Gymnodiscus capillaris (L.f.)

Magoswana, S. L., Boatwright, J. S., Magee, A. R. & Manning, J. C., 2016, A taxonomic revision of Gymnodiscus (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae), a Greater Cape Floristic Region endemic *, South African Journal of Botany 106, pp. 71-77 : 72-75

1. Gymnodiscus capillaris (L.f.) DC., Prodr. 6: 469 (1838);

Snijman , Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region . 2: The Extra Cape Flora : 296 (2013); Manning & Goldblatt, Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 381 (2012); Harv. in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap. 3: 345 (1865). Othonna capillaris L.f. , Suppl. Pl.: 388 (1782).

Type : South Africa [Western Cape], Cap Bonae Spei [crescit in campis sabulosis inter Cap et Drakensteen (Thunberg, 1823)] [without date], Thunberg s.n. (LINN [HL1038-20]-image!, lecto., designated here; SBT-image!, UPS-THUNB!, LD-image!., possible isolecto.). [Note: We select as lectotype the collection at LINN as most likely representing the original material seen by Linnaeus f., whose herbarium is partly at LINN (Stafleu & Cowan, 1981)]

G. orbicularifolius Sch. Bip. in Flora 27(2): 768 (1844), syn. nov.

Type: South Africa, ‘in arenosis pl. capensis’, 1836, Zeyher s.n. (P[0001623], holo.-image!).

G.capillaris var. latifolius Sond. [as latifolia] [in Harv.] in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap. 3: 345 (1865), syn. nov.

Type: South Africa [Western Cape], Saldanha Bay [without date], Ecklon & Zeyher s.n. (S, holo.-image!).

Annual, rosettiform herb to 20 cm, cobwebbed at crown and thinly cobwebbed in peduncle axils. Leaves prostrate or spreading, obovate– spatulate to oblanceolate or lyrate–pinnatifid with 5 to 9 lobes, margins entire or dentate–mucronulate, 10–60 × 5–40 mm, apex mucronulate or obtuse, base cuneate, narrowed below and petiole-like, coriaceous to sub-succulent, often purple on reverse or mottled purple. Peduncles 2–3 mm diam., leaf-like cauline bracts lanceolate to broadly elliptic, entire or coarsely dentate, 4–55 × 3–15 mm, sessile and sometimes clasping, upper inflorescence bracts smaller, cordate, 5–35 × 2–6(–10) mm. Capitula in small cymose or sub-umbellate clusters aggregated into paniculate synflorescences; pedicels 4–30 mm long. Involucre campanulate, 3–5 mm diam.; involucral bracts 5, lanceolate to elliptic, 2.0–3.5 × 1.0– 1.5 mm. Ray fl orets 5, perianth tube very short, 0.3–0.5 mm long, limbs elliptic-ovate, 1.0–2.0 × 0.2–0.5 mm; ovary obovoid, appressed-puberulous with twin-hairs; style exserted from tube and branching above the mouth. Disc fl orets 12 or 13, perianth 0.8–1.0 mm long, lobes ovate, 0.2–0.4 × 0.3 mm; anthers 0.8–1.0 mm long; ovary narrowly ellipsoid, glabrous. Cypselas oblong-ovoid, 0.8–1.0 × 0.4–0.6 mm, densely appressed-puberulous with white twin hairs. Pappus bristles 0.5–1.0 mm long. ( Figs. 1A and 2 ).

Distribution and ecology: Widespread through the western half of the Greater Cape Floristic Region, occurring in north-central Namaqualand between Steinkopf and Garies, and from the Bokkeveld Mtns southwards to the Cape Peninsula thence eastwards through the upper Breede River Valley and the Hex River Valley to Tweedside and along the coast to Mossel Bay ( Fig. 3 ); on sandy flats and lower slopes, mainly in fynbos. The species is absent from the Little Karoo. Flowering is from July to October.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from G. linearifolius by the leathery, obovate–spathulate to oblanceolate or lyrate–pinnatifid leaves ( Fig. 2B 1–B 3 ) and smaller capitula, 3–5 mm diam., with 5 involucral bracts and the same number of ray florets, and 12 or 13 disc florets. The ray florets have a very short perianth tube, 0.3–0.5 mm long, with the style well exserted from the tube and branching above it ( Fig. 2D and F ). The ray ovaries and cypselas are densely appressed-puberulous ( Fig. 2D and F ).

