our studies in Massonia reveal that the taxonomy of the genus, as presented in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species concepts have been either overlooked or misunderstood (Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, 2017, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015). Neobakeria Schlechter (1924: 149) was characterized as having uniseriate filaments which are distinctly connate above the perigone, and included 7 species placed by Baker in Polyxena Kunth (1843: 294) subgenus Astemma Baker (1897: 419) such as Neobakeria angustifolia (Linnaeus 1782: 193) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. burchellii (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. comata (Baker 1897: 419) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. haemanthoides (Baker 1888: 1727) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. marginata (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. namaquensis Schlechter (1924: 150) and N. rugulosa (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150), N. namaquensis being the type (Müller-Doblies & Müller-Doblies 1997). Two additional species were later described in this genus, as Neobakeria heterandra Isaac (1939: 729) and N. visseriae Barnes (1933: 72). All Neobakeria species are currently placed in Massonia or in Daubenya Lindley (1835: 1813), except Neobakeria visseriae. Schlechter (1924) related his new genus Neobakeria to Polyxena and Massonia, but he differenced Polyxena by the biseriate and almost free filaments above the perigone and Massonia by the uniseriate filaments only shortly connate above perigone (Schlechter 1924). The generic circumscription within tribe Massonieae has strongly changed in the last decades (Müller-Doblies & Müller-Doblies 1997, Manning & van der Merwe 2002), but at present it seems to exist a consensus on placing the Neobakeria species in Massonia or Daubenya depending on their bulb, leaves, inflorescence, and bract morphology (Manning & van der Merwe 2002). Our ongoing taxonomic and phylogenetic studies revealed that Massonia includes species with nearly free filaments above the perigone to distinctly connate to form a filaments tube, not supporting recognition of Schlechter's Neobakeria. Neobakeria visseriae was described from plants collected "on a Klip Koppie about 5 miles from Lambert's Bay" byH. A. Visser in May 1931. The protologue describes the plants as having dark green leaves with longitudinal striation and elongated pustules that bear fascicles of white trichomes; flowers white with a cylindrical perigone tube, not expanded at the apex; filaments ca. 6 mm long and connate to form a tube ca. 1.5 mm long above the perigone; and a pale green ovary with a cylindrical style shorter than the stamens. The holotype is kept at BOL and includes 5?6 plants, 4 of them in flower, and a detailed drawing of the plant, made by P.E. Barnes. Both the pressed plants and the drawing perfectly agree with the protologue, however we can highlight some further additional characters from the illustration, such as the free perigone segments being spreading, but neither strongly reflexed nor with a sigmoid inrolled curve, and the fascicles of unequal trichomes on elongated leaf emergences. Furthermore, although the illustration shows filaments of similar length, the flowers inside the envelope in the holotype specimen show unequal filaments and blue anthers with blue pollen. After several failed trials to find this species in nature around Lambert's Bay, we found one population of Massonia visseriae at the type locality, on a Klip Koppie near Jakkalsrivier ca. 6 km E of Lambert's Bay between Van Putensvlei and Groendam farms. Our phylogenetic analyses (not shown) confirm the inclusion of this species in Massonia, also supported by morphology. Therefore, we propose a new combination in Massonia for Neobakeria visseriae. A complete morphological description is presented below based on the study of living material, and comments on its ecology and distribution are reported.This work was partly supported by H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh) and University of Alicante (Spain)

Massonia gypsicola (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a new species from the Knersvlakte in South Africa

Asparagaceae (subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae) is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae, an option of our choice. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) occurs in South Africa and in southwestern Namibia and it belongs to subfamily Hyacinthoideae, tribe Massonieae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004). Originally, this genus was described to include a single species, Massonia depressa Houttuyn (1780: 424). However, botanical exploration of South Africa in the nineteenth century led Baker (1897) to accept 33 species in the genus. Recent studies in Massonia reduced the number of accepted species to 6 (van der Merwe 2002, Manning & Goldblatt 2003, Summerfield 2004), 8 (Jessop 1976), 12 (Müller-Doblies & Müller-Doblies 1997), or 14 (Species-2000 2017). Our studies on Massonia revealed that the taxonomy of the genus, as accepted in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species have been overlooked and misunderstood (Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, 2016, Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015). Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Massonia, the study of natural populations, cultivated material as well as herbarium vouchers, revealed existence of some populations of Massonia growing on gypcrete outcrops in Knersvlakte (Western Cape Province) that represent a distinct undescribed species based on clear morphological characters, ecology, and biogeography. Therefore, a formal description for this species, named Massonia gypsicola, is presented below including data on morphology, habitat, biology and distribution.This work was partly supported by Fundación Ramón Areces (Spain), and H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh)