Callilepis laureola var. laureola

Herman, Paul P. J., 2022, A taxonomic revision of the genus Callilepis (Asteraceae) in South Africa, Phytotaxa 563 (1), pp. 1-62 : 44-49

a. Callilepis laureola var. laureola

Erect, perennial herbs with tufts of annual stems from large underground rootstock, (280–) 300–600 mm high. Stems unbranched or sparsely branched, becoming pedunculoid upwards, ribbed, glabrous, with occasional hair, or sparsely to densely villous, often densely villous immediately below capitula, with tufts of hairs in leaf axils. Leaves sessile, lower opposite or subopposite, upwards alternate, sometimes alternate all along, mostly narrowly ovate to ovate, sometimes some upper narrowly elliptic, rarely some narrowly obovate, decreasing in size upwards and passing into peduncular bracts, (10–)15–60 × (3–)4–20(–30) mm, apex acuminate or attenuate, sometimes acute, base subcordate, rounded or obtuse, especially in lower leaves, or narrowly to broadly cuneate in upper leaves, margin sometimes whitish or paler than rest of blade, entire or sometimes in some leaves sparsely and minutely serrulate in upper part of leaf, rarely with single small tooth on each side in upper part, glabrous, with occasional hair or sparsely to more densely villous, blade glabrous, with occasional hair or sparsely to more densely villous, hairs sometimes concentrated along main veins on upper surface (Fig. 25B–D), 3(5)-veined from base. Capitula heterogamous, radiate, solitary. Involucre hemispherical, 15–30(–35) mm wide. Involucral bracts in (2)3 or 4 rows, subequal, inner grading into outer paleae; outer row linear, linear-triangular, narrowly triangular or (very) narrowly ovate, 5.0–13.5(–14.0) × (0.5–)0.8– 1.5(–2.5) mm, apex acute to (long) acuminate, margin sometimes very narrowly membranous in lower part, minutely pectinate or sometimes sparsely villous basally, surface glabrous or occasionally sparsely villous basally (overflow from peduncle); second row linear-triangular, narrowly triangular or (very) narrowly ovate or narrowly oblong, (4–)5–11(–13) × (0.8–)1.0– 2.5 mm, apex acute or (long) acuminate, margin sometimes (very) narrowly membranous in lower part, minutely pectinate or sometimes with few hairs in lower part, surface glabrous or occasionally with few hairs basally (overflow from peduncle); third row / ray paleae narrowly triangular, ovate or narrowly to very narrowly ovate, 5.5–10.0(–11.5) × 1.0–2.5(–2.8) mm, apex (long) acuminate, margin very narrowly or broadly (ray paleae) membranous in lower part and sometimes folded inwards (ray paleae) there, glabrous, with few (long) hairs in lower part or faintly pectinate, surface glabrous or with few hairs near base; fourth row/ray paleae narrowly ovate or ovate, rarely narrowly triangular, 6.0–9.0(–10.5) × 1.5–2.0(–2.5) mm, apex (long) acuminate, margin very narrowly membranous, glabrous or sparsely hairy in middle part or pectinate, sometimes folded inwards, surface glabrous, rarely with few hairs at base. Receptacle conical, paleate, paleae boat-shaped, (4.0–)4.5–8.0(–8.2) mm long with dark apex, 0.5–2.0(–2.5) mm long, back