Psoralea margaretiflora (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae): A new species from the Sneeuberg Centre of Floristic Endemism, Eastern Cape, South Africa

By

Stirton, C. H.
Clark, Vincent
Barker, Nigel P.
Muasya, Muthama

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2011

Original Publication

International Journal of Myriapodology

Volume

5

Pages

31-38

Subjects

Eastern Cape , endemic , Fabaceae , Great Escarpment , new species , Psoralea , Psoraleeae , Sneeuberg Centre , South Africa , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Leiden Brill [2008]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.5.1585

 

Abstract

A new species of Psoralea is described. Psoralea margaretiflora C.H. Stirton & V.R. Clark is endemic to the Sneeuberg Centre of Floristic Endemism, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This resprouter is characterised by its small greenish-white flowers with a small trifid purple nectar patch and translucent veins; 5(―7)- pinnate leaflets; multi-branching erect short seasonal flowering shoots; and tall habit of many stiff bare stems with the seasonal shoots massed at the apex. It is most similar to P. oligophylla Eckl. & Zeyh., a widespread species found in the Eastern Cape. P. oligophylla, a reseeder, differs in its lax virgate spreading habit with numerous long glaucous seasonal shoots; single stem, 1(―3)-foliolate glaucous leaflets; more numerous white flowers; and standard petals with a purple ring surrounding a bright yellow nectar patch.