Gazania lanata and G. splendidissima: Two new species of Asteraceae (tribe Arctotideae) from the Greater Capensis, with an updated key for the genus

Two new species of Gazania Gaert. (Asteraceae, tribe Arctotideae) from the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa are described. Gazania lanata Magee & Boatwr., a local endemic of dolomite lenses near Robertson, is distinguished by the spatulate to sublyrate, simple or weakly pinnatilobed leaves, the bristle-like hairs along the inflorescence and the densely lanate vestiture of the young growth and involucre. Gazania splendidissima Mucina, Magee & Boatwr. from the arid Namaqualand coast between Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai, is distinguished by the suffrutescent habit, semi-succulent leaves with a densely mealy uppermost surface, and prominently maculate involucre. An updated key to the now 18 recognised Gazania species is provided to facilitate identification of these and existing taxa in the genus.     

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.     

Annesorhiza calcicola (Apiaceae), a new limestone endemic species from the Western Cape Province of South Africa

The new species, Annesorhiza calcicola Magee and J.C. Manning, is described. It is known only from a few limestone outcrops around Jacobsbaai on the Saldanha Peninsula on the West Coast of South Africa. The species differs from all others in the genus in its small stature (inflorescence less than 0.3 m and leaves less than 150 mm long), the hysteranthous, pilose leaves which are completely absent at flowering (in the other species dead or dying at flowering and usually glabrous), the greyish-black, pilose inflorescence (yellowish-brown and glabrous in the other species) and the smaller homomericarpic fruit less than 5 mm long.     

Pelargonium elandsmontanum (Geraniaceae: section Hoarea), a new species from the Western Cape Province, South Africa

The new species Pelargonium elandsmontanum is a local endemic from Elandsberg Nature Reserve near Malmesbury in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. One of six species of sect. Hoarea with just the posterior two petals developed, it resembles P. ternifolium in its trifoliolate leaves and pink petals but is distinguished from that species by the short, stout petioles, rhombic, acute leaflets with the upper surface glabrous or with spreading hairs (vs cuneate, apically incised leaflets with both surfaces adpressed-hairy), and five (vs four) fertile stamens.     

Caesia sabulosa (Hemerocallidaceae), a new species from the Greater Cape Region of South Africa

The new species Caesia sabulosa Boatwr. and J.C.Manning from deep sands along the West Coast of South Africa and sandy flats in the Cederberg and Bokkeveld Escarpment is described. It is distinguished by its extensively branched rhizome resulting in a robust, clump-forming habit, and unique ‘palisade’ root system of closely packed, hard, vertical roots; mostly larger flowers; erect fruiting pedicels; and details of the seed testa sculpturing.     

A new species of Polemanniopsis (Apiaceae) from Namibia

A new species of woody Apiaceae, Polemanniopsis namibensis B-E. Van Wyk, A. Burke & C. Mannheimer, is described. The species is allied to Polemanniopsis marlothii but differs in the much smaller habit of (up to 0.6 m vs 1.5–4 m in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the white or greyish colour of the twigs (brown in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the 3-foliolate leaves (predominantly 5-foliate in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the smaller inflorescences with persistent involucral bracts (caducous in Polemanniopsis marlothii) and anatomical details of the leaves. The species is endemic to Namibia and is known only from a localised area in the southern Namib desert near Lüderitz, where it is relatively common.     

Bertilia — A new monotypic genus in the Senecioneae (Asteraceae) from South Africa

The unusual disjunct distribution of the yellow-flowered, radiate, Northern Cape endemic Emilia hantamensis J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, relative to the other Emilia species in southern Africa, prompted investigation into its phylogenetic position and relationships. Phylogenies based on the ITS and trnL–trnF regions reveal that it is not a member of the genus Emilia but belongs in a well-supported clade with Bolandia, a genus comprising five species mainly from the Western and Northern Cape, and the monotypic genera Stilpnogyne and Mesogramma. It is placed sister to Bolandia and its cypselas match those of Bolandia in shape, colour and indumentum, except for a distinct ridge of hairs on the inner rib of the ray cypselas. It is further distinguished from Bolandia by its annual habit and conical disc floret style apices and obtuse to rounded ray floret style apices. It is recognised and described here as a new monotypic genus, Bertilia Cron with the single species B. hantamensis (J.C.Manning & Goldblatt) Cron.     