sometimes with narrow membranous wing. Ray florets zygomorphic, female, fertile, rarely some neuter in a capitulum, arranged in 1, 2 or 3 rows; corolla white, cream, creamy, cream-white, yellow, lemon-yellow, sulphur yellow or pale greenish yellow; tube (0.5–)1.0–3.0(–4.0) mm long, limb (8.5–)10.0– 19.0(–24.0) × (2.5–)4.0–7.0(–8.5) mm, unlobed or minutely 2- or 3-lobed; staminodes 0 to 4(5), (1.0–)1.5–2.0(–2.5) mm long, sometimes exserted. Styles 2.0–4.5(–6.0) mm long, exserted, bifurcate, lobes equal or sometimes unequal, rarely undivided, upper part below style branches sometimes cup-shaped; unbranched styles (2.8–)3.5(–4.0) mm long (seen in 5 specimens); style branches oblong or linear, 0.5–1.2 mm long; unlobed style branch 0.8–1.0(–1.2) mm long (seen in 5 specimens); apex obtuse, with broad marginal stigmatic areas, confluent in broad apical band or entire inner surface stigmatic. Ovaries obovate-trigonous, 2–5 mm long, those of second and third rows of ray florets laterally compressed similar to disc floret ovaries, glabrous. Ray cypselae (not often collected) usually obconical-trigonous, 5–7 × 2–3 mm (only seen in 4 specimens), those of second and third rows of ray florets obovate and laterally compressed, straw-coloured, glabrous, ribbed, each angle(margin) ending in a pappus awn. Ray pappus dimorphic, consisting of one long awn 2.5–5.0 mm long, (one)two shorter awns, 1.5–3.5 mm long (only one short awn in laterally compressed ovaries/cypselae of second and third row of ray florets), and few smaller obtuse or rarely acute, lacerated scales in between, 1(–2) mm long. Disc florets actinomorphic, bisexual, fertile, many; corolla purple, purplish, black, maroon, brown, brownish purple, tubular; tube (2.8–)3.0–4.0(–4.5) mm long, with parallel sides basally, between basal and upper part often with ring-like thickening and from there widening narrowly funnel-shaped upwards, 5-lobed; lobes narrowly ovate, (1.0–)1.5–2.0(–2.5) mm long, acute, recurved. Anthers 5, 1.5–2.0(–2.2) mm long, exserted, apical appendages narrowly ovate, 0.5–0.8(–1.0) mm long, bases caudate and calcarate, tails 0.5–1.0 mm long, ciliate. Styles (2.5–)3.0–5.0(–5.2) mm long, bifurcate, sometimes exserted but mostly hidden within anther ring; style branches oblong or linear, 0.8–1.5 mm long, apex (broadly) conical or (broadly) obtuse, with acute hairs outside at base of cone, with broad marginal stigmatic areas, confluent in broad apical band or entire inner surface stigmatic. Ovaries obovate, 2–5(–7) mm long, laterally compressed, glabrous. Disc cypselae asymmetrically obovate, (4.0–)5.5–6.0(–7.0) × 2.5– 3.0(–4.8) mm, laterally compressed, ribbed, glabrous, straw-coloured, with slight membranous wing on side of longest pappus awn and running up into it. Disc pappus dimorphic, consisting of one long awn, 2.5–4.5 mm long, one(two, three) shorter awn(-s), (1.5–)2.0– 3.5 mm long, and smaller, oblong to narrowly elliptic, obtuse, sometimes acute, scales 1(–2) mm long, with lacerate apices, between awns. Flowering time recorded throughout the year but with a peak from August to February. Figs 9A, 25B–D, 27, 28.

