Abstract
Since 2016 the number of species of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) known from southern Africa has increased by more than 50%, from 13 to 20. We here describe the 21st species known from the subcontinent. As far as could be determined, this new species, K. benbothae, is endemic to northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern-most province of South Africa, with the entire natural geographical distribution range of the species falling within the Maputaland-Pondoland Region of Endemism. Kalanchoe benbothae fits in K. subg. Fernandesiae, a cluster of species with large, paddle- to soup plate-sized leaves, and dense, elongated, often club-shaped inflorescences. The closest relative of K. benbothae is K. luciae, which was described just over 110 years ago, and was the second representative of K. subg. Fernandesiae to have been described. Kalanchoe benbothae differs from K. luciae mostly in its reproductive morphology (corolla lobe colour and orientation, anther colour and presentation, filament length, pistil shape, and size and shape of the nectar scales).
References
<p>Adanson, M. (1763) <em>Familles des Plantes</em>.<em> Seconde Partie. Etat actuel de la Botanike</em>. Chez Vincent, Imprimeur-Libraire de M<sup>gt</sup> le Comte de Provence, Paris, 640 pp. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/6958#page/794/mode/1up]</p>
<p>Baker, J.G. (1881 [21 February]) Notes on a collection of flowering plants made by L. Kitching, Esq., in Madagascar in 1879 (Plates VII. & VIII.). <em>Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany</em> 18: 264–281. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1881.tb01257.x</p>
<p>Baker, J.G. (1895) 254. <em>Aloe </em>(<em>Eualoe</em>)<em> minima</em>, Baker [Liliaceæ], on p. 153. CCCCLXIV.—Diagnoses africanæ, VI. (Continued from p. 99). <em>Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information. Kew</em> 1895: 141–153. https://doi.org/10.2307/4118481</p>
<p>Compton, R.H. (1967) Plantae novae Africanae. Series XXXII. <em>Journal of South African Botany</em> 33: 293–304.</p>
<p>Crouch, N.R., Smith, G.F., Walters, M. & Figueiredo, E. (2016) <em>Kalanchoe winteri</em> Gideon F.Sm., N.R.Crouch & Mich.Walters (Crassulaceae), a new species from the Wolkberg Centre of Endemism, South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 34: 217–224. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n34.2016.a9</p>
<p>Fernandes, R.B. (1978) Crassulaceae africanae novae vel minus cognitae. <em>Boletim da Sociedade Broteriana</em> (sér. 2.<sup>a</sup>) LII: 165–220.</p>
<p>Forbes, H. (1941) <em>Kalanchoe albiflora</em> H. Forbes, <em>sp. nov.</em>, pp. 37–39. <em>In</em>: Anonymous, Newly described species and new combinations. <em>Bothalia</em> 4: 37–41, + plate on p. 39. https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v4i1.1709</p>
<p>Hamet, R. (1908) <em>Kalanchoe luciae</em> <em>sp. nov.</em> <em>Bulletin de l’Herbier Boissier</em>, sér. 2, 8: 254–257. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/104945#page/290/mode/1up]</p>
<p>Harvey, W.H. (1862) Order LIII. Crassulaceae, D.C. VIII. <em>Kalanchoe</em>, Adans. <em>In</em>: Harvey, W.H. & Sonder, O.W. (Eds.) <em>Flora capensis</em> [<em>being a systematic description of the plants of the Cape Colony, Caffraria, & Port Natal</em>] 2. L. Reeve & Co., Ltd, Kent, pp. 378–380. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/15233#page/386/mode/1up]</p>
<p>IPNI. (2021+) <em>The International Plant Names Index</em>. Available from: https://www.ipni.org/ (continuously updated accessed June 2021)</p>
<p>Koorders, S.H. (1919 [Mai] [24 October 1918]) Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Flora von Java No. 18. Beschreibung von <em>Kalanchoë Schumacheri</em> vom Idjen-Plateau und Revision der Crassulaceae von Java. (Mit 2 lithographischen Tafeln.). <em>Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg</em> sér. 3, 1 (3): 169–180, Figures 14 and 15. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/27173#page/205/mode/1up (text); https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/27173#page/243/mode/1up (figures)]</p>
<p>Raymond-Hamet. (1933) Observations sur le <em>Kalanchoe uniflora</em> (Stapf) Raymond-Hamet. <em>Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France</em> 80 (4): 542–548. https://doi.org/10.1080/00378941.1933.10833878</p>
<p>Mucina, L., Hoare, D.B., Lötter, M.C., Du Preez, J., Rutherford, M.C., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Bredenkamp, G.J., Powrie, L.W., Scott, L., Camp, K.G.T., Cilliers, S.S., Bezuidenhout, H., Mostert, T.H., Siebert, S.J., Winter, P.J.D., Burrows, J.E., Dobson, L., Ward, R.A., Stalmans, M., Oliver, E.G.H., Siebert, F., Schmidt, E., Kobisi, K. & Kose, L. (2006) Grassland Biome. <em>In</em>: L. Mucina & M.C. Rutherford (eds.) <em>The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland</em>. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, pp. 349–436.</p>
<p>Pole Evans, I.B. (1916) A new aloe from Swaziland [<em>Aloe suprafoliata</em>]. <em>Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa</em> 5: 603–604, with Plate XLIV opposite p. 604. https://doi.org/10.1080/00359191509519732</p>
