Estrela Figueiredo

Friedrich Welwitsch and the horticulture of succulents in Portugal in the 19th century

Summary: An overview is provided of the contributions of Friedrich Welwitsch (1806–1872), to the development of horticulture in Portugal while he was stationed in this country (1839–1853), with special reference to succulent plants. Welwitsch is best known for his collecting and floristic work in Angola in south-tropical Africa, but he also significantly contributed to the enhancement of general gardening in Portugal, his adopted country. Some of the material he collected in Angola as living propagules made their way into cultivation in Portugal. Information is also provided on two forgotten Portuguese personalities commemorated in the names of two genera Welwitsch described: one, Bento António Alves, was a nurseryman, and the other, Joaquim Januário de Saldanha Machado, a succulent plant grower. The two little-known genus names are Alvesia Welw. (Leguminosae) and Machadoa Welw. ex Benth. & Hook. (Passifloraceae). Notes are provided on Welwitschs interest in succulent plants in general.

Twentieth century vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal

Abstract: We discuss the development of, and trends in, vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal during the 20th century, with emphasis on the institutions and taxonomists that were instrumental in advancing and facilitating this branch of scientific botanical endeavour. We show that the bulk of the nomenclatural novelties published by Portuguese botanists for elements of the vascular flora of the country, and beyond, were produced by a small group of 69 taxonomists who were mostly based at institutions in one of three Portuguese cities: Coimbra, Lisboa (Lisbon) and Porto. In all three instances the individuals were associated with local herbaria that were managed by universities, while in Lisboa other government-sponsored projects and institutions additionally played a pivotal role in the production of complete or partial Floras for Portugal and its former colonies. These individuals are comprehensively tabulated and biographical information is provided for all of them. With 440 names published, Rosette Mercedes Saraiva Batarda Fernandes (1916–2005), who worked at the University of Coimbra, was the most prolific taxonomist in terms of publishing new names. She was the sole author of more than half of these names. Biographies are provided for the ten most prolific Portuguese authors of vascular plant names. Citation: Figueiredo E., Silva V., Coutinho A. & Smith G. F. 2018: Twentieth century vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal. – Willdenowia 48: 303–330. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48.48209 Version of record first published online on 24 August 2018 ahead of inclusion in August 2018 issue.

The curious case of the occurrence of Lampranthus glaucus (L.) N.E.Br. (Aizoaceae / Mesembryanthemaceae) in Europe

Summary: n A number of species of South African Aizoaceae / Mesembryanthemaceae have become naturalised in both continental Portugal and its islands. One such species, Lampranthus glaucus (L.) N.E.Br., was once recorded as indigenous to the Algarve province in southern Portugal (as Mesembryanthemum brachyphyllum Welw.), and historically also recorded from further north in the country, near the coastal city of Porto. As one consequence it was eventually recorded as an exotic species in Europe, in the first edition of Flora europaea, and as a misidentification in the second edition of this work. We clarify the identity of this material, with notes on other exotic aizooid species recorded for Portugal.

The cultivar ×Graptoveria ‘Fantome’ Aubé ex Gideon F.Sm. & Bischofb. is the most Commonly Cultivated Representative of the Crassulaceae in Southern Africa

Summary: The most commonly cultivated member of the Crassulaceae in southern Africa is a hybrid between representatives of the genera Graptopetalum Rose and Echeveria DC., in the nothogenus ×Graptoveria Gossot. However, to date there has been doubt as to the name that should be applied to this hybrid. Plants form distinct stems that are unable to retain the rosettes in an erect position, so becoming pendent, or creeping when grown on flat ground. The leaves of this ×Graptoveria are borne in dense, apical rosettes, have an obovate-spathulate shape, and are sometimes obscurely keeled. They are light glaucous-grey and pink-infused in full sun, and the margin is a lighter, whitish blue colour. The flowers are light yellow, with the central section of the petals longitudinally light greenish infused. The combination of these characters clearly separates this hybrid from any Crassulaceae taxa indigenous to southern Africa. The parentage of the hybrid has been postulated as E. elegans Rose and G. paraguayense (N.E.Br.) E.Walther. This hybrid is exceedingly common in southern African horticulture; however, it has not become invasive after many decades of cultivation, and shows no signs of becoming problematical. The history and nomenclature applicable to the hybrid are clarified, and the cultivar name ×Graptoveria ‘Fantome’ Aubé ex Gideon F.Sm. & Bischofb. is established for it.

Kalanchoe ‘Margrit's Magic’ (Crassulaceae), a new cultivar from South Africa

Summary: A small, shrubby representative of Kalanchoe Adans. (Crassulaceae) that is in cultivation in South Africa is described as a cultivar, K. ‘Margrits Magic’ Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo. The likely parentage (K. manginii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier and K. pubescens Baker) of the cultivar, although speculative, is discussed. Unlike some similar cultivars, K. ‘Margrits Magic’ does extremely well terrestrially, in virtually any soil type, even heavy clays. The cultivar is very cold-hardy and has striking foliage and flowers. Plants are multibranched, with the branches remaining erect to somewhat leaning. The coin- to heart-shaped leaves of this cultivar are borne sub-densely dispersed along the stems and branches. They are bright green with a reddish margin, which becomes more pronounced in full sun. The flowers are uniformly crimson red. The combination of these characters clearly separates this cultivar from other Kalanchoe cultivars.

Notes on Kalanchoe rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw. (Crassulaceae) in Southern Africa: The Taxonomy of a Species Complex

Abstract: n Taxonomically, Kalanchoe rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw. (Crassulaceae) is one of the most complex of the southern African representatives of the genus. The expression of its vegetative morphology, especially leaf shape and plant size, is exceedingly variable. The reproductive morphology is more constant in terms of the size and shape of the corolla tube and lobes, as well as in the upper part of the corolla tube and lower part of the corolla lobes invariably becoming twisted at the post-anthesis stage. However, flower colour ranges from a yellow-infused light orange through pinkish-red to scarlet. At present we conclude that treating the species as a variable complex in southern and eastern Africa, as well as Socotra, is taxonomically the most sensible. We provide an amplified description and geographical distribution map for K. rotundifolia, and discuss and illustrate some of the remarkably variable forms. A neotype is designated for the name Kalanchoe integerrima Lange.

The Identity of Kalanchoe paniculata Harv. (Crassulaceae), a Common Species in Southeastern and South-Tropical Africa

Abstract: n Taxonomically, Kalanchoe paniculata Harv. has in the past been confused with K. brachyloba Welw. ex Britten. We clarify the application of the name K. paniculata, illustrate the species, amplify its description, and provide information on its taxonomic history, biology, uses, and distribution.