The phenetic affinities of Rungwecebus kipunji

The kipunji, a recently discovered primate endemic to Tanzania's Southern Highlands and Udzungwa Mountains, was initially referred to the mangabey genus Lophocebus (Cercopithecinae: Papionini), but subsequent molecular analyses showed it to be more closely related to Papio. Its consequent referral to a new genus, Rungwecebus, has met with skepticism among papionin researchers, who have questioned both the robustness of the phylogenetic results and the kipunji's morphological distinctiveness. This circumstance has been exacerbated by the immaturity of the single available specimen (FMNH 187122), an M1-stage juvenile. Therefore, a geometric morphometric analysis of juvenile papionin cranial shape was used to explore the kipunji's phenetic affinities and evaluate morphological support for its separation from Lophocebus. Three-dimensional craniometric landmarks and semi-landmarks were collected on a sample of 124 subadult (dp4-M2 stage) cercopithecid crania. Traditional interlandmark distances were compared and a variety of multivariate statistical shape analyses were performed for the zygomaxillary region (diagnostic in mangabeys) and the cranium as a whole. Raw and size-adjusted interlandmark distances show the kipunji to have a relatively taller, shorter neurocranium and broader face and cranial base than is seen in M1-stage Lophocebus. Principal components and cluster analyses consistently unite the two Lophocebus species but group the kipunji with Cercocebus and/or Macaca. Morphological distances (Mahalanobis D²) between the kipunji and Lophocebus species are comparable to distances between recognized papionin genera. Discriminant function analyses suggest phenetic affinities between the kipunji and Cercocebus/Macaca and do not support the kipunji's classification to Lophocebus or to any other papionin taxon. In canonical plots, the kipunji occupies a region intermediate between macaques and African papionins or groups with Cercocebus, suggesting that it retains basal papionin shape characteristics. In shape comparisons among M1-stage papionins, the kipunji cranium is distinguished from Lophocebus by its relatively unrestricted suborbital fossa, more parasagittally oriented zygomatic arches, and longer auditory tube and from all papionins by its relatively tall, short neurocranium, broad face and cranial base, short nasals, dished nasal profile, and dorsally oriented rostrum. The kipunji is thus a cranially diagnosable phenon with a unique combination of cranial traits that cannot be accommodated within Lophocebus as currently defined. Based upon these results, Rungwecebus appears to be a valid and useful nomen that accurately reflects the morphological diversity of African papionins.     

Back from the brink: Gladiolus halophila (Iridaceae: Crocoideae), a remarkable new species from southern Namibia escapes imminent extinction

The new species Gladiolus halophila Goldblatt & J.C.Manning from near Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia is described and illustrated. It is closely allied to G. longicollis and G. tristis from southwestern and eastern South Africa but is distinguished by its lilac flowers with shorter perianth tube, 35–40 mm long. The flowers last just one day and are self-compatible. The species, which is restricted to saline seepages, is known from just two populations, one of which is due to be inundated by a planned dam, and it is therefore classified as Endangered. The action of the Namibian Government in commissioning a search for additional localities serves as a valuable example in similar instances.     

Cordaites schatzlarensis sp. nov. and Samaropsis newberryi (Andrews) Seward from the Westphalian (Carboniferous) of the ?aclé? area (Czech Republic)

The monotonous cordaitalean leaves are usually difficult to determine as leaf shape and venation can be similar in many species. Therefore cuticular analysis is an important method for distinguishing cordaitalean leaves. Pennsylvanian Cordaites schatzlarensis nov. sp. comes from the ?aclé? locality in the Intrasudetic Basin, Czech Republic. It has been found in mudstone accompanying the upper coal seams No. 9 and 10 of the Jan Šverma Coals, Lampertice Member, ?aclé? Formation and are late Duckmantian in age. The leaves of Cordaites schatzlarensis are lanceolate, amphistomatic. Stomata of the adaxial epidermis are scarce, isolated, or in very short stomatal rows. In contrast, the density of stomata on the abaxial cuticle is high and stomata are arranged into single or double stomatal rows. The cuticles of C. schatzlarensis are comparable with the Chinese Upper Permian C. baodeensis Ge. Leaves can be narrow, comparable to French Bolsovian Dorycordaites zeilleri Ledran, or relatively wide. Accompanying big seeds more than 5 cm in diameter are attributed to Samaropsis newberryi (Andrews) Seward. The pith casts Artisia Sternberg were found in sandy channel fill deposits.     

