A new arborescent Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from northern Somalia

Euphorbia spissa, sp. nov., a tree known from a single population on a rocky limestone slope in northern Somalia, is described and illustrated. The species is compared with the widespread E. tirucalli, as well as with E. cameronii and E. bariensis (endemics in Somalia), E. arbuscula (endemic on Socotra), and E. uzmuk (endemic in northern Yemen).     

A new species of Kleinia (Asteraceae) from Somalia

The new species Kleinia caespitosa, from crevices in limestone rocks at 1850–1900 m in northern Somalia, is described and illustrated. It is compared to the widespread and sympatric K. grantii, as well as to K. saginata in Oman.     

Ten new species of Commiphora (Burseraceae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Commiphora arenaria from bushland on sand in south-central Somalia, C. gardoensis from limestone slopes in the Qardho area in north-eastem Somalia, C. stellatopubescens from bushland on limestone outcrops or stony ground in the Hiiraan Region in south-central Somalia, C. spinulosa from limestone rocks on the escarpment along the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Somalia, C. lobatospathulata from bushland on sand in central and south-central Somalia, C. quercifoliola from bushland on shallow soil over limestone near Eil in north-eastem Somalia, C. chiovendana from bushland in northern and central Somalia, C. multifoliolata from limestone hills and ridges in south-westem Somalia, C. murraywatsonii from limestone outcrops near Hobyo in central Somalia, and C. kucharii from bushland on shallow soils over limestone in central and southern Somalia.     

Section of tropical taxonomy: Seven new species and one new record of Polygala (Polygalaceae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Polygala gypsophila (northern, central and southern Somalia, on gypsum), P. bariensis (northern Somalia, on limestone), P. hamarensis (coastal dunes near Mogadishu), P. argentea (central Somalia, on limestone near coast), P. gawenensis (central Somalia, on limestone), P. effusa (central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia, on sand), P. citrina (southern Somalia, on granitic outcrops). P. meonantha is reported for the first time from Somalia.     

New species and combinations in Kleinia (Asteraceae) from the Horn of Africa

The new species Kleinia tuberculata , from open deciduous bushland on gypsum hills and gypseous limestone in northern and north-eastern Somalia, K. curvata , from evergreen bushland on limestone in northern Somalia, K. sabulosa , from deciduous bushland on sand in central Somalia, K. ogadensis , from deciduous bushland in eastern Ethiopia, K. gracilis , from dwarf bushland on limestone in north-eastern Somalia, and K. tortuosa , from alkaline plains in northern Somalia, are described, and for some of them illustrations are provided. The new combinations K. nogalensis and K. lunulata are made, and the recently described K. isabellae from eastern Ethiopia is placed in synonymy of K. lunulata.     

Two new species of Abrus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) from Somalia

The new species Abrus baladensis , from fixed sand dunes near Mogadishu in south-central Somalia, and A. gawenensis , from limestone or sand over limestone in central Somalia, are described.     

Two new species of Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia

The new species Jatropha miskatensis , from limestone slopes of the Cal Miskaat Range in north-eastern Somalia, and J. marmorata , from bushland on shallow soil over limestone just south of the Nugaal valley in north-eastern Somalia, are described. An illustration is provided for J. miskatensis.     

Low genetic diversity and recovery implications of the vulnerable Bankoualé Palm Livistona carinensis (Arecaceae), from North-eastern Africa and the Southern Arabian Peninsula

The Bankoualé Palm, Livistona carinensis is the only known species of Livistona occurring in Africa and is currently classified as vulnerable (IUCN 2004). This extreme outlier species of the genus is restricted to Yemen, Somalia and Djibouti, where all populations are in rapid decline. In Djibouti the palm is confined to three valley systems within the upland plateau of the Goda Massif. This study used microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships within the species. At the species level L. carinensis contained very low genetic diversity. Most variation was due to the variation between the samples from Yemen and Somalia compared with those in Djibouti. The Djibouti populations were almost monomorphic across the nine loci tested. Interestingly, and despite the small sample sizes, the individuals from botanic gardens collections of the Yemen and Somalia populations were more genetically diverse than the Djibouti populations. This study indicates that the populations in Yemen and Somalia are highly significant for the conservation of the species genetic diversity. Given the lack of genetic diversity both within and among L. carinensis populations in Djibouti, plants could be cultivated for in-situ population enhancement from any seed that is available from within Djibouti with no significant genetic impacts of provenance mismatch. Clearly the populations from Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen are different genetic provenances raising some issues for the conservation and recovery of L. carinensis.     

Two new species of Dyschoriste (Acanthaceae) from Somalia

The new species Dyschoriste bayensis, from a granitic inselberg in southern Somalia, and D. miskatensis, from open bushland on limestone in north-eastern Somalia, are described and illustrated.     

Digitaria brunoana (Gramineae), nuova specie della Somalia

Abstract

Digitaria brunoana (Gramineae), a new species from Somalia. - Digitaria brunoana, a new species occurring on the coastal sand dunes at Gesira near Mogadishu (Somalia), is described. This new taxon is related to D. longiflora which is distributed in the Tropical Africa.     

Synopsis of Satanocrater (Acanthaceae)

Four species are recognized in the tropical African genus Satanocrater: S. fellatensis (= S. berhautii) in Sudan, Ethiopia and Guinea, S. ruspolii in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, S. somalensis (= S. coccineus) in Ethiopia and Somalia, and S. paradoxus in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Three lectotypes and one neotype are selected. A key to the species and an illustration of S. ruspolii are provided.     

Cyclamen (Primulaceae) in tropical Africa

Cyclamen somalense Thulin & Warfa, spec. nova, the first member of the genus known from tropical Africa, is described from the Al Miskat Mts in NE. Somalia. The new species is closely related to the E. MediterraneanC. persicum Mill. The disjunct Mediterranean element in the mountain flora of northern Somalia, to whichC. somalense belongs, is believed to be largely a relict of Tertiary origin.     

Eight new species and a new record of Indigofera and Microcharis (Leguminosae-Indigofereae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Indigofera bayensis (south-west Somalia, on sand or gravel in Acacia-Commiphora bushland), I. gypsacea (central and south-west Somalia, on gypsum), I. karkarensis (north-east Somalia, on limestone), I. lamellata (south-west Somalia, on and around granitic outcrops), I. lughensis (south-west Somalia, on gypsum), I. phymatodea (south-west Somalia, on granitic outcrops), I. scopiformis (central Somalia, on sand in Acacia-Commiphora bushland), and Microcharis nematophylla (central Somalia, on sand in Acacia-Commiphora bushland). Indigofera pseudointricata , previously known only from Socotra, is reported also from Somalia.     

Andrachne fragilis (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Somalia

Andrachne fragilis is described from north-facing limestone rocks of the escarpment in NE Somalia.     

A new species of Zehneria (Cucurbitaceae) from Somalia

The new species Zehneria somalensis , from shady limestone rocks in north-eastem Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Campylanthus (Scrophulariaceae) from Somalia

Campylanthus reconditus sp. nov., from limestone hills in north-eastern Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) from Somalia

The new species Scutellaria somalensis, from limestone slopes in north-eastem Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Cyphostemma (Vitaceae) from Somalia

Cyphostemma cornus-africani , sp. nov., from rocky limestone slopes in north-eastern Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Rhytidocaulon (Apocynaceae) from Somalia

Rhytidocaulon baricum, sp. nov., from open rocky limestone slopes in northeastern Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Farsetia (Brassicaceae) from Somalia

Farsetia frutkans , sp. nov., from a limestone escarpment of NE Somalia is described and illustrated.