Astroloba robustaP.Reinecke ex Molteno, Van Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), a new species from the Great Karoo, South Africa

2017/08/31 by Steven Molteno, Ernst J. van Jaarsveld, Gideon F. Smith · 4 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies #African Botany and Ecology Studies

paper · doi:10.25223/brad.n35.2017.a23

openalex publication_date 2017/08/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11

Abstract

Astroloba robusta P.Reinecke ex Molteno, Van. Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) is described as a new species. This species occurs across an extensive geographical distribution range that spans the southern Great Karoo, where it occurs on shale flats and rocky undulating slopes. It is related to, but distinct from, A. foliolosa (Haw.) Uitewaal, which occurs further to the east. Astroloba robusta is immediately distinguished by its unique inflorescence with a robust peduncle, as well as its glossysurfaced leaves with whitish margins and keels, among other characters. It also flowers in winter (May–October, mainly in July and August), while A. foliolosa flowers over summer (August–March, mainly October–January).

Cited by

• The taxonomy and identity of Astroloba spirella (Haw.) Molteno & Gideon F.Sm. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), a distinctive species from the western Klein Karoo, Western Cape Province, South Africa
• The Identity and Typification of Astroloba pentagona (Haw.) Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), the Type Species of the Genus Astroloba Uitewaal
• A Synopsis of Astroloba Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae): Species, Types, and Infrageneric Classification
• Astroloba robusta [wikipedia]

Related

• The taxonomy and identity of Astroloba spirella (Haw.) Molteno & Gideon F.Sm. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), a distinctive species from the western Klein Karoo, Western Cape Province, South Africa
• The Identity and Typification of Astroloba pentagona (Haw.) Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), the Type Species of the Genus Astroloba Uitewaal
• Extending the Natural Distribution Range ofAstroloba herreiUitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae): Implications for Its Conservation Status
• A Synopsis of Astroloba Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae): Species, Types, and Infrageneric Classification
• A conservation and floristic assessment of poorly known species rich quartz–silcrete outcrops within Rûens Shale Renosterveld (Overberg, Western Cape), with taxonomic descriptions of five new species