 |
| Indigofera wenholdiae du Preez & Schrire, in du Preez, Dreyer, ... et Schrire, 2021. |
Abstract
In this study, Indigofera wenholdiae, a new species of Fabaceae from the Agulhas Plain Region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, is described. A composite photographic plate is included along with a distribution map, description of habitat and ecology and proposed IUCN conservation status. Indigofera wenholdiae is unique in the I. brachystachya group by having digitately compound (vs. pinnately compound) leaves, white and unscented flowers (vs. pink and sweetly scented flowers) and grows on sandstone hillsides (vs. coastal limestone plains and outcrops).
Keywords: Indigofera, Leguminosae, Greater Cape Floristic Region, fynbos, taxonomy
 |
| Figure 1. Indigofera wenholdiae du Preez & Schrire A single inflorescence B flower lateral view C leaf abaxial view D multiple inflorescences on branches E whole plant. Photographs by Brian du Preez. Voucher B. du Preez 836 (BOL). |
Indigofera wenholdiae du Preez & Schrire, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Similar to I. brachystachya, but differs in its digitately compound, 5–7 foliolate leaves (versus pinnately compound, 7–9 foliolate leaves), leaflets 4–6 mm long (versus leaflets 9–15 mm long), racemes up to 7 mm long, flowers ± 4–5 per raceme (versus racemes > 10 mm long, flowers > 8 per raceme), flowers creamy white, unscented (versus flowers pale pink, scented), branching divaricate (versus branching random), populations restricted to sandstone fynbos (versus populations restricted to limestone fynbos).
Etymology: The specific epithet “wenholdiae” is assigned in honour of Mrs Hannerie Wenhold who has funded large-scale conservation efforts in this area, including the funding of the botanist post at Grootbos Nature Reserve of Miss Rebecca Dames who brought this species to our attention in April 2020.
Brian du Preez, Leanne L. Dreyer, Charles H. Stirton, A. Muthama Muasya and Brian D. Schrire. 2021. Indigofera wenholdiae (Indigofereae, Fabaceae), A New Species from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. PhytoKeys. 182: 107-112. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.182.72170