Diagnostic characters:— Callilepis laureola var. laureola can be distinguished by its mostly narrowly ovate to ovate, prominently 3-veined leaves with acuminate or attenuate, sometimes acute apex and subcordate, rounded or obtuse base, stems, leaf margins and leaf surfaces sparsely to more densely villous (Fig. 25B–D), rarely glabrous, solitary capitula with narrow, subequal involucral bracts, white, creamy or yellowish ray florets, purplish or blackish disc florets, and glabrous cypselae. The presence and density of hairs on the plants are variable, but hairs are usually present on some parts of the plants. Only in a few cases the plants are totally glabrous but they can immediately be recognised by their ovate leaves in contrast to the glabrous C. glabra where the leaves are narrowly elliptic.

Distribution:— Callilepis laureola var. laureola is near endemic to northern and eastern South Africa and is distributed from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, eSwatini, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape (Fig. 29). Also present in Mozambique. According to Foden & Potter (2005), the Red List Status of C. laureola is Least Concern.

Additional specimens examined

SWAZILAND [eSWATINI]. Pigg’s Peak District, Pigg’s Peak, 2500 ft [762 m], (QDS: 2531CD Komatipoort), 27 October 1958, Compton 28203 ( PRE). Manzini District, Mpisi, 1500 ft [457 m], (QDS: 2631BC Mbabane), 20 December 1961, Compton 31143 ( PRE barcode PRE 189391-0). Mankaiana [Mankayane] District, Evelyn Baring Bridge, 2500 ft [762 m], (QDS: 2631CA Mbabane), 8 October 1959, Compton 29166 ( PRE). Manzini, Ngwane Park Botanical Garden, grassland, steep slope, sandy soil, (QDS: 2631CB Mbabane), 26 September 2002, Dlamini A 2821 ( PRE). Mankaiana [Mankayane] District, Ntondozi, 2000 ft [610 m], (QDS: 2631CB Mbabane), 14 November 1958, Karsten s.n. PRE 31848/702550 ( PRE). Hlatikulu District, Verdun, 1000 ft [305 m], (QDS: 2631CD Mbabane), 14 November 1956, Compton 26316 (NBG image, PRE). Manzini District, Bulunga Poort, 1500 ft [457 m], (QDS: 2631DA Mbabane), 9 February 1966, Compton 32513 ( PRE). Top of Lubombo Mountains, near Umbeloosi Beacon [Umbuluzu?], southern bank of Umbuluzi Poort, open grassveld, (QDS: 2632AA Bela Vista), 6 September 1976, Culverwell 0198 ( PRE). Blue Jay Ranch, Lubombe Mntns [Lubombo Mountains] S of Umbuluzi Gorge, 3½ miles [5.6 km] NW of Mhlumeni/Goba border post, open grassveld, 1500 ft [457 m], (QDS: 2632AA Bela Vista), 16 October 1977, Culverwell 1069 ( PRE).

SOUTH AFRICA. Limpopo: Wolkberg, Ararat 7 KT, mountain slope, grassland, recently burned, 1800 m, (QDS: 2430AA Pilgrim’s Rest), 7 October 2011, Kremer-Kohne 226 ( PRE).

Mpumalanga: Nelspruit, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), October 1917, Breyer s.n. PRE 59310 ( PRE). Nelspruit, Lowveld Botanic Garden, garden side, along road amongst grass, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), 6 October 1969, Buitendag 162 (NBG two images, PRE). Barberton District, Research Station, Nelspruit, grassland, 2375 ft [724 m], (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), October 1930, Liebenberg 2759 ( PRE). Ex Nelspruit, flowering D. P. I. [Division of Plant Industry] gardens, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), no date, Liebenberg s.n. PRE 43248 ( PRE). Nelspruit, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), August 1917, Pole-Evans H.16983 ( PRE). Nelspruit, 2300 ft [701 m], (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), 6 November 1905, Rogers s.n. TvlMus2378 ( PRE). Barberton District, Nelspruit, on site of Subtropical Research Station, near western and eastern boundaries, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), 3 December 1926, Smith 3550 ( PRE). Barberton, Nelspruit, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), no date, Liebenberg s.n. PRE 43250 ( PRE). Along roadside Rosehaugh–Schagen, among grass, (QDS: 2530BD Lydenburg), 17 February 1981, Welman 310 ( PRE). 10 km from Nelspruit on road to Barberton, grassland, recently burnt, (QDS: 2530DB Lydenburg), 15 August 1985, Germishuizen 3307 ( PRE). Barberton District, Farm Oorschot 692JT, ca. 6.3 km SW of Barberton next to Agnes Mine, moderate N facing mountain slope, grassland, sandy soil, 865 m, (QDS: 2530DD Lydenburg), 26 November 2017, Bester 13813 ( PRE). Kruger National Park, Malelane, crest of Khandzalive [?Khandizwe], 39 m E of tower, open grassland, recently burned, 837 m, (QDS: 2531AD Komatipoort), 30 December 2015, G. Zambatis, N. Zambatis, MacFadyen, Hofmeyr & Foxcroft GZ1258 ( PRE). Barberton District, ca. 13 km directly NE of Barberton, Sheba Mine, in reserve beyond Edwin Bray Shaft, SW facing mountain slope, grassland, sandy soil, 1143 m, (QDS: 2531CA Komatipoort), 8 December 2008, Bester 8784 ( PRE). Nelspruit District, Rhenosterkop, Uitkyk Road, open burnt grassland, granite outcrops, 900 m, (QDS: 2531CA Komatipoort), 4 November 1982, Onderstall 935 ( PRE). Mukwana Heights, Brommers Farm, 2.4 km S of Barberton, mountain grassland, N facing slope, after burn, 1152 m, (QDS: 2531CC Komatipoort), 19 July 1975, De Souza 550 ( PRE). Barberton, grassy meadows and mountain sides, 2200–4000 ft [671–1219 m], (QDS: 2531CC Komatipoort), September-October 1889, Galpin 469 ( PRE). Barberton, (QDS: 2531CC Komatipoort), December 1916, Pott 5393 ( PRE); November 1915, Rogers 18216 (TvlMus15980) ( PRE); 14 October 1907, Turnbull s.n. (4079) PRE 4993 ( PRE).

