Bolnniral Journal zyxwvutsrqpon zyxwvu zyxwvutsr zyxwvut zyxwvu 4 I h P lmnean Solie& (198!9), 99: 401405. With 3 figurrs A new species of Ruphionucme (Periplocaceae) from north-east Africa z H. J. T. VENTER Geo Potts Herbarium ( B L F U ) , Department o f Botany, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, Republic of South Africa AND M. G. GILBERT zyxwvutsrqp zyxw c/o The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB Received Jub 1987, revised and accepted November 1987 VENTER, H. J . I . & GILBERT, M. C., 1989. Anew species ofRaphionacrne (Periplocaceae) from north-east Africa. A new species o f Raphionacme Lfom north-cast Alrica is dcscrilxd. I t is recognized by the puberulous lanceolate arid wavy leaves, the purple corolla lohcs, the simplr Trrc filiform corona lobes, the massivr laterally broadened stamina1 filarnrn[s and the position of' r h c . gynostegium in the corolla mouth. The new species resemhles K . rniddii dr it'ild. t o a ccrtaiti cxtcnt. Their coronas and stamens are alike in structure and implantation. However, thry d i f h with r e g 4 to thr corolla structure and the relative position of the gynostegium in tlic flower, a i d the length ~ f t h ~ pediccls. ADDITIONAL KEY WORD:-Taxonomy. Whilst revising Raphionacme at the Kew Herbarium, the first author was shown spirit material of specimens collected by the second author in Ethiopia. This material proved to belong to a hitherto unknown species of Raphionacme. A few more specimens belonging to this new species eventually came to light in the Kew collection of Raphionacme, these originating from Kenya and Somalia. Although it seems that, so far, only these collections exist, they are nevertheless quite common where collected. Raphionacme borenensis Venter & Gilbert sp. nov. DERIVATION: R . borenensis is named after the Boren people, the traditional occupants of the area of its main occurrence. Herba geophytica puberula. CAULES erecti. FOLIAopposita; lamina lanceolata vel oblanceolata, margine integro undulato. INFLORESCENTIA cymosa, 2-3 floribus, pedunculi 2-10 mm longi, pedicelli 3-4 mm longi. SEPALA5, ovata vel triangulata. Corolla 9-1 1 mm longa, tub0 campanulato, lobis 5 ovatis purpureis. zyxwvutsrqp 40 I 0024-4074/89/04040 1 + 05 503 OO/O 0 1989 The Linnean Society of London zyxwvutsr zyxwvu 402 zyxw zyxwvuts zyxw zy H. T. J. VENTER AND M. C . GILBERT CORONA5-lobata, lobis filiformibus. STAMINA5, filamentis exorientibus ex in teriore basi coronae, latis valde factis lateraliter, antheris anguste ovatis. OVARIA 2; gynostegium late ovatum, exsertum a b ore corollae. Ethiopia, Bale Region, track from Negele to Biderra, G i l b e r l e Jones 66 K, holotypus) . TYPUS: A geophytic puberulous herb with massive napiform root tuber, usually broader than long. UNDERGROUND STEMS perennial, erect. AERIAL STEMS annual, erect, up to 70 rnm long. LEAVES opposite; petioles 1-2 mm long; blade lanceolate to broadly lanceolate or oblanceolate, 25-75 x 15-30 mm, glabrous to puberulous and green with lustre above, puberulous and dull green to green flushed purple below, margin entire, wavy, apex acute to obtuse-mucronate, base cuneate to obtuse. INFLORESCENCE terminal to subterminal, cymose, sparsely to densely puberulous, 2-3-flowered; peduncle 2-10 mm long, pedicels 3-4 mm long. FLOWERS actinomorphic, buds uniform grey. SEPALS 5, free, ovate to triangular, 1-2 x 1.0-1.5 rnm, puberulous. COROLLA 9-1 1 mm long; tube campanulate, 4 mm long, outer side puberulous, inner side ridged; lobes 5, spreading, ovate with apex obtuse to acute, 5-7 x 2-4 mm, purple. CORONA of 5 filiform whitish lobes of 5-12 mm long, arising from corolla mouth. STAMENS 5, 3-4 mm long; filaments 1.0-1.5 mm long, inserted at inner base of corona lobes, massive, zyxw zyxwvu Figure I . Haphionacme horenenJiJ. A. Habit, Heckell 1030 ( K ) . B. Part offlowcr, CAlherl B . ~ I J ~ P66 J (K) zy zyxwvu zyxwv A NEW SPECIES OF RAPHIONACME 403 broadened laterally and fused or not with corolla lobes to form pseudo-pouches around corona lobe bases; anthers narrowly ovate, 2.0-2.5 mm long, connivent over gynostegium; pollen carriers spathulate, 2 mm long. OVARIES 2, free, 1 mm long; style 3 mm long; gynostegium broadly ovate, 2.0-2.5 mm long, exserted from corolla mouth. Follicles smooth, fairly slender, fusiform with the pair at 180” to each other. (Fig. 1). Although