Chlorophytum mamillatum Elden & Nordal, 2017

Bjorå, Charlotte S., Elden, Marte, Nordal, Inger, Brysting, Anne K., Awas, Tesfaye, Demissew, Sebsebe & Bendiksby, Mika, 2017, Speciation in the genera Anthericum and Chlorophytum (Asparagaceae) in Ethiopia-a molecular phylogenetic approach, Phytotaxa 297 (2), pp. 139-156 : 152

Chlorophytum mamillatum Elden & Nordal , sp. nov. ( Fig. 5 )

Species nova C. gallabatensi affinis, sed eo differt tuberibus secus axem radicis non in ramis lateralibus dispositis; inflorescentiis laxis prostratis; floribus albis non viridibus; testis periclinalibus cellularum mamillatis.

A species related to C. gallabatense , differing by having root tubers along the root axis, rather than on lateral branches; lax, prostrate inflorescences, not stiffly erect; white flowers, not greenish; and nipple-like projections on the periclinal seed cell walls.

Type: — ETHIOPIA. Bale floristic region: 10 km N of Dolo Menna (Masslo) on the road to Goba, 6º25’ N 39º44’E, 1500 m of elevation, 25 October 1984, I. Friis, M. G. Gilbert & K. Vollesen 3459 (holotype ETH!; isotype K!) .

Perennial with short rhizome, roots ca. 2 mm in diameter, with distal tubers, 20–40 × 5–10 mm. Leaves rosulate, strapshaped, 150–600 × 15–30 mm, glabrous with narrow hyaline margin. Inflorescence paniculiform, length (including peduncle) 250–500 mm with 2–7 branches. Bract supporting branches up to 12 mm long, usually shorter; bracts supporting flower nodes up to 3 mm long, with dark brown margin. Number of flowers per node 1–3(4). Pedicel length 3–5(–7) mm, with a joint disposed from the middle to upper part, slightly papillose below the joint (at least in fresh material). Flowers star-shaped, white with greenish apex; tepals free, lanceolate, 4–5 × 1.5–2 mm; filaments filiform, 2–3 mm long, slightly papillose, white; anthers 1–2 mm long, yellow; style 4–5 mm long, bent with a minute stigma. Capsule triangular in cross section, papillose, ca. 4 × 6 mm; seeds 3 or 4 per locule, diameter 2 mm, flat and irregularly folded, periclinal walls of epidermal cells conical and outdrawn to a distinct papilla ( Fig. 4 ).

Distribution: — The Bale and Harerge floristic regions, Ethiopia ( Fig. 2B ).

Additional specimen examined: — ETHIOPIA. Bale floristic region: 10 km N of Dolo Menna (Masslo) on the road to Goba , 06°25’ N, 39°44’ E, 1500 m elevation, 25 October 1984, I. Friis , M. G. Gilbert & K. Vollesen 3459 ( ETH, K) ; Harenna Forest, 14 km on Dello Mena–Goba road, 06°27’ N, 39°44’ E, 1560 m elevation, 11 June 1986, M. Tadesse 4671 ( ETH) ; Dello Awraja in Harenna forest, ca. 2.2 km from turn-off from Shisha River, ca. 20 km on Dello Mena–Goba road, 06°29’ N, 39°452’ E, 1530 m elevation, 13 August 1986, M. Tadesse 5291 ( ETH) ; Harenna Forest near Yadot River, 1625 m elevation, 2 May 1990, L. Nogatu and M. Tadesse 9076 ( ETH) ; Welmel River, Fenkel Kebale , 06°26.576’ N, 39°39.153’ E, ca. 1500 m elevation, 15 December 2007, M. Elden, I. Nordal, T. Awas & S. Demissew 9 ( ETH, O). Harerge floristic region: near Graua 9°08’ N 41°55’E, 1750–1900 m elevation, 9 August 1975, M. G. Gilbert 4019 ( K) ; Harar – Jijiga road, 13 km, 1550 m elevation, 17 August 1975, M. G. Gilbert & M. Thulin 41 ( K) ; Uadendeo Plateau, 36 km ESE of Harar on the road to Jijiga , 9°04’ N, 42°23’ E, 1520 m elevation, 17 August 1972, W. Burger 2074 ( K) ; East of Gara Gora , 9°00’ N, 42°18’ E, 1220–1340 m elevation, 28 July 1963, W. Burger 3050 ( K) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Photographs of studied Anthericum and Chlorophytum taxa. A. Anthericum ramosum, B. Anthericum neghellense, C. Chlorophytum subpetiolatum, D. Chlorophytum affine var. affine, E. Chlorophytum pseudocaule, F. Chlorophytum somaliense, G. Chlorophytum geophilum, H. Chlorophytum gallabatense, I. Chlorophytum ducis-aprutii. Photographs: Charlotte S. Bjorå (A), Inger Nordal (B, H, I), Gry S. Hoell (C, D, G), Tesfaye Awas (E), Mike Gilbert (F), Sebsebe Demissew (H).

FIGURE 5. Chlorophytum mamillatum based on Gilbert & Tulin 41 (K). A. Habit. B. Detail of flower.Artist: Svetlana Voronkova.

FIGURE. 4. Scanning electron micrographs of testa surface ornamentation in members of Chlorophytum. A. Chlorophytum mamillatum (= “shade form” of C. gallabatense), from Ethiopia, Elden et al. 9 (O), B. Chlorophytum comosum from Malawi, Brummitt & Banda 9846 (K), C. Chlorophytum comosum sensu FTEA from Uganda, Lye 5536 (O). D. Chlorophytum gallabatense from Ethiopia, Nordal et al. 2225 (O).