Massonia citrina M.Pinter, Deutsch, U.Müll., 2013

Pinter, Michael, Brudermann, Andreas, Crespo, Manuel B., Deutsch, Gerfried, Martínez-Azorín, Mario, Müller-Doblies, Ute, Müller-Doblies, Dietrich, Pfosser, Martin & Wetschnig, Wolfgang, 2013, Massonia citrina (Hyacinthaceae, Hyacinthoideae) - a new species from the Western Cape Province (South Africa), Phytotaxa 112 (2), pp. 50-56 : 52-53

Massonia citrina M.Pinter, Deutsch, U.Müll. -Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies, sp. nov. ( Fig. 1 A–D , Fig. 2 A )

Planta herbacea perennis. Bulbus ovoideus, tunicatus, 15−20 mm diam., tunicis papyraceis brunneis vestitus. Folia 2, decidua, ovoidea, acuta, glabra, (3.5−)6(−8) cm longa et (3−)7(11) cm lata, terrae adpressa, coaetanea, marginibus purpureis instructa. Perigonium pallide luteolum vel cremeo-albidum. Perigonii tubus 14 mm longus et 8× 6 mm diam., fauce citrina . Segmenta reflexa , sigmoidea 9 mm longa et 4−5 mm lata, striis luteolis ad viridulis longitudinalibus ornata. Filamenta crassiuscula, attenuata , citrina , 10 mm longa, basibus in tubum brevissimum <1 mm altum connata. Antherae statu clauso 2 mm longae, oblongae. Ovarium 3 mm diam. et 9 mm longum. Stylus citrinus, 13 mm longus. Species propria Massoniae depressae similis, sed ab omnibus ceteris Massoniis colore filamentorum et styli laete citrino differt.

Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape, 3319 (Worcester): Cape Winelands, Rooihoogte Pass (–DB), near Koo valley , cultivation no. GD20091002, flowering 22 January 2012, raised from in situ collected seeds received in October 2009 from Cameron McMaster (nursery African Bulbs), G . Deutsch 22 January 2012 s.n. (holotype LI!, isotype PRE!) .

Herbaceous perennial plant. Bulb ovoid, tunicate, about 15–20 mm in diameter, inner living tunics white, covered by a coat of papery and brownish tunics. Leaves 2, deciduous, ovoid, acute, glabrous, about (3.5−)6(− 8) × (3−)7(−11) cm, adpressed to the ground, coetaneous with the flowers, with purplish margins. Perigone lemon-coloured to cream-white, segments 9 mm long and 4–5 mm broad, reflexed with a sigmoid curve bearing a longitudinal yellowish to greenish band visible on both sides. Perigone-filament-tube 14 mm long and 8 × 6 mm in diam. Apex of the perigone-filament-tube lemon-coloured. Filaments rather fleshy, attenuate, lemon-coloured, 10 mm long, connate at the base ca. 1 mm, anthers 2 mm long, when closed, oblong. Ovary 9 × 3 mm, with shoulder, abruptly tapering into style, cross section triangular with rounded edges. Style lemoncoloured, slender, gradually tapering to the apex, 13 mm long.

Etymology: —Named after the bright-lemon-coloured filaments and style, which is the main character to separate it from other Massonia species (citrinus = lemon-coloured).

Distribution: —The new species is only known from a small area in the surroundings of the Rooihoogte Pass, Cape Winelands District, Western Cape.

Diagnostic characters and relationships: — Massonia citrina can easily be distinguished from all other species of the genus by its bright lemon-coloured filaments and style. The perigone-filament-tube is relatively long (14 mm) in comparison to that of M. depressa (11 mm in the specimen examined) and M. longipes (10− 12 mm), although there are records of 20 mm in M. depressa (e.g. Vogel 1954). In comparison to M. pustulata (12−15 mm) it falls into the average values of this species. The considerable width of the tube throat is the most characteristic feature of the Massonia depressa group, as it gives access to the nectar for the exceptional pollinators, mice ( Johnson et al. 2001). The width of the M. citrina perigone-filament-tube falls into the average range of the M. depressa group. Moreover the length of the filaments is shorter than in the other species examined in this study. Especially in comparison to M. depressa , the filament length of M. citrina is significantly shorter. With regard to M. depressa , M. longipes and M. pustulata , M. citrina shows a very short filament-tube, which is less than 1 mm long (see Fig. 2 and Table 2). Whereas in M. citrina the perigonefilament-tube is longer than the filaments, in M. depressa , M. longipes and M. pustulata this is inversed (see Table 2). The ovary of M. citrina is narrower and the style is much shorter than in M. depressa s.l. The leaves are glabrous and smaller than in all the other species examined, especially in comparison to M. depressa .

Due to the fact that M. citrina is easily morphologically distinguishable from M. depressa , M. echinata

Linnaeus (1782: 193), M. longipes and M. pustulata by the lemon colour of its filaments and style, as well as

its filament length, we are convinced that M. citrina is a species of its own, and that it is justified to separate it

from M. depressa .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Massonia citrina M.Pinter, Deutsch, U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies (GD20091002). A. Inflorescence; B. Leaf surface; C. Flower; D. Opened flower (fixed in FAA). Scale bars A, C, D = 1 cm; B = 0.5 cm.

FIGURE 2. Comparison of flowers of four specimens examined. A. Massonia citrina (GD20091002); B. M. depressa (WW03964); C. M. longipes (WW03879); D. M. pustulata (WW03984). Scale bars A, B, C, D = 1 cm.