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A synopsis of Asclepias (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) in tropical
Africa
D. J. Goyder
1
Summary. In preparation for two major regional Flora accounts, Asclepias has been reassessed in tropical Africa. 38
species not assigned to the allied genera Aspidoglossum,Glossostelma,Gomphocarpus,Margaretta,Pachycarpus,Stathm-
ostelma,Stenostelma or Xysmalobium are recognised in the region. Nine species and one subspecies are described for
the first time. The inclusion of Trachycalymma again within Asclepias requires four new combinations. A further
three new names or combinations are required for the transfer of Odontostelma welwitschii,Schizoglossum alpestre and
Stathmostelma verdickii to Asclepias. Five names are lectotypified, and a neotype proposed for Gomphocarpus meliodorus.
The conservation status of all species is assessed.
Key Words. Asclepiadaceae, Asclepiadinae, Asclepias, nomenclature, taxonomy.
Introduction and Historical Treatment
Satisfactory delimitation of genera in the Asclepias L.
complex has been problematic since at least the time of
N. E. Brown, whose introduction to Xysmalobium R. Br.
in the Flora of Tropical Africa (Brown 1902:299)included
the following note: “Undoubtedly Xysmalobium,Asclepias
and Schizoglossum E. Mey. are but artificial divisions of
one natural genus, since they cannot be separated by
characters that do not break down at some point”.
Nevertheless, Brown went on to assign species to the
three genera on the basis of the form of the corona —
cucullate in Asclepias,dorsallyflattened in Schizoglossum,
and thickened or laterally compressed in Xysmalobium.
Other genera such as Margaretta Oliv. and Pachycarpus E.
Mey. were recognised on the basis of other coronal
peculiarities —the petaloid corona of Margaretta,and
coronas with a strongly keeled basal portion and a long
inflexed tip in Pachycarpus. The corona offers useful
characters for species delimitation, but appears unreli-
able as an indicator of phylogenetic relationships
(Fishbein 2001; Goyder et al. 2007).
Bullock (1952,1953a,b,1955,1956,1957,1961)and
later workers (Kupicha 1984;Smith1988; Goyder 1995,
1998a,b,2001,2005; Goyder & Nicholas 2001)have
attempted to reunite groups of species separated
arbitrarily by Brown’s(1902) treatment. In doing so,
increased significance has been attached to vegetative
characters at the expense of coronal morphology. The
core genera of Asclepiadinae currently recognised in
tropical Africa are as follows: Asclepias,Aspidoglossum E.
Mey., Glossostelma Schltr., Gomphocarpus R. Br., Margaretta,
Odontostelma Rendle, Pachycarpus,Stathmostelma K.
Schum., Stenostelma Schltr., Trachycalymma (K. Schum.)
Bullock and Xysmalobium. The monotypic Aidomene
Stopp was recently reduced to synonymy under Asclepias
aurea (Schltr.) Schltr. (Goyder et al.2008). Additional
species such as Schizoglossum alpestre K. Schum. or
Stathmostelma verdickii De Wild. are currently unplaced,
having been excluded from genera as they were revised
(Kupicha 1984;Goyder1998b). Many African species
described in Asclepias were never reassigned to segregate
genera despite Bullock’s intention to restrict Asclepias to
species from the New World.
Insights from the first molecular study of the subtribe
(Goyder et al. 2007), although limited by incomplete
sampling and poor resolution, suggest that the genera
as currently defined map poorly onto cladograms
illustrating their inferred evolutionary history. Our
phylogenetic understanding of this group of plants is
inadequate for confident redefinition of generic limits,
or to indicate which morphological characters might
provide the best indicators of phylogenetic relationship.
Although species of Margaretta and Stathmostelma are
undoubtedly closely allied (Goyder et al. 2007: 431,
Fig. 1), it is not at all clear from available evidence what
other species might also group with them. Asclepias
inaequalis Goyder, described below, appeared (as ‘Gen.
indet. aff. Asclepias’) in a well-supported clade with
Stathmostelma and Margaretta in Goyder et al. (2007).
However, several of the other tropical species of
Asclepias share some physical characteristics with these
plants and might, or might not, be related genetically. I
have therefore refrained at this stage from formally
uniting Margaretta with Stathmostelma. More comprehen-
Accepted for publication April 2009.
1
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK. e-mail: d.goyder@kew.org
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64: 369–399 (2009)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
sive molecular surveys of the Asclepias radiation led by
Mark Fishbein at Portland State University, in collabo-
ration with David Chuba for Old World species, have also
been hampered by lack of resolution and show little sign
of resolving these issues (Fishbein, pers. comm.). In the
light of this, the most conservative approach is to retain
Asclepias as the generic name for species of uncertain
affinity, as a broad definition of the genus would
include the entire radiation except for Calotropis R.
Br., Kanahia R. Br. and Pergularia L. A more narrowly
defined Asclepias appears not to be monophyletic, with
both New World (Asclepias sensu stricto) and Old World
radiations, but there is currently no workable hypoth-
esis for assigning Old World species to other genera.
It is disappointing, then, in this precursor to the
Apocynaceae accounts for the Flora of Tropical East
Africa and Flora Zambesiaca, to have to resort to a
broad, almost certainly paraphyletic concept of Asclepias
to accommodate species excluded from other genera,
and species of uncertain affinity. Asclepias in this sense
contains so much morphological variation that I can no
longer justify the maintenance of Trachycalymma
(Goyder 2001), with its highly derived coronas, or
Odontostelma, as distinct genera.
For the purposes of this contribution, tropical
Africa is taken to be subsaharan Africa as far south as
Angola and the countries of the Flora Zambesiaca
region (Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Botswana and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia). Thirty-
eight species of Asclepias occur in the region. A
synopsis is presented, with nine species and one
subspecies described for the first time. The inclusion
of Trachycalymma again within Asclepias requires four
new nomenclatural combinations. A further three new
names and combinations are required to validate the
transfer of Odontostelma welwitschii Rendle, Schizoglossum
alpestre and Stathmostelma verdickii to Asclepias.
Material
The study was based principally on collections housed at
BM, BR, EA and K, with some additional material from
E, LISC, LMU, MAL, MO, MPU, P, PRE and SRGH.
Geographic Distribution and Endemism
in Tropical Africa
In tropical Africa the core genera of Asclepiadinae,
the ‘Asclepias radiation’, contain some 125 species.
Within Asclepias itself, as defined here, one neotropical
species, Asclepias curassavica L., has become naturalised
in wetter parts of tropical Africa. The remaining 37
species are all native and endemic to continental Africa.
The montane regions of southern Tanzania, northern
Malawi and the Katanga highlands of south-eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be a centre of
diversity not only for Asclepias, with 14 species, but for
some other genera of the African Asclepias radiation.
Some high altitude species are restricted to particular
mountain blocks. The Ufipa highlands between Lake
Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa in SW Tanzania have the
endemic taxa Asclepias pseudoamabilis Goyder, Glossos-
telma mbisiense Goyder, Margaretta rosea Oliv. subsp.
corallina Goyder and Pachycarpus pachyglossus Goyder,
while the Kitulo Plateau and adjacent ranges N of Lake
Malawi are home to A. alpestris,A. breviantherae Goyder
subsp. minor Goyder, A. edentata Goyder, A. inaequalis,A.
mtorwiensis Goyder and P. grantii (Oliv.) Bullock subsp.
marroninus Goyder and P. richardsiae Goyder. Most other
taxa are more widespread, frequently at lower altitudes.
Several species, such as A. densiflora N. E. Br., A.
adscendens (Schltr.) Schltr., A. meliodora (Schltr.) Schltr.
and A. eminens (Harv.) Schltr., are predominantly
southern African in affinity and distribution. Two
species, A. solstitialis A. Chev. and A. kamerunensis Schltr.
occur in West Africa.
Key to Genera of Asclepiadinae in Tropical Africa
1. Plants twining; leaves suborbicular with deeply cordate base; staminal corona lobes drawn out into prominent
apical and basal projections; follicles frequently paired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pergularia
1. Plants self-supporting, branches prostrate or erect, never twining; leaves linear to oblong or ovate, never suborbicular;
staminalcoronalobeslackingapicalandbasalprojections;folliclesalmostalwayssolitary.......................2
2. Staminal corona with basal spur; moderate to large arborescent shrubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calotropis
2. Staminal corona lacking basal spur; slender to robust herbs or subshrubs . ...........................3
3. Inflorescence axis indeterminate; rheophyte in seasonal watercourses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kanahia
3. Inflorescence umbelliform, sometimes subglobose, the axis determinate; occuring in various habitats
including seasonally waterlogged grasslands or banks of rivers, but not the river bed ...............4
4. Inflorescence a sessile or shortly pedunculate globose umbel; corolla appearing subglobose, the lobes
concave in lower half, recurved above; corona with erect subulate tips well-exserted beyond mouth
of corolla (mostly southern Africa) ........................................Stenostelma
4. Inflorescence and flowers not as above. .......................................................5
5. Inflorescences sessile and fasciculate; pollinia with transparent germination zone at point of attachment
to translator arms . . . ........................................................Aspidoglossum
5. Inflorescences pedunculate or rarely sessile; pollinia lacking transparent germination zone. . . . .....6
370 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
6. Short-lived perennial subshrubs or pyrophytic herbs; rootstock a conventional taproot, sometimes
becoming woody (especially in pyrophytes), but not swollen to form a napiform tuber . . . . . . . 7
7.Coronalaterallycompressed,withacentralcavity;leavesglabrousorwithsoftindumentum..............
...........................................................................Gomphocarpus
7. Corona solid, fleshy, without a central cavity; leaves with stiff, ± hispid indumentum .............
....................................................Xysmalobium (X. undulatum)
6. Pyrophytic herbs; rootstock a vertical napiform tuber and/or with fleshyfusiformlateralroots..........8
8. Leaves with an indumentum of stiff hairs, feeling scabrid to the touch; lamina generally broad with
prominent secondary veins and a truncate to cordate base; follicles generally ornamented
with longitudinal wings or soft spine-like processes (but smooth and inflated in Pachycarpus
lineolatus and P. bisacculatus)... ...................................................9
9. Corona lobes solid, fleshy; corolla usually bearded within towards the apex; follicles covered
with soft filiformprocesses.......................Xysmalobium (X. undulatum)
9. Corona lobes generally dorsiventrally flattened, commonly with lobes or fleshy wings arising
near the base of the ventral face; corolla not conspicuously bearded; follicles winged or
smooth, lacking filiform processes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pachycarpus
8. Leaves glabrous or pubescent, if stiff scabrid hairs present, then confined to the margins; lamina
narrow to broad, secondary veins often obscure, base frequently cuneate, occasionally
truncate or cordate; follicles generally smooth, rarely with weak ornamentation of short
filiform processes ........................................... ...................10
10. Corona lobes solid, fleshy, occasionally with teeth or small processes apically (but laminar in
Glossostelma carsonii)......................................................11
11. Rootstock with a short vertical axis from which fusiform lateral tuberous roots arise; leaves
semisucculent, venation obscure .... ..............................Glossostelma
11. Rootstock a vertical napiformtuber; leaves membranous, venation mostly easily observed . . . . .
.........................................................................Xysmalobium
10. Corona lobes laminar or cucullate, with or without teeth or other ornamentation within the
cavity of the lobe, sometimes somewhat reduced . . . .........................12
12. Corona lobes petaloid, larger and more showy than the corolla. . . ...........Margaretta
12. Corona lobes not petaloid . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . ............................13
13. Pollinaria with differentially winged and contorted translator arms: proximal portion
broad and membranous, distal portion filiform and pendulous; corolla and
corona generally brightly coloured (red, orange, yellow), occasionally white
with purple markings; flowershelderect...............Stathmostelma
13. Pollinaria not as above; corolla and corona dull, if brightly coloured then corona with
prominent tooth arising from the cavity, or flowers nodding or held laterally. . . Asclepias
Synopsis of Asclepias in Tropical Africa
Asclepias L. (1753: 214). Type species: A. syriaca L.
(lectotype designated by Hitchcock in Hitchcock &
Green 1929: 136 (see also Jarvis 2007: 322)).
Odontostelma Rendle (1894: 161). Type species: O.
welwitschii Rendle.
Trachycalymma (K. Schum.) Bullock (1953b: 348). Type
species: T. cristatum (Decne.) Bullock.
Aidomene Stopp (1967: 21). Type species: A. parvula
Stopp.
Slender to robust perennial herbs with annual stems
arising from a tuber or fleshy taproot; latex white;
stems prostrate to erect, simple or branched. Leaves
opposite, linear to broadly ovate. Inflorescences ter-
minal or extra-axillary, nodding or erect, umbelliform,
sessile or pedunculate. Flowers 5-merous. Corolla
divided almost to the base, lobes campanulate, spread-
ing or reflexed. Corolline corona absent. Gynostegial
corona of 5 generally cucullate fleshy lobes arising from
the staminal column in a staminal position; minute
interstaminal lobes sometimes also present. Pollinia
pendant in anther cells; translator arms slender and
terete or flattened, sometimes clearly geniculate, but
never with a massively expanded proximal portion and
slender distal portion. Stylar head rarely projecting
much beyond top of anthers (but long-rostrate in
Asclepias longirostra). Follicles mostly single by abortion,
generally held erect, smooth, occasionally ribbed or
with lines of soft pubescent processes. Seeds ovate,
discoid, with a coma of silky hairs.
A genus with two major centres of distribution, one
New World with c. 120 spp mostly centred on southern
parts of the North American continent, the other Old
World, with c. 80 spp, 38 of these in tropical Africa
371A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
with the remainder in southern Africa. In addition,
many segregate genera have been recognised in the
Old World. In the broad sense the Asclepias radiation
comprises some 380 –400 species.
NOTE: Only generic synonyms relevant to the Old
World have been cited above.
In the synopsis below, only specimens from tropical
Africa have been cited, although an outline of the
overall geographic distribution is presented. Distribu-
tions within countries follow the major divisions
recognised by the three principal regional Floras
for tropical Africa —Flore d’Afrique Centrale,Flora of
Trop ica l Eas t Africa and Flora Zambesiaca. Preliminary
conservations assessments are made using version 3.1
of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN
2001).
