Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P. Klein, Shtein & Callm., in Klein, Shtein, Janssen & Callmander, 2022. DOI: 10.15553/c2022v772a6 |
A new species of medium-sized and upright-flowered Kalanchoe Adans. (Crassulaceae) from medium altitude moist evergreen forests in northern Madagascar is described and illustrated: Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P. Klein, Shtein & Callm. By its herbaceous habit, forming erect flowers with a short and indistinct calyx tube, ligulate nectary scales, and not possessing bulbils of any kind, it represents a member of Kalanchoe subg. Kalanchoe. Morphologically, K. apiifolia is most similar to K. briquetii Raym.-Hamet but differs from it by being glabrous throughout, by having bi- to tripinnate leaves that are particularly long petiolate, and by the seed-bearing part of the carpels being about as long as the stylar part. The new species is preliminary assessed as “Endangered” [EN] using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Keywords: CRASSULACEAE – Kalanchoe – Madagascar – Ambohimiravavy – New species
Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P. Klein, Shtein & Callm. Close-up of flowers [Rakotovao et al. 2321] [Photo: C. Rakotovao] |
Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P. Klein, Shtein & Callm., sp. nov.
Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P. Klein, Shtein & Callm. differs from K. briquetii Raym.-Hamet by being glabrous throughout, by having more strongly dissected leaves that are bi- to tripinnate, particularly long petiolate and have ovate to obovate leaflets, filaments that are not papillose, and the seed-bearing part of the carpels being about as long as the stylar part. It differs from all other known members of Kalanchoe subg. Kalanchoe by a combination of characters including the above and additionally: compound thyrsoid inflorescences, bearing up to 180 erect, whitish green flowers, tinged with bright purplish red spots, indistinct calyx tube, widely spreading sepals, and mucronate petals.
Etymology. – The species epithet refers to the leaves of
this new species, which strongly resemble the foliage of some
members of Apiaceae, such as Apium graveolens L.
David-Paul Klein, Ronen Shtein, Thomas Janssen and Martin W. Callmander. 2022. Novelties from the Northern Mountains Complex of Madagascar VI: Kalanchoe apiifolia (Crassulaceae), A particular New Species. Candollea. 77(2); 193-198. DOI: 10.15553/c2022v772a6