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South African Journal of Botany 78 (2012) 281–284 www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb

Short communication namaquana (–), a new species from the Kamiesberg (South Africa) ⁎ P.O. Karis a, , N.A. Helme b

a Department of Botany, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden b P.O. Box 22652, Scarborough 7975, South Africa

Received 2 May 2011; received in revised form 24 June 2011; accepted 24 June 2011

Abstract

The new species Metalasia namaquana is described from the Kamiesberg, a well known centre of endemism in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The species is most similar to Metalasia fastigiata and Metalasia albescens. The morphology, ecology and conservation status of the new species are discussed. © 2011 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Asteraceae; Granite Fynbos; Kamiesberg; Metalasia R.Br.; New species; South Africa;

1. Introduction 3. Species description

The genus Metalasia R.Br. comprises ca. 53 species (Karis 3.1. Metalasia namaquana P.O.Karis and N.A.Helme sp. nov. and Helme, 2008) most of which are confined to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of southwestern South Africa. In Fruticulus bene ramosus, usque ad 0.5 m altus. Folia leviter October 2005 Mr. Nick Helme, on the summit ridge of Stalberg tortilia, anguste oblonga ad anguste lanceolata, (3.0–)5– in the Kamiesberg (Northern Cape, South Africa), came across a 9×0.7–1.0 mm. Synflorescentiae (6) 10–25 mm latae, albae. population of a Metalasia which at first glance could be Capitula floribus 3, plusminusve liberiis vel 2–5 pilis lanatis mistaken for Metalasia fastigiata (Thunb.) D.Don, a species connatis. Bracteae involucri±15, 5—6 seriatae, intrinsecus occurring as far north as Nieuwoudtville. On closer examination gradatim longiores, omnis praeter intimas petaloidae, albae; it became obvious that the Stalberg can neither be extimae apicaliter rubellae. Pappi setae apicaliter clavatae. identified as M. fastigiata nor any other currently known Type: South Africa, Northern Cape, 3018 (Kamiesberg): Metalasia species. Therefore a new species is described below. Namaqualand Div., Farm Welkom 523, Kamiesberg, summit ridge of Stalberg, 1 363 m, S 30° 28′ 49.4″ E18°07′ 34.2″, −− 2. Materials and methods ( AC), 28 October 2009, Helme 6119 (NBG holo.; BOL, K,MO,PRE,Siso.). The description and illustrations were based on the isotype Sprawling, well-branched, dense shrublet up to 0.5 m high specimen (to be deposited in The Swedish Museum of Natural and 1.5 m diameter, resprouting from a rootstock after fire. History, Section of Phanerogamic Botany, S) and the Branches erect to sprawling, mostly with short brachyblasts, photographs were taken by Nick Helme. young whitish-tomentose, older branches becoming less tomentose, with bark cracking and tomentum peeling off, and ⁎ Corresponding author. with leaf scars becoming inconspicuous with age, with leaves E-mail address: [email protected] (P.O. Karis). persistent 2 (3)years; foliage dense. Leaves involute-ericoid,

0254-6299/$ - see front matter © 2011 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2011.06.013 282 P.O. Karis, N.A. Helme / South African Journal of Botany 78 (2012) 281–284 slightly twisted, narrowly oblong to narrowly lanceolate, (3.0–) 25 mm wide, campanulate, dense, with (2–)5–12 capitula 5–9×0.7–1.0 mm, slightly widened and up to 1.1 mm wide at arranged in up to ca. 10 clusters on a 1–5 mm long stalk. base, glabrous beneath, spreading, straight, much involute, Capitula 3-flowered, sessile, ±free from one another or 2–5 semiterete, acute, and mucronate. Synflorescences (6) 10– fused by woolly hairs. Involucre hairy for ca. half of the length,

Fig. 1. Metalasia namaquana. (A) view from upper slopes of Stalberg, the type locality; (B) synflorescence; (C) apical portion of pappus bristle, view through light microscope. A–C, Helme 6119 (S). Photographs: A and B by N. Helme, C by P.O. Karis. P.O. Karis, N.A. Helme / South African Journal of Botany 78 (2012) 281–284 283

Fig. 2. Metalasia namaquana. Involucral bracts. Artist: P.O. Karis. narrowly cyathiform, apically 1.7–2.0 mm wide, slightly wider erect, acute, mucronate, all except outermost petaloid faintly at anthesis; bracts ±15 in 5 or 6 series, gradually longer inwards, keeled and slightly concave at the petaloid part, translucent hyaline margins often lacking or sometimes narrow or obsolete, above the stereome, white; outermost ±half as long as innermost and subfoliaceous to scarious, reddish above, narrowly oblong to narrowly lanceolate; outer and inner narrowly elliptic; innermost narrowly oblanceolate to narrowly oblong. Corolla (young) narrowly cylindrical, glabrous purple above. Young cypselae (ovaries) 3-veined. Pappus bristles slightly serrate, apically clavate. Flowering time October to November (Figs. 1 and 2).

