Pauridia flaccida (Nel) Snijman & Kocyan (2013: 27)

Snijman, Deirdre A., 2014, A taxonomic revision of the genus Pauridia (Hypoxidaceae) in southern Africa, Phytotaxa 182 (1), pp. 1-114 : 26-28

3. Pauridia flaccida (Nel) Snijman & Kocyan (2013: 27) . Fig. 9

Bas.:— Ianthe flaccida Nel (1914b: 298) ≡ Spiloxene flaccida (Nel) Garside (1936: 74) . Type (lectotype designated by Snijman & Kocyan 2013: 27):— SOUTH AFRICA. [Western Cape], Sir Lowry’s Pass [QDS: 3418BB], 400 ft [122 m], 16 July 1892, R. Schlechter 1141 (B! No. 100088697 [image], isolectotype ZT!)

Plants 5–26(–36) cm tall. Corm ovoid, often depressed basally, 7–20 mm diam., entirely covered with brown, often thickly layered, reticulate, fibrous tunics; fibres hard, firmly attached to basal disc, usually extended into a short, spreading, bristly neck distally up to 30 mm long, tips often pungent; roots dimorphic, mostly slender, some contractile, mostly straight, arising from proximal half of corm. Cataphylls up to 10 mm long. Leaves (2)3–8(–10), shortly sheathing at base up to 10(–25) mm, spreading to recurved, narrowly lorate, tapering gradually distally, often flexuose, especially on drying, 50–270 × 2–4(–6) mm, shallowly carinate, somewhat glistening green in sunlight, often black-veined proximally when old, epidermis large-celled. Inflorescences 2 or more in flower at a time, (1)2-flowered, most often exceeding leaves, occasionally slightly shorter; scape 15–65 × 1 mm, terete to slightly compressed, green to pinkish; bracts (1)2, clasping pedicels at base, lanceolate, 30–35 × (1.0–)2.5–4.0 mm, thin-textured, pale green proximally, translucent with pale green veins distally. Flowers pedicellate, stellate, yellow, backed with pale green, with a few red stripes on outer whorl, unscented; pedicels more or less spreading, terete, 30–150 × 1 mm, almost horizontal when fruiting, pale reddish green; tepals 6, lanceolate to narrowly elliptical, 9–12 mm long, outer 2.5–4.5 mm wide, mucronate, inner 1.5–3.0 mm wide. Stamens 6, subequal or outer slightly shorter than inner, suberect to slightly spreading, yellow; filaments inserted on ovary rim, outer 1.0– 2.5 mm long, inner 1.0–2.5(–3.5) mm long, both whorls shorter than anthers; anthers oblong, latrorse, 3.0– 6.5 mm long, basal lobes ca. 1.5 mm long, slightly diverging, apex notched up to 0.5 mm; pollen yellow. Ovary obconical, 4–5 × 2.5–3.0 mm, 3-locular; style stout, 1–2 mm long; stigma branches suberect, sagittate, often unequal, (2.5–)4.0–5.5(–6.5) × 1.5–2.5 mm broad at base, slightly shorter than to almost equalling stamens, yellow, densely papillose, basal lobes convolute and spreading. Capsules obconical, 4–10 × 3–4 mm, dehiscence circumscissile. Seeds ovoid, ca. 0.5 × 0.4 mm, dark brown to matt black, densely colliculate, epidermal cells arranged in ca. 30–35 longitudinal rows, anticlinal walls isodiametric to laterally widened, outer periclinal walls almost entirely convex and finely pitted. Flowering period: (June–)August–September(–October).

Distribution and habitat:— Pauridia flaccida is spread across Western Cape from the Piketberg in the northwest to Still Bay and Albertinia in the southeast ( Fig. 10A ). Most often plants are found in clay-rich soils on gentle slopes in renosterveld. In the east, however, populations also occur on silcrete outcrops and in loam overlying coastal limestone. Usually the plants grow in full sun, although occasionally on partially shaded ledges. Flowering is especially abundant in the first season after fire.