The species is variable in the degree of incision of the leaves. The northern populations from Steinkopf to Citrusdal have consistently obovate–spathulate leaves, either entire or denticulate ( Fig. 2B 1 ), but the populations from Citrusdal to Mossel Bay have the leaves variously entire to toothed or lobed ( Fig. 2B2 ). Populations with lyrate–pinnatifid leaves ( Fig. 2B 3 ) are common on the Cape Peninsula but individuals with this leaf form also occur to the east and as far north as Piketberg. The Namaqualand plants comprise a morphologically distinct group of populations characterised by their relatively large, obovate to suborbicular leaves with entire or denticulate margins, and often more stiffly erect peduncles, usually simple and scapose and only rarely with lateral branches in the lower half, with sub-umbellate clusters of capitula. The distinction between this form and populations from the Core Cape Floristic Region is not, however, consistent, and we have encountered various intermediates between the two forms that make it impossible for us to segregate them taxonomically. Several collections (e.g. Maguire 93 (NBG) comprise individuals showing all the known leaf variations within the species, from obovate–spathulate to oblanceolate or lyrate–pinnatifid.

The large variation in leaf morphology in the species has resulted in the recognition of two additional taxa in the past. The species is typified by a collection from the Boland area near Stellenbosch with lyrate– pinnatisect leaves. An unlocalised collection of C.L.P. Zeyher with subrotund, entire leaves was distinguished as G. orbicularifolius by Schultz (1844), who also considered it to have slightly larger, paler yellow capitula. The type collection was clearly identified bearing Schultz's manuscript name and as having been annotated by Zeyher as Othonna bulbosa . A specimen correct in all these details and housed in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle Paris herbarium (P) is thus evidently the holotype. This specimen was not seen by Harvey (1865), who treated G. orbicularifolius as a doubtful species. His opinion has been generally followed but the name has not been formally reduced until now. Plants matching the type of G. orbicularifolius are concentrated in Namaqualand but occur sporadically throughout the range of the species, and we are unable to maintain the species. We also find no differences in flower colour or size of capitula between these plants and others in the species.

A collection from Saldanha Bay with very broad leaf-like peduncular bracts was recognised as var. latifolia Sond. ( Harvey, 1865) but it represents merely well-grown plants with lateral branches. Specimens matching it occur throughout the range of the species among more typical individuals.

Additional specimens seen

South Africa. Northern Cape: 2917 (Springbok): Spektakelberg (–DA), 02 Oct. 1933, Herre 19002, 12741 (NBG); near Springbok (–DB), Sep. 1939, Gill 54335 (SAM). 3017 (Hondeklipbaai): Namakwa National Park, Farm Roodelaagte, W of Jantjieskop (–AB), 11 Aug. 2006, Koekemoer 3803 (PRE); Langklip, N of Spoegriver (–AD), 31 Jul. 2008, Desmet 3682 (NBG); Grootvlei, Farm Kotze, Soebaatsfontein (–BA), 30 Sep. 1980, Evrard 8922 (PRE); Skilpad Wildflower Reserve (–BB), 06 Aug. 1996, Cruz 158 (NBG); road to Modderfontein Farm (–BB), 27 Sep. 1911, Sladen 6993 (BOL); Spoegrivier road (–BD), 09 Aug. 2007, Steyn 1224 (PRE); Darter's grave, 22 km W of Garies (–BD), 15 Aug. 1979, van Jaarsveld 4288 (NBG); 22 Sep. 2015, Manning & Magoswana 3538 (NBG). 3018 (Kamiesberg): Studer's Pass, E of Garies (–AC), 06 Sep. 1976, Goldblatt 4044 (PRE); Garies (–CA), 29 Jul. 1937, Verdoorn 1890 (PRE); 19 miles [31 km] N of Garies (–CA), 14 Sep. 1963, Merxmüller & Gies 3848 (PRE); between Garies and Kamieskroon, Klip Vlei (–CA), Nov. 1931, Thorne 49952 (SAM). 3119 (Calvinia): Nieuwoudtville, Meulsteenvlei (–AC), 08 Aug. 1983, van Wyk 1326 (NBG); Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (–AC), 04 Sep. 1996, Pretorius 345 (NBG); Lokenberg (–CA), 17 Sep. 1955, Acocks 18469, 18 Sep. 1955, Leistner 329, 10 Oct. 1953, Story 4378 (PRE); top of Botterkloof Pass (–CD), 24 Aug. 1950, Maguire 195 (NBG).