Key to Species
1. Corolla bright red; corona orange or yellow, with prominent tooth arising from the cavity and arching over the stylar
head; annual or short-lived perennial from fibrous, non-tuberous rootstock; pan-tropical weed . . . . 1. curassavica
1. Corolla white, yellow, green or brownish; corona variously coloured, corona tooth absent or inconspicuous and
included within the cavity of the lobe; perennial producing annual shoots from tuberous rootstock; plants
native to tropical Africa
2. Leaves absent or rudimentary in upper, fertile part of stem; flowers ± sessile ................19. minutiflora
2. Upper portion of stem with fully developed leaves; flowers clearly pedicellate
3. Inflorescences erect
4. Inflorescences solitary and terminal
5. Corona lobes about as tall as the column, less than 3 mm long
6. All leaves narrowly linear with an attenuate base, glabrous or subglabrous; inflorescence with 5 –
10 flowers, corolla campanulate . . ....................................24. nuttii
6. At least the lower leaves triangular with a truncate to weakly cordate base, pubescent;
inflorescence with 10 –35 flowers. corolla somewhat reflexed
7. Peduncle less than 5 cm long, inflorescences with 10 –20 flowers; follicles with discrete,
soft,spine-likeprocesses.................................37. adscendens
7. Peduncle at least 8 cm long, inflorescences with 10 –35 flowers; follicles with irregularly lobed
longitudinal wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36. densiflora
5. Corona lobes twice as long as the column, at least 5 mm long
8. Proximal margins of corona lobes twice as tall as column, central tooth only marginally longer
than the proximal margins; anther wings triangular above the conspicuous notch, curved
below it ..............................................................23. eminens
8.Proximalmarginsofcoronalobes±astallascolumn,distalmarginformingatoothtwiceaslong;anther
wingstriangular,withoutaconspicuousnotch,lowermarginsnotcurved........32. grandirandii
4. Inflorescences extra-axillary, sometimes initially appearing terminal
9. Corona shorter than, or about as tall as the column
10. Anther wings c. 2 mm long, the margins with a conspicuous notch towards the base, rounded
abruptlybeneaththenotch...................................25. occidentalis
10. Anther wings at most 1.5 mm long, margins without a conspicuous basal notch
11. Outer face of corolla glabrous
12. Corona lobes ± as tall as column, pouched, with apical and marginal lobules; Tanzania
(Kipengere mts) at high altitude .........................28. mtorwiensis
12. Corona lobes less than half height of column, not pouched, and with fleshy peg on inner
face; seasonally waterlogged plateau grasslands from Angola to Zimbabwe . . . 29. minor
11. Outer face of corolla pubescent
13. Corona 2 –4 mm long, laterally compressed, the apex drawn out into an erect tooth;
leaves narrowly linear, base cuneate; Zimbabwe and Mozambique ......34. cucullata
13. Corona c. 1.5 mm long, neither laterally compressed nor with an apical tooth —pouched
and with 2 rounded auricles apically; leaves linear to oblong, narrowing abruptly at
the base; southern Tanzania and northern Malawi . . . .........27. A. breviantherae
9. Corona clearly longer than the column
14. Corona lobes dorsiventally flattened, broadly obovate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26. inaequalis
14. Corona lobes cucullate, or if dorsiventrally flattened then broadest near the base
15. Leaves narrowly to broadly oblong, secondary veins clearly visible
372 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
16. Corona lobes with mid-line drawn out into a long-attenuate tip, 5 –7 mm long; outer face of
corolla pubescent; highlands of SE Congo, SW Tanzania, NE Zambia and northern
Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32. grandirandii
16. Corona lobes lacking long drawn-out tip, 3 –4 mm long; outer face of corolla
glabrous; regions of Botswana and Mozambique bordering South Africa and
Swaziland......................................38. meliodora
15. Leaves narrowly linear, only the mid-vein visible
17. Corona with well-developed attenuate appendage on adaxial face; found only above 2500 m in
the Kitulo and Kipengere mountains of southern Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30. alpestris
17. Corona lacking an adaxial appendage
18. Peduncles mostly 5 –15 cm long, subglabrous or minutely pubescent; corolla yellow,
cream or white adaxially; corona lobes lacking papillae in the cavity and along the
midline; stems reddish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .....................33. aurea
18. Peduncles 1 –4 cm long, densely pubescent, sometimes minutely so; corolla greenish
white tinged pink adaxially; corona lobes papillose in the cavity and/or along the
midline; stems green
19. Corona lobes 3 –3.5 mm long, papillae present in both cavity of lobe and on midline;
translator arms of uniform thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35. pygmaea
19. Corona lobes 4 –8 mm long, papillae present only along the midline; translator arms
broader distally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31. randii
3. Inflorescences nodding
20. Leaves ovate or broadly oblong, generally with a truncate to cordate base
21. Leaves semisucculent, glabrous or subglabrous; venation usually indistinct
22. Corona lobes laterally compressed and with a central cavity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12. fulva
22. Corona lobes dorsiventrally flattened, at least distally; margins inrolled, but not forming a distinct
central cavity.................... ..............................18. buchwaldii
21. Leaves herbaceous, pubescent; venation prominent
23. Corona lobes with a fimbriate tooth in the cavity; anther wings c. 2.5 mm long; plants of southern
Ethiopia. ................................................15. pseudofimbriata
23. Corona lobes without a tooth in the cavity; anther wings c. 1.5 mm long; plants of the eastern
Zimbabwe-Mozambique highlands. . . . . . ..............................14. fimbriata
20. Leaves linear to lanceolate, tapering gradually into the petiole or with a narrowly truncate base
24. Stylar head extending c. 5 mm beyond anthers as a long-rostrate appendage . . . . . . . . . 11. longirostra
24. Stylar head not or barely extending beyond anthers, flat or domed
25. Corona lobes spreading from the column, subcylindrical with densely papillate inrolled upper
margins; endemic to Chimanimani mts (eastern Zimbabwe). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16. graminifolia
25. Corona not as above
26. Plant generally taller than 50 cm; most leaves more than 10 cm long
27. Corona lobes 7 –10 mm long, twice the height of the column; corolla lobes at least 7 mm
long; sepals at least 8 mm long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. stathmostelmoides
27. Corona lobes less than 7 mm long, 1 –1.5 times height of column; corolla lobes 6 mm or
less; sepals at most 6 mm long
28. Corona lobes 4 –7 mm long; anther wings 2.5 –3 mm long
29. Upper margins of corona highest proximally, rounded and densely papillate; outer
face of corolla pubescent; inflorescences with fewer than 5 flowers; Tanzania,
Mozambique and Zambia.............................3. longissima
29. Upper margins of corona raised distally, with a prominent tooth pointing towards
column at about the mid point; outer face of corolla glabrous; inflorescences
with at least 10 flowers; West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. solstitialis
28. Corona lobes 2 –3.5 mm; anther wings no more than 2 mm long
30. Peduncles to 1.5 cm long; anther wings with curved margins; corona fleshy, not
laterally compressed, with a pair of acute teeth 0.5 –1 mm long on the
proximal margins and a fleshy tooth on the distal margin all pointing towards
head of column. . . . ..............................4. crassicoronata
30. Peduncles at least 2 cm long; anther wings triangular; corona lobes laterally
compressed, with tooth half way along upper margin
373A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
31. Corona lobes taller than broad; anther wings 1.5 –2mmlong;W
Africa................................7. kamerunensis
31. Corona lobes ± as broad as tall; anther wings 1 mm long; southern Tanzania . .
.............................................5. tanganyikensis
26. Plant generally shorter than 50 cm; most leaves less than 10 cm long
32. Corona lobes laterally compressed for their entire length, not drawn out into a tongue
distally
33. Corolla lobes 4 –6 mm long, green or blue outside, glabrous; corona lobes taller
than broad; W Africa. ................................7. kamerunensis
33. Corolla lobes (6 –)7–9 mm long, tinged with red, brown or purple outside,
pubescent at least towards the tip; corona lobes taller than broad or about as
broad as tall; Katanga plateaus, southern Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi
(amabilis complex)
34. Leaves densely pubescent with spreading white hairs on both sides; corona
lobes taller than broad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10. pseudoamabilis
34. Leaves glabrous or minutely rusty pubescent; corona lobes as broad as tall
35. Corona lobes variously lobed or toothed on upper margins, outer margins
fused; growing in seasonally waterlogged grassland ........8. amabilis
35. Corona lobes lacking teeth on the upper margins, outer margins free;
found in montane grassland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. edentata
32. Corona lobes rounded in section or dorsiventrally flattened, if appearing laterally
compressed near attachment to column, thendistalmarginsdrawnoutintoatongue
36. Corona lobes subglobose; a tuft of papillae entirely filling the cavity of the
corona.......................................13. palustris
36. Corona lobes generally longer than broad; papillae, if present, microscopic
37. Gynostegium stipitate, the stipe 2 –3.5 mm long; free portion of corona lobes
forming an erect dorsiventrally flattened tongue 4 –5 mm long with a
truncate apex and inrolled margins . . ................18. buchwaldii
37. Gynostegium sessile; corona lobes not as above
38. Corona lobes narrowing abruptly near the base to form a curved or
pouched tongue . ...............................17. shabaensis
38. Corona lobes tapering gradually into the tongue
39. Corolla white, frequently suffused with pink or purple, but never
strongly veined; anther wings c. 1.5 mm long; proximal margins of
corona lobes reaching ± halfway up anther wings . . . . . . 22. foliosa
39. Corolla white or pink with deeper veins within; anther wings c. 2 mm long;
coronalobeswithproximalmarginsnotreachingbaseofantherwings
40. Leaves mostly linear; corona lobes purple with pale margins, 5 –
7 mm long; coronal papillae in a band across the extreme base
of the lobe . . . ......................21. schumanniana
40. Leaves mostly oblong or elliptic; corona lobes white with pink at
base, 4 –5 mm long; coronal papillae in a band across the
middle of the lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20. ameliae
1. Asclepias curassavica L.(1753: 215). Type: Curaçao,
Linn. Herb. 310: 19 (lectotype LINN, designated by
Woodson 1954: 59 (see also Jarvis 2007: 321)).
Asclepias nivea var. curassavica (L.) Kuntze (1891: 418).
Asclepias bicolor Moench (1794: 717), nom illegit. Type as
for A. curassavica L.
Asclepias aurantiaca Salisb. (1796: 150), nom illegit. Type
as for A. curassavica L.
Asclepias margaritacea Hoffmanns. ex Schult. (1820:86).
Type: Brazil, Camete, Hoffmannseg s.n. (not traced).
Asclepias cubensis Wender. (1843: 830). Type: Cuba, Jan.
1841, Pfeiffer s.n. (?MAR†(Stafleu & Cowan 1988:
178)).
Asclepias curassavica var. concolor Krug & Urb. (1899:
389). Type: Puerto Rico, Sintennis 3949 (lecto-
type MO, designated here, see below). [Paral-
ectotypes: Santo Domingo, near Puerto Plata,
1849, Schwanecke s.n. (B†); Puerto Rico, near
Bayamon, Sintennis 67c (B†)&CaboRojo,Stahl
713 (B†).]
374 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
DISTRIBUTION. A pantropical weed. Native and wide-
spread across the neotropics, cultivated and natural-
ised widely in Old World tropics.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. SIERRA LEONE. Freetown, grow-
ing between the laterite rocks at Lower Commisariat,
Aug. 1915, Litchford s.n. in Lane-Poole 384 (K). GHANA.
Aburi, Johnson s.n. (K). NIGERIA. Old Idanre, 27 Nov.
1983, Lowe 4448 (K). EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Bioko
[Fernando Po], Dec. 1859, Mann 48 (K); Annobón
[Pagalú], Lago a Pot, 5 Nov. 1987, Carvalho 3072 (K).
SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE. São Tomé, near the waterfall of
Manuel Jorge R., 20 Oct. 1993, Figueredo & Arriegas 60
(K). GABON. Mitzic, 31 July 1957, Jeffrey 327 (K). DEM.
REP. CONGO. VI: Barumbu, 30 Oct. 1913, Becquaert
1042 (K). UGANDA. U2: Toro Distr., Ibonde, camp
garden, 13 Aug. 1938, Thomas 2341 (K). KENYA. K7:
KilifiDistr., Kibarani [Kiborani], 28 Sept. 1945, Jeffery
K332 (K). TANZANIA. T3: Tanga Distr., Usambara,
Heinsen 129 (K); Lushoto Distr., nursery, E African
Agricultural Research Station Amani, 5 April 1932,
Greenway 2961 (K); T7: Mbeya Distr., gardens of the Mt
Livingstone Hotel, Mbeya, 29 Nov. 1994, Goyder et al.
3841 (DSM, K). Zanzibar, 1927, Tom s 16 (K).
MOZAMBIQUE. T: Zumbo, on the Zambezi, 22 June
1900, Baum 1004 (K); M: Maputo [Lourenço Marques],
Jardim Vasco da Gama, 20 March 1972, Balsinhas 2400
(K). MALAWI. S: Blantyre, on waste ground in town-
ship, 6 Jan. 1956, Jackson 1774 (K). ZIMBABWE. W:
Hwange [Wankie] Distr., Matetsi Safari area, Namakuwe
R, 13 March 1981, Gonde 360 (K, SRGH).
HABITAT. Moist areas.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Synonymy for this species follows Woodson
(1954), amended as appropriate. In formally designat-
ing a lectotype for Asclepias curassavica var. concolor I
have followed Woodson (1954: 59) who stated that
Sintennis 3949 (MO) was the type of this name.
2. Asclepias stathmostelmoides Goyder nom. nov.
Fig. 1A –C.
Stathmostelma verdickii De Wild., Ann. Mus. Congo Belge.
Bot.,sér.5,1:188(1904), non Asclepias verdickii De Wild.
(1906: 305). Type: Democratic Republic of Congo,
Katanga, Feb. 1900, Verd i c k 361 (holotype BR, photo. K).
DISTRIBUTION. Scattered localities in Burundi, Demo-
cratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi
and Mozambique.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. BURUNDI. IX: Bururi Distr.,
Nyanza Lake, Makamba road, 19 March 1967, Lewalle
1716 (BR). DEM. REP. CONGO. V: Lomami, Mwene
Ditu, May 1952, Dandoy 227 (BR, K); IX: West of Lake
Kivu, 16 July 1908, Kassner 3808 (P); XI: Katanga Distr.,
Mulombo, Feb. 1900, Verdick 361 (BR). TANZANIA. T1:
Mwanza Distr., 60 km S of Nungwe, SW of Lake
Victoria, 18 Dec. 1936, Morgan 72 (BM); T4: Nkansi
Distr., 29 km on Namanyere –Karonga road, 5 March
1994, Bidgood et al. 2647 (EA, K); T5: Singida Distr.,
Matalele, 22 March 1928, Burtt 1422 (K); T7: Mbeya
Distr., Magangwe air strip, 14 April 1970, Park Ranger s.n.
in EAH 14434 (EA, K). ZAMBIA. N: Mbala Distr.,
Chilongowelo, close to path to Plain of Death, 4 Feb.
1952, Richards 951 (K); C: Mulungushi, 9 Feb. 1964,
Fanshawe 8268 (K); S: Mazabuka Distr., Mapanza, 15
Feb. 1958, Robinson 2760 (K, SRGH). MALAWI. N:
Mbawa experimental station, Mzimba, fr. 5 April 1955,
Jackson 1598 (K); S: Liwonde National Park, Chiunguni
Horseshoe, 29 Dec. 1986, Oudley 1806 (K). MOZAMBIQUE.
Z: Gurue, 26 km from Mutuali to Lioma, 10 Feb. 1964,
Torre & P a i v a 10505 (LISC).
