Achyranthemum striatum (Thunb.) N.G.Bergh, 2019

Bergh, N. G. & Manning, J. C., 2019, Achyranthemum N. G. Bergh, a new genus segregated from Syncarpha DC. (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae) *, South African Journal of Botany 125, pp. 434-456 : 453-454

4.7. Achyranthemum striatum (Thunb.) N.G.Bergh , comb. nov.

Xeranthemum striatum Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap. 2: 152 (1800). Helichrysum (as ‘Elichrysum’) striatum (Thunb.) Willd., Sp. Pl. , ed. 4, (3)3: 1910 (1803). Syncarpha striata (Thunb.) B.Nord. in Comp.Newsl.17:6. 1989.

Type: South Africa, Western Cape, ‘e. Cap. b. Spei’, Thunberg s.n. (UPS-THUNB 19330, lectotype –micro fi che!, designated by Hilliard and Burtt, 1981a)

Helichrysum striatum var. villosum DC., Prodr. 6: 179 (1838); Harv. in Fl.Cap. 6: 225 (1894). Type: South Africa, Eastern Cape, ‘ Zwartkoprivier’, 1835, Drége 2171 (G-DC G00470338 –digital image!, lecto., designated here).

Helichrysum striatum var. sub fl avescens DC., Prodr. 6: 179 (1838). Type: South Africa, Eastern Cape, ‘ Uitenhague’, 1835, Ecklon 943 (G-DC G00470327 –digital image!, lecto., designated here).

Xeranthemum rigidum Andrews, Bot. repos. 6: t. 387 (1804). Helichrysum rigidum (Andrews) W.T.Aiton, Hort. Kew. , ed.2: 24 (1813). Type: illustration in Andrews, Bot. repos. 6: t. 387 (1804).

Low, sparsely branched subshrub, usually 0.2–0.7 m high but up to 1.2 m, woody below, stems erect, wiry, sparsely branched above, branches reddish-brown, densely clothed with long, pale, russet-tinged hyaline hairs, stems below synflorescences densely leafy. Leaves generally densely imbricate at ends of branches, becoming larger towards synflorescences, sessile with truncate point of attachment, base somewhat clasping stem, basal portion with narrow white membraneous margins, linear to linear-subulate, erect and straight or gradually slightly recurving apically; strongly rolled around concave adaxial surface, 8–30 mm × 1.4–3.0(–6.0) mm, with 3–5 parallel veins, margins narrowly involute, apically tapering to a dark, elongate, bluntly acute mucro, leaf rigid, bright green when fresh, darkening on drying, smooth to striate, striations apparent on drying, both surfaces villous, leaf surface visible beneath a sparse to dense covering of long antrorse, free, more-or-less straight, not tangled or cohering brittle hyaline russet-tinged acute hairs, hairs denser on abaxial surface, margins, apical portion and on younger leaves. Capitula (1–)3–10(–16) in a compact pseudo-corymb, onion-shaped, 6–12 mm long × 6–12 mm wide, individual peduncles slender, dark reddish-brown, 5–18 mm long, densely covered with long, spreading, brittle, hyaline, pale acute hairs, subtended by very short pseudo-petiolate leaflike bracteoles; involucral bracts ±40–70, in ±4–6 series, outer and middle squarrose on maturity, inner erect, stereome brown and delineated apically with a dark purple margin, abaxially with a patch of stout long white straight antrorse hairs; lamina white, sometimes tinged pale pink, becoming narrower inwards; outermost involucral bracts 3–5 × 1.2–2.0 mm; most bracts in middle series, lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, longer than florets and strongly squarrose, 6–7 × 2.0– 2.5 mm, stereome 0.8–1.2 mm long; few bracts in innermost series, erect, equalling florets, 5.0–5.5 × 0.4–1.0 mm, stereome linear, glabrous, 4.0– 4.5 mm long, lamina short with obtuse to truncate apex. Receptacle 3.5–4.5 mm in diameter. Florets ±30–50, yellow, 6.0–7.0 × 0.3–0.5 mm including lobes; anther apical appendage strongly caudiculate. Cypselae cylindrical, 1.2 × 0.4 mm, dark reddish-brown when ripe. Pappus bristles united at the base into a smooth ring, shaft nude or scabrid, apical cells large and elongate, pressed tightly together, acute. Flowering time: November is the peak flowering month with most specimens in full flower having been collected between October and December, but flowering specimens have been collected during all months except June ( Fig. 9 ).