Western Cape: 3118 (Van Rhynsdorp): Banks of Olifants River between Clanwilliam and Vanrhynsdorp (–CA), Oct. 1931, Thorne 49948 (SAM); Matsikammaberg, SE end between Waterval and Vaalsyfer (–DA), 15 Jul. 1974, Thompson 2098 (NBG, PRE); Wiedouw, near Gifberg (–DB), 21 Sep. 1985, Zietsman and Zietsman 1088 (PRE); Gifberg, slopes SE of Windhoekberg above Klawer (–DC), 13 Jul. 1974, Oliver 4931 (NBG); Gifberg (–DC), Sep. 1911, Phillips 7422 (BOL, NBG, SAM); Nardouw Kloof (–DC), Sep. 1947, Stokoe s.n. (SAM); Grootvlei (–DC), 03 Sep. 1951, Maguire 971 (NBG). 3218 (Clanwilliam): along road N7, about 15 km S of Clanwilliam (–BB), 13 Jun. 2004, Forest & Manning 510 (NBG); Schuinskraal Farm near Redelinghuys (–BC), 12 Aug. 2004, Boucher 7148 (NBG); 21 miles [34 km] N of Piketberg on Redelingshuys road (–BC), 28 Jul.1950, Lewis 64013 (NBG), Lewis 64015 (SAM); 3 miles (5 km) S of Grey's Pass (–DB), 21 Aug. 1950, Maguire 93 (NBG), Lewis 64013 (PRE, SAM); Grey's Pass (–DB), 06 Sep. 1949, Steyn 365 (NBG). 3219 (Wuppertal): 1.5 km from Pakhuis gate towards Heuningvlei (–AA), 15 Oct. 1985, Taylor 11393 (NBG); Heuningvlei, Groot Koupoort (–AA), 11 Oct. 1975, Kruger 1698, 14 Sep. 1976, Welman 131 (PRE); Citadel Kop (–AA), 08 Sep. 1953, Compton 24272 (NBG); E of Uitkyk Pass (–AC), 28 Sep. 1949, Jordaan s.n. (NBG); Cederberg Forest Reserve, Middelberg-Suid (–AC), 20 Aug. 1982, Viviers 520 (NBG); Nieuwoud Pass (–AC), Sep. 1930, Barnes s.n. (BOL); Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Leeuvlak (–AD), 06 Sep. 2003, Low 8611 (NBG); Sep. 1931, Compton 3447 (BOL); Cederberg State Forest, Groot Koupoort Vlakte (–AD), 28 Aug. 1979, Forsyth 32 (NBG, PRE); Kromme River (–BC), Dec. [without year], Shaw s.n. (BOL); Gonnafontein Valley (–CB), 02 Sep. 2000, Pond 142 (NBG); jeep track to Bloukop on Luiperdskloof 4x4 route (–CD), 17 Oct. 1989, Koekemoer 2423 (PRE); Reitvlei Farm at base of Katbakkies Pass, W of Rietrivier (–DC), 23 Sep. 1991, Reid 1450 (NBG); Swartruggens, Knolfontein (–DC), 22 Aug. 2005, Jardine and Jardine 66 (NBG). 