Lampranthus umbraticola Klak & Strydom, 2023

Klak, Cornelia, Hanáček, Pavel & Bruyns, Peter V., 2023, Six new species of Ruschieae (Aizoaceae) and further notes in Ruschia, South African Journal of Botany 156, pp. 144-161 : 152-153

1 Lampranthus umbraticola Klak & Strydom , sp. nov.

( Fig. 9 )

Type: South Africa, Eastern Cape, between Steytlerville and Uitenhage, farm Kleinrivier , Springgatkloof (-CA), 450 m a.s.l., 7 Jan. 2022, Klak 3051 ( BOL, holo, barcode: BOL0232473 , NBG, iso) .

Diagnosis: Differs from Lampranthus coralliflorus (Salm-Dyck) N.E. Br. by its smaller flowers (40-60 mm diam. in L. coralliflorus ); from L. stayneri (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. by the fruits remaining open (fruits opening and closing repeatedly in L. stayneri ) and by its equally-sized calyx lobes, all less than half the length of the petals (unequal in length, with two at least as long as the petals in L. stayneri ).

Succulent cushion-forming or pendulous low shrub to 20 X 120 cm, stem and branches spreading-ascending, occasionally rooting at nodes, 30-60 cm long, woody, internodes smooth, brown, 15-30 X ± 2 mm. Leaves subfalcate, terete, spreading, shortly fused at bases, epidermis smooth with wax covering, glaucous, apically suffused with reddish, 13-30 mm long, 3-4 mm broad and thick. Flowers mostly solitary or more rarely 2-3, 20-30 mm diam., pedicels short, 7-20 mm long, bracts at their middle, to 13 mm long; calyx lobes 5, somewhat cup-shaped, subequal, shorter than the petals, 3 with conspicuous membranous edge; petals magenta to pink, 2-3- seriate, outer row 16 X 1.5 mm, obtuse, often emarginate, inner rows shorter, to 7 mm long, filamentous staminodes in 1-2 row, collected into a cylinder around the stamens with tips recurved, 5 X 0.3 mm, papillate at base, filaments white, numerous, papillate toward the base, 4-5 mm long, pollen yellow; stigmas 5, slender, 3.5-4 mm long, subulate, smooth, top of ovary raised; nectary a conspicuous crenulated ring. Fruits 5-locular, dark rusty-brown, remaining open once opened, 8-10 mm diam., upper part to 3 mm high, rims low, lower part broadly funnel-shaped to bowl-shaped, to 8 mm deep, valve wings broad, keels diverging and not touching at bases, inner side of keel lacerated towards the tips, covering membranes firm, spongy, without additional closing devices below. Seeds dark brown, kidney-shaped, 1.2-1.3 X 0.8-0.9 mm, colliculate.

3.1.24. Distribution and ecology

Lampranthus umbraticola is known only from the Eastern Cape between Steytlerville and Uitenhage ( Fig. 10 ). The plants prefer partially shaded, rocky, well drained soils in kloofs, within mesic vegetation but with many succulents, on shallow sandy soils derived from sandstones on outcrops of rocks or ledges on cliffs. It occurs at altitudes of 400-700 m a.s.l. The similar L. stayneri always prefers open habitats on soils derived from shales. The leaves in L. umbraticola vary greatly in size depending on the extent of exposure of the plant and the availability of water. Those at Vanstadensberg were only 13 mm long, whereas at Kleinrivier they reached 30 mm long. There are several species in the Ruschieae where the fruits, once opened by rain, do not close again. This includes Scopelogena verruculata (L.) L. Bolus , Roosia Van Jaarsv. , as well as species of Stoeberia Dinter & Schwantes . Flowering takes place in January.

3.1.25. Distinguishing characters and relationships

Lampranthus umbraticola has a similar habitat and habit to L. coralliflorus , which also occurs in rocky situations and on ledges on cliffs in sandstone soils. The two species can be separated easily by their different flower-size: these are 4-6 cm diam. in L. coralliflorus and only to 3 cm diam. in L. umbraticola . It should also not be confused with L. stayneri , in which the flowers are similar but are ternate, whereas they are mostly solitary in L. umbraticola . In addition, once expanded, the fruits remain open in L. umbraticola , whereas they open and close repeatedly in L. stayneri . A further difference is that in L. stayneri the calyx lobes are very unequal, with two of them often overtopping the petals, whereas in L. umbraticola they are all of equal size and are shorter than the petals.

There are also many similarities with L. fugitans L.Bolus , which is a low, spreading species that is found on sandstone rocks between East London in the Eastern Cape and Port Shepstone in Natal. However, the flowers of L. fugitans are always solitary and are considerably larger at 40-50 mm diam. In addition, L. fugitans differs by its prostrate habit, whereas L. umbraticola forms cushions with somewhat ascending branches.

3.1.26. Etymology

The epithet refers to the preference of this species for at least partially shaded positions.

3.1.27. Additional specimens investigated

South Africa. EASTERN CAPE: 3324 (Steytlerville): Blaauw Koppen 202, kloof on west side of Groot River Poort (-DA), 680 m a.s.l., 3 Nov. 1999, P. Desmet 2278 ( BOL, NBG) ; 3325 (Port Elizabeth): Between Steytlerville and Uitenhage, farm Kleinrivier , Springgatkloof (-CA), 450 m a.s.l., 11 Jun 2021, L. Strydom 45 ( BOL) ; Vanstadensberg (-CD), 415 m a.s.l., 8 Jul. 2021, E. Goosen sub L. Strydom 41 ( BOL) ;

Conservation status unknown.

Figures

Fig. 9. Lampranthus umbraticola. A. Habit.B. Flowers.C. Side view of open (l) and top view of open fruit (r). D. Seeds.

Fig. 10. Distribution of Lampranthus umbraticola.