Distribution and ecology: Apart from a collection at Garcia’ s Pass in the Langeberg (Leipoldt 16,051 [BOL]) and one near Knysna (Marloth 11,350 [PRE]), this species occurs in grassy fynbos from Jeffrey’ s Bay eastwards to Gonubie near East London. It is most abundant in the Humansdorp–Port Elizabeth region, and may be associated with seasonally moist habitats.

Diagnosis: Achyranthemum striatum is recognised by its erect, bright green, rigid leaves and small capitula with bright white, squarrose involucral bracts that spread to reveal the darker stereomes of the inner bracts. On dried specimens, the leaves are darker and brownish but the parallel leaf veins are visible as longitudinal striations. The indumentum on the leaves and peduncles is unique, comprising long, wiry, hyaline hairs oriented at 90 o to the surface, but a hand-lens is required to see these clearly. Achyranthemum striatum could be confused with both A. paniculatum and A. argenteum , but a close examination of the leaf tomentum will serve to distinguish them, since in none of the latter species can the glabrous leaf surface be seen through the indumentum. Achryanthemum striatum also has smaller capitula with fewer bracts than the other two species, and its outer and middle involucral bracts are strongly squarrose, revealing the darker stereomes between the laminas.

Conservation status: The taxonomic concept of this species has not altered in the current study, and so its current listed status of Least Concern still holds. However, the last assessment was done in 2005, and should be repeated given high levels of coastal development in the Port Elizabeth area.

History: Xeranthemum striatum was first described by Thunberg in 1800 from a specimen he collected during his travels at the Cape. A few years later, Andrews (1804) unknowingly described the same species as Xeranthemum rigidum from a specimen cultivated at Kew Gardens by G. Hibbert from seeds received from the Cape. In the same year, Willdenow (1803) transferred the species to Helichrsyum, which was followed by Candolle (1838). Although Candolle (1838) recognised var. villosum and var. sub fl avescens, this species is always distinguishable by its glabrous leaf surfaces with sparse, long, wiry, hyaline hairs A. striatum oriented at 90 o to the surface, and the variation does not warrant infraspecific taxa.

