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| Buchnera hirsutorepens J.K.Gibson & I.Darbysh., Buchnera prorepens Engl. & Gilg, in Gibson, Sichamba et Darbyshire, 2026. |
Summary
A new species of Buchnera L. is described, Buchnera hirsutorepens, from south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and central and eastern Zambia. Buchnera hirsutorepens is split from Buchnera prorepens Engl. & Gilg, which is also redescribed here, its range now encompassing Angola and Western Zambia. These two species are unique in the genus Buchnera in their prostrate habit and axillary flowers. They can be separated from each other by differences in indumentum of the inflorescence and leaves, bract shape, pedicel length and relative length of the corolla tube to the calyx. A distribution map of georeferenced specimen localities of the two species is provided, along with information on their habitat and ecology, and an evaluation of their conservation status based on IUCN guidelines and criteria.
Key Words: Africa, Red List assessment, Savanna, taxonomy, vicariance
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| Buchnera hirsutorepens. A habit (as on sheet); B stem indumentum; C leaf, adaxial surface, with indication of indumentum; D leaf indumentum; E flower, with bract and bracteole; F trichome, from corolla tube entrance; G petal margin; H calyx tube; J ovary, style and stigma; K corolla tube. A – D from D. B. Fanshawe F.1963 (holotype K), E – K from E. Robinson 2580 (K). drawn by Andrew Brown. |
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| A Buchnera prorepens, Dec. 2023 in the Western Province, Zambia. B Buchnera hirsutorepens, Feb. 2022 in Shiwa-Ngandu District, Zambia. photos: Nicholas Wightman. |
Buchnera hirsutorepens J.K.Gibson & I.Darbysh. sp. nov.
John K. Gibson, Mpande Sichamba and Iain Darbyshire. 2026. Buchnera hirsutorepens, A New Species of prostrate Orobanchaceae from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with a revised description of Buchnera prorepens. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10349-x [13 May 2026]
