Leipoldtia nevillei (Aizoaceae: Ruschieae), a New Species from Coastal Namaqualand, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract: We describe a new species, Leipoldtia nevillei Klak, known from several populations between Soebatsfontein and Wallekraal in the coastal plain of Namaqualand, South Africa. The new species is easily recognized as a member of the Leipoldtia-clade by its smooth, xeromorphic leaves, mostly 10-locular fruits with large closing bodies and broad valve wings. In habit and floral morphology it resembles most closely the monotypic Hallianthus H.E.K.Hartmann, but it lacks the high turret-shaped fruits and the prominent subcentral elevations on the covering membranes that are characteristic for Hallianthus. In addition, L. nevillei differs from other species of Leipoldtia L.Bolus and from Hallianthus by its pale yellow or white flowers with a pale yellow centre. In the closely related Cephalophyllum the fruits form closing bulges below the covering membranes, whereas L. nevillei has closing rodlets below the covering membranes, as is typical for Leipoldtia.