2008/12/01 by T.J. Edwards, TREVOR EDWARDS, Mark Hughes +5
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Plant Parasitism and Resistance
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00934.x
Two new rosulate species of Streptocarpus are described from the eastern seaboard of South Africa. The first is endemic to Mpumalanga Province. This species has almost actinomorphic corollas with small cylindrical tubes and was previously included within Streptocarpus parviflorus. However, molecular and morphological data and habitat preference do not support this classification. The second species is from the Msikaba River Gorge in the Eastern Cape Province. It adds to the already impressive list of endemic plant species from this region and is allied to other rosulate species of the Eastern Cape. It approaches Streptocarpus rexii in flower size but differs in its much shorter corolla tubes, which lack purple nectar guides. In addition, the corolla floors are marked with yellow bars reminiscent of Streptocarpus cyaneus and also seen in sympatric populations of the small-flowered Streptocarpus modestus.