Callilepis retiefiae P.P.J.Herman, 2022

Herman, Paul P. J., 2022, A taxonomic revision of the genus Callilepis (Asteraceae) in South Africa, Phytotaxa 563 (1), pp. 1-62 : 28-30

3. Callilepis retiefiae P.P.J.Herman , sp. nov.

Similar to C. corymbosa and C. normae but with subequal, narrow involucral bracts and broader leaves. Also similar to C. leptophylla but with corymbose synflorescence and linear-elliptic leaves 3.5–5.5 mm wide.

Type: — SWAZILAND [eSWATINI]. Mankaiana District, Mankaiana [ Mankayane ], among rocks, 4500 ft [1372 m], (QDS: 2631CA Mbabane), 3 February 1958, Compton 27498 (holotype PRE ; isotype NBG, image). Fig. 17 .

Etymology:—Named for Dr Elizabeth Retief, my former colleague and friend who sadly subcombed to Covid-19 related complications.

Erect, perennial herb up to 600 mm high. Stem unbranched, becoming pedunculoid upwards, ribbed, glabrous. Leaves spirally arranged, linear-elliptic, decreasing in size upwards and passing into peduncular bracts, 33–80 × 3.5–5.5 mm, apex acuminate to attenuate, narrowing into petiole-like base, margin entire, whitish or paler than rest of blade, surface glabrous, with prominent main vein and sometimes with 2 faint side veins. Capitula arranged in corymbose synflorescence, heterogamous, radiate. Involucre ± hemispherical, 18–25 mm wide. Involucral bracts in ± 5 rows, subequal, glabrous; outer row narrowly triangular, 9 × 2 mm; second row narrowly triangular to narrowly ovate, 9 × 1.8 mm, apex (long) acuminate, margin very narrowly membranous in lower part and faintly pectinate there; third row narrowly ovate, 10 × 2 mm, apex acuminate, margin narrowly membranous in lower part and faintly pectinate there; fourth row narrowly ovate, 10 × 2.5 mm, apex acuminate, margin membranous in lower half and faintly pectinate there; fifth row narrowly ovate, 9 × 2.2 mm, apex shortly acuminate, margin membranous. Receptacle paleate; paleae boatshaped, 7–8 mm long with ± 2 mm long dark brown tip. Ray florets zygomorphic, female, fertile, corolla cream; tube 2.0– 2.5 mm long; limb 7 × 3 mm, minutely 3-lobed. Staminodes 2 or 3. Styles 3.0– 3.5 mm long, bifurcate, exserted; style branches oblong, 1.0– 1.2 mm long, apex obtuse, with broad marginal stigmatic areas confluent apically. Ovary trigonous-obovate, 4.0– 4.5 mm long, margins ciliate. Mature cypsela not seen. Pappus dimorphic, consisting of one long awn, 5 mm long, 2 slightly shorter awns, 4.0– 4.5 mm long and obtuse scales, 1.0– 1.5 mm long, between the awns. Disc florets actinomorphic, bisexual, fertile, corolla dark; tube 3.5 mm long, 5-lobed; lobes 1.5–1.8 mm long. Anthers 2 mm long, apical appendages narrowly ovate, ± 1 mm long; bases caudate and calcarate, tails ± 1 mm long, ciliate. Styles 3.0– 4.5 mm long, bifurcate; style branches oblong, 1.0– 1.5 mm long, apex conical with acute hairs outside at base of cone, with marginal stigmatic areas confluent apically. Ovary obovate, 6 mm long, laterally compressed, glabrous (?). Mature cypsela not seen. Pappus dimorphic, consisting of one long awn, 5 mm long, two shorter awns, 4.0– 4.5 mm long and obtuse scales 1.5–2.0 mm long, between the awns. Flowering time: February.

Diagnostic characters:— Callilepis retiefiae is characterised by the glabrous stems, leaves and involucral bracts, the linear-elliptic leaves with a prominent main vein, acuminate to attenuate apex and narrowing into a petiole-like base, the entire leaf margin, the capitula arranged in a corymbose synflorescence with subequal, narrow involucral bracts. It differs from the other taxa with corymbose synflorescences by the subequal, narrow involucral bracts and the slightly broader leaves. The other taxa with corymbose synflorescences have broad, imbricate involucral bracts and narrow leaves. Callilepis retiefiae differs from C. laureola var. paucicephala by its linear-elliptic leaves; those of C. laureola var. paucicephala are narrowly to broadly ovate.

Distribution:— Callilepis retiefiae seems to be endemic to eSwatini and is currently known from the type locality and one other locality in the same country (Fig. 18).

Additional specimen examined

SWAZILAND [eSWATINI]. Mbabane District, Ukutula, (QDS: 2631AC Mbabane), 18 February 1955, Compton 24941 (2 sheets) (NBG, images).