A Revision of the South African Species of Anthericum, Chlorophytum and Trachyandra

Abstract

No abstract available

Asphodelaceae

“…Trachyandra montana was recently discovered on the middle and upper slopes o f Jonaskop, the highest peak in the west ern part of the Riviersonderend Mountain range in the southwestern Cape. Trachyandra arenicola, from the arid west coast of Namaqualand and adjacent Western Cape, was first collected in 1925-1926 and later in 1945 but confused with other species in the genus (Obermeyer 1962). Several recent gatherings made over the past few decades, however, provide ample evidence of its dis tinctness.…”

“…Three sections are currently recognized within the genus (Obermeyer 1962). In sections Liriothamnus and Glandulifera the first leaves of each growth cycle are not reduced to membranous sheaths and thus grade into the foliage leaves, the roots are slender and wiry, and the fila ments are monomorphic.…”

“…It is centred in the southern African winter rainfall region, with three or four species extending into tropical Africa, one as far north as Ethiopia (Smith & Van Wyk 1998). Trachyandra is distinguished from other genera of Asphodelaceae by its soft-textured leaves and short-lived, white or pink ish flowers with a deciduous perianth and ± scabrid fila ments (Obermeyer 1962). The seeds appear to be highly characteristic, developing distinctive idioblasts contain ing bundles of needle-like crystals.…”

“…Two species have been described since the last revision of the South African members of the genus (Obermeyer 1962), both from the winter rainfall parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape (Manning 1990;Perry 1990). Another two species are described here.…”

“…Just over 30 species are endemic or near-endemic (Obermeyer 1962;Manning & Klopper 2006). Two species have been described since the last revision of the South African members of the genus (Obermeyer 1962), both from the winter rainfall parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape (Manning 1990;Perry 1990).…”