HABITAT. Grassland and open Brachystegia or other
deciduous woodland; 500 –1500 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Bullock (1953b: 346), who saw only the type,
allied this species with Stathmostelma welwitschii,to
which it bears little similarity. The hispid indumentum
and apparently tuberous rootstock may explain the
former placement of this species within Stathmostelma,
but other characters are anomalous for that genus.
The flowers are nodding rather than erect; the corona
very similar to that of Gomphocarpus integer —as
pointed out by De Wildeman (1904)—but ques-
tioned by Bullock (1953b: 347); the anther wings are
straight, not curved as in Stathmostelma;andthe
translator arms are not developed in the flattened
and contorted style so characteristic of that genus.
This species was excluded from Stathmostelma by
Goyder (1998b: 614).
3. Asclepias longissima (K. Schum.) N. E. Br.(1902:
338). Type: Tanzania, Lake Malawi [Nyasa], Goetze s.n.
(holotype B†; isotype K). Fig. 1D.
Gomphocarpus longissimus K. Schum. (1901: 382).
DISTRIBUTION. Known from several localities in SW
Tanzania, Niassa Province in Mozambique, and
around Mbala in northern Zambia.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. TANZANIA. T4: Ufipa Distr.:
escarpment above Kasanga, 30 March 1959, Webster s.n.
in Richards 11018 (K); T7: Rungwe Distr.: Kyimbila,
4 March 1914, Stolz 2579 (K); T8: Songea Distr.:
between the two crossings of the R. Luhekea at foot
of Mbamba Bay escarpment, 6 April 1956, Milne-
Redhead & Taylor 9484 (K). ZAMBIA. N: Mbala Distr.,
Old road from Chemba village to Cascalawa, 16 Feb.
1960, Richards 12490 (K, SRGH); Mbala [Abercorn]
Distr., April 1932, Gamwell 111 (BM). MOZAMBIQUE. N:
Marrupa, 20 km from Missor on Lichinga road, 16 Feb.
1981, Nuvunga 534 (K, LMU).
HABITAT. Generally on rocky ground in open Brachystegia
woodland or grassland; 500 –1500 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
375A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 1. A–CAsclepias stathmostelmoides.Ahabit; Bfruit; Cflower. DA. longissima, flower, with detail of coronal papillae. EA.
crassicoronata, flower. FA. tanganyikensis,flower. A&Cfrom Bidgood et al. 2647; Bfrom Congdon s.n.; Dfrom Johnston 257; E
from Bidgood et al. 2388; Ffrom Lynes IH 90. DRAWN BY MARGARET TEBBS.
376 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
4. Asclepias crassicoronata Goyder sp. nov. A. stathmos-
telmoidi atque A. longissimo atque A. tanganyikensi similis
sed lobis coronae ecucullatis carnosis dentes introrsos
ferentibus et floribus minoribus differt. Typus: Zambia
N, 30 km ESE of Kasama, 18 Feb. 1961, Robinson 4390
(holotypus K).
Perennial herb with a single annual stem arising from a
tuber or fleshy taproot; stems c. 1 m long, unbranched,
erect, glabrous or minutely pubescent above, lacking
leaves in upper parts. Leaves with petiole 1 –5mm
long; lamina 11 –20 ×0.3 –0.4 cm, narrowly linear,
apex attenuate, the base cuneate, secondary veins
inconspicuous, margins revolute, glabrous except
along margins. Inflorescences extra-axillary with 4 –6
flowers in a nodding umbel, peduncles 0.5 –1.5 cm
long, minutely pubescent; pedicels 1.5 –2 cm long,
slender, minutely pubescent. Sepals 2 –3×1 mm,
triangular, acute, pubescent. Corolla strongly reflexed,
green or purple, glabrous or sparsely pubescent on
outer surface, minutely papillate within; lobes 4 –6×
2–3 mm, ovate, acute, plane. Corona lobes attached c.
1 mm above the base of the staminal column, 3 –3.5 ×
1.5 mm, slightly taller than column, fleshy, concave
above, not laterally compressed, with a pair of acute
teeth 0.5 –1 mm long on the proximal margins and a
fleshy tooth on the distal margin all pointing towards
head of column, green. Anther wings 1.5 mm long,
curved; anther appendages c. 1 mm long. Corpusculum
0.5 ×0.2 mm, narrowly ovoid, brown; translator arms
c. 0.3 mm long, flattened and slightly geniculate;
pollinia c. 0.9 ×0.3 mm, flattened, obovate. Stylar head
raised above top of anthers by c. 0.5 mm, flat. Follicles
not seen. Fig. 1E.
DISTRIBUTION. KnownonlyfromsouthernTanzania(T4,
T7), northern Zambia and central and northern Malawi.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T4: Ufipa Distr.,
Tatanda Mission, 22 Feb. 1994, Bidgood et al. 2388 (K);
T7: Iringa Distr., Iheme, 30 km S of Iringa, 24 Feb.
1962, Polhill & Paulo 1591 (K); Mbeya Distr., between
Mshewe and Muvwa villages, 2 Feb. 1990, Lovett et al.
4046 (K). ZAMBIA.N: N Luangwa National Park, 16
Feb. 1994, Smith 244 (K); 30 km ESE of Kasama, 18 Feb.
1961, Robinson 4390 (K). MALAWI. N: Mzimba, 28 Feb.
1959, Robson 1732 (K); Mzimba, 12 km S of Eutini, 31
Jan. 1976, Pawek 10780 (K, MAL); Vipya Plateau, 1948,
Benson 1462 (BM); C: Chipala Hill, 6 km N of Kasungu,
14 Jan. 1959, Robson & Jackson 1182 (K).
HABITAT. Brachystegia or mixed deciduous woodland
on rocky hills; 1000 –1900 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. The flowers of this species are smaller than the
similar Asclepias stathmostelmoides,A. longissima and A.
tanganyikensis, and the corona is not laterally com-
pressed and cucullate, but fleshy and with an inward-
pointing tooth.
5. Asclepias tanganyikensis E. A. Bruce (1934: 303).
Type: Tanzania, Iringa, Mt Luhoto [Lukota], 12 Feb.
1932, Lynes Ih 90 (holotype EA, not seen; isotype K).
Fig. 1F.
Gomphocarpus tanganyikensis (E.A.Bruce)Bullock
(1953b: 340).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from two collections near
Iringa in southern Tanzania.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Iringa Distr.: Mt
Luhoto [Lukota], 12 Feb. 1932, Lynes Ih 90 (K); Signal
Hill, 20 Feb. 1932, St Clair Thompson 468 (BM, K) [but
note that flower in packet and the drawing on the K
sheet are not from this collection but from Asclepias
crassicoronata described above].
HABITAT. Thompson 468 records the following: ‘Frequent
and gregarious in poor soil under Brachystegia’;1700–
1800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B2ab(iii).
The area around Iringa is under considerable pressure
due to increases in population and cultivation. Asclepias
tanganyikensis is known historically from just two local-
ities, and has not been collected since 1932. It must be
considered Endangered under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001)
if it is not already Extinct.
PHENOLOGY. Flowering in February.
6. Asclepias solstitialis A. Chev.(1917: 270). Type: Ivory
Coast, Cercle de Mankono, between Seguela and Tiana, 4
June 1909, Chevalier 21849 (holotype P, photo. K).
Gomphocarpus solstitialis (A. Chev.) Bullock (1953b:
340).
DISTRIBUTION. Savannas of West Africa with a scattered
distribution from the GuineahighlandstoCameroon.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. GUINEA (Conakry). Soarella, 22
June 1902, Pobéguin 1007 (K); Ziama, 10 May 1948,
Adam 27210 (MO, PRE). IVORY COAST. Maharoue
National Park, central savanna area, 19 May 1999,
Jonkind & Diomaudé 4618 (K, WAG); nr Mankoro,
Mont Kamoueniboka near Marabidyasa, 3 July 1909,
Fleury s.n. in Chevalier 22017 (K, P). GHANA. Fesi, 13
Aug. 1969, Hall s.n. in GC 43198 (K). NIGERIA. Aguji,
near Ilorin, Thornton s.n. [recd. 26.8.1913] (K); Zungeru,
31 July 1905, Dalziel 3(K).CAMEROON. Mgoléré to
Meiganga, June 1939, Jacques-Félix 4294 (K, P).
HABITAT. Savanna grassland or woodland.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Flowers generally described as bluish on
herbarium labels, but the descriptions are vague.
7. Asclepias kamerunensis Schltr.(1913: 137). Type:
Cameroon, Kongola, April 1914, Mildbraed 9040 (neo-
type K, designated by Bullock 1953b: 340). Original
377A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
syntypes: Cameroon, near Ngom, Oct. 1909, Ledermann
5663 (B†); S Adamaua, Mildbraed 4860 (B†).
Gomphocarpus kamerunensis (Schltr.) Bullock (1953b:
340).
DISTRIBUTION. Savannas of west Africa with a scattered
distribution from Ghana to Cameroon, Gabon and
Central African Republic.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. GHANA. Buem –Krachi Distr.,
Shiare, 18 April 1959, Hall 1448 (K). NIGERIA. Onitsha
Province, Nsuka, 24 June 1945, Thompson s.n. (K);
Zaria Province, 5 km E of Mando, 8 June 1950, Keay s.n.
in FHI 25857 (K). CAMEROON. Bamenda, Ngong, June
1931, Maitland 1747 (K); Mbaw Plain, near Sabonbari
village, 9 May 1962, Brunt 406 (K); near Laye, 30 km W
of Batouri, 5 April 1962, Letouzey 4652 (K, P); Kongola,
April 1914, Mildbraed 9040 (K). CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC. Bozoum, 1 July 1931 & 1933, Tisserant s.n.
in Le Testu 2855 (BM, 2 sheets).
HABITAT. Grassland and open savanna woodland on
rocky hills.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Essentially a smaller, less glabrous version of
Asclepias solstitialis. Flowers about half the size of the
preceeding species.
8. Asclepias amabilis N. E. Br.(1895a: 70). Type:
Zambia, Fwambo, Carson 55 (lectotype K, designated
here). Paralectotype: Zambia, Fwambo, Carson 35 (K).
Fig. 2C.
Gomphocarpus amabilis (N. E. Br.) Bullock (1953b:
341).
DISTRIBUTION. Recorded from southern Tanzania,
northern Malawi, the Katanga plateaus of south-eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo and the Mbala and
Mwinilunga areas of Zambia.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. D. R. CONGO. XI: Biano Plateau,
Kansenia stn, 8 Nov. 1958, Schmitz 6353 (BR); Kundelungu
Plateau, 6.3 km N of Katshupa Post, 28 Jan. 1967, Malaisse
4963 (BR). TANZANIA. T4: Ufipa Distr., 20 km from
Kawimbe, 29 Jan. 1957, Richards 8029 (BR, K); Malonje
Plateau, 3 Jan. 1962, Richards 15893 (K); T7: Chunya
Distr., 80 km along Chunya –Itigi road, 21 March 1965,
Richards 19785 (K); Mbeya Distr.: 8 km NE of Tunduma,
10 Jan. 1975, Brummitt & Polhill 13676 (K). ZAMBIA. W:
Mwinilunga Distr., Kalenda Plain N of Matonchi Farm, 8
Dec. 1937, Milne-Redhead 3556 (K); valley below Matonchi
Farm, 19 Nov. 1962, Richards 17299 (K); N: Mbala Distr.,
Marsh near fish ponds, Kiwimbi, 9 Feb. 1955, Richards
4396 (BR, K); Lunzua Swamp, 17 Jan. 1962, Richards
15912 (K). MALAWI. N: Rumpi Distr., Nyika Plateau, Lake
Kaulime, 4 Jan. 1959, Richards 10459 (K); Katoto, 5 km W
of Mzuzu, 10 Dec. 1977, Pawek 13279 (BR).
HABITAT. Seasonally waterlogged grassland (dambo/
mbuga); 1200 –2300 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Carson 55 was chosen as lectotype to avoid any
possible confusion over the identity of the other
syntype. Carson 35 from Fwambo in Zambia is a
syntype of this name, but a collection with the same
number, from an island in Lake Tanganyika, was
described as Ceropegia constricta N. E. Br.
9. Asclepias edentata Goyder sp. nov. Ab A. amabili
dentibus coronae carentibus (nec praesentibus),
marginibus externis loborum coronae liberis (nec
connatis), corolla atque corona viridibus (nec roseis
neque purpurascentibus) differt. Typus: Tanzania T7,
Njombe Distr., Kipengere Mts, 14 Jan. 1957, Richards
7774 (holotypus K, isotypus EA).
Perennial herb with a single annual stem, rootstock not
seen; stems 0.2 –0.4 m long, unbranched, erect,
minutely pubescent above. Leaves sessile or with petiole
to c. 5 mm; lamina 7 –11 ×0.3 –1 cm, narrowly linear
to linear lanceolate, glabrous except on the midrib
below. Inflorescences extra-axillary with 4 –8flowers in
a nodding umbel, peduncles (2 –) 4.5 –7 cm long,
minutely pubescent; bracts to c. 0.8 cm long, filiform,
pubescent; pedicels 1 –2.5 cm long, minutely pubes-
cent. Sepals c. 4 –5×1.5 mm, lanceolate to narrowly
triangular, attenuate, pubescent, generally reddish
brown. Corolla reflexed, lobes 7 –9×4–5 mm, ovate,
subacute, adaxial surface green, minutely papillose,
abaxial face dull brown or purple, sparsely pubescent,
at least towards apex. Corona lobes attached 0.5 –1mm
above the base of the staminal column, 3 –4×3–4 mm, ±
as tall as the column, laterally compressed, complicate,
oblong but somewhat rounded, upper margins entire,
slightly raised distally, then falling away to the base, only
uniting near the base of the outer margin, green.
Anther wings 1.6 –1.8 (–2) mm long, triangular.
Corpusculum c. 0.35 ×0.15 mm, ovoid, brown, with
narrow translucent flanges down the sides; translator
arms c. 0.15 mm long, flattened and strongly geniculate;
pollinia c. 0.9 ×0.25 mm, flattened, oblanceolate. Stylar
head ± level with top of anthers. Follicles and seed not
seen. Fig. 2D.
DISTRIBUTION. Apparently restricted to the Kitulo and
Kipengere mountains of southern Tanzania.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Njombe Distr.,
Kipengere Mts, 10 Jan. 1957, Richards 7651 (K) & 14
Jan 1957, Richards 7774 (EA, K); Mbeya Distr., Kitulo
Plateau, ridge E of Ishinga Mt summit, 9 Feb. 1979,
Cribb et al. 11356 (K).
HABITAT. Rough mountain grassland; 2500 –2700 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B1ab(iii).
Much of the grassland on these mountain ranges has
been severely degraded in recent years, and as the
species is known from just two localities it must be
378 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 2. A,BAsclepias pseudoamabilis.Ahabit; Bflower. CA. amabilis,flower. DA. edentata,flower. Afrom Richards 6952
(above-ground portion) and Bullock 1947 (rootstock); Bfrom Richards 6952; Cfrom Richards 8029; Dfrom Richards 7651. DRAWN
BY MARGARET TEBBS.
