Drimia pellabergensis (Mart.­Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Á.Alonso, N.R. Crouch & M.Pinter) Manning, John, 2022

Manning, John, 2022, New combinations in Drimia Jacq. ex Wild. (Hyacinthaceae: Urgineoideae) and an updated key to the southern African species, Bothalia (a 2) 52 (1), pp. 1-7 : 3-4

Drimia pellabergensis (Mart.­Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Á.Alonso, N.R. Crouch & M.Pinter) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt, comb. nov.

Triandra pellabergensis Mart. - Azorín, M.B. Crespo, M.Á. Alonso, N.R. Crouch & M. Pinter in Phytotaxa 487: 68 (2021).

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape, Pofadder ( 2919 ): Pella se Berge , 29 Jun. 2018 [fl. ex hort. Spain], MartínezAzorín et al. 671b ( GRA, holo.; ABH, K, PRE, iso.).

Note: This extraordinary species was known only from the type locality Pella se Berge in Bushmanland in Northern Cape. A collection of an unidentified Drimia that was collected in leaf on the Koedoesberge near Touwsrivier in Western Cape has subsequently flowered in cultivation at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and clearly represents the same species, viz. 2 or 3 filiform leaves that are dry at flowering; diminutive inflorescence 30– 90 mm tall with obscurely flecked, minutely striatepuberulous scape; nodding pedicels 4–6 mm long at flowering [the dimensions of 12–15 mm long at anthesis given in the protologue are clearly a mistake and refer to the elongated fruiting pedicels as is evident from Fig. 2 in the protologue]; pendulous buff-coloured flowers with nocturnal anthesis and linear, revolute tepals ± 5 mm long, connate at the base; only the three inner stamens developed, with filiform filaments ± 4 mm long closely appressed to the ovary and style, and minute yellow anthers; narrowly subclavate style ± 2 mm long and as long as the ovary; small subglobose capsules ± 4 mm long; and elliptic, peripherally winged seeds ± 2.0–2.5 × 1 mm. This collection represents a range extension of some 200 km south of the type locality.

Additional specimen seen

South Africa, Western Cape, Sutherland (3220): Pienaarsfontein-se-Berge, Koedoesberge , (– CD), 17 Feb 2022 [fl. in cult], Harrower 6188 ( NBG) .