Zingela N.R.Crouch, Mart.

Crouch, Neil R., Martínez-Azorín, Mario, Crespo, Manuel B., Pinter, Michael & Alonso-Vargas, María Á., 2018, Zingela (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a distinct new urgineoid genus from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Phytotaxa 371 (1), pp. 33-41 : 36

Zingela N.R.Crouch, Mart. -Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & M.A.Alonso gen. nov. ( Fig. 2 )

The new genus differs from Thuranthos in its staminal filaments which spread rather than constrict at the middle to form a cage-like structure connivent to the style, and are essentially filiform rather than distinctly broad in the lower half. Although both genera are hysteranthous the flowers of Zingela are diurnal rather than nocturnal as with Thuranthos , and lack the distinct musty scent characteristic of the latter. The flower bracts of Zingela persist at flowering whereas those of Thuranthos are early caducous. The leaf bases of Zingela additionally exhibit obvious purple maculations, a feature not documented for Thuranthos .

Type:— Zingela pooleyorum N.R.Crouch, Mart. -Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & M.A.Alonso (holotype).

Etymology:— Zingela : after the location in central KwaZulu-Natal where the authors first encountered plants of this genus in flower.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Zingela pooleyorum N.R.Crouch, Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & M.A.Alonso from Zingela, east of Colenso, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, on 11 October 2015, corresponding to MMA1382 (ABH74185). A. Leaves; B. Inflorescence in bud; C. Inflorescence at anthesis; D. Flowers, lateral and frontal views; E. Dissected flower; F. Bulb; G. Infructescence. Scale bars: 1 cm.