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Issue: Vol. 751 No. 1: 10 Apr. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-04-10
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.751.1.3
Page range: 25-35
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Trachyandra carnifolia (Asphodelaceae: Asphodeloideae), a new cliff-dwelling species from the Greater Midlands Centre of Endemism in eastern South Africa

Ria Olivier Herbarium, Department of Botany, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031 South Africa
Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Directorate, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 52099, Berea Road, Durban, 4007 South Africa
PostNet Suite 75, Private Bag X19041, Linton Grange, 6015 South Africa
cremnophyte KwaZulu-Natal province Trachyandra reflexipilosa Trachyandra sect. Glandulifera Monocots

Abstract

Fieldwork in southern Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, enabled the discovery of a succulent-leaved, cremnophytic Trachyandra (Asphodelaceae: Asphodeloideae) species that shows a distinct syndrome of morphological characters not previously reported in the genus, especially in respect of defining vegetative characters. The new species, T. carnifolia, is assigned to T. sect. Liriothamnus, based on a combination of floral and fruiting characters, and is evidently closely related to T. reflexipilosa, another component of savanna vegetation in Zululand. We provide a complete morphological description and illustrations of T. carnifolia, as well as data on its ecology and distribution.

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How to Cite

Smith, G.F., Crouch, N.R. & Mckay, A. (2026) Trachyandra carnifolia (Asphodelaceae: Asphodeloideae), a new cliff-dwelling species from the Greater Midlands Centre of Endemism in eastern South Africa. Phytotaxa 751 (1): 25–35. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.751.1.3