Volume 4 No. 3 ISSN 1027–4286 December 1999

Millennium Edition IN THIS ISSUE Guest Editorial 174174 Profile: Mário A. Calane da Silva 176176 Challenges facing southern African botany in the new millennium 177177 Colophospermum mopane isis thethe correctcorrect namename forfor thethe ‘mopane’‘mopane’ 188188 Threatened taxonomic knowledge: implications for method in ecology 196196 Southern African Plant Red Data List Update 200200 Herbaria and Red Data Lists 202202 SSC8 held in Mozambique 204204 SABONET Courses: Database & Herbarium Management 205205 Computerisation of southern African herbaria 207207 How to collect field samples for DNA analysis 214214 Checklist of Namibian Plant Species 216216 Second edition of IndexIndex herbariorum:herbariorum: southernsouthern AfricanAfrican supplementsupplement now available 217217 Recommended English names for trees in southern Africa 218218 Changes to the SAHDG Listserver 219219 Raven’s 7-point plan 219219 Gondwana Alive 220220 SABONET Web site now available 222222 From the Web 223223 The Paper Chase 226226 Book Reviews 232232 E-mail addresses 241241 Regional News Update 249249

FRONT COVER: Course participants and resource persons who attended SABONET’s Database and Herbarium Management courses in August and October 1999.

Back in February 1990, the future for southern Africa was not what it used to be. While the Maputo meeting was concluding on 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela was being released, and a new era for southern Africa was dawning. Much of the rest is already history.

The advent of SABONET was possible not only due to regional changes, but as much due to major international events. Perhaps most significant was Guest Editorial the 1992 Rio Conference — the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED). At Rio, many of the key instruments SABONET: Into the New Millennium necessary for the establishment of SABONET were created, in particular the Convention on Biological It is nearly 10 years since a group of southern Diversity (CBD) and the Global Environment Facility African plant scientists met in Maputo, Mozambique, (GEF). The CBD provided the policy framework and to discuss the future of botany in the region. Today the GEF the financial mechanism to put in place the we are in that future — and SABONET is the kind of network conceived in Maputo. The need for realisation of the vision conceived in the long and capacity building, infrastructure support and often pessimistic working sessions of the Maputo effective communication and team building meeting. throughout the region was re-affirmed at 174 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 subsequent seminars, workshops and conferences. is limited to dried herbarium specimens and ex-situ In 1993, at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, a project collections of endangered species. The ultimate proposal was developed which served as the base goal must be for in-situ conservation, and most for a funding proposal. But as we soon discovered, importantly, systems of sustainable use of species it would be a long walk to the GEF. Fortunately, in and ecosystems for the benefit of all our people. 1994 USAID provided funding for a new regional networking initiative through IUCN’s Regional Office As Chairman of the SABONET Steering Committee, I for southern Africa (ROSA) in Harare. The USAID would like to use this opportunity to thank all who funding provided a kick-start for SABONET, giving have made this such a successful venture. We must the project the opportunity to test its motto thank, in particular, the donor agencies (USAID and ‘Learning by Doing’ in the three years prior to GEF GEF/UNDP) and the institutions in each of the ten funds being released in 1997. SABONET countries for their generous support. I am sure that you will all join me in thanking Christopher As the many articles published in SABONET News Willis and his small team (Nyasha, Carina, Tina and have reported, the project has developed rapidly Janice) for the tremendous dedication, and effectively since the first meeting of its Steering enthusiasm and energy they have contributed to Committee back in 1996. We now have a closely knit ensuring the joy and success of SABONET. team of committed players, from the young trainees joining their first workshops and field outings to the HAPPY NEW MILLENNIUM! K ‘old hands’ on the National Working Groups and the Steering Committee. We have been extremely Prof. Brian J. Huntley fortunate to have an exceptionally competent Chairman: SABONET Steering Committee coordination team, and over 100 enthusiastic and hard working members in our SABONET ‘extended family’. YOU KNOW YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH We will soon be in the new millennium, with great expectations to be met. The 1990s saw an OF THE ’90s WHEN ...... unprecedented era of socio-political transformation throughout the world, leaving it, we hope, a better You try to enter your password on the place for all. On the environmental front, it has been microwave. a decade of policy development - perhaps too much You haven’t played patience with real cards in talking and writing and not enough doing. So the years. challenge now is to implement the vast list of You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach international agreements, principles, guidelines and your family of 3. action plans. We should call for a moratorium on You e-mail your work colleagues at the desk next symposia and talk-fests. We need to get out of the to you to ask “Do you fancy going down to the conference rooms and into the laboratories, herbaria pub?” and most especially into the field. You chat several times a day with a stranger from your home country ... The primary goal of the CBD and GEF support is to You buy a computer and a week later it is out of make biodiversity conservation happen. Our date. approach, in SABONET, has recognised the need for Your reason for not staying in touch with friends scientific and technical capacity, and our emphasis is that they do not have e-mail addresses. has been on learning. Training has been a priority Your idea of being organised is multiple coloured and will continue to be within SABONET. But as we post-it notes. build our institutions — our herbaria and botanical You hear most of your jokes via e-mail instead gardens — we must add value to effective of in person. biodiversity conservation on the ground. The world and future generations will not thank us if our legacy Source unknown. SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 175 de Botânica do INIA e Chairman of the National PROFILE Plant Genetic Resources Committee. Mário A. Calane da Silva Quando se iniciou o Projecto SABONET é indigitado como Coordenador Nacional de mesmo para Moçambique.

