Sectional classification of Gymnosporia (Celastraceae), with notes on the nomenclatural and taxonomic history of the genus

Abstract

Gymnosporia (Wight & Arn.) Hook. f. (Celastraceae) is an Old World genus of about 99 species and 19 infraspecific taxa. A historical review of the genus and its conserved status are given. Sectional subdivision of Gymnosporia into eight sections is based mainly on characters from fruit morphology and leaf anatomy. Taxonomically useful characters at section level include: presence or absence of leaf and fruit indumentum, number of valves in the fruit, aril colour and the degree to which it covers the seed. Diagnostic leaf anatomical characters are epidermis cell size, presence or absence of a hypodermis, uni–or multi–seriate epidermis, dorsiventral or isobilateral mesophyll and presence or absence of trichomes or papillae. The newly described sections (species/infraspecific taxa in brackets) are Buxifoliae (29); Capitatae (1); Gymnosporia (6/3); Mossambicenses (11/4); Vaccinifoliae (1/2); Pubescentes (1); Putterlickioides (1/2) and Tenuispinae (49/8). A key to the sections and a list of species in each section are provided. Morphological as well as leaf anatomical characters to assist in the identification of sections are tabulated. Eleven new name combinations, three new ranks and two new names are proposed.

Gymnosporia thyrsiflora comb. nov. (Celastraceae), a correct name to replace G. graciliramula from southwest China

“…Morphologically, G. thyrsiflora belongs to G. sect. Tenuispinae in accordance with Jordaan and van Wyk (2006). This species is distinguished from the other Chinese Gymnosporia in having axillary and slender thorns on young branches and sturdy thorns on old branches, narrowly obovate and papery leaves, 3‐valved red–brown capsules, and a white cupulate aril covering the base of seeds.…”

Gymnosporia sekhukhuniensis (Celastraceae), a new species from South Africa

“…Notes:-Gymnosporia sekhukhuniensis belongs to G. section Buxifoliae (Jordaan & Van Wyk 2006) Group 1, for which an identification key to the members is supplied below. It has the same type of capsules and seed as in G. buxifolia, G. elliptica (Thunberg 1823: 218) Schonland (1919, G. grandifolia (Davison 1927: 316) Jordaan in Schmidt et al (2002, G. heterophylla and G. macrocarpa Jordaan in Jordaan & Van Wyk (2000: 12), namely, brown or reddish brown and rugose, dehiscing into three parts and with the yellow aril partially covering the seed.…”

“…Key to the species of Gymnosporia sect. Buxifoliae (Group 1: species with rugose capsules) For a key to the sections of Gymnosporia, see Jordaan & Van Wyk (2006). Following the description of G. sekhukhuniensis, 10 species are recognized in Group 1 of G. sect.…”

“…Gymnosporia (Wight & Arnott 1834: 159) Hooker in Bentham & Hooker (1862: 359, 365) is an Old World genus comprising over 100 currently accepted species (Jordaan & Van Wyk 2006;Jordaan 2013). Following the reinstatement of the genus Gymnosporia and a revision of the southern African members (Jordaan 1995, Jordaan & Van Wyk 1999a, the new species described as Gymnosporia sekhukhuniensis in the present contribution, has come to light.…”

Gymnosporia swazica (Celastraceae), a new species from southern Africa

“…It comprises over one hundred species (Jordaan & Van Wyk 2006). Hitherto 26 named species of Gymnosporia were recognized in the Flora of southern Africa region, the latter comprising South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho (Archer & Jordaan 2003, Jordaan 2008.…”