Maerua mendesii J.A.Abreu, E.S.Martins & Catarino, 2014

Abreu, J. A., Martins, E. S. & Catarino, L., 2014, New species of Maerua (Capparaceae) from Angola, Blumea 59 (1), pp. 19-25 : 23

Maerua mendesii J.A.Abreu, E.S.Martins & Catarino , sp. nov. — Fig. 3 , 4; Map 1

Species M. junceae subsp. junceae affinis, qua differt per folia linearia, cum nervo marginali, aliquando cum 1–2 nervis lateralibus in quoque latere (4–7 nervis lateralibus junctis in uno nervo submarginali in quoque latere in M. junceam subsp. junceam ); ovarium lineare 5.0– 9.9 mm longum (ovoid- eum-oblongum 2.4–5.0 mm in M. junceam subsp. junceam ); receptaculum campanulatum usque tubiforme, raro infundibuliforme, 3.5–6.0 mm longum (infundibuliforme, 5–8 mm longum in M. junceam subsp. junceam ), cum margine integero laevi vel dentibus undulatis-erosis usque denticulatis ex in- terior exeuntibus (lobis inaequilater laciniatis in M. junceam subsp. junceam ). — Typus: Menezes, Henriques & Brites 2994 (holo LISC; iso LISC, LUA), Angola, Namibe,Caracul, ao km 12 da estrada para o Virei, 17 July 1967 (fl).

Etymology. The name of this species pays tribute to Eduardo J.S.M. Mendes (1924–2011), a prolific collector of Angolan flora and expert on the taxonomy of African plants, who first mentioned these specimens as needing study.

Rhizomatous undershrub with subwoody stems, rhizome covered by trilobed scales. Stems up to 50 cm high, longitudinally striate, minutely papillose. Leaves alternate, simple; lamina 19– 44 by 1– 5 mm, linear to strictly lanceolate, acuminate to cuspidate at the apex, cuneate at the base, margin entire slightly thickened with a marginal nerve, brighter, glabrous on both sides; occasionally with 1–2 inconspicuous lateral veins on each side, at an acute angle with the midrib (Fig. 4); petiole 1.5–3 mm long and 1 mm diam, papillose, deeply channelled, articulated at the base; stipules 2, trifid. Inflorescence of very short axillary corymbose racemes or terminal short 1–4 flowered racemes. Flowers 4-merous, greenish yellow, on 5 –10 mm long glabrous pedicels; bracts caducous although keeping the stipules. Receptacle 3.5–6 mm long, 2.2–4.1 mm wide at the mouth, campanulate (more frequently) to tubular, rarely funnel-shaped, glabrous, slightly to markedly channelled, sometimes with 4 – 5 longitudinal ribs, margin straight and entire or scalloped, disc not formed or consisting of acute (0.2–) 0.5–2.2 mm long teeth (Fig. 4b) with undulate-eroded to denticulate margin, produced from the inner part of the mouth and interspacing petals. Sepals 16.0–29.0 by 4.5–7.0 mm, lanceolate, acuminate to shortly cuspidate or mucronate at apex, sparsely glandular outside, puberulous to strigose inside, with a mixed indumentum of short simple and glandular hairs to densely glandular at the margins. Petals greenish yellow, 5.0–7.0 by 2.5–3.8 mm, ovate. Androphore 4.9–5.4 mm long, exserted for 1.0– 2.9 mm above the receptacle. Stamens 19–31, including staminodes, filaments 17–27 mm long; anthers 2.2–2.5 mm long, basifixed, oblong to elliptic, with a triangular to subquadrate appendicle of 0.2 mm long at the apex. Gynophore 19–23 mm long. Ovary 5.0– 7.9 mm long and 1.2–1.9 mm wide, linear or rarely ellipsoidal; stigma capitate, subsessile. Fruit not seen.

Ecology — In shrubby steppe-like vegetation, at 500–550 m altitude.

Distribution — Only known from south-western Angola, Namibe province.

Phenology — The specimen presented flowers in July.

Conservation status — The species is known only from the type collection. It should be considered as Data Deficient with insufficient information ( DD3 ) .

Figures

Map 1 Occurrence of Maerua mendesii (●) and M. pintobastoae (■) in Angola.

Fig. 3 Maerua mendesii J.A.Abreu, E.S.Martins & Catarino. Flowering plant (Menezes, Henriques & Brites 2994, holo LISC). — Scale bar = 10 cm.