KwaZulu-Natal: Bella Vista, 10 miles [16 km] from Ingwavuma/Maputa Road on way to Manyanseni, rock outcrop, 1500 ft [457 m], (QDS: 2632CC Bela Vista), 19 November 1969, Moll 4584 ( PRE). Ubombo District, ½ mile [0.8 km] N of Ubombo Post Office, grassveld on top of Lebombo Mountains, 2000 ft [610 m], (QDS: 2732CA Ubombo), 16 October 1946, Codd 2067 ( PRE). Nkandhla District, Zululand, near Katazo P.O., on Nkandhla road, grassland, 3500 ft [1067 m], (QDS: 2831CB Nkandla), 22 September 1945, Acocks 11794 ( PRE, 2 sheets). Ntonjaneni [Mtonjaneni] District, 1.5 mile [2.4 km] S of Melmoth, dense grassveld, recently burnt, 2500 ft [762 m], (QDS: 2831CB Nkandla), 9 October 1946, Codd 1811 ( PRE). Eshowe, (QDS: 2831CD Nkandla), September 1921, Rogers 24464 (mounted with Rogers 24637) ( PRE) and Rogers s.n. TvlMus24067 ( PRE). Mtunzini District, Leper Institute Road, Inyoni, common in recently burnt grassveld, 350 ft [107 m], (QDS: 2831DD Nkandla), 23 September 1962, Johnson 1454 ( PRE). Zululand, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Mbhombe, [QDS: 2832AA Mtubatuba], 5 November 1971, Hitchins 600 ( PRE). Zululand, Eastern Shores State Forest, Simbomvini area, in fire break next to pine plantation, mowed fire break in sand veld grassland, 40 m, [QDS: 2832AB Mtubatuba], 6 March 1985, Nicholas & MacDevette 2156 ( PRE). Lower Umfolozi District, Dukuduku Forest Reserve, between Mtubatuba and St. Lucia, (QDS: 2832AD Mtubatuba), 1 April 1965, Schlieben 10197 ( PRE). Pietermaritzburg, (QDS: 2930CB Pietermaritzburg), 10 October 1918, Mogg (Hollins) 2230 ( PRE). “Kloof” [?Pinetown], grassy fields, burnt previously, 1800 ft [549 m], (QDS: 2930DD? Pietermaritzburg), 15 June 1932, Galpin 12074 ( PRE). Krantzkloof, (QDS: 2930DD? Pietermaritzburg), October 1921, Haygarth 24637 R /TvlMus23834 ( PRE). Pinetown, Forest hills, Margaret Crescent, (QDS: 2930DD Pietermaritzburg), 27 October 1958, Johnson 1385 ( PRE). Stanger, Tugela River bridge, Durban side, left embankment, 300 ft [91 m], (QDS: 2931AB Stanger), 8 December 1973, Stirton 404 ( PRE). Amatikulu Nature Reserve, coastal grassland, 20 m, (QDS: 2931BA Stanger), 27 September 1988, Ward 2379 ( PRE). Inanda District, 5 miles [8 km] W of Verulam, 800 ft [244 m], (QDS: 2931CA Stanger), 15 September 1965, Moll 2116 (NU image, PRE). Oribi Gorge, Fairacres, grassveld, (QDS: 3030CB Port Shepstone), 1 November 1981, A.E. van Wyk 5121 ( PRE, PRU). Port Shepstone, (QDS: 3030CB Port Shepstone),? April 1897, No Collector 409 ( PRE 4990) ( PRE).

Eastern Cape: Mtentu South, Bridge Site, Relevé 5#19a, steep slope, grassland above gorge, (QDS: 3128CD? Umtata), 10 September 2003, Lubke 4807 ( PRE). Msikaba River mouth, short grassland, black peaty sandy soil, (QDS: 3129BD Port St Johns), 28 August 1976, Venter & Vorster 188 ( PRE). Mkambati Nature Reserve, S of Horseshoe Falls, grassland, recently burned, sandy soil, most plants past flowering, 55 m, (QDS: 3130AA Port Edward), 29 January 2020, Koekemoer 5495 ( PRE). Bizana District, Umtentu mouth, SE of Bizana, 100 ft [30 m], (QDS: 3130AA Port Edward), 17 August 1953, Story 4169 ( PRE). NE Pondoland, Mkambati River hills, 1.61 km from coast, Table Mountain Sandstone formation, grassland, 60 m, (QDS: 3130AC Port Edward), 23 January 1937, Mogg 13549 ( PRE).