3.2. Distribution and habitat

Metalasia namaquana is known from a single, extensive population, extending from Stalberg to the unnamed peaklet east of Rooiberg, the former being a prominent southern ridge of the Kamiesberg approximately 15 km NE of Garies, in the Northern Cape (Fig. 3). It is locally common in Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos (Rebelo et al., 2006) above 1200 m, and the total population was estimated to be between 2000 and 6000 plants, covering a total area of no more than 600 ha. Most of the known population was burnt a few months after the type Fig. 3. Known distribution of Metalasia namaquana. collection was made. Unlike most species of Metalasia the new 284 P.O. Karis, N.A. Helme / South African Journal of Botany 78 (2012) 281–284 species rapidly resprouts from an underground rootstock after translucent patch, and the innermost bracts that often have fire, and is capable of flowering in the second year after a fire tridentate tips. (N. Helme—pers. obs.). Plants are typically found in shallow sandy soils derived from the underlying granites (actually 3.4. Conservation status gneiss), and often sprawl over the large rocks prevalent in the area (Fig. 1A). Plants are often found rooted in rock crevices. The single known population extends over a distance of The population occurs on a broad north–south trending ridge, at about 6 km and 600 ha, and occurs on privately owned land that elevations of 1200–1500 m. The new species appears to be the is used for grazing of livestock. The vegetation is not latest in a number of recent discoveries in the Kamiesberg, a overgrazed and no direct signs of grazing of the plants were relatively small area that is recognised as a centre of plant observed, which may be partly due to the very spiny leaf tips. It endemism and an important outlier of the CFR (Van Wyk and is not likely that disturbance by means of human induced Smith, 2001; Helme and Desmet, 2006; Helme, 2009). At least activity represents a major threat to this endemic species. 55 plant species are known to be strict Kamiesberg endemics, However, the relatively large number of plants, the ability to with at least a similar number being near endemics (Helme and resprout after fire, and the relative lack of threat to the habitat Desmet, 2006). Invertebrates seem to show similar patterns, suggest that the species should be Red Listed as Least Concern with numerous recent discoveries (Colville, 2006). The only (Raimondo et al., 2009). other species of Metalasia found in the Kamiesberg is the widespread Metalasia densa (Lam.) P.O.Karis,whichis 3.5. Additional specimens examined relatively common at middle to upper elevations. Northern Cape—3018 (Kamiesberg): Namaqualand Div., Farm 3.3. Diagnosis and relationships Welkom 523, Kamiesberg, summit ridge of Stalberg, (−−AC), 28 October 2005, Helme 3674 (NBG); 3018 (Kamiesberg): M. namaquana is distinguished by its habit of forming wide, Namaqualand Div., Farm Welkom 523, Kamiesberg, peak 1445 e much-branched low shrubs, the ability to resprout basally after of Rooiberg, (−−AC), 14 June 2011, Helme 7014 (NBG). fire, the slightly twisted spreading leaves, the white, rather small synflorescences with 3-flowered capitula, and the reddish Acknowledgements outermost and outer involucral bracts which contrast against the white involucral wool and petaloid bracts. Financial support from the Swedish International Development Metalasia namaquana is most similar to M. fastigiata, and Cooperation Agency-Swedish Research Links (348-2004-5631 to M. P.O.Karis, two species which sometimes have white or P.O.K.) is acknowledged. whitish heads, and which also are found within the northern parts of the CFR. Metalasia fastigiata resembles M. namaquana References in its reddish outermost and outer bracts and which contrast against the petaloid bracts, but the former is recognised by the Colville, J.F., 2006. A profile of the insects of the Kamiesberg Uplands, often larger, up to 60 mm wide and pink synflorescences, the Namaqualand, South Africa. Report for CEPF/SKEP, Cape Town. often longer, up to 22 mm long more pungent leaves, and by the Helme, N., 2009. A description of the endemic flora and vegetation of the – 5-flowered capitula. Furthermore, Metalasia fastigiata has an Kamiesberg Uplands, Namaqualand. PlantLife 38 & 39, 12 31. Helme, N., Desmet, P.G., 2006. A description of the endemic flora and erect growth form, with relatively few branches, and is an vegetation of the Kamiesberg Uplands, Namaqualand, South Africa. Report obligate reseeder. M. albescens has shorter (2–6.5 mm long) for CEPF/SKEP, Cape Town. more pungent declinate leaves, involucral bracts in fewer series, Karis, P.O., 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae–Gnaphalieae). and acute pappus bristles. Like Metalasia fastigiata it does not Opera Botanica 99, 1–150. form rounded clumps, has few, ascending branches, and is an Karis, P.O., Helme, N.A., 2008. Metalasia helmei, a new member of a small clade from the Western Cape? Bothalia 38, 65–67. obligate reseeder. In Overberg there is another superficially Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, similar species with occasionally whitish synflorescences R.C., Kamundi, D.A., Manyama, P.A. (Eds.), 2009. Red List of South where most involucral bracts are petaloid, viz. Metalasia African Plants. : Strelitzia, 25. South African National Biodiversity erubescens DC. Apart from the widely separated distributions, Institute, Pretoria. Metalasia erubescens differs from M. namaquana by the longer Rebelo, A., Boucher, C., Helme, N., Mucina, L., Rutherford, M.C., 2006. Fynbos Biome. In: Mucina, L., Rutherford, M.C. (Eds.), The vegetation of (up to 18 mm long), often curved leaves, the often larger (up to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Strelitzia, 19, pp. 53–219. 50 mm wide) synflorescences with heads more conspicuously Van Wyk, A.E., Smith, G., 2001. Regions of Floristic Endemism in Southern free from one another, the petaloid involucral bracts without a Africa. Umdaus Press, Hatfield, pp. 28–33.

Edited by JS Boatwright