Foi praticante de futebol na categoria de Juniores no Clube1o de Maio onde foi vice-campeão e campeão nos anos de 1960 e 1961.

Nas horas vagas gosta de ouvir música, ler e cuidar do jardim.

Profile: Mário A. Calane da Silva

ário A. Calane da Silva was born on 30 MJuly 1943 in the then city of Lourenço Marques, now Maputo, where he completed his primary and secondary schooling. In 1968 he worked as an employee for the Department of Finances. He reinitiated his studies in 1977 in the Faculty of Biology at the Eduardo Mondlane L Mário A. Calane da Silva. University, where he began his new duties as a Technical Assistant in Plant Taxonomy at the Perfil de Mário A. Calane da Silva LMU Herbarium of the same university.

ário A. Calane da Silva nasceu a He successfully completed his courses in Biology M30.07.1943 na então cidade de Lourenço in 1981 and became Curator of the LMA Marques, hoje Maputo, onde fez os seus estudos Herbarium at the Instituto Nacional de primários e secundários. Em 1968 trabalhou Investigação Agronómica (INIA) in February 1982. como funcionário nos Serviços de Finanças. Reiniciou as suas actividades estudantis em 1977 In 1985/86 he completed postgraduate studies in na Faculdade de Biologia da Universidade “Rural and Land Ecology Survey” in Holland at Eduardo Mondlane, onde começou a exercer as the International Institute for Aerospace Survey suas novas funções de Técnico Assistente em and Earth Sciences (ITC). On returning to Taxonomia Vegetal no Herbário LMU da mesma Mozambique he was nominated to be Head of the Universidade. Department of Botany at INIA and Chairman of the National Plant Genetic Resources Committee. Terminou com sucesso o seu curso de Biologia em 1981 tendo iniciado as suas funções como When the SABONET project was launched in Curador do Herbário LMA no Instituto Nacional 1996 he was identified to become the National de Investigação Agronómica (INIA) a partir de Coordinator for the project in Mozambique. Fevereiro de 1982. He played soccer in the Junior category for the Em 1985/86 fez o Curso de Pós-Graduação em 1o de Maio Club where he was Vice-Captain and “Rural and Land Ecology Survey” na Holanda no Captain in 1960 and 1961. “International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC)”. Após o seu regresso a In his spare time he enjoys listening to music, Moçambique é nomeado Chefe do Departamento reading and working in the garden. K 176 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Challenges facing southern African botany in the new millennium

