More new species published!

Four more new species from the GCFR have now been described and published. Lots more still to come...

The article is free to read: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.10.003

@tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore

Posted on October 8, 2023 12:53 PM by mr_fab mr_fab

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Abstract
Four new Indigofera species are described from the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR). Indigofera barkeri is a new annual from the Richtersveld, with small flowers, 3.5–4.0 mm long, pinnately trifoliolate leaves and laterally flattened seeds. Indigofera dodii is endemic to the area around Cape Town, growing on granite and shaly slopes. It has apically congested racemes, flowers 6.0–6.5 mm long, digitately trifoliolate leaves, fruit with a hispid indumentum and tuberculate seed testas. Indigofera gariepensis, endemic to dry riverbeds in the eastern Richtersveld, is recognized by its alternate, silky-velutinous leaflets and calyx lobes ± equal in length to its 5.5–6.5 mm long magenta flowers. Indigofera tanquana is known from only two collections and is endemic to the western Tanqua Karoo. It is easily recognized by its broad old grey stems, spinescent branches, simple grey-canescent leaves that aggregate on woody brachyblasts and reddish-magenta flowers. Detailed morphological descriptions are presented with composite photographic plates for each species. Notes on ecology, detailed diagnoses comparing with closely related species, a distribution map and an IUCN red list conservation assessment for each species is also provided.

Posted by tonyrebelo 7 months ago

1. Any sign yet of a subspecific classification that we can use on iNaturalist?

Posted by tonyrebelo 7 months ago

2. The 4 species have MS names as common names. Do you know of more appropriate common names please.

Posted by tonyrebelo 7 months ago

No, one publication at a time...

I. barkeri - Mini Indigo
I. gariepensis - Vioolsdrif Indigo
I. tanquana - Tanqua Indigo
I. dodii - Cape Town Indigo

Posted by mr_fab 7 months ago

As a matter of interest, how come Indigofera dodii has taken so long to be recognized as distinct?

Posted by tonyrebelo 7 months ago

It is very similar to gracilis, best way to tell apart is pod length.

Posted by mr_fab 7 months ago

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