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Issue: Vol. 726 No. 4: 6 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-06
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.726.4.2
Page range: 246-258
Abstract views: 132
PDF downloaded: 5

Kalanchoe olivierae (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae), a new species from southeastern South Africa

Ria Olivier Herbarium, Department of Botany, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031 South Africa
Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 52099, Berea Road, 4007 South Africa
Kalanchoe sect. Rotundifoliae Kalanchoe steyniae KwaZulu-Natal province Eastern Cape Province Kalanchoe subg. Kalanchoe Kalanchoe rotundifolia Eudicots

Abstract

A new species of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae; K. subg. Kalanchoe), namely Kalanchoe olivierae, is described from eastern South Africa. Kalanchoe olivierae differs from K. rotundifolia, under which name material of the new species has thus far been placed, in vegetative and reproductive characters, with, inter alia vegetatively, its leaves being considerably bigger, elliptic-ovate to somewhat spathulate in outline, and basally distinctly guttered. Plants of the new species are often unbranched and can reach a height of over 1 m when in flower, while K. rotundifolia is a low-growing, often branched shrublet. The flowers of K. olivierae are larger than those of K. rotundifolia, and usually a pinkish orange colour, rather than uniformly dull red to orange. Kalanchoe olivierae is also contrasted with K. steyniae, which is a low-growing shrublet with bright crimson flowers. All three species are illustrated.

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How to Cite

Smith, G.F. & Crouch, N.R. (2025) Kalanchoe olivierae (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae), a new species from southeastern South Africa. Phytotaxa 726 (4): 246–258. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.726.4.2