only four collections are known at present, this species seems to be widely distributed over north-east Africa (Fig. 2 ) . Two collections were made in the south of Ethiopia, one in Kenya very close to the border with Ethiopia and one in north-east Somalia. In addition sterile plants, almost certainly of this species, have been seen by the second author on several occasions along the road from Negele to Filtu and from Negele to Melka Guba and Wachile. The altitudinal range varies from approximately 750-1600 m above sea level. R. borenensis seems to be most frequent in moderately dense bushland dominated by Commiphora and Acacia overlying limestone, which forms the major part ofwhat can be called the “Borena flora” (Gilbert, 1987), characteristic of those areas in southern Ethiopia and north-eastern Kenya and adjacent parts of Somalia with distinctly bimodal rainfall. They grow in full sun and in partial shade, usually in rather bare, often stony, ground. The type collection, a solitary plant, was growing in a slightly different situation, a rather exposed ridge with CombretumTerminalia woodland in very stony soil at the upper altitudinal limit. The species appears to flower very early in the rains in April and probably again in about October. The lack of herbarium material is more a reflection of a very short growing DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: zyxwvutsr zyxwvutsrqp zyxwvuts Figure 2. Flower oTRnphionacme borenensis, x4.5 (Photo by M . G. Gilbrrt). 404 zyxwvutsrqp zyxwvutsrq zyxwv H . T. J. VENTER AND M. G. GILBERT season coupled with a very small stature and rather dull coloured flowers than an indication of rarity. Certainly, once familiar with the old yellowish leaves, plants can be found without too much difficulty in areas such as along the road between Negele and Filtu in eastern Sidamo Region. R. abyssinica Chiov. (Synon_ym: Triodoglossum abyssinicum (Chiov.) Bullock) grows in very similar situations, sometimes in fairly close proximity, and young plants are very difficult to distinguish. Mature plants are very easily separated from the new species by the twining habit and tiny brightly coloured flowers. R. borenensis may be related to R. michelii de Wild. I n general appearance they are quite similar, but the most noticeable likeness lies in the shape and implantation of the stamens and corona. In both species the stamina1 filaments are rather massive and broadened laterally, these often fused to the corolla lobes to form pseudo-pouches. Both species have filiform coronas which arise at the outer base of the stamens. However, they differ markedly with respect to their pedicels, corolla and position of the gynostegium. R. borenensis has short pedicels (3-4 mm long). R. michelii has long pedicels (20-30 mm). R. borenensis has a deep corolla tube (4mm long) in relation to the length of the corolla lobes (5-7 mm long) while R. michelii has a shallow tube (2-3 mm long) in relation to its corolla lobes of 10-17 mm long. In R. borenensis the gynostegium is nearly flush with the corolla mouth and in R. michelii the gynostegium protrudes conspicuously from the corolla mouth. R. michelii occurs in Angola, Burundi, Zaire and Zimbabwe. zyxwvu Figure 3. Geographic distribution of Raphionacme borenensis. zyxwvut zyxwvuts zyxw zyxwvu zyxwvu zyx A NEW SPECIES O F RAPHIONACME 405 Bale Region, track from Negele to Biderra, 1 km beyond turning for Maslo, 26 km beyond Sidambale Bridge on Gamale River, 05"40'N,39"37'E, 2 iv 1975, Gilbert &' Jones 66 ( K , OXF?); Sidamo Region, 95 km from Negele on road to Filtu, 05"10'N,4Oo25'E, 5 iv 1975 Gilbert &' JoneJ 120, ( OXF?). SOMALIA: Gardo Airstrip, 09"32'N,49"07'E, 5 iv 1981, Beckell 1030 ( K ) . KENYA: Northern Frontier District, Moyale, 02"50'N,39" 10'E, Gillell 14021 ( K ) . SPECIMENS EXAMINED: ETHIOPIA: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are indebted to Mr. L. van Ryneveld, Department of Latin, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, for the Latin diagnosis. We also wish to thank the authorities of the Kew Herbarium for permission to study their collection of Raphionacme specimens. zyxwvuts REFERENCE GILBERT, M. G . , 1987. 'The Flora ofsouth arid south-east Ethiopia. In I . Hcdberg (Ed.), I'rorccdiiigs first Ethiopian Flora Project Symposium in Symbolne bolnnicnr I!ppdirnJrs, 16 ( 2 ) ; 86-53. o11he