379A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
considered Endangered under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. Asclepias edentata differs from A. amabilis in the
absence of teeth on the corona, and the free outer
margins of the corona lobes. Corolla and corona lobes
are green in the new species, rather than pink or
purplish in A. amabilis.Robinson 4174 (K) from north-
ern Zambia is very similar to A. edentata but has a
slightly distorted corona. It was collected at much
lower altitude in woodland rather than montane
grassland.
Asclepias edentata and the allied new species A.
pseudoamabilis, are found in montane grassland,
whereas A. amabilis is a plant of seasonally waterlogged
dambos, generally at somewhat lower elevations. The
altitude of 1500 m recorded on the label of Richards
7774 appears to be a typographic error for 2500 m, as
Mary Richards’collecting notebook at K has the
altitude 8000 ft for this and neighbouring collections.
10. Asclepias pseudoamabilis Goyder sp. nov. A.
edentatae similis sed lobis coronae longioribus quam
latioribus, marginibus externis loborum coronae connatis
(nec liberis), foliis utrinque dense pubescentibus
(nec glabris neque subglabris) differt. Typus: Tanzania
T4, Ufipa Distr., Mbisi, 27 Nov. 1949, Bullock 1947
(holotypus K).
Perennial herb with a single annual stem, arising from
very deep seated rootstock (not seen); stems c. 0.3 m
long, unbranched, erect, densely pubescent above.
Leaves sessile or subsessile; lamina 5 –9×0.5 –
1.5 cm, linear to lanceolate, densely pubescent with
spreading white hairs on both surfaces. Inflorescences
extra-axillary with 2 –6flowers in a nodding umbel,
peduncles 2 –4 cm long, densely pubescent; bracts to
c. 0.6 cm long, filiform, pubescent; pedicels 1 –2.5 cm
long, densely pubescent. Sepals c. 4 –5×1.5 mm,
lanceolate to narrowly triangular, attenuate, densely
pubescent, generally reddish brown. Corolla reflexed,
lobes 7 –9×4–6 mm, ovate, subacute, adaxial
surface green, minutely papillose, pubescent towards
margin, abaxial face dull brown or purple, densely
pubescent. Corona lobes attached 0.5 –1 mm above the
base of the staminal column, 3 –5×2–2.5 mm, taller
than the column, laterally compressed, complicate,
oblong and taller than wide, upper margins entire,
slightly raised distally, then falling away and slightly
recurved, fused along the outer margin, green. Anther
wings 1.9 –2.1 mm long, triangular. Corpusculum
c. 0.4 ×0.1 mm, narrowly ovoid, brown, with narrow
translucent flanges down the sides; translator arms
c. 0.4 mm long, flattened and strongly geniculate;
pollinia c. 1.2 ×0.25 mm, flattened, oblanceolate.
Stylar head ± level with top of anthers. Follicles and
seed not seen. Fig. 2A, B.
DISTRIBUTION. Recorded only from the highlands
around Sumbawanga and the volcanic Igwisi hills
WNW of Tabora.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T4: Tabora Distr.,
Urambo, Igwisi Hill, 12 Dec. 1950, Moors K11 (K);
Ufipa Distr., Mbisi, 27 Nov. 1949, Bullock 1947 (K) & 9
Nov. 1956, Richards 6952 (K); Ufipa Plateau over-
looking Rukwa valley, top of Sakalilo Escarpment, 1
Dec. 1954, Richards 3496 (K); road from Muse Gap to
Sumbawanga, 2 Sept. 1959, Richards 11410 (K).
HABITAT. Very dry seasonally burnt grassland; mostly
between 1700 –2400 m, but down to c. 1100 m at
Igwisi.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B1ab(iii).
With fewer than five localities, and degradation of
habitat especially at lower altitudes, this species must
be considered Endangered under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
It may be significant that, in this generally well-
collected area around Sumbawanga, the last record
for the species was in 1959.
NOTES. Essentially a pubescent form of the previous
species, with additional differences in the corona. The
corona lobes are taller than broad, the outer margins
fused not free. Leaves are densely pubescent on both
sides rather than glabrous or subglabrous in Asclepias
edentata.
11. Asclepias longirostra Goyder sp. nov. Ab omnibus
ceteris speciebus Asclepiadis africanis capitulo styli
appendicem rostratam ferenti et appendicibus
antherae erectis coronae similibus differt. Typus:
Malawi, Fort Manning [Mchinji] Distr., near Tamanda
Mission, 8 Jan. 1959, Robson 1105 (holotypus K).
Perennial herb with one or perhaps more annual
stems arising from a slender woody taproot or tuber;
stems 0.3 –0.5 m long, unbranched, erect, subgla-
brous to minutely pubescent above. Leaves subsessile;
lamina 5 –7×0.1 –0.3 cm, narrowly linear, glabrous.
Inflorescences extra-axillary with 4 –7flowers in a
nodding umbel, peduncles 2 –6 cm long, glabrous;
bracts c. 0.1 cm long, filiform; pedicels 0.5 –1.5 cm
long, glabrous or minutely rusty-pubescent. Sepals 3 –
4×1–1.5 mm, lanceolate to narrowly triangular,
attenuate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, reddish or
purplish brown. Corolla campanulate, lobes 7 –8×2–
3 mm, ovate, with a long attenuate apex, adaxial
surface green, minutely papillose, abaxial face dark
purple, glabrous or minutely pubescent towards to
apex. Corona lobes attached c. 0.5 mm above the base
of the staminal column, 2 –3 mm long, and slightly
taller than the anthers, dorsiventrally compressed
and ± oblong in outline, with the inflexed lateral
margins produced above into short rounded teeth,
somewhat fleshy, probably purple with white margins
380 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
(see note below). Anther wings c. 1.5 mm long,
triangular; anther appendages pale, narrowly triangular
and drawn out into slender erect projections c. 3 mm
long lying alongside the stylar head appendage.
Corpusculum c. 0.4 ×0.1 mm, subcylindrical, dark
brown, with narrow translucent flanges down the
sides; translator arms c. 0.4 mm long, flattened and
weakly geniculate with a short clasping overlap to the
pollinia; pollinia c. 0.7 ×0.2 mm, flattened, ± oblong.
Stylar head extending beyond top of anthers for c.
5 mm as a long, purple, rostrate appendage. Follicles
and seed not seen. Fig. 3.
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from two collections in
north-central Malawi.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MALAWI. C: Fort Manning
[Mchinji] Distr., near Tamanda Mission, 8 Jan. 1959,
Robson 1105 (K); N: Kapopo village, Chulu Native
Authority, 15 Jan. 1959, Jackson 2295 (K).
HABITAT. Seasonally waterlogged grassland —
described by Jackson as a sandy seasonal swamp.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B1ab(iii).
Known from just two localities in an area with a growing
population putting increasing areas into cultivation,
this species must be considered Endangered under
Criterion B of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
(IUCN 2001).
NOTES. The rostrate stylar head appendage of this
species appears to be unique in African Asclepias.The
slender tips to the anther appendages look superficially
like the teeth on the inner faces of staminal corona
lobes seen in Aspidoglossum. Their derivation here,
however, is quite different. Although highly distinctive,
vegetative and floral characters other than the form of
the stylar head and the anther appendages suggest a
close affinity to Asclepias amabilis. Notes on both collec-
tions state that the ‘anther appendages’are ‘purple
tipped white’or ‘dark purple edged white’—these
comments almost certainly refer to the corona lobes.
12. Asclepias fulva N. E. Br.(1895b: 254 (Oct. 1895)).
Type: Uganda, Wilson 112 (holotype K).
Pachycarpus viridiflorus E. Mey. (1837: 214). Type:
South Africa, Uitenhage Division, N side of the
Zuurberg Mts, 2500 –3000’, 30 Oct. 1829, Drège s.n.
(holotype B†; isotype K).
Xysmalobium viridiflorum (E. Mey.) D. Dietr. (1840:903).
Gomphocarpus viridiflorus (E. Mey.) Decne. (1844: 561).
Asclepias rubicunda Schltr. (1895b: 336 (Nov. 1895)).
Types: Uganda, Buddu, February, Scott Elliot 7443
(lectotype K, designated here; isolectotype BM).
Paralectotypes: Uganda, E side of Lake Albert
Edward, August, Scott Elliot 8088 (BM, K).
Asclepias dregeana Schltr. (1895b: 337 (Nov. 1895)),
nom. nov. for Gomphocarpus marginatus sensu Schltr.,
non E. Mey.
Asclepias calceolus S. Moore (1903:312;Rand1903:
338). Type: South Africa, Transvaal, open veld
NofJohannesburg,Rand 966 (holotype BM;
isotype K).
Asclepias dregeana Schltr. var. calceolus (S. Moore) N. E.
Br. (1908: 697).
Asclepias dregeana Schltr. var. sordida N. E. Br. (1908:
697). Type: South Africa, Transkei, Kentani, Feb.
1905, Pegler 655 (holotype K; isotype PRE).
Pachycarpus fulvus (N. E. Br.) Bullock (1953b: 334).
Asclepias viridiflora (E. Mey.) Goyder (1997: 247), non
A. viridiflora Raf. (1808: 360).
DISTRIBUTION. Distributed from Uganda to eastern
regions of South Africa and Lesotho.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. UGANDA. U2: Kigezi Distr.,
Nyakagyeme, April 1946, Pursglove 2042 (EA, K);
U4: Masaka Distr., Buddu, Scott Elliot 7443 (BM, K).
KENYA. K3: Uasin Gishu Distr.: Kipkarren, 1931,
Brodhurst-Hill 57 (EA, K); S Elgon, May 1941, Tweedie
565 (K). TANZANIA. T6: Morogoro Distr., Nguru
Mts near Maskati Mission, 10 June 1978, Thulin &
Mhoro 3152 (K); T7: Mbeya Distr., Poroto Mts,
Ikuyu, 10 Feb. 1979, Cribb et al. 11375 (EA, K); T8:
Songea Distr., 22 km SE of Songea, 26 March
1956, Milne-Redhead & Taylor 9341 (K). ZAMBIA. N:
Mbala [Abercorn] Distr., Ndundu, 16 Feb. 1957,
Richards 8201 (K). ZIMBABWE. N: Lomagundi Distr.,
Mtorashangu, Dec. 1973, Cannell 570 (K, SRGH); C:
Makoni Distr., 1.5 km from Eagles Nest on Rusape
road, 29 Nov. 1955, Drummond 5068 (K, PRE, SRGH);
E: Mutare, S car park, Murahwa’s Hill, 1 Jan. 1965,
Chase 8220 (EA, K, SRGH).
HABITAT. Open grassland and Brachystegia or mixed
deciduous woodland; 1000 –2100 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
13. Asclepias palustris (K. Schum.)Schltr.(1895b: 336).
Type: Angola, Malanje, Mechow 401 (lectotype K,
designated by Goyder (2001: 134); B†). Paralectotype:
Angola, Malanje, Mechow 317 (B†).
Gomphocarpus cristatus Decne. (1838: 325, t. 11D, Figs. 3
&4), non Asclepias cristata S. Moore (1912: 343).
Type: Angola, Benguela Plateau, da Silva s.n.
(holotype P, photo K).
Gomphocarpus paluster K. Schum. (1893: 127), as G.
palustris.
Asclepias cristata S. Moore (1912: 343). Type: Angola,
Kubango, Kapembe, 23 Nov. 1905, Gossweiler 2288
(lectotype BM (designated by Goyder 2001: 134).
Paralectotype: Angola, near Forte Princeza Amelia,
Dec. 1906, Gossweiler 4008 (BM).
Trachycalymma cristatum (Decne.) Bullock (1953b:
349).
[Asclepias kyimbilae Schltr. in sched. (Stolz 502 (K,
WAG)).]
381A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 3. Asclepias longirostra.A&Bhabit, with rootstock; Cflower; Dback of anther, with anther wings and long anther
appendage. A&Bfrom Robson 1105; C&Dfrom Jackson 2295. DRAWN BY MARGARET TEBBS.
382 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
DISTRIBUTION. Widely scattered in tropical Africa from
Nigeria to Uganda in the north, and Angola to
Zimbabwe in the south.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 135) under Trachycalymma cristatum.
HABITAT. Montane or seasonally waterlogged grass-
land, occasionally in open woodland; 1200 –2600 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
14. Asclepias fimbriata We i m . (1935: 378). Type:
Zimbabwe, Nyanga, above Pungwe stream, 16 Dec.
1930, Fries et al. 3748 (holotype LD, photo. K); isotypes
BM, BR, SRGH).
Trachycalymma fimbriatum (Weim.) Bullock (1953b: 352).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the eastern highlands
of Zimbabwe and adjacent parts of Mozambique.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 139) under Trachycalymma fimbriatum.
HABITAT. Growing in open montane grassland; 1700 –
2300 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii).
Although known from several localities in the high-
lands of eastern Zimbabwe and as far as Mt Gorongosa
in central Mozambique, many of the grasslands are
becoming degraded as cultivation moves up the
mountain slopes. The conservation status is therefore
assessed as Vulnerable under Criterion B of the IUCN
Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
15. Asclepias pseudofimbriata (Goyder)Goyder comb.
nov.
Trachycalymma pseudofimbriatum Goyder, Kew Bull. 56:
139 (2001). Type: Ethiopia, Sidamo Region, Agere
Selam, 12 Sept. 1990, Haugen 1503 (holotype K;
isotype ETH).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the Sidamo region of
Ethiopia.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 141) under Trachycalymma pseudofimbriatum.
HABITAT. Growing in montane grassland; c. 2700 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B1ab(iii).
With fewer than five localities, which have been
subject to environmental degradation, and an Extent
of Occurrence less than 5000 km² this species must be
considered Endangered under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001),
16. Asclepias graminifolia (Wild)Goyder,comb. nov.
Pachycarpus graminifolius Wild, Kirkia 4: 148 (1964).
Type: Zimbabwe, Chimanimani Mts, slopes of Point
71, Goodier & Phipps 199 (holotype SRGH, photo. K).
Trachycalymma graminifolium (Wild) Goyder (2001:141).
DISTRIBUTION. Endemic to the Chimanimani Moun-
tains (Wild 1964). Currently it is known only from the
Zimbabwean side, but it is likely that populations will
also be found in Mozambique.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 141) under Trachycalymma graminifolium.
HABITAT. Growing in rocky quartzite grassland;
1700 –2200 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU D2. Occuring
in the protected area of the Chimanimani National
Park, this species must nevertheless be considered
Vulnerable under Criterion D of the IUCN Red List
Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001) as it is known
from just three collections.
17. Asclepias shabaensis (Goyder)Goyder,comb. nov.
Trachycalymma shabaense Goyder, Kew Bull. 56: 144 (2001).
Type: Democratic Republic of Congo, Biano Plateau,
Katentania, Nov. 1912, Homblé 697 (holotype BR (sheet
with single much-branched specimen); isotype BR).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the Katanga region
of the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known
as Shaba.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 144) under Trachycalymma shabaense.
