Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2019-08-12
Page range: 129–145
Abstract views: 35
PDF downloaded: 1

Five new species of Rhodocodon (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) from Madagascar

Institute of Biology, Plant Sciences Division, NAWI Graz, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Holteigasse 6, A-8010, Graz, Austria
Depto. Ciencias Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (dCARN), Universidad de Alicante, P. O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Biocenter Linz, J.-W.-Klein-Str. 73, A-4040 Linz, Austria.
Institute of Biology, Plant Sciences Division, NAWI Graz, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Holteigasse 6, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza, Rue Fernand Kassanga, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
Institute of Biology, Plant Sciences Division, NAWI Graz, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Holteigasse 6, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
flora Hyacinthaceae Madagascar nomenclature taxonomy Urgineoideae Monocots

Abstract

As part of a taxonomic revision of Rhodocodon, five new species are here described based on distinct syndromes of morphological characters and biogeographical patterns. Rhodocodon petrae resembles R. calcicola but differs in flower morphology and leaf size. Rhodocodon viridans is related to R. intermedius but differs in its proliferous bulb, synanthous leaves, green flowers and long style. Rhodocodon rubescens shows affinities to R. rotundus and R. campanulatus in general appearance but the former shows a different vegetative habit, thicker peduncle, shorter pedicels and larger flowers. Rhodocodon perrieri and R. siederi are related to R. mascarenensis but the two new species differ by the number and morphology of leaves, and flower morphology. A complete morphological description for all new species is provided, including data on biology, ecology and distribution. Furthermore, an identification key for all currently known Rhodocodon species is presented to facilitate future taxonomic work in this genus.