Myrovernix 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 : 268-269

Myrovernix Koekemoer gen. nov.

Type species:— M. longifolius (DC.) Koekemoer

Frutices erecti vel scandentes, peraromatici, caules singuli vel plures, usque ad 2.5 m alti. Folia adpressa vel patentia, sparse vel dense glandulosa, glandulae pedicellatae, multicellularibus. Synflorentia spicata vel paniculata. Capitula 1–4-florata, homogama, discoidea. Flosculi vinacei, lobis parvis erectis. Cypselae glabrae vel brevipilosae, inconspicue costatae.

Single- or multi-stemmed, woody shrubs, generally 0.4–0.6 m, but up to 2.5 m tall. Branches erect, spreading, often entangled. Leaves lanceolate to filiform, up to 15 mm long; involute, straight or twisted; adaxial surface woolly; abaxial surface arachnoid, sparsely or very densely glandular, glands stalked. Synflorescences panicles or spikes. Capitula homogamous, discoid, 1- to 4-flowered. Receptacle stalk-like, epaleate. Involucral bracts 8–20; chaffy, outer bracts often foliaceous; upper part often glandular. Disc florets bisexual, tubular, plum-red, lobes erect. Anthers syngenesious, 5, apically acuminate, basally tailed. Pollen spinulose. Style bifid. Nectaries absent. Cypselas smooth, some with longitudinal ridges, others with wart-like growths. Pappus setae 17–25, basally fused, lower third barbed, upper two thirds plumose; plumes ascending. Flowering mainly September to November.

Diagnostic features: —Glandular leaves, stalked glands; plum-red florets with erect lobes; 1- to 4-flowered capitula; short-spined pollen grains.

Although the four members of the genus Myrovernix are treated as distinct species it is important, to remember that no single, stable character clearly separates them. A combination of diagnostic features should always be used and even then, there may still be some specimens that would be difficult to place. Most species can be recognized in the veld, also by the very distinct aromas of their freshly crushed leaves. Very complex unidentified aromatic oils were found in the species of all three genera.

Distribution and habitat: —Fynbos and Mountain fynbos areas and transitional areas between Fynbos and Succulent Karoo on rocky, sandy soils.

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

Etymology: —The genus name, Myrovernix , is derived from the Greek word myro-, for scented and the Mediaeval Latin and Greek word, vernix for varnish. The ‘scented varnish’ refers to the aromatic, resinous secretion of leaf and stem glands.