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Issue: Vol. 641 No. 4: 21 Mar. 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-03-21
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.641.4.1
Page range: 243-254
Abstract views: 26
PDF downloaded: 1

Crassothonna moniliformis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from the Albany Centre of floristic endemism, South Africa

Department of Plant Sciences and Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
Selmar Schonland Herbarium, Botany Department, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
Albany Centre of floristic endemism Compositae conservation Othonninae southern Africa taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

Crassothonna moniliformis is described as a new species from the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The species is a prostrate, succulent-leaved perennial herb distinguished from Crassothonna capensis in having slender, weak, trailing, distantly branched stems, with nodal adventitious roots developing precociously, forming diffuse patches to ±50 cm diam., with erect to ascending, usually red-purple, globose-obovoid to obovoid to subclavate leaves 10–25 mm long, and a more slender synflorescence bearing fewer capitula (1–4 per flowering shoot) with fewer ray florets (7–9) and functionally staminate peripheral disc florets. The species is geographically localised, with the known Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy <10 km2, and is habitat-restricted, growing in shallow sandy sediments overlying exposed sandstone pavements among coastal thicket. The single known population is threatened by sand mining and informal housing encroachment. Based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU – D2) is recommended.

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