Ruschia pseudocrassa Klak, 2023

Klak, Cornelia, Hanáček, Pavel & Bruyns, Peter V., 2023, Six new species of Ruschieae (Aizoaceae) and further notes in Ruschia, South African Journal of Botany 156, pp. 144-161 : 147-149

1 Ruschia pseudocrassa Klak sp. nov.

( Fig. 5 )

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape, Kamiesberg (3018), Farm Uitval (-DB), 1 Sep. 2022, 850 m a.s.l., Bruyns 14124 ( BOL, holo, barcode: BOL0232476 , K iso) .

Diagnosis: Differs from Ruschia crassa by having smooth leaves and erect to tangled branches, whereas leaves are velvety from long papillae and branches are erect in R. crassa .

Densely branched succulent shrub, 30-50 X 40-100 cm, branches erect to tangled, old stems grey and woody, basal part very woody, internodes 14-15 X 6-7 mm. Leaves opposite, grey, fused into a sheath and clasping the branch, without a line, free parts spreading, somewhat heart-shaped, keeled on the back, 8-10 mm long, 5.5-7 mm broad and thick, with inconspicuous tooth, epidermis smooth, with dark dots below the epidermal surface. Flowers solitary, white, to 20 mm diam., sessile, calyx lobes 5, to 5 mm long, about equal length, 2 slightly succulent, pedicels short, petaloid and filamentous staminodes filiform, in 1-2 rows, petaloid staminodes ± 8 X 0.5 mm, filamentous staminodes and stamens free to bases, of about equal length and collected into a cone around the centre, some curling backwards, ± 5 X 0.3 mm, with hair-like papillae, stamens numerous, in 3-4 rows, papillate from middle towards bases, pollen yellow, stigmas 5, feathery, green, ± 4.5 mm long, top of ovary with raised lobes, nectary in a green, crenulated ring. Capsule 5-locular, ± 9 X 10 mm, rims raised to 2 mm, lower part funnel-shaped, covering membranes thick and spongy, with ledge below, keels short, diverging and not touching at bases, only open into an erect position, closing bodies hook-shaped, valve wings absent. Seeds ochre, smooth, 1.1-1.2 X 0.9 mm, somewhat D- shaped.

3.1.10. Distribution and ecology

This species is widespread across Bushmanland and some of the eastern parts of Namaqualand and is known from the Gamoep, Kamiesberg and Louriesfontein districts ( Fig. 4 ). It occurs on gravelly, calcareous or gneissic flats, at altitudes of 750-1000 m a.s.l. It flowers between August and September.

3.1.11. Distinguishing features and relationships

Ruschia pseudocrassa forms spreading shrubs 30-50 X 40-100 cm. The free parts of the leaves are short, and the leaves clasp the stem to form a sheath. Thus, the plants superficially appear to be “stem”-succulents, like members of Mesembryanthemum subg. Juncea . There are several largish species in Ruschia subg. Ruschia such as R. grisea and R. abbreviata , which have developed this trait, but these have a less conspicuous, 1-toothed keel on their leaves than is typical for R. crassa and R. pseudocrassa . In addition, the branches are thicker in R. crassa and R. pseudocrassa compared to both R. grisea and R. abbreviata . An important character which distinguishes species in subg. Ruschia is whether the leaf-surface is smooth or distinctly papillate. Ruschia pseudocrassa and R. crassa are similar, particularly in herbarium specimens. However, they can be easily separated by the distinctly velvety leaves of R. crassa , which contrast with the much smoother leaves of R. pseudocrassa .

3.1.12. Etymology The epithet refers to its similarity to Ruschia crassa .

3.1.13. Conservation status

The species is widespread and the area where it occurs is not arable, except for grazing. As yet, no mining activities are present in this area. For these reasons, we suggest a status of least concern (LC).

3.1.14. Additional specimens investigated

South Africa. NORTHERN CAPE: 2918 (Gamoep): Kamiesberg, S of Paulshoek (-AD), 5 Oct 2021, 1000 m a.s.l., Klak 2992 ( BOL) ; Bushmanland, farm Kouberg (-CD), 12 Jul 2008, 930 m a.s.l., Klak 1678 ( BOL) ; Gamoep, farm Vaalkoei (-CD), 16 Jul 2021, 974 m a.s.l., Klak 2896 ( BOL) ; 3018 (Kamiesberg): At turn-off from Pofadder to Kliprand , Farm Boonstevlei 398 (-BC), 21 Aug 1990, A. Le Roux 4154 ( NBG) ; 10 km north of Kliprand (-BC), 4 Aug 2022, 926 m a.s.l., Klak 3108 ( BOL) ; 3019 (Louriesfontein): Farm Taaiboshoek (-CA), 13 June 1999, 750 m a.s.l., Bruyns 7876 ( BOL) ; Calvinia, along Brandvlei road, farm Witputs (-DB), 950 m a.s.l., 22 Mar 2019, Klak 2663 ( BOL) ; 9 Sep 1999, Bruyns 7957 ( BOL) .

Figures

Fig. 5. Ruschia pseudocrassa. A. Habit.B. Leaves. C. Flowers and fruits. D. Side view of closed (l) and top view of open fruit (r). E. Seeds.

Fig. 4. Distribution of new species of Ruschia: R.variabilis (circle), R.pseudocrassa (triangle), R.rupestris (inverted triangle).