Seriphium cryptophyllum (Baker) Koekemoer, 2016

Koekemoer, Marinda, 2016, A monograph of Stoebe and Seriphium (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae) in southern Africa and neighbouring islands, Phytotaxa 242 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

2. Seriphium cryptophyllum (Baker) Koekemoer , comb. nov. Stoebe cryptophylla Baker (1887: 494) . Type :— MADAGASCAR. Baron 3349 (P!, holotype; K!, isotype).

= Stoebe biotoides Baker (1887: 494) . Type :— MADAGASCAR. Baron 3504 (P!, holotype; K!, isotype).

Taxonomic note:—It is suspected that Se. cryptophyllum, Se. pachycladum and Se. passerinoides might be different forms of the same species. Although there are superficially distinct characters to separate the three species, careful field observations are needed to confirm the status of the species. Compared to the variation found in Se. plumosum , for instance, the differences between these three species from Madagascar and Réunion are negligible.

Much branched, erect plant, 2–3 m tall. Branches woolly-hairy, densely leafy, up to 2 mm in diam. (including leaves). Leaves imbricate, linear, 2 mm long, antrorse, cymbiform, subacute, abaxially densely woolly, adaxially sparsely woolly, becoming more or less glabrous with age, often covered with a waxy layer. Synflorescences terminal, spike-like, capitula on short, leafy brachyblasts. Capitula 1-flowered. Receptacle stalk-like. Involucral bracts 6–10, outermost leafy, innermost about as long as the floret, acute or subacute, hyaline, margins thinner than the rest of the bract. Disc florets bisexual, tube somewhat inflated, 3 mm long; corolla lobes small, triangular, slightly reflexed at maturity. Stamens 5 (occasionally 6), apical appendage lanceolate, basally tailed. Style bifid, bulbous at the base. Nectaries absent. Cypselas 5-ribbed, short-hairy, dark brown or chaffy. Pappus setae 14–16, fused in a ring at the base, a little shorter than the corolla. Flowering July to October.

18 • Phytotaxa 242 (1) © 2016 Magnolia Press

KOEKEMOER

Distribution and habitat: —Restricted to Madagascar. Figure 11 .

Ecology: —Mountain slopes above 1300 m.

Conservation status: —Least Concern.

Additional specimens examined:— MADAGASCAR. Central Madagascar, received November 1885, Rev. R. Baron 3504 (K, P); Andringita, 19 May 1924, Bosser 19524 (P); Manana, November, Decary 9424 (P); Madagascar, Massif of Andringitra, 1911, H. Perrier de la Bathie 2773 (P); Madagascar, Massif of Andringitra, H. Perrier de la Bathie 2783 (K); Madagascar, Massif of Andringitra, February 1922, H. Perrier de la Bathie 14416 (P); Madagascar, Massif of Andringitra, February 1923, H. Perrier de la Bathie 14606 (P); Madagascar, Mt. Tsaratanana, H. Perrier de la Bathie 16344 (G, P); Madagascar, Mt. Tsaratsanana, December 1912, H. Perrier de la Bathie 18613 (P); Pourtour du plateau d’Omdohareiana Andringitra, 11 November 1970, Guillaumet 3542 (P); Madagascar, environs de Fort-Dauphin: mont Oniva (Taviala) au Nord de Ranopitso, 25 September 1928, Humbert 5846 (K, P); Madagascar, massif de l'Andohahelo (Sud-Est), Cretes et rochers siliceux du sommet, 21–22 October 1928, Humbert 6159 (P); Madagascar, massif de l'Ivakoany (Centre-Sud). Pentes orientalis du massif, November/ December 1933, Humbert 12267 (P); Vallee de la Sakamalio, affluent de la Manambolo (bassin du Mandrare), December 1933, Humbert 13419 (P); Madagascar, Massif du Tsaratanana, (Reserve Naturelle no. 4). Plateaux superieurs et Hauts Sommets de L’amboabory a L’Antsianongatalata. Sor rocailleux (basaltes), December 1937, Humbert 18408 (BM, G, P, PRE, S); Montagnes au Nord de Mangindrano (haute Maevarano) jusqu’aux sommets d’Ambohimirahavy (partages des eaux Mahavavy—Androranga: centre Nord). Vegetation ericoide des pitons rhyolithiques, 26/ 28 January 1951, Humbert & Capuron 25310 (P); Massif de Marivorahona du Sud-Ouest de Manambato (Haute Mahavavy du Nord, Dist. D’Ambilobe, 18–26 March 1951, Humbert & Capuron 25841 (P); Madagascar, Prov. Fianarantsoa: Massif Andringitra, Antanifotsy, NE slope of Andranotily, 29 April 1978, Jonsson, Lars 1087a (UPS).

Figures

FIGURE 11:—Known distribution of Seriphium cryptophyllum in Madagascar.