Rubus ×fultiformis A.Beek, 2021

Beek, Abraham Van De, 2021, Rubi Capenses: a further contribution to the knowledge of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae) in South Africa, Phytotaxa 515 (1), pp. 1-71 : 60-62

34. Rubus ×fultiformis A.Beek nothosp. nov.

( R. affinis × rigidus ?)

Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Along the N2 west of Botrivier at the corner of the turn-off to High Risings , east side, 9 January 2020, Beek 2020.01 (holotype L; isotype NBG). ( Figs 26A–B )

Diagnosis: —Primocane purple red; from 5–9 mm wide base, compressed, declining to strongly curved, sometimes with geniculate tip, up to 8–10 mm long; leaves palmate 3- to 5-foliolate, abaxially short white tomentose; inflorescence pyramidal with rounded apex, with basal peduncles ascendant axillary, and rather numerous strong declining to geniculate prickles, short, rather thin tomentose. Sterile.

Primocane ( Fig. 26C ) arching, diam. 6–8 mm, sharp or obtuse angular, purple red, with some irregularly distributed stellate and simple hairs, eglandular; prickles 3–8 per 5 cm, from 5–9 mm wide base, compressed, declining to strongly curved, sometimes with geniculate tip, up to 8–10 mm long; stipules 12–15 mm, linear(-lanceolate), with some hairs and sometimes with few subsessile glands. Leaves palmate 3- to 5-foliolate, adaxially glabrous or hairy, abaxially ( Fig. 26D ) short white tomentose; serrature irregular, sharp, with long mucros, hardly to somewhat periodical; petiole 4–6 cm long, with long hairs, sometimes with scattered subsessile gland and 7–15 curved or hooked prickles; central leaflet from (narrow) rounded base 47–76 mm long, obovate, abruptly ( Fig. 26E ) or gradually attenuate into short or moderate tip, width–length index 0.7–1.00, length of petiolule 26–47% of length of leaflet; petiolule of basal leaflets 2–3 mm. Flowering branch ( Fig. 26F ) (obtuse-)angular, purple red, with some short stellate hairs, eglandular or with few subsessile glands; prickles ± 6 per 5 cm, from 3–8 mm broad base declining to hooked, sometimes geniculate, up to 8 mm long. Leaves palmate 3-foliolate, adaxially glabrous or hairy, abaxially short white tomentose; serrature rather fine to irregular, very sharp, hardly to clearly periodical; basal leaflets 1–3 mm stalked; central leaflet from narrow rounded to cordate base, broad ovate or obovate to roundish, abruptly attenuate into short tip. Inflorescence pyramidal with rounded apex, with basal peduncles ascendant axillary, and rather numerous strong declining to geniculate prickles, short, rather thin tomentose; pedicels up to 10 mm, tomentose and with long hairs, with 3–6 pricklets and some (sub-) sessile or short stipitate glands. Flowers: sepals patent, 3–4 × 6–8 mm, gradually attenuate into moderate tip, short grey tomentose and hairy, with some (sub-)sessile glands; petals pink, small, ovate to roundish (4–5 × 5–7 mm); stamens shorter to somewhat longer than styles; anthers glabrous; styles red; ovaries and receptacle glabrous. Sterile.

Ecology: —Roadsides

Distribution: —On scattered localities in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Specimens:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Along the N2 between Somerset-West and Botrivier, just before turn off to High Risings on left side, 21 January 2019, Beek 2019.03 ( L); Swellendam , Tradouwpas , 16 October 2018, Beek 2018.95 ( L); Along the road from Swellendam to Suurbraak , 13 January 2020, Beek 2020.03 ( L); Along the R 102 between Groot Brakrivier and George, 13 January 2020, Beek 2020.06 ( L) .

Note: — Rubus ×fultiformis is in habit very similar to R. ×fultus . It differs especially by the abaxially tomentose leaves. It is smaller, and has more slender curved or hooked prickles than R. ×bergianus ; primocanes are denser but shorter pilose, leaves are very sharp serrate with long mucros, at least some of the prickles on the flowering branch are hooked or geniculate, flowers are smaller and anthers are shorter. Because of the slender habit and some subsessile or short stipitate glands combined with discolorous leaves it might be a hybrid of R. affinis with R. rigidus .

Figures

FIGURE 26. Rubus ×fultiformis. A. Holotype, primocane. B. Holotype, inflorescence. C. Primocane. D. Leaf abaxially. E. Narrow leaf. F. Flowering branch. Photographs: A. van de Beek.