Anthony P. Dold

Large pollen loads of a South African asclepiad do not interfere with the foraging behaviour or efficiency of pollinating honey bees

The pollen of asclepiads (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) and most orchids (Orchidaceae) are packaged as large aggregations known as pollinaria that are removed as entire units by pollinators. In some instances, individual pollinators may accumulate large loads of these pollinaria. We found that the primary pollinator of Cynanchum ellipticum (Apocynaceae—Asclepiadoideae), the honey bee Apis mellifera, accumulate very large agglomerations of pollinaria on their mouthparts when foraging on this species. We tested whether large pollinarium loads negatively affected the foraging behaviour and foraging efficiency of honey bees by slowing foraging speeds or causing honey bees to visit fewer flowers, and found no evidence to suggest that large pollinarium loads altered foraging behaviour. C. ellipticum displayed consistently high levels of pollination success and pollen transfer efficiency (PTE). This may be a consequence of efficiently loading large numbers of pollinaria onto pollinators even when primary points of attachment on pollinators are already occupied and doing so in a manner that does not impact the foraging behaviour of pollinating insects.

The identity of Albuca caudata Jacq. (Hyacinthaceae) and a description of a new related species: A. bakeri

Abstract The name Albuca caudata Jacq. has been widely misunderstood or even ignored since its description in 1791. After studying herbarium specimens and living populations in South Africa, plants fitting Jacquin´s concept of that species are found to be widely distributed in the Eastern Cape, mainly in the Albany centre of Endemism. Furthermore, some divergent specimens matching Baker´s concept of Albuca caudata are described as a new related species: Albuca bakeri. Data on typification, morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported for both taxa. Affinities and divergences with other close allies are also discussed.

Nicipe rosulata (Ornithogaloideae, Hyacinthaceae), a New Species from the Little Karoo in South Africa, with a New Combination in the Genus

Abstract A new species of Nicipe from the Little Karoo in South Africa is here described. Nicipe rosulata sp. nov. is characterized by its (3-)5-8 short and broad, somewhat leathery leaves disposed in a basal rosette, its narrowly ovate, acute-apiculate capsules, and its long papillate-echinulate seeds. This species is at first sight related to Nicipe britteniae and Ornithogalum lithopsoides based on their short leaves with ciliate to fimbriate margins, but it differs in floral and vegetative characters that clearly support its recognition as a distinct species. Nicipe britteniae differs from N. rosulata by the hard, distichous, ensiform, conduplicate, and densely fimbriate leaves and the rugose seeds. Ornithogalum lithopsoides clearly differs by the more numerous and much thinner leaves, and the rugose seeds, among other characters. Here we provide a detailed morphological description for Nicipe rosulata, including ecological and chorological data, and discuss relationships with its close allies. Finally, the recently described Ornithogalum lithopsoides, also from the Little Karoo, clearly belongs to Nicipe based on the leathery rosulate leaves all arising nearly at the same level, the relatively small flowers, the tepals with a dark longitudinal band mostly visible on the abaxial side, and the small capsules and seeds. This new combination in the latter genus is also presented here.

LEAVES OF GRASS: A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE GENUS BERGERANTHUS SCHWANTES (AIZOACEAE)

Abstract The genus Bergeranthus Schwantes comprises ten species of leaf-succulent Aizoaceae centered in the Albany Center of Floristic Endemism and restricted to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. No taxonomic revision of the genus or key to its species has been undertaken until the present study. Three species are reduced to synonymy and two new species, B. albomarginatus and B. nanus, are described. Existing species descriptions are augmented and all species are illustrated. A key to the species is provided.

Classification of the Albany Coastal Forests

Albany Coastal Forests are subtropical vegetation type occurring in the western part of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Alexandria Forest is the largest complex of forest patches of this type. Smaller, numerous patches of the Albany forests occur in deeply incised valleys of the rivers in the Albany region. These forests are in contact with the matrix zonal vegetation of the subtropical Albany thickets. This chapter reports on survey (based on full-floristic vegetation plots) of these forests and the classification which yielded six forest (habitat-level) communities, grouped into three Forest Subtypes. The major tree dominants in these forests are Celtis africana, Afrocarpus falcatus, Mimusops obovata, Erythrina caffra, Apodytes dimidiata, Maytenus undata and Sideroxylon inerme. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to characterise major environmental drivers underpinning the revealed vegetation patterns. An identification key assisting in field recognition of forest subtypes and communities is also presented.

Drimia trichophylla (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae), a New Species from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Drimia sensu lato we here describe a new species from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Drimia trichophylla sp. nov. is at first sight related to D. vermiformis, but it can be clearly differentiated by the flower and leaf morphology and distribution. A complete description is presented for this species, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported. Affinities and divergences with other close allies are also discussed.

The rediscovery of the Great Winterberg endemic Lotononis harveyi B.-E.van Wyk after 147 years, and notes on the poorly known Amathole endemic Macowania revoluta Oliv. (southern Great Escarpment, South Africa)

Abstract South Africa’s 800 km-long southern Great Escarpment hosts numerous endemic plant species only known from their type specimens or from very few records. This is a legacy of a 100–150 year lag between the pioneer work of 19th century botanists and repeat fieldwork in the 21st century. As a result, population and ecological data are lacking for many local endemic species. Here we report on the rediscovery of Lotononis harveyi B.–E.van Wyk 147 years after its original description, and provide the first detailed ecological notes on the poorly known shrub Macowania revoluta Oliv. Both species are locally endemic to the Great Winterberg–Amatholes (Eastern Cape Province). With only six known individuals, Lotononis harveyi is recommended the conservation status of Critically Endangered, with fire (and potentially grazing) being the main population constraints. Macowania revoluta is locally abundant, and it is surprising that it has been so poorly collected in recent decades. It occupies an important local niche as a keystone montane wetland species, and its narrow distribution range – combined with pressure from woody alien invasive species – suggests that its conservation status should be Rare. The research further highlights the need for continued biodiversity field research along South Africa’s poorly explored Great Escarpment.

Drimia cochlearis (Hyacinthaceae), a New Species from South Africa

Abstract A new species of Drimia is here described from South Africa. Drimia cochlearis sp. nov. is at first sight closely related to both Drimia ciliata and D. sclerophylla, but it differs in a number of floral and vegetative characters that clearly support its recognition as a distinct species. Here we provide a detailed morphological description for this species, including ecological and chorological data. Affinities and divergences with close allies are also discussed.

The Identity of Albuca bifolia (Hyacinthaceae), and the Description of Two Related New Species, A. anisocrispa and A. pseudobifolia, from Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract Until now, Album bifolia Baker was poorly known. Plants fitting the original description of A. bifolia were found at the type locality near Grahamstown, South Africa, during extensive field work for a revision of the genus Album L. Here we provide new data and a detailed morphological description for this species. Furthermore two new species, Albuca anisocrispa sp. nov. and A. pseudobifolia sp. nov., both closely related to A. bifolia, are described here on the basis of floral, vegetative, ecological, and chorological data. Both new species are described in detail, and affinities and divergences with close allies are discussed.