HABITAT. Black soil on slopes of valley or in open
plateau grassland.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii). With
an Extent of Occurrence less than 20,000 km² and fewer
than ten localities, this species must be considered
Vulnerable under Criterion B of the IUCN Red List
Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
18. Asclepias buchwaldii (Schltr. & K. Schum.) De Wild.
(1904: 185). Type: Tanzania, Usambara, Mombo,
Buchwald 375 (B†holotype); T7: Iringa Distr., upper
slopes of Image Mountain, Goyder et al. 3924 (neotype
K, designated by Goyder (2001: 146); isoneotypes
DSM, PRE).
Gomphocarpus buchwaldii Schltr. & K. Schum. (1903:324).
Asclepias affinis De Wild. (1904: 184), non Gomphocarpus
affinis Schltr. (1895a: 27), nec Asclepias affinis
(Schltr.) Schltr. (1896: 455). Type: Vieux Kasongo,
Aug. 1896, Dewèvre 952 bis (holotype BR).
Asclepias buchwaldii var. angustifolia De Wild. (1904:
185). Type: Vieux Kasongo, Aug. 1896, Dewèvre 952
(holotype BR).
Trachycalymma buchwaldii (Schltr. & K. Schum.)
Goyder (2001: 146).
DISTRIBUTION. Known from the southern highlands of
Tanzania and adjacent regions of Malawi and Zambia.
Also occurs in northern Tanzania, Burundi and the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
383A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 148) under Trachycalymma buchwaldii.
HABITAT. Growing in grassland or Brachystegia wood-
land, usually on steep rocky hillsides; 900 –2400 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
19. Asclepias minutiflora (Goyder)Goyder,comb. nov.
Trachycalymma minutiflorum Goyder, Kew Bull. 56: 148
(2001). Type: Ethiopia, Shoa Province, near Baco,
Sept. 1969, Mogk 234 (holotype EA, photo. K).
[Schizoglossum uollegaense Chiov. in schaed. (Benedetto 97
(FT)).]
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from Shoa, Illulabor and
Welega provinces in western Ethiopia.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 148) under Trachycalymma minutiflorum.
HABITAT. Growing in grassland; 1650 –1800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii). With
an Extent of Occurrence less than 20,000 km² and fewer
than ten localities, this species must be considered
Vulnerable under Criterion B of the IUCN Red List
Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
20. Asclepias ameliae S. Moore (1912: 345). Type:
Angola, between Forte Princeza Amelia and the R.
Kubango, 1 Nov. 1905, Gossweiler 2199 (holotype BM) —
reported in error by Moore (1912: 345) as 2176 (Goyder
2001: 152).
Gomphocarpus pulchellus Decne. (1838:325).Type:
Angola, Benguela Plateau, da Silva s.n. (holotype
P; isotype K).
Asclepias pulchella (Decne.) N. E. Br. (1902: 346), non
A. pulchella Salisb. (1796: 150).
Trachycalymma pulchellum (Decne.) Bullock (1953b:
350), pro parte.
DISTRIBUTION. Recorded from Angola, western and
central Zambia, and the Katanga province of the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 152) under Trachycalymma pulchellum.
HABITAT. Open, mixed deciduous woodland, or occa-
sionally in seasonally waterlogged grassland; c. 1200 –
1500 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
21. Asclepias schumanniana Hiern (1898: 686). Type:
Angola, Pungo Andongo, Pedra de Cazella, Dec. 1856,
Welwitsch 4169 (lectotype K, designated by Goyder
(2001: 152); isolectotypes B†, BM, C, P). Paralectotype:
Angola, near Malanje, Mechow 400 (B†,K).
Gomphocarpus amoenus K. Schum. (1893: 124), non
Asclepias amoena L. (1753: 214), nec. Brongn. (1831:
275), nec Ruiz & Pavon ex Hemsl. (1881: 325). Type
as for A. schumanniana Hiern.
A. gossweileri S. Moore (1911: 155). Type: Angola,
Camona, Ambaka, Gossweiler 4557 (holotype BM).
Trachycalymma amoenum (K. Schum.) Goyder (2001:
152).
DISTRIBUTION. Known from Angola, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and western
Tanzania.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 153) under Trachycalymma amoenum.
HABITAT. In valley grassland or on rocky hillsides; c.
1500 –1600 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
22. Asclepias foliosa (K. Schum.) Hiern (1898: 686).
Type: Democratic Republic of Congo, Mukenge, Pogge
1130 (lectotype K, designated by Goyder (2001:153);
B†). Paralectotypes: Mukenge, Pogge 1191 & 1223 (B†).
Gomphocarpus foliosus K. Schum. (1893: 126).
Asclepias modesta N. E. Br. (1902: 348). Type: Malawi,
Namasi, Cameron 6(lectotypeK,designatedbyGoyder
(2001: 153). Paralectotypes: Tanzania, N of Lake
Malawi [Nyasa], Thomson s.n. (K); Malawi/Zambia,
‘N Nyasaland and upper Loangwa R.’,1896–1897,
Nicholson s.n. (K); Malawi, near Blantyre, Last s.n. (K);
Manganja Hills, Wal l e r s.n. (K).
Asclepias modesta var. foliosa N. E. Br. (1902: 349). Type:
Angola, Huilla, near Lopollo, Welwitsch 4174 (holotype
K; isotype BM).
Asclepias lepida S. Moore (1912:344).Angola,
Kubango, near Forte Colui, 18 Oct. 1905, Gossweiler
2176 (holotype BM).
Asclepias minuta A. Chev. (1917: 272). Type: Benin,
Atacora Mts, Kouende, 23 June 1910, Chevalier
24227 (holotype P, photo K).
Trachycalymma pulchellum sensu Bullock (1963: 92).
Trachycalymma foliosum (K. Schum.) Goyder (2001:153).
DISTRIBUTION. Recorded from the savanna regions of
West Africa, and the Brachystegia belt of southern
tropical Africa.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 155) under Trachycalymma foliosum.
HABITAT. Open, mixed deciduous woodland over
most of its range, but frequently occuring in grassland
in West Africa; (600 –)1100 –2000 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
23. Asclepias eminens (Harv.)Schltr.(1896: 453).
Type: South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Zululand, Gerrard
& McKen 1291 (holotype TCD; isotypes BM, K).
Gomphocarpus eminens Harv. (1863: 60, t. 195).
Stenostelma eminens (Harv.) Bullock (1953b: 342).
384 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
DISTRIBUTION. Central Zimbabwe and north-eastern
parts of South Africa (NW Province, Mpumalanga,
KwaZulu-Natal), and Swaziland and Lesotho.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. ZIMBABWE. C: Harare [Salisbury],
between Avondale West and Mabelreign, 23 Oct. 1955,
Drummond 4916 (BR, K, SRGH); vlei near Felixburg, 20
Nov. 1971, Cannell 483 (K, SRGH); W: Bulawayo, Jan.
1898, Rand 189 (BM).
HABITAT. Seasonally burned, and frequently also season-
ally waterlogged grassland; c. 1500 m in Zimbabwe, 600 –
1800 m in South Africa.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
24. Asclepias nuttii N. E. Br.(1898: 308). Type:
Tanzania, ‘between Lake Tanganyika and Lake
Rukwa’,Nutt s.n. (holotype K).
Stathmostelma nuttii (N. E. Br.) Bullock (1953a: 55).
DISTRIBUTION. Known from several localities on the
Ufipa Plateau and the area SW of Mbeya, with a single
collection from central Malawi. Surprisingly, this
species has not been recorded from the adjacent
Mbala region of Zambia.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T4: Ufipa Distr.,
2 km W of Mkowe on road to Chapota, 21 Nov. 1994,
Goyder et al. 3772 (DSM, K); 10 km from Mumba on
way to Sumbawanga, directly opposite prison camp,
18 Dec. 1986, D. & J. Moyer 62 (K); road to Mpui,
3 Nov. 1956, Richards 6846 [or 6848?] (K); Mpui –
Mbala [Abercorn] road, close to border, 7 Nov. 1954,
Richards 3544 (K); between Lake Tanganyika and
Lake Rukwa, Nutt s.n. (holotype K). T7: Mbeya Distr.,
Vwawa, 21 Dec. 1971, [collector not recorded] 879
(EA) & 9 Jan. 1976, Leedal 3313 (K); Mbozi, Magambo
Mbuga, 21 km from Igamba, 15 Dec. 1978, Leedal
5239 (K); Iringa Distr., Kisolansa Farm, 2 Jan. 1998,
de Leyser 318 (K) & 28 Jan. 1999, de Leyser 331 (K).
MALAWI. C: Chongoni Forest School, base of Chiwao
Hill, 4 Feb. 1959, Robson 1445 (K).
HABITAT. Seasonally waterlogged ‘dambo’grassland;
1500 –1800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii).
Although widely distributed in the region, the Extent
of Occurrence is less than 20,000 km², and the species
is known from fewer than ten localities. The habitat is
threatened, being at relatively low altitude in well-
populated areas. I have therefore assessed the con-
servation status as Vulnerable under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. This species is distinctive with a single terminal
inflorescence per branch. The translator arms are
differentiated into proximal and distal sections, as in
Stathmostelma, but the proximal portion is not so
conspicuously expanded. The conspicuous notch in
the anther wings suggests a possible link to Asclepias
eminens.
25. Asclepias occidentalis Goyder sp. nov. Ab A. eminenti
inflorescentiis extra-axillaribus (nec terminalibus) et
corona columnam ± aequanti (nec quam columna
duplo longiore) differt; a speciebus Stathmostelmae ala
antherarum incisura conspicua basin versus ornata,
pedunculis brevioribus, floribus minus prominentibus
differt. Typus: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa
[Leopoldville], 18 Feb. 1950, Baldwin 14170 (holotypus
K; isotypus US).
Perennial herb with one to several annual stems
arising from a slender vertical tuber; stems 15 –
30 cm long, simple, erect, minutely but densely
pubescent. Leaves sessile, slightly fleshy; lamina 9 –
13 ×0.2 –0.3 cm, narrowly linear, attenuate both
apically and at the base, minutely pubescent with
scattered reddish hairs on both surfaces. Inflorescen-
ces extra-axillary forming umbels of 3 –7erect
flowers, peduncles 0.5 –1 cm long, minutely but
densely pubescent; bracts c. 3 mm long, filiform,
glabrescent; pedicels 0.7 –1.4 cm long, pubescent.
Sepals 2 –3×1 mm, ovate to broadly triangular,
attenuate, glabrous. Corolla reflexed, lobes 5 –6×
3 mm, ovate, subacute, adaxial surface green, minutely
papillose, abaxial face brown, subglabrous or pubes-
cent. Corona lobes attached ± at the base of the
staminal column, 3 mm long, ± as tall as the column,
erect, cucullate with a fleshy midline, lateral margins
inrolled and meeting centrally along the inner face,
the lobes ± cylindrical in lower half, the apex more
dilated above. Anther wings c. 2 mm long, margins
curved very slightly above the conspicuous basal notch,
rounded abruptly towards the column beneath the
notch. Corpusculum c. 0.4 ×0.2 mm, ± ovoid, brown;
translator arms with a broadly winged proximal portion
c. 0.5 ×0.2 mm, the distal portion strongly geniculate,
0.2 mm long, narrow and subcylindrical, then broad-
ening into a clasping overlap with the pollinium;
pollinia c. 1.2 ×0.6 mm, flattened, oblong. Stylar
head ± level with top of anthers. Follicle single by
abortion, erect, c. 22 ×0.5 cm, long-fusiform, the lower
7 cm forming a slender stipe. Seeds not seen. Fig. 4A, B.
DISTRIBUTION. Known from several localities on the
Batéké Plateau that runs from SE Gabon to Brazzaville
in the neighbouring Republic of Congo, and from the
high ground SE of Kinshasa in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. GABON. Haut Ogooué, Batéké
Plateau, 24 Sept. 2007, Walters et al. 1947 (LBV, MO). R.
CONGO. Batéké Plateau, route du km 45, 18 Nov. 1963,
Descoings 11416 (MPU); Batéké Plateau, route des
falaises de Douvres, mare de Gamakala, 26 Nov.
1962, Descoings 9812 (MPU); Batéké Plateau, km 40, 18
Nov. 1965, Farron 4727 (MPU); N’Koyi Mabaya, route de
Kinkala, Dec. 1954, Koechlin 2336 (MPU); Lousséké,
route de Manyanga, 19 Feb. 1950, Koechlin 435 (MPU);
385A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 4. A,BAsclepias occidentalis.Ahabit, with rootstock and single dehisced follicle; Bflower. C,DA. mtorwiensis.Chabit. D
flower. A&Bfrom Baldwin 14170; C&Dfrom Brummitt et al. 18142. DRAWN BY MARGARET TEBBS.
386 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Cataractes, Yangui, 35 km de Brazzaville vers Kinkala, 14
Dec. 1962, de Néré 157(MPU)&verslevillagedeBon
Espoir,14Dec.1962,de Néré 80 (MPU); Batéké Plateau,
Mandielé vers Maloukou, mare N’Gatsou, 22 Feb. 1964,
Sita 932(MPU);33kmdeBrazzavilleversM’Bé, 7 Dec.
1954, Trochain 9222 (MPU); Lisière de Lousséké, M’Ba-
mou –Kinkala, May 1956, Trochain 9516 (MPU). D. R.
CONGO. III: Kinshasa [Leopoldville], 18 Feb. 1950,
Baldwin 14170 (K, US); Kimuenza, 16 Jan. 1957, Robyns
4162 (BR); between Kinshasa and Kasangulu, 27 Dec
1981, Lejoly 81/748 (BRLU (Lachenaud pers. comm.),
notseen).IV:Panzi,6Feb.1952,Callens 3102 (K).
HABITAT. Recently burned savannah grasslands. 500 –
600 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Near Threatened (NT). The
localities are spread over a distance of some 600 km north
to south, and so probably exceed the Extent of Occur-
rence of 20,000 km² required for a Vulnerable rating
under Criterion B1 of the IUCN Red List Categories and
Criteria (IUCN 2001). Nevertheless, the savannah is at
relatively low altitude compared to montane grassland in
eastern Africa, and is retreating as the forest expands, at
least in Gabon. It may also be threatened by cultivation
in parts of the range. So I propose a provisional
conservation assessment of Near Threatened.
NOTES. Asclepias occidentalis has some affinities with
Stathmostelma. Vegetatively they are very similar, and some
floral characters also support this relationship —the
translator arms are winged, but to a lesser extent than
Stathmostelma. They are also geniculate, but the distal
portion is not strongly developed. The erect narrowly
fusiform follicle is similar to that in Stathmostelma.
Asclepias occidentalis shares the conspicuous notch
on the anther wings with the A. eminens group, but the
inflorescences are extra-axillary not terminal, and the
corona lobes are ± as tall as the column rather than
twice its length.
