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Type: Article
Published: 2017-07-25
Page range: 231–240
Abstract views: 40
PDF downloaded: 1

Two new Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) species, including 5 varieties, from the Richtersveld of South Africa

Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Oxalidaceae Oxalis Richtersveld South Africa phylogeny taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

Two new species of Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) from the Richtersveld are described, namely Oxalis canaliculata and O. magnifolia. These widespread species are morphologically distinct and easily identified, but both contain populations in which individuals consistently differ morphologically from typical varieties. The typical variety of Oxalis canaliculata is widespread throughout the Richtersveld, while O. canaliculata var. trifoliolata is known from a single population and O. canaliculata var. graniticola is known only from granite outcrops. Oxalis magnifolia includes the typical variety that is widespread and Oxalis magnifolia var. reduplicata, which is only known from two populations in close proximity to one another. Morphological characters, preliminary phylogenetic position based on data from the nuclear ITS region, habitat description and formal taxonomic descriptions are provided for all taxa. The diagnostic characters of the new species are compared to all phenotypically similar southern African species.