Diagnostic features:— Pauridia flaccida can be recognized by a combination of characters. The often manylayered corm tunics have somewhat hard fibres, mostly with outspread, pointed tips. The two bracts, each clasping the base of a pedicel, are characteristically broad and thin-textured, displaying a prominent midrib and a few, lateral veins. The style is short (1–2 mm long) and supports large, often convoluted stigma branches, (2.5–)4.0–5.5(–6.5) mm long, which are characteristically broad-based (1.5–2.5 mm wide) with outspread basal lobes protruding between the filaments.

In several regional Floras the circumscription of P. flaccida included collections from as far east as Humansdorp, Eastern Cape ( Goldblatt & Manning 2000, Manning etal. 2002, Manning & Goldblatt 2012). After careful study, plants from the Langeberg, east of Swellendam, through the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains to the Humansdorp area are now placed in P. maryae , which is distinguished from P. flaccida sensu stricto by the outer sheathing leaf bases forming a smooth, brown and papery to leathery neck and the narrowly oblong (2.0– 3.5 mm) stigma branches lacking spreading basal lobes.

Discussion:—Unlike most populations of Pauridia flaccida , plants in the Bredasdorp and Swellendam areas occasionally have a neck of longer, somewhat finer fibres than from elsewhere, especially in populations from near Botrivier, Caledon, the Babilonstoring Mountains and Hawston, and the leaves are sometimes sinuate as seen in Purcell s.n. (SAM 46265!), Purcell 160 (SAM!), Purcell 161 (SAM!), Marloth 9192 (NBG!). These forms also have inflorescences that occasionally bear just one flower. Plants from the Breede River Valley near Worcester are also unusual in having somewhat longer filaments, a maximum length of 3.5 mm in the inner whorl. As yet these differing forms are not considered sufficiently discrete to warrant formal recognition.

