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Issue: Vol. 766 No. 1: 7 Jul. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-07
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.766.1.2
Page range: 33-48
Abstract views: 26
PDF downloaded: 3

Kalanchoe dissecta (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae), a new species from South Africa, published as K. rotundifolia f. tripartita in 1978 and proposed but not validly published as “K. rotundifolia var. tripartita” in 1956

Ria Olivier Herbarium; Department of Botany; Nelson Mandela University; P.O. Box 77000; Gqeberha; 6031 South Africa
abruptly urceolate flowers Kalanchoe rotundifolia lobate-leaved sparse-flowered inflorescences Eudicots Kalanchoe ser. Rotundifoliae lobate-leaves

Abstract

Kalanchoe dissecta (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae) is described for material from eastern South Africa. The species shares similarities with K. rotundifolia under which it was previously proposed—but not validly published—at the rank of varietas, as “K. rotundifolia var. tripartita” (in 1956), and at the rank of forma, as K. rotundifolia f. tripartita, a combination that was validly published (in 1978). Kalanchoe dissecta differs from K. rotundifolia in vegetative and reproductive characters. At maturity, the leaves of K. dissecta are variously laterally lobate, while those of K. rotundifolia, as the name was epitypified, lack marginal lobes. The new species fits in K. ser. Rotundifoliae, which includes small, generally low-growing, shrubby species with variously urceolate, orangey or reddish flowers that show distinct diurnal movement, and with the flowers becoming tightly twisted post-anthesis.

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How to Cite

Smith, G.F. (2026) Kalanchoe dissecta (Crassulaceae [subfam. Cotyledonoideae] tr. Kalanchoeae), a new species from South Africa, published as K. rotundifolia f. tripartita in 1978 and proposed but not validly published as “K. rotundifolia var. tripartita” in 1956. Phytotaxa 766 (1): 33–48. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.766.1.2