Additional specimens seen: South Africa. Eastern Cape. –3227 (East London): East London District, 1.5 miles from sea betw. Gonubie & Qinera rivers (–DD), 2 Oct 1910, Dodd [Galpin Herb. No. 7937] (PRE). –3228 (East London): Gonubie Springs, (–CC), 23 Dec 1944, Acocks 10,984 (PRE); Gonubie Springs (–CC), 11 May 1945, Compton 17,037 (NBG). –3324 (Humansdorp): Uitenhage, summit of Witte Klip (–CC), Jan 1899, Bolus s.n. (NBG 25708); Suuranys Mountains; Vryheid Farm (–CC), Oct 1984, Stirton 10,898 (PRE); Humansdorp Division, Karreedouw (–CD), 21 Dec 1933, Compton 4534 (BOL, NBG); Humansdorp Division, Hills, Essenbosch (–CD), Sep 1909, Fourcade 415 (BOL); ‘In subulosis summi montis Wittklip’ (–CD), MacOwan 1065 (BOL, SAM); Wittklip (–CD), unknown (BOL 46833); between Kareedouw and Humansdorp (–DC), 12 Nov 1928, Hutchinson 1439 (PRE); 5.6 miles along Grootfontein turnoff from AndrieskhraalHumansdorp rd (–DC), 26 Sep 1969, Thompson 946 (PRE); St. Francis, road to Hankey, 3 km N of N2 (–DD), 15 May 2005, C.R.E.W. CR542 (NBG); Kouga region, Eastern Cape, Kabeljous Reserve (–DD), 29 Sep 2004, C.R.E.W. CR573 (NBG); Humansdorp District, Hankey Hills (–DD), 12 Apr 1952, Compton 23,417 (NBG); Humansdorp, hill slopes (–DD), 9 Sep 1887, Galpin 4137 (PRE); Humansdorp; road to Hankey from Humansdorp, about 2 km N of N2 highway, in field, farm side of fence (–DD), 13 Mar 2011, Haiden 7 (NBG); road to Hankey from Humansdorp, about 2 km N of N2 highway, in field, farm side of fence (–DD), 13 Mar 2011, Haiden 8 (NBG); Humansdorp Div., Hankey, 5 miles from Hankey on Loerie rd. (–DD), 30 Apr 1947, Story 2484 (PRE); Humansdorp, E of mountain (–DD), Dec 1932, Wagner s.n. (NBG 237999). –3325 (Port Elizabeth): Port Elizabeth, Vaal Vlei Estate (–BC), 31 May 1919, Mogg 4732 (PRE); Van Staden's River Mountains (–CC), Jan 1867, Bolus s.n. (BOL 46825); ‘Zwischen Van Staadesberg und Bethelsdorp’ (–CC), Dec, Drège 2854 (SAM); Uitenhage District, Thornhill (–CC), 12 Apr 1952, Compton 23,400 (NBG); lower slopes of Van Staaden's Mountains (–CC), 13 Nov 1928, Hutchinson 1507 (BOL); Humansdorp Div., top of hill bet. Thornhill and Hankey (–5CC), 12 Oct 1952, Lewis (PRE 235652); Port Elizabeth, 20 miles on Cape rd. (–5CC), 31 May 1932, Long 608 (PRE, 2 sheets); 30 km. from Port Elizabeth on Humansdorp side (–CC), 9 Jan 1977, Scholtz 83 (PRE); Longmore State Forests, next to track on top of peak on Van Stadens Mountains (–CC), 27 Jan 1986, Vlok 1387 (PRE); Uitenhage District, between Port Elizabeth and Van Staadens Pass (–CD), 31 Dec 1939, Barker 602 (NBG); Uitenhage (–CD), Ecklon s.n. (PRE 204143); Uitenhage (–CD), Ecklon s.n. (PRE 619933); Uitenhage District, Uitenhage (–CD), 1961, Batten s.n. (NBG 59733); Port Elizabeth District: sandy flats between Port Elizabeth and Greenbushes (–CD), 2 Nov 1987, Goldblatt & Manning 8553 (PRE); Surrey Hills W of Port Elizabeth (–CD), 28 Sep 1978, Hugo 1387 (NBG, PRE); Uitenhage, Van Stadens Mts., nr. town (–CD), MacOwan s.n. (PRE 204135); west of Port Elizabeth towards Witteklip, open bush country (–CD), 26 Aug 1947, Rodin 1010 (BOL, PRE); Uitenhage District, in the stony channel of the Zwartkop River, in the first altitude (–5CD), Zeyher 158 (BOL, NBG); Zwartkopsrivier, (–CD), Dec 1897, Zeyher 235&365 (SAM); Port Elizabeth, western suburbs, Kraggakama rd. (–DC), 30 Aug 1966, Dahlstrand 444 (PRE); Port Elizabeth, Humewood (–DC), Sep 1911, Daly 25,822 (PRE); ‘Ad Sinum Algoa Africa Australis [ South Africa, to the bay of Algoa]’ (–DC), 1822, Forbes 90 (BOL); Port Elizabeth, Baakens River, Patons Farm (–DC), 22 Aug 1931, Long 466 (PRE); Port Elizabeth, Walmer (–DC), Oct 1911, Paterson 172 (PRE); Port Elizabeth, Redhouse (–DC), Sep 1916, Paterson 172 (PRE); Port Elizabeth, Walmer (–DC), Aug 1914, Paterson 