<p>Salisbury, R.A. (1805 [1 June 1805]) <em>The Paradisus Londinensis: or coloured figures of plants cultivated in the vicinity of the metropolis</em> 1. Published by William Hooker, No. 6, Frith Street, city not stated, presumably London, 157 pp. & 117 plates. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.53520</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2020) <em>Kalanchoe</em> Adans. subg. <em>Fernandesiae</em> Gideon F.Sm. (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a new subgenus from southern and south-tropical Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 27: 2–7. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.027.0101</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2021a) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe decumbens</em> Compton (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), an endemic species from eastern southern Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 163–171. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a15</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2021b) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe</em> [subg. <em>Bryophyllum</em>] sect. <em>Alatae</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) for <em>K. porphyrocalyx</em> and <em>K. uniflora</em>, two Madagascan endemics. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 177–181. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a17</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2016) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe montana</em> Compton (Crassulaceae), a distinctive species from the Barberton Center of Endemism, eastern southern Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 22: 64–72. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.022.0112</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2021a) Expanding the known geographical distribution range of <em>Kalanchoe waterbergensis</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) in northern South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 172–176. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a16</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2021b) <em>Kalanchoe crouchii</em>. Crassulaceae: Kalanchooideae. Madagascar. <em>Flowering Plants of Africa</em> 67: 60–68, plate 2366.</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2018a) <em>Kalanchoe crouchii</em> Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo (Crassulaceae), a new species from the dolomites of the Wolkberg Centre of Endemism, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 25: 84–90. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.025.0107</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2018b) The infrageneric classification and nomenclature of <em>Kalanchoe </em>Adans. (Crassulaceae), with special reference to the southern African species. <em>Bradleya </em>36: 162–172. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n36.2018.a10</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2021) The floristics and phytogeography of <em>Kalanchoe</em> Adans. (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, northern South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 207–220. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a22</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Figueiredo, E. & Crouch, N.R. (2019b) <em>Kalanchoe winteri</em>. Crassulaceae. South Africa. <em>Flowering Plants of Africa</em> 66: 62–69, plate 2348.</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Figueiredo, E. & Van Wyk, A.E. (2019a) Kalanchoe <em>(Crassulaceae) in southern Africa. Classification, biology, and cultivation</em>. Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier, London, San Diego, Cambridge (USA), and Oxford, 328 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814007-9.00003-7</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Klein, D.-P. & Shtein, R. (2021d) A revision of the Malagasy <em>Kalanchoe</em> subg. <em>Kitchingia</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae): history, taxonomy, and nomenclature. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 507 (1): 67–80. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.507.1.3</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Shtein, R. & Klein, D.-P. (2021c) <em>Kalanchoe</em> subg. <em>Alatae</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a new rank for <em>K</em>. sect. <em>Alatae</em>. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 509 (2): 255–258. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.509.2.9</p>
<p>Thiers, B. (2021+) <em>Index herbariorum: a global directory of public herbaria and associated staff</em>. New York Botanical Garden’s Virtual Herbarium. Available from: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/ih/ (continuously updated; accessed June 2021)</p>
<p>Tölken, H.R. (1985) Crassulaceae. 3166, 4. <em>Kalanchoe</em>. 3166a, 5. <em>Bryophyllum</em>. <em>In</em>: Leistner, O.A. (Ed.) <em>Flora of Southern Africa</em> 14. Botanical Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, place of publication not stated, likely Pretoria, pp. 61–74.</p>