Networking has now been adopted by the region My opinion of the important challenges: as a way forward to documenting knowledge on • Educating everybody (including scientists) of botanical diversity. The different countries in the the value of systematics, and ensuring that region have limited economic power to go it systematics in turn is seen as not only an alone. The different countries now have the academic exercise, but that it also can be an ‘basic essentials’ in terms of field and herbarium applied science; taxonomists. In addition to keeping the existing • Designing, proposing, passing and networks working and setting new ones, there is implementing environmental laws with real need to inform policy makers about issues likely teeth, and the implementation of a judicial to impact on the environment. In Botswana, for system that has the courage and capacity to instance, policy on environmental impact pursue and punish environmental violations; assessments is nearing completion, such that • Putting the “science” back into “environmental every major development will need to be science”; and accompanied by an EIA. Taxonomists, as has • Enhancing and expanding the component of the always been the case, will need to continue school’s biology syllabus that is dedicated to selling themselves. It is becoming more and more botany (as opposed to human biology and difficult to attract people into the subject even zoology). where opportunities are wide open. For instance, Botswana with close to 2 500 plant species, has Dr Nigel Barker, Department of Botany, Rhodes only 2 or 3 formally trained taxonomists. University, Grahamstown, South Africa Capacity building will need to continue for some I I I time during the next millennium to make sure that floras are covered adequately in terms of expertise. The most important challenges for me in the new millennium: Dr Moffat Setshogo, University of Botswana • Making top level management as well as at Herbarium, Gaborone, Botswana grassroots level people aware of the I I I environment surrounding them; • Promoting the optimal use of plants native to a Plants play a crucial role in the cycle of life. It is specific area to solve that area’s environmental therefore for us, the plant scientists, to further problems; and unravel their secrets and, based on our research • Combat deforestation with native plant findings: reforestation, especially in the drier areas. • to promote their continued sustainable use; • to demonstrate the consequences of their Mr Henk Dauth, National Botanic Garden of destruction by mankind; and Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia • to help engender in our fellow humans a notion I I I of responsibility for them. Botanical gardens in the southern African context Dr Otto A. Leistner, National Botanical Institute, face two major challenges in the new century. Pretoria, South Africa Firstly, the pressure that will be placed on I I I botanical gardens to act as repositories for the SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 177 genetic material of rare and endangered plants new ones on the continent and abroad. We need will increase dramatically, as man’s to continue building a work environment that is encroachment on, and destruction of, natural stimulating and that makes us proud, and one that habitats increases with the burgeoning population. constantly reminds us that all things botanical is pure pleasure. What probably makes a good Modern technology in the form of tissue culture millennium botanist in southern Africa is not just laboratories will continue to elude most gardens about publication outputs, but also about staying for many decades yet, hence the continued positive and working towards creating and taking reliance on traditional propagation methods. It is good opportunities. assumed that a base minimum of 200 plants (some argue 500) is needed to adequately Ms Janice Golding, SABONET Coordinator’s Office, conserve the genetic viability of a single ecotype; National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa within a taxon that has say five ecotypes, 1 000 I I I plants would need to be maintained. In 1-litre bags (the 1st potting stage), this equates to an Southern African botany needs to stimulate and area of approximately 20 square metres, in a support sound autecological research (plant density of 100 plants per square metre. The reproduction, regeneration and population impact of this in terms of mature plants, the need biology) to enable resource managers to oversee for adequate staffing, soil and potting media, the sustainable harvesting of useful plants from insecticides and fungicides can be further conservation areas. Given the current and calculated, and some serious thought will need to expected demands for, particularly, traditional go into the process of selection for ex-situ medicines, such essential research already lags by conservation, if such conservation programmes a generation. The timeous remedying of this are to enjoy any success at all. situation presents a challenge not only to botanists, but to the very existence of some of The second major challenge is also human their most fascinating subjects. related—the rising cost of labour. Many gardens will not be able to afford current labour levels, Dr Neil Crouch, Ethnobotanist, National Botanical and alternatives such as mechanisation and Institute, Durban, South Africa automation will need to be introduced to offset I I I the high cost of wages. This will need to be balanced though, with the developing country’s In my opinion there are still many gaps to be need for job creation, competition for financial filled in botanical data for southern African, resources, and the ever-increasing need to have moreso outside South Africa and the FSA public support for our botanical gardens. countries, eg. compared to European States. The biggest challenge is filling up the gaps without Mr Hans Heilgendorff, Pretoria National compromising the desired quality. In most of our Botanical Garden, Pretoria, South Africa countries, the few professionals employed in I I I botanical institutions are already so thinly spread on the ground that this goal seems unattainable. We need to strive towards world-class botanical This challenge will face us more seriously in science—intelligent