Rubus revealii Beek & Widrlechner (2021: 79)

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 : 50

23. Rubus revealii Beek & Widrlechner (2021: 79) .

Type:—CM, Flora of Pennsylvania, Lycoming Co.: North of Salladasburg by Pa. 84, 24.8.1956, H.A. Davis, T. Davis & W. Davis 11574 (holotype CM [ CM129946 , CM129947 ])

Synonym:— Rubus pensilvanicus auct., non Poiret (1804: 246).

Primocane ( Figs 20A–B ) erect or high arching, diam. 5–8 mm, furrowed, (almost) glabrous; prickles with 2–5 mm broad base, almost straight, up to 4–8 mm long; stipules 13–18 mm, linear to lanceolate, brown, thinly hairy. Leaves palmate 5-foliolate, adaxially ( Fig. 20C ) only along veins with some hairs, abaxially ( Fig. 20D ) densely, sometimes slightly greyish pilose; serrature sharp, moderate, with straight teeth; petiole 5–14 cm, appressed pilose, with 5–10 curved or hooked prickles; central leaflet with subcordate, emarginate or rounded base, elliptical, rather abruptly attenuate into moderate tip, 70–105 mm long, width–length index 0.53–0.81, length of petiolule 26–45% of length of leaflet; petiolule of basal leaflets 0–3 mm. Flowering branch hairy. Inflorescence ( Figs 20E–F ) small, ascendateracemose; pedicels 10–40 mm, densely hairy, with 2–8 pricklets. Flowers: sepals 6–8 × 2–3 mm, patent, hairy, (greyish) green with white margin, unarmed; petals large, elliptical; stamens patent, as long as green styles; anthers, ovaries and receptacle glabrous. Fruits shiny red, becoming black ( Fig. 20G ).

Ecology: — Rubus revealii makes often large populations in open fields and along roadsides.

Distribution in South Africa: —Common in the eastern Free State (Clarens) and northern KwaZulu-Natal; scattered in Limpopo, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga; also in Swaziland.

Specimens:— SOUTH AFRICA. Limpopo: 3 km van Haenertsburg na Boyle , 1984, Stirton 8013 & 8033 ( PRE) ; Naudé Dam , 2 December 1975, Stirton 5747 ( PRE) . Gauteng: Moreleta Nature Reserve , 10 November 2016, Jaca & Mkhize 858 ( PRE) ; Suikerbosrand, Heidelbergkloof , 16 October 1971, Bredenkamp 123 ( PRE) . Mpumalanga: 4 km out of Sabie on road to Graskop , 19 December 1979, Henderson & Gaum 18 ( PRE) ; 1 km van Graskop na Sabie , 28 October 1981, Stirton 9797 ( PRE) ; 1 km van Graskop na Sabie , 29 October 1981, Stirton 9800, 9859, 9861, 9863 & 9866 ( PRE) ; Sabie to Bridal Veil Falls , 6 November 1996, Henderson 1191 ( PRE) ; Long Tom Pas, near Mabulwa Estate , 30 October 2000, Burrows & Burrows 7067 ( PRE) ; Lydenburg, Dullstroom , 20 November 1977, Stirton 7255 ( PRE) ; Duiwelskloof, Weltevreden , 30 October 1959, Scheepers 750 ( PRE) ; Wonderkloof, Sudwala, Rosehaugh Road , 4 November 1996, Henderson 1183 ( PRE) . Free State: R 711 from Clarens to Fouriesburg , 21 November 2012, Jaca 484 & Netshianane AN 22 ( PRE) ; Clarens , along the R 711 , 2 February 2018, Beek 2018.01 ( L) . KwaZulu-Natal: Road from Vryheid to Louwsburg , 3.2 km before the exit to Louwsburg , south side of the road, 14 February 2018, Beek 2018.08 ( L) ; Pietermaritzburg , November1945, Smith s.n. ( PRE) ; Allerton Laboratory, Chase Valley , 26 October 1938, Connell 21 ( PRE) ; Himeville , 20 November 1961, Marr 26 ( PRE) .

— SWAZILAND. Mololotja Nature Reserve Swaziland , 14 November 1988, Braun 473 ( PRE); Along the MR1 south of Piggs Peak, just south of Hawane Christian Life Community Church, 12 February 2018, Beek 2018.06 ( L) .

Figures

FIGURE 20. Rubus revealii. A. Primocanewithleaves.B. Primocane.C.Leaf adaxially.D.Leaf abaxially.E.Floricane withinflorescences. F. Inflorescence. G. Fruits. Photographs: A. van de Beek.