A new species of Combretum section Ciliatipetala (Combretaceae) from southern Africa, with a key to the regional members of the section

Combretum stylesii O.Maurin, Jordaan & A.E.van Wyk, a liana or slender tree with scrambling branches from the Tugela River Valley (KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa, is described. Molecular data supports its placement in subgenus Combretum section Ciliatipetala with its closest relative Combretum edwardsii. The new species differs from C. edwardsii in having, amongst others, a single mature leaf form, leaves softly textured, with whitish hairs, often with drooping habit, shorter leaf petioles (less than 5 mm), and less complex 8-celled leaf scales. A key to the species and infraspecific taxa of section Ciliatipetala in the Flora of southern Africa region is provided.     

江西虾脊兰属一新变型——异钩距虾脊兰

描述了产自江西的兰科(Orchidaceae)虾脊兰属(Calanthe R. Br.)植物一新变型——异钩距虾脊兰 (Calanthe graciliflora f. jiangxiensis B. Li, L. J. Kong et B. Y. Yang),并绘制了线条图。该新变型与原变型钩距虾脊兰(C. graciliflora Hayata)的主要区别为距末端分裂为2个不等的短尖。     

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the narrow endemic Coelonema and affinitive Draba (Brassicaceae) based on two DNA regions

To clarify the relationship between two genera, Draba and the narrow genus Coelonema, endemic to the QilianMountains of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, phylogenetic analyses were conducted using nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS, and the chloroplast DNA trnL, from Coelonema draboides and 30 species of Draba representing eight sections, including 25 species of Chinese Draba, seven of which were endemic to the study region. The results unambiguously support several previously published proposals to unite Coelonema with Draba and accommodate C. draboides in the latter genus on the basis of morphological re-examination. Our molecular data presented here also provide evidence that these two genera should be combined as a monophyletic group with high support. In addition, it is estimated that Draba may have originated about 1.36–2.71 Mya, with C. draboides diverging from Draba about 0.15–0.31 Mya, based on the molecular calibration of ITS datasets. The assumed speciation and rapid expansion of these two genera is likely to have occurred in the eastern edge of the QilianMountains area according to molecular phylogeny and estimated divergence times, which correspond well with the known geological and paleobotanical histories of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.     

Phylogeny of Celastraceae tribe Euonymeae inferred from morphological characters and nuclear and plastid genes

The phylogeny of Celastraceae tribe Euonymeae (∼230 species in eight genera in both the Old and New Worlds) was inferred using morphological characters together with plastid (matK, trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) genes. Tribe Euonymeae has been defined as those genera of Celastraceae with generally opposite leaves, isomerous carpels, loculicidally dehiscent capsules, and arillate seeds (except Microtropis). Euonymus is the most diverse (129 species) and widely cultivated genus in the tribe. We infer that tribe Euonymeae consists of at least six separate lineages within Celastraceae and that a revised natural classification of the family is needed. Microtropis and Quetzalia are inferred to be distinct sister groups that together are sister to Zinowiewia. The endangered Monimopetalum chinense is an isolated and early derived lineage of Celastraceae that represents an important component of phylogenetic diversity within the family. Hedraianthera is sister to Brassiantha, and we describe a second species (Brassiantha hedraiantheroides A.J. Ford) that represents the first reported occurrence of this genus in Australia. Euonymus globularis, from eastern Australia, is sister to Menepetalum, which is endemic to New Caledonia, and we erect a new genus (Dinghoua R.H. Archer) for it. The Madagascan species of Euonymus are sister to Pleurostylia and recognized as a distinct genus (Astrocassine ined.). Glyptopetalum, Torralbasia, and Xylonymus are all closely related to Euonymus sensu stricto and are questionably distinct from it. Current intrageneric classifications of Euonymus are not completely natural and require revision.     

Disa albomagentea (Orchidaceae), a new species from the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

A new orchid, Disa albomagentea, is described from the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is an obligately fire-dependent species closely related to Disa obtusa (sect. Disella), from which it can be easily distinguished by the larger flowers, i.e. galea 7-9 mm long versus 4-7 mm long, which are patent and bicoloured, i.e. magenta, white and not spotted versus purple brown, white to cream to greenish, and variously purple spotted. It appears to be endemic to seeps and marshes on the high peaks.