Additional specimens examined: — SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Piketberg, Wagenpad , slope above vineyards, overlooking guest house (QDS: 3218 DB) , 22 August 2009, Koopman sub CR3895 ( NBG!) ; Farm Klipheuwel , Nof Durbanville (QDS: 3318 DA) , 15 September 1982, Van Zyl 3161 ( NBG!) ; Lynedoch (QDS: 3318 DC) , 13 September 1942, Barker 1782 ( NBG!) ; Sewefontein above Kuils River (QDS: 3318 DC) , 2 October 1073, Oliver 4743 ( NBG!) ; Lemoenkloof Farm , NE of Stellenbosch (QDS: 3318 DD) , 25 August 1989, Buys 25 ( NBG!) ; Hercules Pillar, Paarl (QDS: 3318 DD) , 16 September 1942, Compton 13671 ( NBG!) ; Stellenbosch (QDS: 3318 DD) , August 1917, Duthie 584 ( BOL!) ; Jonkershoek (QDS: 3318 DD) , August 1965, Kerfoot 5377 ( NBG!) , October 1967, Kerfoot 5944 ( NBG!) ; Idas Valley, Stellenbosch (QDS: 3318 DD) , 4 September 1925, Levyns 1416 ( BOL!) ; Stellenbosch, Farm Protea Heights (QDS: 3318 DD) , 13 July 1978, Matthews 151 ( PRE!) ; Jonkershoek, roadside near Manor House (QDS: 3318 DD) , 24 August 1945, Rycroft 899 ( NBG!) ; Sfoot of Hercules Pillar (QDS: 3318 DD) , 28 August 1941, Salter 8675 ( BOL!) ; Stellenboschberg (QDS: 3318 DD) , 30 June 1946, Strey 501 ( PRE!) ; Stellenbosch District, Voeltjieskop (QDS: 3318 DD) , 19 September 1966, Taylor 6890 ( PRE!) ; Stellenbosch District, Onderpapegaaisberg (QDS: 3318 DD) , 27 August 1963, Taylor 5035 ( NBG!, PRE!), 19 September 1966, Taylor 6890 ( NBG!) ; Marais Park, Stellenbosch (QDS: 3318 DD) , 23 July 1969, Thompson 734 ( PRE!) ; Brandvlei, Worcester (QDS: 3319 AB) , 8 July 1970, Barker 10700 ( NBG!) ; Wellington, Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve (QDS: 3319 AC) , 20 August 2000, Parker 471 ( NBG!) ; near Tulbagh (QDS: 3319 AC) , 1 August 1932, Salter 2650 ( BOL!) ; Wellington, Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve (QDS: 3319 AC) , 3 July 1999, Snijman 1709 ( NBG!) ; Farm Romans River, near Wolseley (QDS: 3319 AC) , 31 August 2006, Snijman 2053 ( NBG!) ; ibidem, 18 September 2006, Snijman 2100 ( NBG!) ; ibidem, 20 August 2007, Snijman 2115 ( NBG!) ; Tulbagh Valley , between Waterval and Sewefontein (QDS: 3319 AC) , 5 September 2007, Snijman 2120 ( NBG!, PRE!); Worcester Division, Orchard (QDS: 3319 BC) , July 1944, Esterhuysen 10282 ( BOL!) ; Karoo Gardens, Worcester (QDS: 3319 CB) , 3 September 1947, Barker 4659 ( NBG!) ; Worcester Division, Wabooms River (QDS: 3319 CB) , 20 September 1943, Esterhuysen 9003 ( BOL!) ; Breede River flood plain near Worcester, Sof main highway at Hartebees River (QDS: 3319 CB) , 18 August 1993, Goldblatt & Manning 9585 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Worcester Veld Reserve (QDS: 3319 CB) , July 1961, Olivier 15 ( NBG!) ; Karoo Gardens, Worcester (QDS: 3319 CB) , 5 July 1977, Perry 256 ( NBG!) ; Langerug koppie, Worcester (QDS: 3319 CB) , 10 August 1976, Walters 1457 ( NBG!) ; 1.5 km from Worcester-Ceres turnoff (QDS: 3319 CB) , 5 August 1977, Walters 1845 ( NBG!) ; Worcester, 1 km beyond Hartebeesrivier bridge (QDS: 3319 CB) , 25 July 19982, Walters 2566 ( NBG!) ; Paarl, Donkerkloof (QDS: 3319 CC) , 26 September 1946, Compton 18483 ( NBG!) ; Stettyns area, south east of farm Kleindoorn (QDS: 3319 CD) , 3 September 1970, Oliver 3275 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Farm