26. Asclepias inaequalis Goyder sp. nov. Speciebus
Margarettae atque Stathmostelmae similis sed corona
reducta non petaloidea et alis antherarum aliter
contortis differt. Typus: Tanzania T7, Njombe Distr.,
edge of Kitulo Plateau near Matamba, 2 Dec. 1994,
Goyder, Griffiths, Harvey, Kayombo, Mbago & Paton 3888
(holotypus K; isotypi DSM, EA, PRE, WAG).
Perennial herb with one to several annual stems arising
from a slender vertical tuber, the tuber in some cases
(Goyder et al. 3888) as long as 30 cm; stems 0.2 –0.5 m
long, simple or little-branched, erect, reddish purple,
minutely pubescent with indumentum of white hairs.
Leaves subsessile; lamina 3 –10 ×(0.1) 0.3 –0.7 cm,
linear, mostly attenuate apically, attenuate or rounded at
the base, margins somewhat revolute, minutely pubes-
cent with stiff white hairs on both upper and lower
surfaces. Inflorescences extra-axillary forming umbels of
3–6 spreading or erect flowers, peduncles 1 –5cm
long, reddish with a dense indumentum of white hairs;
bracts filiform, densely pubescent, deciduous; pedicels
0.6 –1.2 cm long, pubescent. Sepals 3 –4mmlong,
linear to narrowly triangular, attenuate, generally red-
dish with white hairs. Corolla ± rotate to weakly
reflexed, lobes 4 –6×2–3 mm, ovate, subacute,
adaxial surface pale green or cream, glabrous or
minutely papillose, abaxial face reddish purple, pubes-
cent. Corona lobes attached ± at the base of the
staminal column, 3 –4×2.5 –3 mm, broadly obovate,
erect, taller than the column and with the tip arching
over it, dorsoventrally compressed but somewhat fleshy
with a thickened midline and a pair of thin flanges
running along the midline on the inner face, and two
further fleshy ridges lying horizontally near the base of
the inner face, lobes cream or green, frequently suffused
with brown or purple along the midline and the apex.
Anther wings 1 mm long, margins ± parallel to the
column but curved and distorted in their lower halves.
Corpusculum c. 0.3 ×0.1 mm, subcylindrical, brown;
translator arms c. 0.5 mm long, flattened and c. 0.1 mm
broad, very weakly geniculate; pollinia c. 0.7 ×0.25 mm,
flattened, oblong. Stylar head ± level with top of anthers.
Mature follicles and seed not seen, but very immature
follicle on Goyder et al. 3895 densely pubescent and held
erect on apparently elongating peduncle. Fig. 5.
DISTRIBUTION. Restricted to Mbeya Peak, the Kitulo
Plateau, Mt Rungwe and the Poroto and Kipengere
ranges in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Njombe Distr.,
edge of Kitulo Plateau near Matamba, 2 Dec. 1994,
Goyder et al. 3888 (holotype K; isotypes DSM, EA, PRE,
WAG); top of Kitulo Plateau, 4 Dec. 1994, Goyder et al.
3895 (BR, C, DSM, EA, PRE, WAG); Kitulo Plateau 2
miles E of Kikondo, 21 Nov. 1977, Leedal 4717 (K);
Kikondo, 25 Nov. 1979, Leedal 5797 (K); Kikondo, 20
Oct. 1956, Richards 6667 (K); Kitulo Plateau above
Matamba, near waterfall on headwaters of Ndumbi R.,
22 Nov. 1986, Brummitt & Mwasumbi 18102 (K); above
Ndumbi R., 30 Nov. 1963, Richards 18489 (K); slopes of
Matamba Mt, 22 Nov. 1986, Goldblatt et al. 8215 (K,
MO); Kitulo [Elton] Plateau, 12 Nov. 1931, Davies E27
(K); Kitulo [Elton] Plateau, 29 Nov. 1963, Richards
18451 (K); Kipengere Mts, 10 Jan. 1957, Richards 7652
(K); Poroto Mts, Ifupa, 21 Dec. 1978, Leedal 5249 (K);
Mt Rungwe, W ridge above Lwangwa, Leedal 5207 (K);
N slopes of Mt Rungwe, 9 Nov. 1966, Gillett 17671
(EA); Rungwe Mt, fishing camp, Kiwira R., 9 Dec.
1963, Richards 18611B (K); Mbeya Peak, 25 Nov. 1961,
Kerfoot 3249 (EA).
HABITAT. Montane, seasonally burned grassland but
occasionally in more disturbed areas. Mostly in peaty
soils; 2200 –2900 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
Although restricted to the central part of the Mbeya
387A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 5. Asclepias inaequalis.Ahabit; Brootstock; Cyoung follicle; Dflower; Eadaxial face of corona lobe; Fpollinarium; Ganther,
with contorted margins. A&Bfrom Goyder et al. 3888; C&Gfrom Goyder et al. 3895; D–Ffrom Richards 18489. DRAWN BY
MARGARET TEBBS.
388 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Highlands, this species occurs frequently, and appears
to withstand, or even to prefer, disturbed ground.
PHENOLOGY. Flowering with the early rains (October –
January).
NOTES. The asymmetrically distorted base to the
anther wings in the new species, where the anther
wings of adjacent anthers are differentially contorted,
appears to be unique among African Asclepias. Goyder
(2003) reported another case of this anther morphol-
ogy from the distantly related South American species
Morrenia stuckertiana (Kurtz ex H. Heger) Malme
(Asclepiadeae: subtribe Oxypetalinae).
Asclepias inaequalis appeared in a well-supported
clade with species of Stathmostelma and Margaretta in the
molecular study of the subtribe Asclepiadeae (Goyder et al.
2007), where it was labelled ‘gen. indet. aff. Asclepias’.
Sampling, however, was not sufficient for reliable generic
limits to be established in the Asclepias complex, so
I have refrained from expanding the concept of
Margaretta to include Stathmostelma and this species until
a better sampled and more fully resolved picture
becomes available, and characters have been identified
that can be used to recognise this lineage morpholog-
ically. The pollinarium of A. inaeqalis has flattened
translator arms, longer than in Margaretta rosea,but
otherwise consistent with such a relationship. The
corona could be interpreted as a reduced version of
M. rosea with a thickened mid-line and the lateral teeth
reduced to fleshy pegs. However, the corona is also
similar to that of Pachycarpus pachyglossum,endemicto
the Ufipa highlands, whose habit and leaf morphology
suggested placement in Pachycarpus when described by
Goyder (1998a).
27. Asclepias breviantherae Goyder sp. nov. Ab A.
mtorwiensi foliis pubescentibus, corolla abaxialiter
pubescenti, alis antherarum in lineis connatis 0.2 mm
longis tantum dispositis atque infra capitulo gynostegii
divergentibus curvatisque (nec per totam longitudi-
nem (0.4 mm) in lineis connatis dispositis) differt.
Typus: Tanzania T7, Rungwe Distr., Poroto Mts E of
Kikondo on road to Kitulo, 1 Dec. 1994, Goyder,
Griffiths, Harvey, Mbago & Paton 3872 (holotypus K;
isotypi DSM, EA, PRE, WAG).
Perennial herb with one to several annual stems
arising from a napiform tuber; stems 6 –12 (–25)
cm long, simple or little-branched, prostrate to erect,
reddish, minutely pubescent with indumentum of
white hairs. Leaves subsessile; lamina 3 –7×0.2 –
1 cm, linear to narrowly lanceolate or oblong, mostly
attenuate apically, and narrowing abruptly at the base,
margins not revolute, minutely pubescent with stiff
white hairs on both upper and lower surfaces, or
indumentum restricted to principal veins. Inflorescen-
ces extra-axillary forming umbels of 2 –7 spreading or
erect flowers; peduncles 0.5 –4 cm long, reddish with
a dense indumentum of white or rusty hairs; bracts
filiform, pubescent; pedicels 0.3 –1 cm long, pubes-
cent. Sepals (2 –) 2.5 –3×0.7 –1 mm, narrowly
oblong to lanceolate, attenuate, generally reddish with
white hairs. Corolla campanulate, lobes (3 –)5–6×2
–2.5 mm, oblong to narrowly ovate, subacute, adaxial
surface pale green or cream with pinkish tinge,
glabrous or minutely papillose, abaxial face reddish
purple, pubescent. Gynostegium with stipe 0.7 –
1.5 mm long. Corona lobes attached to and obscuring
the gynostegial stipe, c. 1.5 mm tall, spreading from
the column then curved upwards, somewhat pouched
with a thickened fleshy midline and two short
rounded auricles apically, cream tinged with red.
Anther wings 1 mm long but parallel grooved portion
(guide rails) only 0.2 mm long, the remainder flared
andcurvedbelowtheheadofthegynostegium.
Corpusculum c. 0.25 ×0.1 mm, ovoid-subcylindrical,
brown; translator arms c. 0.4 mm long, flattened but
very slender (c. 0.05 mm) and strongly geniculate,
with distinct proximal and distal sections; pollinia
0.3 –0.4 ×0.3 mm, somewhat flattened, triangular in
outline. Stylar head flat or domed. Follicles (Leedal
5301; Pawek 9330) held erect on elongated peduncle,
to c. 9 cm long, slender, fusiform, minutely pubescent.
Seeds c. 3 ×2 mm, ovoid in outline, with one plane
face and one strongly convex, sparsely verrucose and
with a narrow marginal rim; coma c. 1.5 cm long.
Key to Subspecies
Corolla lobes at least 5 mm long; gynostegium raised on stipe 1 –1.5 mm long; stylar head domed
........................................................................... subsp. breviantherae
Corolla lobes c. 3 mm long; gynostestegial stipe c. 0.7 mm long; stylar head ± flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . subsp. minor
subsp. breviantherae
Sepals 2.5 –3 mm long. Corolla lobes 5 –6×2–
2.5 mm, oblong to narrowly ovate. Gynostegium with
stipe c. 1 –1.5 mm long, raising the anthers above the
level of the corona. Stylar head domed, extending
c. 1 mm beyond top of anthers but obscured beneath
the conspicuous, membranous anther appendages.
Fig. 6A, B.
389A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
DISTRIBUTION. Restricted to the Southern Highlands
of Tanzania (Kitulo, Poroto and Mbeya massifs) and
the nearby Nyika Plateau of northern Malawi.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Rungwe Distr.,
Poroto Mts E of Kikondo on road to Kitulo, 1 Dec.
1994, Goyder et al. 3872 (holotype K; isotypes DSM, EA,
PRE, WAG); Kikondo, 21 Oct. 1956, Richards 6689 (K);
Poroto Mts, Mwela, 22 Jan. 1979 (in fruit), Leedal 5301
(K); Poroto ridge road, 11 Nov. 1966, Gillett 17742
(EA); Kitulo [Elton] Plateau, 24 Jan. 1961, Richards
14153A (K) & 29 Nov. 1963, Richards 18452 (K);
Mwapamansa Mt, on road from Igoma to Kitulo, 15
Oct. 1977, Leedal 4634 (K); top of pass from Matamba
to Kitulo, 21 Nov. 1977, Leedal 4729 (K); slopes of
Fig. 6. Asclepias breviantherae A,Bsubsp. breviantherae.Ahabit; Bflower. C,Dsubsp. minor.Chabit; Dflower. Afrom Goyder
et al. 3872; Bfrom Richards 6689; Cfrom Richards 7685; Dfrom Richards 18510. DRAWN BY MARGARET TEBBS.
390 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Matamba Mts, 22 Nov. 1986, Goldblatt et al. 8195 (E,
MO); summit of Mbeya Peak, 11 Feb. 1978, Leedal 4916
(K); Mbeya Peak, 28 Nov. 1961, Kerfoot 3140 (EA).
MALAWI. N: Rumphi Distr., Nyika Plateau, Kasaramba
Vitumbi junction, 4 March 1977, Pawek 12446 (K,
MO); Kasaramba view, 17 April 1975 (in fruit), Pawek
9330 (K); Nyika Plateau, Blue Heather Hill, 12 Dec.
1975, Phillips 564 (K, MO).
HABITAT. Thin peaty soil over rock in seasonally
burned montane grassland; (2100 –) 2400 –2800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC). Despite
its restricted distribution, this taxon occurs in rocky
habitats less prone to disturbance from cultivation
than surrounding areas, and does not, therefore,
appear to be particularly threatened.
NOTES. The reduced fleshy corona is reminiscent of
that shown by Asclepias minor. The translator arms are
very slender and articulated, perhaps indicating a
transitional relationship to Stathmostelma. The stipitate
gynostegium has very short guide rails between adjacent
anthers, the anther wings then curving beneath the
stylar head. Characters to distinguish this species from
A. mtorwiensis are listed under that species.
Asclepias breviantherae subsp. minor Goyder subsp.
nov. A subspeciei typica lobis corollae brevioribus ± 3 mm
tantum longis (nec ut minimum 5 mm longis), stipite
gynostegii breviore 0.7 mm tantum (nec 1 –1.5 mm)
longi, capitulo styli plano (nec tholiformi) differt. Typus:
Tanzania T7, Njombe Distr., Kitulo [Elton] Plateau,
Ndumbe R., 11 Jan. 1957, Richards 7685 (holotypus K).
Sepals c. 2 mm long. Corolla lobes c. 3 mm long,
ovate. Gynostegial stipe c. 0.7 mm long, the corona
therefore reaching the top of the staminal column.
Stylar head ± flat, not protruding from the top of the
staminal column. Fig. 6C, D.
DISTRIBUTION. Known from just three collections from
the Kitulo Plateau in southern Tanzania.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Njombe Distr.,
Kitulo [Elton] Plateau, Ndumbe R., 11 Jan. 1957,
Richards 7685 (holotype K); Mbeya Distr., Kitulo
[Elton] Plateau, 24 Jan. 1961, Richards 14153B (K) &
1 Dec. 1963, Richards 18510 (K).
HABITAT. Montane grassland; 2100 –2400 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Endangered EN B2ab(iii).
Known from just three almost certainly degraded
localities, this subspecies must be considered Endan-
gered under Criterion B of the IUCN Red List
Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. These three collections from the Kitulo
Plateau, two from the Mbeya side and one from the
Njombe side have a very different facies to collections
of the type subspecies. However, the principal differ-
ences amount essentially to smaller flowers with a
shorter gynostegial stipe and a less domed stylar head.
As the corona is unchanged, this gives the flower a
very different appearance, as the gynostegium is
largely obscured by the corona lobes.
These collections are reported from slightly lower
altitude than most records of subsp. breviantherae,andthe
specific habitat (shallow soil over rock) of that subspe-
cies is not mentioned. However, Mary Richards’labels,
if they are to be believed, imply that on one occasion
she collected both subspecies together (Richards 14153A
& B), at an altitude of c. 2100 m. It is always possible
that this was not the case and that the larger flowered
plants (Richards 14153A) were collected at a higher
elevation than the small-flowered ones (Richards
14153B), perhaps supplementing collections made ear-
lier in the day, in the belief that this was the same taxon.
