Inulanthera brownii (Hochr.)

Magoswana, S. L., Boatwright, J. S., Manning, J. C. & Magee, A. R., 2016, A taxonomic revision of Inulanthera (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) *, South African Journal of Botany 105, pp. 141-157 : 145-146

1. Inulanthera brownii (Hochr.) KällersjÖ ex D.J.N.Hind in Kew Bull. 69: 9499 (2014).

Inulanthera brownii (Hochr.) KällersjÖ in Nord. J. Bot. 5 (6): 539 (1986), nom. illeg. [basionym not cited]. Athanasia brownii Hochr. in Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève: 120 (1908); Humbert, Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, Composées, vol. 189 (3): 670 (1963).

Type: Madagascar, Imerina around Marmarivo, 1903, Rusillon 54 (P, lecto. – image!, designated by KällersjÖ (1986); K – image!, isolecto.)

Multi-stemmed shrub 1–2 m, resprouting from a woody caudex, stems simple or sparsely branched in upper half, branches 1–5 mm diam., sparsely grey lanate to glabrescent. Leaves sub-erect to incurved, obovate to oblanceolate, sometimes narrowly oblong towards the inflorescence, 10–50 × 4–15 mm, 3- to 10-crenate to -dentate in distal half, teeth callose-tipped, base tapering, margins revolute, ± discolorous, upper surface thinly and unevenly cobwebbed, sometimes glabrescent, lower surface very densely woolly, coriaceous; axillary shoots developed in upper leaves. Capitula in dense compound corymbs 20–65 mm across, primary branches 20–35 mm long, secondary branches 4–10 mm long, inflorescence bracts elliptic, 2–8 × 1–3 mm. Involucre campanulate, 3–6 × 4–7 mm, cobwebby; outer bracts ovate to elliptic, 2–4 × 1–2 mm, acuminate, margins serrulate. Receptacle paleate. Florets 25 to 30. Pappus formed by cypsela ribs extended apically into horns 0.2–0.3 mm long. Cypselas obconic, 1–2 x ± 0.5 mm, prominently 7- to 10-ribbed, brownish-gold, glabrous. Fig. 2 .

Diagnostic characters

Inulanthera brownii shares discolorous and pinnatisect leaves with I. schistostephioides but is distinguished by its sub-erect, simple, obovate to oblanceolate leaves ( Fig. 2B 1 ) with the margins 3- to 10-crenate in the upper half and very densely woolly on the lower surface.

Distribution, ecology and phenology

The species is endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in montane grassland on quartzite soils ( Fig. 3 ). It is known under the vernacular name ‘ramijengy’ ( Rasoanaivo et al., 2013). Flowering is from April to September.

Additional specimens examined

Madagascar: 1847 (Antananarivo): near Antananarivo (− DC), Decary 6038 (P). 1947 (Ankaratra): Central Region, Ankaratra (− AA), Rousson s.n. (P); Ankaratra, Nature Reserve (− AA), Louvel 12 (P); grasslands of Ziafazasonu (− AB), Bâthie 3180 (P); grasslands above Mangakatompo (− AD), Bosser 16008 (P); Manjakatompo (− AD), Benoist 1104 (P). 2046 (Ikalamavony): between Hanbalomamfo and Jhemo (− BD), Bâthie 2964, 3370 (P); mountains west of Itremo (west Betsileo) (− DA), Humbert 30128 (P). 2246 (Ambalavao): Semdrisoa township, Mount Andrigitra, Soaindra (− BB), Cours 5160 (P); mountains of Andringitra (Iratsy), valleys of Riambava and surrounding mountains Antsifotra (− BB), Humbert 3641 (P). Precise locality unknown: Madagascar, Homolle 1232 (P); Setroko, Forest Services Madagascar s.n. (P).

Figures

Fig. 2. Inulanthera brownii, Cours 5160 (P). A. Flowering branch. B1. Typical mature leaf. B2. Leaf near the synflorescence. C. Involucral bracts.D. Palae. E. Floret. F. Cypsela. G. Style. H. Anthers.Scales: A and B: 10 mm; C–H:1 mm.Artist: S.L.Magoswana.

Fig. 1. General morphology of Inulanthera. A.Habit of I. thodei showing twiggy branches.B.Habit of I.dregeana showing numerous leafy branches.C.The oblong to narrowly ovate leaves, and compound corymb of I. dregeana. D.Single-stemmed growth form of I. leucoclada. E. Corymb of I. leucoclada.

Fig. 3. Known distribution of Inulanthera brownii.