Geissorhiza namaquensis, W. F. Barker

Goldblatt, P. & Manning, J. C., 2017, A review of the Geissorhiza namaquensis (Iridaceae: Crocoideae) group with the new species G. namaquamontana from Northern Cape, South Africa *, South African Journal of Botany 111, pp. 299-301 : 300

1. G. namaquensis W.F. Barker in Fl. Pl. S. Afr. 18: t. 688 (1938).

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape, Springbok (2917):‘Namaqualand, Klipfontein’, (–BA), flowered ex hort. Kirstenbosch, Jul. 1931, Phillips s.n. (BOL [BOL22163], holo.!).

Plants mostly 160–300 mm high. Corm ± globose, 8–15 mm diam., slightly asymmetric with one side obliquely flattened below; tunics dark brown, imbricate, notched below into ± regular segments, drawn into points above. Stem suberect or inclined, flexed at base of spike, puberulous, sometimes only below, simple or 1(2)-branched. Leaves 3(4), lower 2 basal, ± as long as stem, 2–5 mm wide, third leaf cauline, shorter, sheathing below, fourth leaf, if present, shortest and scale-like, blades narrowly lanceolate with margins raised and narrowly winged, main vein also raised, margins and edges of main and sometimes secondary veins ciliate. Spike inclined, flexuose, mostly 3- to 7-flowered; bracts green, becoming dry, membranous and pale brown distally, outer mostly 8–12 mm long, inner smaller. Flowers actinomorphic, salver-shaped, blue to bluish mauve with white throat, perianth tube green outside; perianth tube cylindric, widening near throat, (7–) 8–11 mm long, shortly exceeding bracts; tepals elliptic, 14–18 × 3–6 mm. Filaments erect, equal, 5–6 mm long; anthers (4.5–)5.0–7.0 mm long, pale yellow or white; pollen pale yellow or white. Style dividing opposite middle to upper third of anthers, often tilted downward, branches ± 2 mm long. Capsules broadly ovoid, (5–) 6 mm long. Seeds not known. Flowering time: mid August to late September.

Distribution and ecology: a Northern Cape endemic, recorded from the escarpment west of Kamieskroon, the Spektakel Mtns west of Springbok, and near Steinkopf; in rocky ground, on sandstone and shale substrates.

Diagnosis: G. namaquensis is recognized by the moderate-sized, blue to bluish mauve flowers with perianth tube 7–11 mm long and tepals 14–18 × 3–6 mm, and puberulous leaves with raised, narrowly winged margins and main and secondary veins, all ciliate on the edges ( Table 1 ). The stamens of G. namaquensis are relatively long, with filaments 5–6 mm long and anthers 4.5–7.0 mm long. The new G. namaquamontana has notably smaller flowers, with a slightly shorter perianth tube 6–7 mm long, tepals (6–)8–10 × 1.5–2.0 mm, filaments 4–5 mm long, and anthers 2–3 mm long. G. kamiesmontana , restricted to the Kamiesberg, has dark violet flowers with a longer perianth tube, 18–25 mm long, and tepals 16–20 × ± 3 mm ( Table 1 ).

Additional specimens seen

South Africa. NORTHERN CAPE. 2917 (Springbok): Steinkopf, stony hillside, (–BA), 24 Aug 1959, Lewis 5494 (NBG); Steinkopf, 900 m, (–BA), Aug 1925, Marloth 6782 (B, BOL, NBG, PRE); Kosies NW of Steinkopf, (–BA), Van Berkel 399 (MO); west of Springbok on slopes at eastern end of Spektakel Pass, among rocks, (–DA), 11 Sep 1993, Goldblatt & Manning 9705 (NBG, PRE); 28 Sep 1974, Goldblatt 2803 (K, MO, NBG, PRE); 15.25 miles W by S of Springbok, renosterveld, S aspect, (–CA), 24 Sep 1957, Acocks 19580 (K, M, NBG, PRE). Without precise locality: near Port Nolloth, ex hort. 28 Aug 1991, Williamson 3722 (NBG). 3017 (Hondeklipbaai): Skilpad Flower Reserve, Namaqualand broken veld, (–BB), 24 Aug 1993, C.J. Grobler 57 (PRE).