Alfalfa, Breede River Valley, south east of Worcester (QDS: 3319 DA) , 30 September 1983, Snijman 735 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; near Robertson (QDS: 3319 DD) , 4 August 1949, Steyn 218 ( NBG!) ; Robertson , along hill slope (QDS: 3319 DD) , 22 July 1964, van Breda 1698 ( PRE!) ; Montagu, on NE side of bridge in Kogmansloof (QDS: 3320 CC) , 10 August 2002, Gwynne-Evans 323 ( NBG!) ; Montagu Baths (QDS: 3320 CC) , August 1932, Levyns 3903 ( BOL!) ; Cogmans Kloof (QDS: 3320 CC) , 3 July 1938, Levyns 6448 ( BOL!) ; Montagu Baths (QDS: 3320 CC) , August 1918, Page s.n. ( BOL 15616!) , October 1921, Page s.n. ( PRE 38226!) ; Cogmans Kloof (QDS: 3320 CC) , 10 July 1933, Salter 1115 ( BOL!) ; Constantiaberg , base of cliffs, upper SW slopes (QDS: 3418 AB) , 25 November 1940, Pillans s.n. ( BOL 62804!) ; Cape Peninsula, near sea-shore, west of Vasco da Gama (QDS: 3418 AD) , 17 July 1940, Salter 8449 ( BOL!) ; prope Gordons Bay, False Bay (QDS: 3418 BB) , September 1902, H. Bolus 9940 ( BOL!, PRE!) ; Sir Lowry's Pass, near turnoff to Sir Lowry's Pass Village (QDS: 3418 BB) , 25 August 1995, Goldblatt s.n. ( NBG!) ; Sir Lowry's Pass (QDS: 3418 BB) , July 1920, Page & Guthrie s.n. ( PRE 38225!) ; Somerset West, Helderberg Nature Reserve (QDS: 3418 BB) , 5 July 1993, Runnalls 509 ( NBG!) ; in clivis prope Sir Lowrys Pass (QDS: 3418 BB) , 16 July 1892, Schlechter 1142 ( GRA!) ; Sir Lowry's Pass (QDS: 3418 BB) , August 1946, Stokoe s.n. ( SAM 60621!) ; Kogelbaai (QDS: 3418 BD) , 8 September 1969, Boucher 477 ( NBG!) ; Houwhoek, prope Caledon (QDS: 3419 AA) , 1897, H. Bolus s.n. ( BOL 62802!, PRE 38235!, ZT!) ; near Bot River, Caledon District (QDS: 3419 AA) , 1885, H. Bolus 7478 ( BOL!) ; Houwhoek (QDS: 3419 AA) , 17 July 1897, Guthrie 4693 ( NBG!) ; Caledon, Diepklowe , ca. 14 km Nof Botrivier (QDS: 3419 AA) , 4 September 2001, Helme 2153 ( NBG!) ; Caledon District, 18.4 km west by south of Greyton , on hills (QDS: 3419 AB) , 28 August 1970, Acocks 24342 ( PRE!) ; Caledon Division (QDS: 3419 AB) , August, H. Bolus 9328 ( BOL!, PRE!) ; Zwartberg, near Caledon Baths (QDS: 3419 AB) , July 1930, L. Bolus s.n. ( BOL 31839!) ; Caledon division (QDS: 3419 AB) , July 1892, Guthrie 2525 ( NBG!) ; Caledon, near Baths (QDS: 3419 AB) , July 1930, Levyns 4405 ( BOL!) ; Caledon , Wof Baths (QDS: 3419 AB) , 29 June 1917, Purcell s.n. ( SAM 46265!) ; ibidem, 30 June 1918, Purcell 160 ( SAM!) ; ibidem, 7 July 1917, Purcell 161 ( SAM!) ; Hawston (QDS: 3419 AC) , September 1919, Marloth 9192 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Caledon, Bot River Lagoon, Rooisand (QDS: 3419 AC) , 12 September 1996, Palmer 101 ( NBG!) ; Farm Roodeheuwel , Nof Babilonstoringberge (QDS: 3419 AC) , 4 September 2001, Snijman 1835 ( NBG!) ; Farm Perdekloof, Nslopes of Babilonstoringberge (QDS: 3419 AC) , 25 August 2006, Snijman 2049 ( NBG!) ; Shaw's Pass (QDS: 3419 AD) , 4 September 1970, Thompson 988 ( NBG!) ; Nurdlichen abhang des Klein Rivierberge, Caledon (QDS: 3419 AD / BC) , August, Zeyher 4131 ( BOL!) ; Farm Springerskuil , between Caledon and Napier (QDS: 3419 BC) , 21 August 1984, Snijman 821 ( NBG!) ; Fairfield Farm , 15 km NW of Napier (QDS: 3419 BD) , 14 September 1994, Kemper IPC571 ( NBG!) ; Elim (QDS: 3419 DB) , October 1916, Frowein 1082 ( PRE!) ; SW of