Given the somewhat superficial nature of the floral
variation, and the suggestion of altitudinal separation,
it seems most appropriate to recognise these taxa at
the rank of subspecies.
28. Asclepias mtorwiensis Goyder sp. nov. Ab A.
breviantherae foliis glabris, corolla abaxialiter glabra,
partibus parallelis alarum antherarum multo longiori-
bus, 0.4 mm (nec 0.2 mm tantum) longis differt. Typus:
Tanzania, Makete Distr., Kipengere Mts, slopes of
Mtorwi Mt above Ndumbi Forest Reserve, 23 Nov. 1986,
Brummitt, Congdon & Mwasumbi 18142 (holotypus K).
Perennial herb with a single annual stem arising from
a tuberous rootstock (not seen); stems 8 –12 cm long,
simple, erect, reddish, minutely pubescent with indu-
mentum of white hairs. Leaves subsessile, semi-succu-
lent; lamina 5 –10 ×0.2 –0.3 cm, narrowly linear,
attenuate both apically and basally, margins revolute,
glabrous. Inflorescences extra-axillary forming umbels
of 5 –9 spreading or erect flowers; peduncles 0.5 –
1 cm long, reddish, minutely pubescent; bracts
filiform, pubescent; pedicels 0.5 –0.7 cm long,
pubescent. Sepals c. 1.5 mm long, narrowly triangular,
glabrous. Corolla campanulate or spreading, perhaps
even weakly reflexed, lobes c. 3 ×2 mm, ovate-oblong,
subacute, adaxial surface cream with reddish tinge,
glabrous, abaxial face reddish green, glabrous. Corona
lobes arising from the base of the staminal column, c.
1.5 mm tall and reaching ± the top of the column,
pouched and somewhat fleshy, with three short
rounded teeth apically, and two rounded lobes on
the lateral margins, cream. Anther wings 0.4 mm long.
Corpusculum c. 0.25 ×0.1 mm, ovoid-subcylindrical,
brown; translator arms c. 0.2 mm long, very slender,
not geniculate; pollinia c. 0.3 ×0.2 mm, somewhat
flattened, oblong-elliptic. Stylar head ± flat. Follicles
and seeds not seen. Fig. 4C, D.
DISTRIBUTION.Known only from the type, which
appears to be a unicate.
391A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Makete Distr.,
Kipengere Mts, slopes of Mtorwi Mt above Ndumbi
Forest Reserve, 23 Nov. 1986, Brummitt et al. 18142
(holotype K).
HABITAT. Open rocky hillside; c. 2700 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Critically Endangerered CR
B2ab(iii). Known only from one locality at the highest
point of the Kitulo/Kipengere range, this species must
be considered Critically Endangered by any warming
of the climate.
NOTES. Vegetatively this species appears close to
Asclepias minor. The pouched, fleshy corona is similar
to that of A. breviantherae, but could also be interpreted
as a reduced form of A. amabilis. Other differences
from A. breviantherae include the glabrous leaves and
corolla, the gynostegium which is less stipitate, the
different form of the anther wings, which are 0.4 mm
long and form guide rails for their entire length, rather
than for only 0.2 mm as in A. breviantherae where they
then become flared and curved beneath the head of
the gynostegium. The translator arms are filiform and
not conspicuously geniculate.
29. Asclepias minor (S. Moore)Goyder comb. nov.
Odontostelma welwitschii Rendle, J. Bot. 32: 161, t. 344
(1894), non Asclepias welwitschii (Britten & Rendle)
N. E. Br. (1902: 341). Type: Angola, Huilla, near
Lopollo, Welwitsch 4172 (holotype BM; isotypes K,
LISC).
Schizoglossum welwitschii (Rendle) N. E. Br. (1902: 365).
Odontostelma minus S. Moore (1912: 363). Type: Angola,
between Forte Princesa Amélia and Rio Cubango,
Gossweiler 2332 (holotype BM), synon. nov.
DISTRIBUTION. Known from Angola, Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. ANGOLA. Huilla, near Lopollo,
Welwitsch 4172 (holotype BM; isotypes K, LISC). ZAMBIA.
C: Kabwe Distr., Karubwe Protected Forest Area,
34 km N of Lusaka, 7 Oct. 1972, Kornas 2344 (K);
Kabwe [Broken Hill], 3 Oct. 1963, Fanshawe 8003 (K); S:
Muckle Neuk, 20 km N of Choma, 28 Nov. 1954,
Robinson 994 (K). ZIMBABWE. C: Harare [Salisbury]
Distr., near Makabusi R., 13 Oct. 1972, Grosvenor 772A
(K); Cleveland Dam, 9 Oct. 1951, Wild 3664 (K); near
Harare [Salisbury], Dec. 1927, King s.n. in Eyles 5229 (K).
HABITAT. Flowering in October and November in
seasonally waterlogged grassland; 1200 –1500 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
30. Asclepias alpestris (K. Schum.)Goyder comb. nov.
Schizoglossum alpestre K. Schum., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 30: 384
(1901). Type: Tanzania, Yawuanga Mt, Kinga range,
13 Sept. 1899, Goetze 1234 (lectotype K, designated
here; isolectotypes B†, BR, E).
DISTRIBUTION. Restricted to the upper reaches of the
Kitulo Plateau and Kipengere mountains in the South-
ern Highlands of Tanzania.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: top of Kitulo
Plateau S of Matamba, 2 Dec. 1994, Goyder et al. 3892
(DSM, K, PRE) & 24 Feb. 1974, Leedal 2230 (K); slopes
of Matamba Mt, 22 Nov. 1986, Goldblatt et al. 8197 (K);
Kitulo Plateau, crystalline ridges, 12 Dec. 1989, Lovett et
al. 3673 (K); Kitulo [Elton] Plateau, Sept. 1959, Procter
1418 (EA) & Oct. 1963, Procter 2437 (EA) & 29 Nov.
1963, Richards 18453 (K) & 26 Aug. 1968, Prins 250
(EA) & 24 Sept. 1968, B. J. & S. Harris 2285 (EA);
Yawuanga Mt, Kinga range, 13 Sept. 1899, Goetze 1234
(lectotype K; isolectotypes B†, BR, E).
HABITAT. Montane grassland on shallow soil around
rocky outcrops; 2600 –2900 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU D2. Although
the specific habitat of this species does not appear prone
to disturbance, the small number of locations lead to an
assessment of Vulnerable under Criterion D of the IUCN
Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. Kupicha (1984: 669) excluded this species from
the Schizoglossum complex despite the well-developed
ligule on the inner face of the corona lobe —normally
a good indicator for Schizoglossum. The pollinia, how-
ever, lack a transparent germination zone, which would
be expected in that genus. Vegetatively and in other
floral characters, this species appears closely allied to
the Asclepias minor/breviantherae group.
31. Asclepias randii S. Moore (1902:255).Type:
Zimbabwe, Harare [Salisbury], Dec., Rand 194 (holotype
BM; isotypes K (fragment and drawing), SRGH).
Fig. 7A –C.
DISTRIBUTION. Ranging from the southern highlands
of Tanzania and the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi
where it is found in grasslands above c. 1800 m, to S
and W Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, north-
ern Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe where it occurs at
lower altitude.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. D. R. CONGO. IV: Kasai, 1925,
Achten 749A & B (BR); XI: Manika Plateau, 8 Aug.
1913, Robyns 3965 (BR) & 16 Oct. 1987, Schaijes 3732A
(BR); Parc National de l’Upemba, Kibara Mts, 18 Sept.
1948, Robyns 3611a (BR); Parc National de l’Upemba,
source of R. Kalumengongo, 22 Aug. 1949, de Witte
7491 (BR). TANZANIA. T7: Mbeya Distr., Mbeya Peak,
15 km from turn-off, 29 Nov. 1994, Goyder et al. 3854
(DSM, K, PRE); Njombe Distr., Njombe-Igawa road, 4
Feb. 1961, Richards 14224 (EA, K); ridge of white rock
on Mlangali-Njombe road, 6 Nov. 1978, Archbold 2665
(K); Ubena, Bulonga, 16 Nov. 1976, Leedal 4012 (K);
Ludewa Distr., Livingstone Mts, on ridge 1.5 km S of
Msalaba mt, 23 Nov. 1992, Gereau et al.5139(K,MO);
Iringa Distr., Sao Hill, 17 Dec. 1961, Richards 15714;
392 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Fig. 7. A–CAsclepias randii.Ahabit; Bflower; Ccorona lobe. D–GA. grandirandii. Dhabit; Eflower; Fpollinarium; Gcorona
lobe. A–Cfrom Goyder et al. 3854; D–Gfrom Robson 373. DRAWN BY MARGARET TEBBS.
393A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
Mufindi, Ngowasi [Ngwazi] –Sawala road, 11 Nov. 1971,
Paget-Wilkes 1009 (EA); Udzungwa Mts, Nyumbanitu
[Nyumbenito] Mt, Dec. 1981, Rodgers & Hall 1881 (K).
ANGOLA. Chipia, 15 Feb. 1960, Stopp BO 67 (K);
Moxico Distr., S of Lusavo Falls, 13 Jan. 1937, Milne-
Redhead 4119 (K). NAMIBIA. Otavi Mts, 1993 –4, Bruyns
5487 (K). ZAMBIA.N: Mwinilunga Distr., dambo 18 km
ENE of Kalene Hill, 16 Dec. 1963, Robinson 6088 (EA,
K); Dobeka Plain, near Dobeka Bridge, 14 Dec. 1937,
Milne-Redhead 3665 (K); Mbala [Abercorn] Distr., top of
Kambole escarpment, 1 Feb. 1959, Richards 10829 (K)
&21Jan.1955,Richards 3876 (K); Isoka Distr., crest of
Mafinga [Mafingis] range, 8 km W of Chisenga Rest
House, 22 Nov. 1952, Angus 837 (K). MALAWI. N:
Rumphi Distr., Nyika Plateau, Chelinda Bridge, 18 Oct.
1975, Pawek 10276 (EA, K); Chelinda Bridge, 29 Aug.
1987, LaCroix 4739 (MO); top of ridge off road to
Chelinda, 15 Nov. 1967, Richards 22553 (K); Fingira
Rock junction, 5 Nov. 1977, Pawek 13167A (K); Lake
Kaulime, 19 Oct. 1975, Pawek 10304 (K); Nyika Plateau,
8 km E of road to Rest House, 23 Oct. 1958, Robson &
Angus 300(K);ChitipaDistr.,NyikaNationalPark,
Nganda Peak 15 km NNE of Chelinda, fruiting 23 Jan.
1992, Goyder et al. 3557a (K). ZIMBABWE. C: Harare
[Salisbury], Dec., Rand 194 (holotype BM; isotypes K,
SRGH); S Marondera [Marandellas], Nov. 1931, Myres
127A (K); C/S: Enkeldoorn –Gutu road, 8 km S of
Sebakwe R., 4 Dec. 1960, Leach & Chase 10538 (K); E:
Mutare Distr., Mutare [Umtali] Golf Course near Range
Hill, 22 March 1960, Chase 7407B (K).
HABITAT. Montane grassland and seasonally water-
logged ‘dambo’grasslands; (1000 –) 1500 –2800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Two Zambian collections (Richards 15383 from
Kawambwa and Milne-Redhead 3175 from Mwinilunga)
are anomalous in lacking indumentum on the leaves
and corolla.
32. Asclepias grandirandii Goyder sp. nov. Ab A. randii
follis oblongis vel ellipticis (nec anguste linearibus), base
folii rotundata vel truncata vel leniter cordata (num-
quam attenuata) differt. Typus: Malawi N: near Chelinda
CDC Camp, 26 Oct. 1958, Robson 373 (holotypus K).
Perennial herb with one to many annual stems arising
from a vertical napiform tuber; stems 10 –30 cm long,
simple or branched below, prostrate to ascending or
erect, green, conspicuously pubescent with spreading
white hairs. Leaves subsessile; lamina 3 –5×0.5 –
2 cm, oblong, triangular-oblong or elliptic, apex acute,
base rounded, truncate or weakly cordate, with sparse
indumentum of spreading white hairs especially on
the margins and midrib. Inflorescences extra-axillary
forming umbels of 3 –5 erect flowers; peduncles 1 –
3 cm long, densely pubescent; bracts filiform, pubescent;
pedicels 1 –2 cm long, densely pubescent. Sepals 3 –
6×0.5 –2 mm, linear, lanceolate or narrowly triangular,
acute, densely spreading-pubescent. Corolla partially
reflexed, lobes 5 –8×3–4 mm, oblong to broadly
ovate, acute, adaxial surface greenish white, glabrous,
abaxial face green tinged brown or purple, spreading-
pubescent with white hairs. Corona lobes arising at the
base of the staminal column, 5 –7mmlong,±cucullate
basally with upper margins reaching top of column, the
mid-line drawn out into a long-attenuate tip, acute or
rounded apically, off-white with a reddish fleshy midline,
or the entire lobe mottled red, cavity and mid-line of
lobe papillose. Anther wings (1.4 –)1.5–2mmlong.
Corpusculum 0.35 –0.4 ×0.1 mm, subcylindrical, brown,
with narrow translucent flanges down the sides; trans-
lator arms c. 0.5 mm long, geniculate and broadening
distally to form a clasping overlap with the pollinia;
pollinia c. 0.9 ×0.5 mm, somewhat flattened, obtrian-
gular. Stylar head ± flat. Follicles (immature) 6 cm long,
erect, fusiform, densely pubescent; seeds not seen.
Fig. 7D –G.
DISTRIBUTION. Known from the Mitumba range run-
ning between Kolwezi and Kalemia in SE Democratic
Republic of Congo, the Ufipa Plateau in SW Tanzania,
the Mbala and Kasama districts of NE Zambia, and the
Nyika and Vipya Plateaus of northern Malawi.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. D. R. CONGO. XI: near Kolwezi,
14 Oct. 1984, Schaijes 2414 (BR); Manika Plateau,
Biano –Lualaba, Nov. 1912, Homblé 791 (BR); Biano
Plateau, Greleo, Oct. 1939, Quarré 6006b (BR); Parc
National de l’Upemba, Kibara Mts, 18 Sept. 1948,
Robyns 3611b (BR) & escarpment near source of R.
Kadidika, Aug. 1949, de Witte 7609 (BR) & R. Lusinga,
21 Oct. 1948, de Witte 4560b (BR); Kapona –Kalemie
[Albertville] road, 22 July 1957, Devred 3732 (BR).
