Open AccessSarcostemma R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) in East Africa and Arabia
Author(s) -
MEVE ULRICH,
LIEDE SIGRID
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1996.tb00477.x
Subject(s) - subspecies , taxon , biology , peninsula , taxonomy (biology) , zoology , botany , ecology
The circumscription of the two Arabian species Sarcostemma forskaolianum Schult. and S. vanlessenii Lavranos is clarified. S. vanlessenii is identified as a widespread species, occurring in East Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Within the Sarcostemma viminale complex, three new subspecies are delimitated. Subspecies odonlolepis (Balf.f.) Meve & Liede, comb, et stat. nov. is established for glabrous, strongly twinning plants close to those of subspecies brunonianum (Wight & Am.) P.I. Forst., but distinguished by flower‐bearing laterals and an outer corona half as high as the gynostegium. Ecologically, this taxon is confined to coastal habitats in East Africa. Subspecies stipilaceum (Forssk.) Meve & Liede, comb, ct stat. nov. covers stout, non‐twining representatives of East Africa and Arabia, also with short flower‐bearing laterals. Subspecies suberosum Meve & Liede, subsp. nov. is newly described to accommodate the most frequent East African form of S. viminale , often mistaken for the typical subspecies. All taxa are described in detail, chromosome numbers are given and distribution maps are provided for S. forskaolianum, S. vanlessenii and S. viminale subsp. odontolepis. A synopsis of all taxa occurring in East Africa and Arabia and additional chromosome numbers are provided.