<p>Turland, N.J., Wiersema, J.H., Barrie, F.R., Greuter, W., Hawksworth, D.L., Herendeen, P.S., Knapp, S., Kusber, W.-H., Li, D.-Z., Marhold, K., May, T.W., McNeill, J., Monro, A.M., Prado, J., Price, M.J. & Smith, G.F. (2018) <em>International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017</em>. Koeltz Botanical Books, Oberreifenberg. [Regnum Vegetabile 159], 254 pp. https://doi.org/10.12705/Code.2018</p>
<p>Van Wyk, A.E. & Smith, G.F. (2001) <em>Regions of floristic endemism in southern Africa. A review with emphasis on succulents</em>. Umdaus Press, Hatfield, Pretoria, 199 pp.</p>
<p>Baker, J.G. (1881 [21 February]) Notes on a collection of flowering plants made by L. Kitching, Esq., in Madagascar in 1879 (Plates VII. & VIII.). <em>Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany</em> 18: 264–281. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1881.tb01257.x</p>
<p>Baker, J.G. (1895) 254. <em>Aloe </em>(<em>Eualoe</em>)<em> minima</em>, Baker [Liliaceæ], on p. 153. CCCCLXIV.—Diagnoses africanæ, VI. (Continued from p. 99). <em>Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information. Kew</em> 1895: 141–153. https://doi.org/10.2307/4118481</p>
<p>Compton, R.H. (1967) Plantae novae Africanae. Series XXXII. <em>Journal of South African Botany</em> 33: 293–304.</p>
<p>Crouch, N.R., Smith, G.F., Walters, M. & Figueiredo, E. (2016) <em>Kalanchoe winteri</em> Gideon F.Sm., N.R.Crouch & Mich.Walters (Crassulaceae), a new species from the Wolkberg Centre of Endemism, South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 34: 217–224. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n34.2016.a9</p>
<p>Fernandes, R.B. (1978) Crassulaceae africanae novae vel minus cognitae. <em>Boletim da Sociedade Broteriana</em> (sér. 2.<sup>a</sup>) LII: 165–220.</p>
<p>Forbes, H. (1941) <em>Kalanchoe albiflora</em> H. Forbes, <em>sp. nov.</em>, pp. 37–39. <em>In</em>: Anonymous, Newly described species and new combinations. <em>Bothalia</em> 4: 37–41, + plate on p. 39. https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v4i1.1709</p>
<p>Hamet, R. (1908) <em>Kalanchoe luciae</em> <em>sp. nov.</em> <em>Bulletin de l’Herbier Boissier</em>, sér. 2, 8: 254–257. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/104945#page/290/mode/1up]</p>
<p>Harvey, W.H. (1862) Order LIII. Crassulaceae, D.C. VIII. <em>Kalanchoe</em>, Adans. <em>In</em>: Harvey, W.H. & Sonder, O.W. (Eds.) <em>Flora capensis</em> [<em>being a systematic description of the plants of the Cape Colony, Caffraria, & Port Natal</em>] 2. L. Reeve & Co., Ltd, Kent, pp. 378–380. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/15233#page/386/mode/1up]</p>
<p>IPNI. (2021+) <em>The International Plant Names Index</em>. Available from: https://www.ipni.org/ (continuously updated accessed June 2021)</p>
<p>Koorders, S.H. (1919 [Mai] [24 October 1918]) Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Flora von Java No. 18. Beschreibung von <em>Kalanchoë Schumacheri</em> vom Idjen-Plateau und Revision der Crassulaceae von Java. (Mit 2 lithographischen Tafeln.). <em>Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg</em> sér. 3, 1 (3): 169–180, Figures 14 and 15. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/27173#page/205/mode/1up (text); https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/27173#page/243/mode/1up (figures)]</p>
<p>Raymond-Hamet. (1933) Observations sur le <em>Kalanchoe uniflora</em> (Stapf) Raymond-Hamet. <em>Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France</em> 80 (4): 542–548. https://doi.org/10.1080/00378941.1933.10833878</p>
<p>Mucina, L., Hoare, D.B., Lötter, M.C., Du Preez, J., Rutherford, M.C., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Bredenkamp, G.J., Powrie, L.W., Scott, L., Camp, K.G.T., Cilliers, S.S., Bezuidenhout, H., Mostert, T.H., Siebert, S.J., Winter, P.J.D., Burrows, J.E., Dobson, L., Ward, R.A., Stalmans, M., Oliver, E.G.H., Siebert, F., Schmidt, E., Kobisi, K. & Kose, L. (2006) Grassland Biome. <em>In</em>: L. Mucina & M.C. Rutherford (eds.) <em>The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland</em>. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, pp. 349–436.</p>
<p>Pole Evans, I.B. (1916) A new aloe from Swaziland [<em>Aloe suprafoliata</em>]. <em>Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa</em> 5: 603–604, with Plate XLIV opposite p. 604. https://doi.org/10.1080/00359191509519732</p>
