Elytropappus monticola Koekemoer, 2019

Koekemoer, Marinda, 2019, Taxonomy and reclassification of South African Asteraceae genus Elytropappus (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae), the description of two new genera and two new species, Phytotaxa 403 (4), pp. 248-284 : 268

Elytropappus monticola Koekemoer sp. nov.

Type:— SOUTH AFRICA, Western Cape. Riversdale Dist., Gysmanshoek Pass , 30 km from Barrydale in the Kanetberg , just above the homestead on the farm Kanetberg (3321CC), 29 November 1995, Koekemoer 1135 (PRE!, holotype; NBG!, MO!, isotype) .

Frutices sparsi, unicaules, aperti, usque ad 0.4 m alti. Folia solum per unum temporem anni persistentia, recta, adscendentia, basin versus arcte adpressa , dense glandulifera, superficie arachnoidi. Synflorescentiae terminales, globosae, 15–23 capitulis composita, capitulae solitarii manifeste distinguibilibus. Capitula homogama, discoidea, 5(–6) floribus formata. Flosculi disci albi, usque ad 6 mm longi, lobis patentibus. Cypselae asymmetricae, extus laevae, intus 2–4 costis, usque ad 2.5 mm longae, superficie glabra. Setae pappi 12–15, basin versus connatae, in tertiis partibus duobus superioribus hamatae et plumosae, apicem versus plumis subcongestis.

Sparsely branched, single-stemmed, open shrublets up to 0.4 m tall. Branches up to 6 mm diam., developing from below the inflorescence of the previous season, lower branches bare. Leaves persistent for one season only, not twisted, ascending, closely adpressed at the base, densely glandular, abaxial surface arachnoid, margins involute, tip mucronate. Synflorescences terminal, globular, with 15–23 capitula, individual capitula clearly distinguishable. Capitula homogamous, discoid, 5-(or 6-)flowered, subtended by 1 or 2 leaves. Receptacle stalk-like, bare. Involucral bracts ± 10, outer partly foliaceous, densely glandular in upper third, innermost bracts up to 8.0 × 1.5 mm, narrowing into a long acuminate tip, mucronate. Disc florets white, up to 6 mm long, lobes spreading up to ± 3 mm diam. at anthesis, lower third of tube thickened. Cypselas asymmetrical smooth abaxially, with 2–4 ribs adaxially, up to 2.5 mm long, surface glabrous, annulus well-developed. Pappus setae 12–15, fused at the base, barbed throughout with barbs interspersed with plumes in the upper two thirds, plumes somewhat congested towards the apex. Flowering in October and November.

Diagnostic features: —Dense, globular synflorescences, glandular leaves.

Conservation status: —Rare (http://Redlist.sanbi.org)

Etymology: —The specific epithet means ‘dweller in mountains’ and refers to the mountainous locality where the type specimen was collected.

Distribution and habitat: —Currently known from one locality in the Kanetberg, north of Riversdale. In moist, dense fynbos, at elevations 600– 800 m. Figure 10 .

Specimen examined:— SOUTH AFRICA, Western Cape. Riversdale Div., Langeberg, Kanetberg near Kortfontein, along small rd. to Gysmanshoek Pass (3321CC), 6 December 1980, Karis 91 (PRE, S).

Figures

FIGURE 10. Known distribution of Elytropappus monticola in South Africa.