Gideon F. Smith

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.

Notes on the fire ecology of Petrosedum Grulich and Sedum L. (Crassulaceae) in central continental Portugal

Summary: The response of two species of Petrosedum Grulich and one species of Sedum L. (Crassulaceae) to fires that affected central continental Portugal in the summer of 2017 is described and discussed. The species studied, P. forsterianum (Sm.) Grulich, P. sediforme (Jacq.) Grulich, and S. album L., are all low-growing sub-shrublets with weak root systems, brittle stems and branches, and produce copious amounts of seeds. The distribution ranges of these three species overlap, at least to some degree, but they tend to occupy different niches across the ranges and habitats where they are found naturally. All three species tend to avoid fire by growing in places virtually devoid of vegetation. Notes are provided on the ecology of these, and other, species of Crassulaceae in 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.

Typification of the Names Agave gustaviana J.N.Haage & E.Schmidt and A. Maximiliana Baker (Asparagaceae / Agavaceae)

Abstract: n The names Agave gustaviana J.N.Haage & E.Schmidt and A. maximiliana Baker (Asparagaceae / Agavaceae) are typified in preparation of the conservation of A. maximiliana against A. gustaviana. For this purpose a specimen, “Agave maximiliana Hort. Kew Feb. 22nd 1881 N.E. Brown s.n.” (K000543880) kept at K is designated as neotype. Since Baker (1877), when he published the name A. maximiliana, cited the earlier A. gustaviana as a synonym of the former, both A. gustaviana and A. maximiliana have the same type. The name A. gustaviana was published in 1874, i.e., three years before A. maximiliana, and will have to be adopted for this economically important species, unless the conservation proposal is successful.

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.

Extending the Natural Distribution Range of Astroloba herrei Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae): Implications for Its Conservation Status

Abstract: n Astroloba herrei Uitewaal (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) is currently regarded as one of the rarest and most threatened species in the genus. The species is mostly recorded as having a small, restricted geographical distribution range, as well as a habitat that is vulnerable due, in part at least, to its proximity to human activity. Its distribution range is interpreted as disjunct, as the species is considered to be restricted to two widely separated areas: 1.) the immediate surrounds of Prince Albert in the Great Karoo, Western Cape Province, South Africa, and 2.) a contested spot north of Uniondale in the Little Karoo. We hypothesised that these two areas, separated by 100 km [60 miles], were contiguous, but not through the most frequented routes connecting these two spots. Map overlays for vegetation type, soil type, and geology were used to predict likely habitats in the more inaccessible region through which the areas could be connected, specifically along the northern (Great Karoo) slopes of the Swartberg. Based on the results, the most likely potential localities were identified and visited, and the species was found where predicted. Ground-truthing of the predicted range therefore confirmed that A. herrei is in fact far more widespread than previously believed. Its distribution stretches from west of Prince Albert, along the eastern Swartberg, and across the provincial border into the Eastern Cape Province, where it occurs along the R407 road that connects Prince Albert to Willowmore. At the eastern edge of its range it crosses the Swartberg to the south, and occurs north of Uniondale. Significantly, A. herrei has a natural range which in size by far outstrips that of a number of other Astroloba species. Based on the results of our work we propose that the conservation status of Astroloba herrei be changed from “Vulnerable D2” to “Least Concern”.

The International Organization for Succulent Plant Study (IOS): Its Role and Potential Services to the International Scientific Community

IOS, a scientific member of the International Union of Biological Sciences, was officially established at the Stadtische Sukkulenten-Sammlung in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1950. The IOS is presented, with emphasis on the structure of the organisation, its congresses, publications, conservation activities, and its potential services to the international scientific community. An address list of the current IOS board members and section co-ordinators is provided.