3318 (Cape Town): Langebaan, Postberg (–AA), without date, Craven 71 (NBG); Hopefield, Waterboerskraal (–AB), 15 Jun. 1975, Hugo 230 (NBG); Hopefield (–AB), Sep.1996, Nel s.n. (NBG); Yzerfontein (–AC), 21 Aug. 1938, Compton 7933 (NBG); Darling Flora Reserve (–AD), 25 Jun. 1956, Winkler 105 (NBG); Modderrivier SW of Darling along new national road (–AD), July 1980, Hugo 2428 (NBG); Moorreesburg (–BA), 15 Jun. 1946, Jordaan 603 (NBG); Malmesbury (–BC), 01 Sep. 1963, Bayliss B5 / 1659 (PRE); S of Mamre (–CB), 26 Oct. 1977, Esterhuysen 34744 (BOL); 7th gate to Bokpoint (–CB), 15 Sep. 1940, Kies s.n. (NBG); Salt River dunes (–CD), 14 Aug. 1898, Froembling 866 (NBG); Rondebosch Golf Course (–CD), 06 Jul. 1903, Phillips 202 (NBG); Camp's Bay (–CD), Sep. 1897, Thode 8859 (NBG); Sep. 1886, MacOwan 521, 2742 (BOL); Cape Town (–CD), without date, Bolus 3254 (BOL); sandy flats E of Mowbray (–CD), 12 Oct. 1913, Pillans 2137 (BOL); Paardeberg, Vlakfontein Farm, ± 1 km E of R302 (–DA), 18 Jul. 2011, Nicolson & Roets 180 (NBG); Heuwelvlak, SE of Katzenberg (–DA), 31 Jul. 1976, Andrag & Boucher 8b, 12 (NBG); near Pella, Burger's Post Farm, Fynbos Biome research site (–DA), 31 Aug. 1979, Boucher & Shepherd 4519 (NBG); Cape Town to Malmesbury, roadside (–DC), 06 Sep. 1973, Montgomery 454 (NBG); 3 miles (5 km) from Durbanville on the Langeberg road to Kraaifontein (–DC), 20 Jul. 1963, Taylor 4925 (NBG). 3319 (Worcester): Tulbagh Kloof (–AC), Sep. 1880, Tyson 2307 (SAM); next to main road passing De Doorns (–BC), 16 Sep. 1974, Mauve and Oliver 130 (NBG); Karoopoort (–BC), Aug. 1919, Marloth s.n. (NBG); Matroosberg (–BD), 29 Aug. 1930, Gillett 3882 (NBG); near Verkeerde vlei (–BD), Sep. 1933, Levyns 4617 (BOL). Du Toit's Kloof (–CA), 19 Jul. 1962, Walter 9 (NBG); Bainskloof (–CA), 19 Oct. 1928, Gillett 1733 (NBG); east bank of Brandvlei, near Worcester (–CB), 16 Jul. 1986, Snijman 1049 (NBG); slopes N of Dewetsberg (–CB), 08 Sep. 1972, Bremer 144 (NBG); Wemmershoek (–CC), 27 Aug. 1939, Thorns s.n. (NBG); Over-Hex (–DA), 04 Aug. 1949, Morris 143 (NBG); Hex River Valley (–DA), Oct. 1880, Taylor 702 (BOL). 3320 (Montagu): Tweedside (–AB), 01 Oct. 1926, Compton 3069 (BOL); Vrede, De Vlakte (263), Anysberg (–BC), 01 Aug. 1987, Forsyth 456 (NBG, PRE). 3418 (Simonstown): Kommetjie (–AB), Sep. 1945, Bolus 1945 (BOL); near Glencairn (–AB), 04 Oct. 1928, Hutchinson 639 (BOL); Hout Bay (–AB); 25 July 1942, Compton 13338 (NBG); 17 Aug. 1940, Compton 9154 (NBG); Bergvliet Farm (–AB), 15 Jul. 1916, Purcell 90587 (SAM); Karbonkelberg (–AB), Jun. 1946, Stokoe s.n. (SAM); N of Wildevoelvlei (–AB), 24 Nov.1983, O′ Callaghan 684 (NBG); lower slopes of Muizenberg mountains (–AB), 08 Jul. 1903, Phillips 223 (NBG); Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Klein Rondevlei between Klaasjager's River and Olifantsbos (–AB), 17 Oct. 1989, Greuter 21862 (PRE); Witsand (–AB), 30 Oct. 1927, Smuts s.n. (PRE); Steenbras River Mouth (–BB), Jul. 1938, Walgate s.n. (BOL). 