173 (PRE); Port Elizabeth, Walmer (–DC), Oct 1911 or 1912, Paterson 796 (PRE, 2 sheets); ‘In apertis circa Port Elizabeth’ (–DC), 1877, Tyson 2249 (NBG, PRE). –3326 (Grahamstown): Grahamstown (–BC), Oct 1902, Daly & Sole 310 (PRE); Albany District, Round Hill near Martindale (–BD), 03 Aug 1966, Bayliss 3519 (NBG); ‘In convalle prope’ ‘Round Hill’, ‘Lower Albany’ (–BD), Dec 1885, Bolus s.n. (BOL 46827); Albany District, Trappes Valley (–BD), 11 Dec 1903, Daly 651 (PRE); Albany Division, 9 miles from drift on rd. to Grahamstown (–BD), 21 Jul 1946, Story 1287 (PRE); Bathurst, Southwell (–DA), 19 Sep 1920, Britten 2247 (NBG, PRE); Bathurst Division, Kasouga rd. 1 miles from where it leaves Kowie rd (–DA), 19 Sep 1920, Britten 2593 (PRE); Bathurst, Southwell (–DA), unknown (NBG 237923); Bathurst Division, Kowie, grassy slopes (–DB), Feb 1917, Tyson s.n. (PRE 204138). –3327 (Peddie): Bathurst Division, Hopewell (–AC), 30 Oct 1964, Acocks 23,523 (PRE); Peddie, Fish River Mouth (–AC), 11 Sep 1964, Bayliss 2361 (NBG); SE of Grahamstown on road towards East London/Shaws Park/Fish River lighthouse and the sea (–AC), 11 Oct 2006, Bergh 1577 (NBG); Bathurst Division, Kap River nr junction with Fish River (–AC), 19 Nov 1964, Wells 2909 (PRE). –3421 (Riversdale): Garcias Pass between Riversdale & Ladismith (–AA), Jul 1919, Leipoldt 16,051 (BOL). –3423 ( Knysna ): hills near Knysna (–AA), Marloth 11,350 (PRE). –3424 Humansdorp): Humansdorp Division, flats East of Clarkson (–AB), Jul 1920, Fourcade 784 (BOL); Humansdorp District, 5 miles E of Clarkson (–AB), 26 Nov 1950, Maguire 510 (NBG); Humansdorp District, 4 miles E of Clarkson (–AB), 26 Nov 1950, Martin 651 (NBG); Clarkson (–AB), Schlechter 6003 (NBG, SAM); Humansdorp Division, Clarkson (–AB), Aug to Oct 1926, Thode A876 (PRE); between Kareedouw & Humansdorp (–BA), 12 Nov 1928 Hutchinson 1439 (BOL); Humansdorp Division, 4.8 miles E by S of Humansdorp (–BB), 7 Mar 1959, Acocks 20,320 (PRE); Humansdorp District, in the town ground (–BB), 28 Dec 1956, Basson 6 (NBG); ‘In campis graminosis prope Humansdorp’ (–BB), Nov 870, Bolus s.n. (BOL 46826); Humansdorp Division, The Glen (–BB), Jan 1912, Burtt Davy 2131 (PRE); Humansdorp Division, Jeffreys Bay road, 2 m. from Humansdorp (–BB), Nov 1928, Fourcade 4198 (BOL, NBG [3 sheets]); Humansdorp District, 2 miles E of Humansdorp (–BB), 13 Nov 1928, Gillett 2304 (NBG); Jeffrey's Bay (–BB), 19 Dec 2007, Jacobsen 6405 (PRE); Humansdorp (–BB), 5 Jul 1931, Levyns 3790 (BOL); 5 miles E of Humansdorp (–BB), 2 May 1955, Lewis s.n. (SAM 68680, SAM 204418, PRE); Seekoei River N.R. (–BB), 19 Sep 1972, Montgomery 50 (NBG); Humansdorp (–BB), Dec 1925, Thode A719 (PRE); Humansdorp (–BB), Jul 1932, Wagner s.n. (NBG 237994); ‘Zwischen Humansdorp und Jeffery's Bay’ (–BB), 14 Nov 1958, Werdermann & Oberdieck 1023 (PRE). –3425 (Port Elizabeth): near Seaview (–AB), Jan 1957, Sidey 3042 (PRE). –Without precise locality: Humansdorp, Aug 1912, Rogers 2923 (SAM); East London District, 29 Oct 1945, Courtenay-Latimer s.n. (NBG 25706); Alexandria District, 7 Jul 1933, De Vos s.n. (NBG 237967); Van Staden's Berg, 14 Nov 1928, Gillett 2385 (NBG); East London Division, East London, The Springs, Apr 1927, Rattray 1379 (BOL); Bathurst Division, Jan 1962, Sidey 3605 (PRE); [No locality given], 1839, Drège s.n. (PRE 204133); [No locality given], Ecklon & Zeyher 158 (PRE); [No locality given], Ecklon & Zeyher s.n. (PRE 204142); [No locality given], Zeyher 2854 (PRE); [No locality given], Zeyher s.n. (PRE 204414); [No locality given], Jan 1912, Burtt Davy 2130 (PRE).

Figures

Fig. 9. Achyranthemum striatum. A. Habit and habitat. B.Leaves.C.Synflorescence and capitula.D.Leaf indumentum (Gillett 2304, NBG).E. Distribution.All photographs N.G. Bergh.