<p>Salisbury, R.A. (1805 [1 June 1805]) <em>The Paradisus Londinensis: or coloured figures of plants cultivated in the vicinity of the metropolis</em> 1. Published by William Hooker, No. 6, Frith Street, city not stated, presumably London, 157 pp. & 117 plates. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.53520</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2020) <em>Kalanchoe</em> Adans. subg. <em>Fernandesiae</em> Gideon F.Sm. (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a new subgenus from southern and south-tropical Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 27: 2–7. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.027.0101</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2021a) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe decumbens</em> Compton (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), an endemic species from eastern southern Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 163–171. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a15</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. (2021b) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe</em> [subg. <em>Bryophyllum</em>] sect. <em>Alatae</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) for <em>K. porphyrocalyx</em> and <em>K. uniflora</em>, two Madagascan endemics. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 177–181. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a17</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2016) Reinstatement of <em>Kalanchoe montana</em> Compton (Crassulaceae), a distinctive species from the Barberton Center of Endemism, eastern southern Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 22: 64–72. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.022.0112</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2021a) Expanding the known geographical distribution range of <em>Kalanchoe waterbergensis</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) in northern South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 172–176. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a16</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Figueiredo, E. (2021b) <em>Kalanchoe crouchii</em>. Crassulaceae: Kalanchooideae. Madagascar. <em>Flowering Plants of Africa</em> 67: 60–68, plate 2366.</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2018a) <em>Kalanchoe crouchii</em> Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo (Crassulaceae), a new species from the dolomites of the Wolkberg Centre of Endemism, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. <em>Haseltonia</em> 25: 84–90. https://doi.org/10.2985/026.025.0107</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2018b) The infrageneric classification and nomenclature of <em>Kalanchoe </em>Adans. (Crassulaceae), with special reference to the southern African species. <em>Bradleya </em>36: 162–172. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n36.2018.a10</p>
<p>Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2021) The floristics and phytogeography of <em>Kalanchoe</em> Adans. (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, northern South Africa. <em>Bradleya</em> 39: 207–220. https://doi.org/10.25223/brad.n39.2021.a22</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Figueiredo, E. & Crouch, N.R. (2019b) <em>Kalanchoe winteri</em>. Crassulaceae. South Africa. <em>Flowering Plants of Africa</em> 66: 62–69, plate 2348.</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Figueiredo, E. & Van Wyk, A.E. (2019a) Kalanchoe <em>(Crassulaceae) in southern Africa. Classification, biology, and cultivation</em>. Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier, London, San Diego, Cambridge (USA), and Oxford, 328 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814007-9.00003-7</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Klein, D.-P. & Shtein, R. (2021d) A revision of the Malagasy <em>Kalanchoe</em> subg. <em>Kitchingia</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae): history, taxonomy, and nomenclature. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 507 (1): 67–80. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.507.1.3</p>
<p>Smith, G.F., Shtein, R. & Klein, D.-P. (2021c) <em>Kalanchoe</em> subg. <em>Alatae</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a new rank for <em>K</em>. sect. <em>Alatae</em>. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 509 (2): 255–258. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.509.2.9</p>
<p>Thiers, B. (2021+) <em>Index herbariorum: a global directory of public herbaria and associated staff</em>. New York Botanical Garden’s Virtual Herbarium. Available from: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/ih/ (continuously updated; accessed June 2021)</p>
<p>Tölken, H.R. (1985) Crassulaceae. 3166, 4. <em>Kalanchoe</em>. 3166a, 5. <em>Bryophyllum</em>. <em>In</em>: Leistner, O.A. (Ed.) <em>Flora of Southern Africa</em> 14. Botanical Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, place of publication not stated, likely Pretoria, pp. 61–74.</p>
<p>Turland, N.J., Wiersema, J.H., Barrie, F.R., Greuter, W., Hawksworth, D.L., Herendeen, P.S., Knapp, S., Kusber, W.-H., Li, D.-Z., Marhold, K., May, T.W., McNeill, J., Monro, A.M., Prado, J., Price, M.J. & Smith, G.F. (2018) <em>International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017</em>. Koeltz Botanical Books, Oberreifenberg. [Regnum Vegetabile 159], 254 pp. https://doi.org/10.12705/Code.2018</p>
<p>Van Wyk, A.E. & Smith, G.F. (2001) <em>Regions of floristic endemism in southern Africa. A review with emphasis on succulents</em>. Umdaus Press, Hatfield, Pretoria, 199 pp.</p>