3419 (Caledon): Caledon (–AB), 06 Aug. 1978, Orchard 434 (NBG); Palmiet River mountains, Paardeberg (–AC), 24 May 1943, Stokoe (BOL); Kleinmond vlakte, N of vlei (–AC), 03 Oct. 1946, de Vos 208 (NBG); 15 Aug. 1947, de Vos 580 (NBG); 14 Sep. 1946, de Vos 103 (NBG); Paardeberg, Stanford (–AD), 25 Sep. 1962, Taylor s.n. (NBG); Fernkloof Nature Reserve (–AD), 28 Aug. 1983, Burman 1190 (BOL); Franskraal (–CB), 04 Jul. 1976, Mostert s.n. (NBG, PRE); Groot Hagelkraal (–DA), 16 Oct. 1986, Esterhuysen 36367 (BOL); Bushman's River (–DA), Sep. 1935, Lewis s.n. (BOL); Hagelkraal (–DA), 16 Oct. 1986, Cowling 3106 (NBG). 3420 (Bredasdorp): Bontebok Park (–AB), 08 Oct. 1950, Compton 22172 (NBG); De Hoop, Hardevlakte, near gate between Hardevlakte and Moerasfontein (–AD), 21 Sep. 1984, Van Wyk 1983 (NBG); De Hoop, Oulande (–AD), 20 Sep. 1984, Morley 149 (NBG); De Hoop, Potberg Nature Reserve (–BC), 17 Oct. 1978, Burgers 1419 (NBG). 3421 (Riversdale): Stillbay, Groot Jongensfontein Farm (–AA), 23 Aug. 1976, Bohnen 3951 (NBG); Reisiesbaan Siding (–AB), 31 Oct. 1979, Bohnen 7012 (NBG); Klein Jongensfontein, Jakkalskraal (–AB), 23 Jun. 1993, Botes 368 (NBG); Wankoe se Rante, S of Riversdale (–AC), 06 Sep. 1975, Oliver 5990 (NBG); 5 km from Albertinia on road to Ystervarkfontein, 1 km from Kleinfontein turnoff (–BA), without date, Germishuizen 4234 (PRE); Ystervarkfontein (–BC), 20 Sep. 1989, Bohnen 9038 (NBG). 3422 (Mosselbay): Mossel Bay (–AA), Aug. 1912, Rogers 4137 (NBG).

Figures

Fig. 1. General morphology of Gymnodiscus. A. Habit of G. capillaris showing obovate–spathulate to oblanceolate basal leaves and capitula with 5 ray florets; B.habit of G. linearifolius showing the fusiform leaves and capitula with 8 or 9 ray florets.

Fig. 2. Gymnodiscus capillaris.(A) flowering plant;(B1–B3) leaves;(C) involucral bract; (D) ray floret;(E) disc floret;(F) cypsela (ray floret); (G) ovary (disc floret); (H) style (disc floret); (I) anther; (J) detail of ovary hair showing twin cells; (K) pappus bristle. Voucher:Maguire 195, NBG.Scales: (A & B1–B3) 1 cm; (C–E) 1 mm; (F–K) 500 μm. Artist:S.L. Magoswana.

Fig. 3. Distribution of G.capillaris.