Bredasdorp, Farm Brandfontein (QDS: 3419 DD) , 29 August 1995, Snijman 1518 ( NBG!) ; Swellendam Division, Bontebok National Park (QDS: 3420 AB) , 20 June 1962, Acocks 22237 ( PRE!) , 19 July 1962, Acocks 22374 ( PRE!) ; Bontebok National Park (QDS: 3420 AB) , 23 August 1965, Grobler 424 ( NBG!) ; ca. 15 km SW of Swellendam on Kluitjieskraal 256 (QDS: 3420 AB) , 5 August 2002, Helme 2509 ( NBG!) ; Swellendam between aerodrome and Bandietskop (QDS: 3420 AB) , 21 July 1963, Oliver 4303 ( NBG!) ; hill at base of Langeberg Range, Swellendam area (QDS: 3420 AB) , 17 July 1952, Wurts 231 ( NBG!) ; De Hoop – Potberg Nature Reserve , De Hoop flats near labourers’ cottages (QDS: 3420 AD) , 20 August 1984, Scott 432 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Farm Sandkraal , 23 km Sof Swellendam (QDS: 3420 BA) , 6 August 2003, Manning 2858 ( NBG!) , 6 August 2003, Manning 2871 ( NBG!) ; De Hoop – Potberg Nature Reserve, Potberg mountain (QDS: 3420 BC) , 19 June 1979, Burgers 1958 ( NBG!) ; Potberg, lower N side above Diepkloof (QDS: 3420 BC) , 16 September 1980, Burgers 2538 ( NBG!) ; Potteberg , ledges on Sslopes (QDS: 3420 BC) , 18 September 1954, Esterhuysen 23209 ( BOL!) ; airstrip at Elandspad at eastern entrance to Potberg (QDS: 3420 BC) , 1 September 1995, Paterson-Jones 581 ( NBG!) ; Potberg , near farmstead (QDS: 3420 BC) , 27 August 1979, Thompson 4014 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Bredasdorp District, between St Sebastian's Point and Cape Infanta (QDS: 3420 BD) , 10 October 1967, Taylor 7173 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Port Beaufort, undisturbed valley behind Oysterbeds Hotel (QDS: 3420 BD) , 19 September 1968, Marsh 823 ( NBG!, PRE!) ; Kathoek, Potteberg's River (QDS: 3420 CA), 23 August 1962, Acocks 22600 ( PRE!) ; in swamp on flats, Bredasdorp (QDS: 3420 CA) , 4 August 1940, Compton 9060 ( NBG!) ; flats 12 miles Sof Bredasdorp (QDS: 3420 CA) , 16 September 1934, Garside 4678 ( BOL!) ; The Poort , Bredasdorp (QDS: 3420 CA) , 2 September 1943, Barker 2526 ( NBG!) ; The Poort , Bredasdorp (QDS: 3420 CA) , September 1933, Levyns 4512 ( BOL!) ; Farm Kleiheuwel , Sof Bredasdorp (QDS: 3420 CA) , 21 August 1984, Snijman 825 ( NBG!) ; Soutbos Farm near Soetendalsvlei (QDS: 3420 CC) , 4 September 1971, Thompson 1210 ( NBG!, PRE!); Riversdale Division, Zandhoogde (QDS: 3421 AB) , 29 May 1909, Muir 300 ( PRE!) ; ibidem, August 1909, Muir 5372 ( PRE!) ; Farm Dassieklip , Heidelberg (QDS: 3421 AC) , 11 July 1980, Bohnen 7577 ( NBG!) ; Farm Olive Grove , Still Bay (QDS: 3421 AD) , 10 September 1979, Bohnen 645.2 ( NBG!, PRE!); Farm Botterkloof, Still Bay (QDS: 3421 AD) , 29 August 1982, Bohnen 8106 ( NBG!) ; Albertinia Commonage (QDS: 3421 BA) , August 1914, Muir 1575 ( BOL!, PRE!); hills Sof Albertinia (QDS: 3421 BA) , October 1912, Muir 2447 ( PRE!) .

Figures

FIGURE 9. Pauridia flaccida. A, whole plant; B, leaf in transverse section; C, stamen in dorsal view; D, style and stigma branches; E, ovary in transverse section; F, capsule with seeds; G, seed. Scale bar A = 10 mm; B, E = 1.3 mm; C, D = 2.5 mm; F = 6 mm. Scale bar G = 0.5 mm. Drawn by Tracey Nowell from Snijman 2372 (NBG!).

FIGURE 10. Distribution maps for A, Pauridia flaccida from Western Cape; B, P. maryae from Western and Eastern Cape, South Africa.