TANZANIA. T4: Ufipa Distr., Chapota, 4 Dec. 1949,
Bullock 2033 (K). ZAMBIA. N: Mbala [Abercorn] Distr.,
top of Chilongowelo escarpment, 27 Dec. 1956,
Richards 7360 (K) & 5 Feb. 1955, Richards 4339 (K) &
22 Dec. 1954, Richards 3726 (K); above Chilongowelo
Farm, Pemba, 15 Dec. 1951, Richards 57 (K); path from
Lunzua road to Chisungu escarpment, 26 Jan. 1962,
Richards 15957 (K); 80 km E of Luwingu, 30 Dec. 1958,
Robinson 2961 (K). MALAWI. N: Nyika Plateau, Kasar-
amba road, 17 Nov. 1967, Richards 22589 (K); near
Chelinda CDC Camp, 26 Oct. 1958, Robson 373
(holotype K); Chelinda Bridge, 5 Nov. 1977, Pawek
13183B (K); Mzimba Distr., Chimpyai View, Vipya,
60 km SW of Mzuzu, 23 Dec. 1970, Pawek 4139 (K) &
22 Nov. 1975, Pawek 10358 (K); Nkhata Bay Distr.,
Vipya Plateau, 15 km SE on Vipya Link road, then S on
Kawandama road, 12 Nov. 1977, Pawek 13240 (K);
4 km SE of Chikangawa, 4 Nov. 1978, Phillips 4171B
(K); 20 km S of Chikangawa, 27 Oct. 1978, Phillips
4138 (K); Vipya Plateau, 1948, Benson 1536 (BM).
HABITAT. In seasonally burned upland grassland or
woodland; 1400 –2200 m.
394 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. This is essentially a broad-leaved version of
Asclepias randii with longer pedicels and slightly larger
It is at least partially sympatric with A. randii, and
although the differences seem slight, the overall
appearance of the plant is very different —the leaves
tend to be shorter and broader in this species than in
A. randii, and the leaf base is rounded to truncate or
weakly cordate, but never attenuate as in the latter
species. The geographic range of this species is
somewhat narrower than A. randii. Pubescence is
conspicuous, but the 1 mm long hairs of A. randii
were not observed.
33. Asclepias aurea (Schltr.)Schltr.(1896: 455). Type:
South Africa, Mpumalanga, near Barberton, 1889,
Galpin 580 (holotype B†; isotypes GRA, K, PRE).
Schizoglossum pedunculatum Schltr. (1893:50),non
Asclepias pedunculata (Decne.) Dandy (1952: 401).
Type: South Africa, between Kenilworth and Clar-
emont near Cape Town, Feb. 1892, Schlechter 351
(holotype B†; isotype BOL).
Gomphocarpus aureus Schltr. (1894: 17).
Gomphocarpus schizoglossoides Schltr. (1894:21).Type:
South Africa, Mpumalanga, Saddleback Mt near
Barberton, Galpin 500 (holotype B†; isotypes K,
PRE, SAM).
Asclepias aurea var. brevicuspis S. Moore (1902: 255).
Type: Zimbabwe, Harare [Salisbury], Sept. 1898,
Rand 638 (holotype BM).
Asclepias aurea var. vittata N. E. Br. (1908: 686). Type:
South Africa, Mpumalanga, Saddleback Mt near
Barberton, Galpin 500 (lectotype K, designated
here; isolectotypes PRE, SAM). Paralectotypes:
Lesotho [Basutoland], Cooper 932 (K); South
Africa, Free State, Bethlehem, Richardson s.n. (K);
KwaZulu-Natal, Biggarsberg, Wood 4555 (K, NH);
near Newcastle, Wood 5892 (BM); Swaziland,
between Carolina and Mbabane (Embabaan),
Bolus 12152 (K, BOL); Mbabane [Embabaan],
Miller s.n. (K, PRE).
Asclepias radiata S. Moore (1912: 345). Type: Angola,
Kubango R. near Forte Princeza Amelia, Gossweiler
‘with 4210’(holotype BM), synon. nov.
Aidomene parvula Stopp (1967: 21). Type: Angola,
Distr. Nova Lisboa, Canjangu, 2 Nov. 1959,
Stopp BO 129 (holotype K, not traced; isotypes
LISC, M).
DISTRIBUTION. Angola, Zambia, the Katanga plateaus
of south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,
Zimbabwe, northern South Africa (NW Province,
Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland
and Lesotho.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. ANGOLA. Distr. Nova Lisboa,
Canjangu, 2 Nov. 1959, Stopp BO 129 (LISC, M).
ZAMBIA. W: Mwinilunga Distr., 16 km along road from
Matonchi Farm, 17 Nov. 1962, Richards 17269 (K); N:
Mporokoso Distr., Kalungwishi headwaters, 11 Jan.
2000, Bingham & Beel 12113 (K); Luwingu Distr.,
Chishinga Ranch, 4 Dec. 1961, Astle 1052 (K). D. R.
CONGO. XI: Kundelungu Plateau, 6.5 km NNW of
Katshupa post, 19 Oct. 1966, Malaisse 4696 (BR, K).
ZIMBABWE. W: Matobo Distr., Besna Kobila farm, Sept.
1956, Miller 3667 (K); C: Makoni Distr., 1 mile from
Eagles Nest towards Rusape, 29 Nov. 1955, Drummond
5070 (K, SRGH); E: Chimanimani Mts, E side of Bundu
plain, 31 Dec. 1957, Goodier & Phipps 242 (K, SRGH).
HABITAT. Periodically burned montane or seasonally
waterlogged grassland; 1000 –2000 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. This species appears most closely allied to
Asclepias randii, but is much more slender, possessing
long slender peduncles, particularly from the lower
nodes. The flowers are variable in colour, perhaps
deserving infraspecific taxonomic recognition —most
South African material has yellow coronas, but some
are cream. Zambian, Katangan and possibly Angolan
collections have a white corona.
A handwritten note by N. E. Brown in the Kew
Library’s copy of Verh. Bot. Vereins Prov. Brandenburg 35:
50 (1893), states that he has dissected the corona of
Schlechter 351 (the type of Schizoglossum pedunculatum),
that it is identical to that of Asclepias aurea, and that the
description in Schlechter’s diagnosis is incorrect.
Material from Angola described as Asclepias radiata
S. Moore appears to belong to this species, but differs
in the more hispid indumentum of the stem and
leaves. However, Zambian material is more pubescent
than most material from further south, so it may be
best to regard it just as a local form.
34. Asclepias cucullata (Schltr.)Schltr. (1896: 455).
Type: South Africa, Mpumalanga, Saddleback Mt,
Barberton, 21 Sept. 1890, Galpin 1034 (isotype K).
Gomphocarpus cucullatus Schltr. (1894: 17).
Trachycalymma cucullatum (Schltr.) Bullock (1956: 620).
Key to Subspecies:
Corona lobes with papillae restricted to narrow band across base of lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . subsp. cucullata
Corona lobes with papillae distributed over most of the cavity of the lobe; Chimanimani and Vumba . . . . . . . . . . . . .
............................................................................subsp.scabrifolia
395A SYNOPSIS OF ASCLEPIAS (APOCYNACEAE: ASCLEPIADOIDEAE) IN TROPICAL AFRICA
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
subsp. cucullata
DISTRIBUTION. Known from the Great Dyke and
Nyanga highlands of Zimbabwe, the Zoutpansberg
in South Africa, then following the mountain chain
from Pilgrims Rest and the Barberton Mts through
Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal to the Transkei.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 159).
HABITAT. Open grassland; 1400 –1800 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
subsp. scabrifolia (S. Moore)Goyder (2001: 159).
A. scabrifolia S. Moore (1908: 297). Type: Zimbabwe,
Chimanimani Mts, 26 Sept. 1906, Swynnerton 1915
(holotype BM).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the Chimanimani
and Vumba massifs of eastern Zimbabwe and the
outlying ranges in Mozambique.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. See specimens cited by Goyder
(2001: 159).
HABITAT. Open grassland; 1200 –2200 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
Although known from a relatively restricted area, many
of the localities are in formally protected areas, and
there seems little direct threat to the overall population.
NOTES. This subspecies can be distinguished from the
former by its smaller flowers and shorter corona lobes.
The clearest difference, however, concerns the coronal
papillae which occur over most of the cavity of the lobe.
In subsp. cucullata, these papillae are restricted almost
entirely to a narrow band across the base of the lobe.
35. Asclepias pygmaea N. E. Br. (1895b: 255). Type:
Tanzania, the lower plateau N of Lake Malawi [Lake
Nyassa], Thomson s.n. (holotype K).
DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the southern high-
lands of Tanzania and the Nyika Plateau in Malawi.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. TANZANIA. T7: Iringa Distr.,
Sao, 20 July 1933, Greenway 3428 (EA, K); Sao Hill, Oct.
1963, Procter 2415 (EA); Mufindi, 28 Sept. 1968, Harris
& Paget-Wilkes 2368 (EA) & Oct. 1968, Paget-Wilkes 196
(EA); Mufindi West, Sept. 1959, Procter 1401 (EA); 70
miles from Iringa towards Mbeya, 6 Nov. 1969, Batty
825 (K); Njombe –Iringa, Aug. 1965, Beecher 97 (EA);
lower plateau north of Lake Malawi, Thomson s.n.
(holotype K). MALAWI. N: Nyika Plateau, S slopes of
Nganda, 13 Sept. 1972, Synge s.n. in WC 465 (K); Nyika
Plateau, Chelinda Camp, 27 Oct. 1958, Robson 424 (K);
Nyika Plateau, 4 Nov. 1975, Phillips 99 (K).
HABITAT. Montane grassland; 1800 –2500 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Vulnerable VU B2ab(iii).
Populations on the Nyika Plateau are well protected
by the National Park, but it is likely that the Tanzanian
localities are now badly degraded, with no collections
since the 1960s. I have therefore assessed the status of
this species as Vulnerable under Criterion B of the
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. Asclepias pygmaea was included by Bullock
(1956) in synonymy with Trachycalymma cucullatum
but excluded by Goyder (2001: 157 –159) on the
basis of the shape of the corona lobes, which are much
longer than tall, and the coronal papillae which are
distributed along the entire length of the lobes. It can
also be easily confused with A. randii.A. pygmaea tends to
have a more erect habit than A. randii, and stem and
leaf indumentum is of short curled hairs not the stiff
spreading hairs of A. randii.Theflowers are slightly
smaller and the corona has a less drawn-out apex, but
are otherwise very similar. However, the pollinarium
differs in having clearly differentiated proximal and
distal portions to the translator arms, very slender and ±
terete distally. The translator arms of A. randii are
flattened, and broaden gradually towards the pollinia.
36. Asclepias densiflora N. E. Br.(1902: 320). Type:
Zimbabwe, between Harare [Salisbury] and Bulowayo,
Nov. 1899, Cecil 78 (holotype K).
DISTRIBUTION. Zimbabwe, northern South Africa
(Limpopo, NW Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga,
KwaZulu-Natal) and Swaziland.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. ZIMBABWE. W: Plumtree, Eyles
8549 (K); C: 12 km SE of Gweru [Gwelo], 14 Nov.
1966, Biegel 1436 (K); Macheke, Dec. 1919, Eyles 2021
(K, SAM); Rusape, Hislop Z225 (K); Section E, Dudley
Estate, 22 km S of Marondera [Marandellas], fr. 24
Feb. 1976, Huntly s.n. in GH 265939 (K, SRGH); E:
Mutare [Umtali] Commonage, 19 Nov. 1955, Chase
5900 (K, SRGH); SW portion of Mutare [Umtali] Golf
Course, 30 Nov. 1960, Chase 7413 (K, NU, SRGH).
HABITAT. Mixed Brachystegia woodland or wooded
savanna, often on stony soil, sometimes persisting in
cultivated land. In southern Africa it occurs in savanna
and open grassland; 1000 –1500 m in Zimbabwe,
down to c. 600 m in South Africa.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
37. Asclepias adscendens (Schltr.) Schltr.(1896: 455).
Type: South Africa, near Barberton, Oct. 1889, Galpin
596 (holotype B†; isotypes K PRE).
Gomphocarpus adscendens Schltr. (1894: 16).
DISTRIBUTION. Swaziland, Lesotho and the north-
eastern provinces of South Africa (Limpopo, NW
Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-
Natal), with three collections from the eastern highlands
of Zimbabwe.
396 KEW BULLETIN VOL. 64(3)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2009
SELECTED SPECIMENS. ZIMBABWE. E: Mutare [Umtali]
Golf Course, 3 Jan. 1949, Chase 1891 (BM, K, SRGH);
SW portion of Mutare [Umtali] Golf Course, 30 Nov.
1960, Chase 7663 (K, SRGH); maPanda’s Kraal, Oct.
1934, Gilliland 941 (BM).
HABITAT. Open grassland, often in stony soil; 1000 m.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. Smaller and more branched than the preceed-
ing species, habit more decumbent. Peduncles are
much shorter in this species than in Asclepias densiflora,
and the corona appears somewhat less fleshy. The
follicle has more discrete processes rather than the
irregularly lobed wings of A. densiflora.
38. Asclepias meliodora (Schltr.) Schltr.(1896: 455).
Type: South Africa, Limpopo [Transvaal], near Sandloop,
3 Feb. 1894, Schlechter 4373 (holotype B†); Limpopo
[Transvaal], N of Potgietersrust, 18 Dec. 1928, Hutchinson
1944 (neotype K, designated here).
Gomphocarpus meliodorus Schltr. (1895a: 33).
Asclepias meliodora (Schltr.) Schltr. var. brevicoronata
N. E. Br. (1908: 700). Type: South Africa, NW
Province, near Rustenburg, Pegler s.n. in Bolus 10553
(holotype K; isotype BOL, not seen).
DISTRIBUTION. SE Botswana, South Africa (Limpopo,
NWProvince,Gauteng,Mpumalanga,KwaZulu-
Natal), Swaziland and the neighbouring region of
Mozambique.
SELECTED SPECIMENS. MOZAMBIQUE. M: near Goba,
19 Dec. 1952, Myre & Carvalho 1399 (K). BOTSWANA.
SE: Lobatse, Rogers 6244 (BOL, not seen —cited by
Nicholas (unpublished ms)).
HABITAT. Open grassland or scrub woodland, fre-
quently on stony ground; c. 1200 –1300 m in
Botwana, c. 200 –400 m in Mozambique.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least Concern (LC).
NOTES. In designating a neotype for Gomphocarpus
meliodorus Schltr., I have chosen a specimen from as
close to Schlechter’s original locality as possible. Most
collections look like a dwarf version of Asclepias
adscendens. However, the corona is more elongate
and less compressed, and the peduncle is much
shorter. Follicles are smooth, lacking wings and
spine-like processes. Eastern populations appear taller,
and with longer peduncles, particularly those from the
lower nodes.
Unplaced name
Asclepias baumii Schltr. (1903).
I have not seen the type (Baum 699a), and it is not
listed on the ALUKA website (http://www.aluka.org/).
From the description, it could perhaps be a glabrous-
leaved form of Asclepias randii S. Moore, or A. aurea
(Schltr.) Schltr., or be allied to these species.
Acknowledgements
I am most grateful to Melanie Wilmot-Dear and Maria
Vorontsova for the Latin diagnoses, and to Olivier
Lachenaud (BRLU) and Gretchen Walters (MO) for
drawing my attention to additional records of Asclepias
occidentalis from Gabon and the two Congos. I am also
indebted to Peter Schäfer (MPU) who very kindly
imaged relevant collections for me at short notice.
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