science. Intelligent science in future if our economy, nationally and regionally, southern Africa is marketable to the highest deteriorates further. That being the case, capacity levels (decision-makers), it is socially relevant, is building will have to get highest priority, more of a good botanical calibre and respected by our than ever before. Hopefully, with SABONET and peers. Our work needs to be output-orientated other regional projects in place, this challenge because it means that we as botanists and the will be tackled head-on. work we deliver, will get exposure. Because we are a small community, it is critical to strengthen Anonymous contribution ties with our colleagues and continue to forge I I I 178 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 The answer to the success of securing the future knowledge with the wisdom acquired throughout of our rich botanical inheritance, lies in the ages. The botanist in the new millennium will education. If we do not learn to respect, love, need to create a broader awareness of the value and cherish our floral treasure, we will not importance of botany which will convey a need be able to save it. One of the greatest challenges for support and continuous campaigning amongst in the new millennium will be to teach people to decision-makers on all government levels. take pride in the flora of this magnificent continent. Dr Hugo Bezuidenhout and Michelle Harck, Kimberley South African National Parks Challenge number one, however, will be to find Herbarium (KSAN) out exactly what the words “sustainable I I I utilisation” mean! This buzz phrase is used carelessly and with enormous implications to We need to keep our cutting edge biological nature. No population should be utilised until science, and especially the systematic biological sound research proves that this is feasible. Even science, alive. This will require funding and then, we should proceed with caution, keeping in support. Over the past century, South Africa has mind that we are tampering with the foundation been able to develop some very good systematic of the planet..... biological research, and it would be a shame to lose it all again. Yet this can easily happen: if we Ms Sonnette Krynauw, Mpumalanga drop far enough behind, then any good students Parks Board Herbarium (LYD) will be advised to do their doctoral theses I I I overseas. This will drain the best and brightest out of our universities, further depressing the The primary challenge facing botany in southern quality of our local research. Losing our ability Africa in the new millennium is to make full use to solve our own problems is a great loss of of our unique position of being botanists that independence. But keeping that ability will need work in the midst of the world’s richest temperate more than words—it will mean substantial flora. I see a gradual change from completing the support, money, and above all a very wise massive task of the naming and describing the management of our limited resources! flora, to the new challenge of understanding how it all works, i.e. the evolutionary relationships Prof. Peter Linder, Botany Department, University between the species, the ecological interactions of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa between species and, finally, the sustainable I I I conservation of this rich botanical diversity. The biggest challenge facing botany in southern Dr Steve Johnson, School of Botany and Zoology, Africa in the new millennium is attracting the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa right people, especially the young ones, and I I I keeping them motivated. The other challenge is to maintain and increase the multinational While a good measure of botanical research has collaborations built up at the end of this century. been done in southern Africa, not much has been done to articulate this acquired knowledge to the Mr Anthony Mapaura, National Herbarium and average man on the street, urban and rural alike. Botanic Garden, Harare, Zimbabwe In the past, scientists were the sole beneficiaries I I I of research. The new millennium, however, will challenge us as botanists to “go back to our Although, we see the approaching millennium as proverbial roots” engaging more closely with the start of a period filled with hope and new people in managing resources with a common beginnings, it will, in truth, be nothing more than goal. This will set the cornerstone to initiate a continuation of trends and fashions (both good extensive programmes to combine pure scientific and bad) established in the latter half of this SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 179 century. In particular, the problems and However, there is a danger that these techniques challenges we, as botanists, presently face will be will be used at the expense of less glamorous but carried into the first half of the new century. just as productive older techniques. New Probably the greatest problem facing us will be paradigms will also continue to play important financial. roles in the new millennium. One of these, cladistics, has provided us with the ability to Species are presently being lost at over 100% more objectively trace probable phylogenies. It more than the background extinction rate. South has also challenged long-held concepts of group Africa, with over 10% of its vascular flora now definition and nomenclature. Another new classified as threatened, is no exception. Between technology, the computer, is beginning to change 1990 and 2020 (some 30 years) the population is the way we learn, do research and make money. projected to double from 40 million to 80 million, In the last ten years, the linking of computers to this latter figure the apparent carrying capacity of one another has created a worldwide network that the country as dictated by its water resources. will allow the almost instantaneous transfer of The doubling of the population means that more digitised information. This has produced a habitat transformation will take place than ever revolution almost unparalleled since the invention before. With this loss of habitat we can expect to of the car and electricity. It is a revolution that see the extinction of a number of species. For has touched almost all aspects of our lives and many of these we will know nothing more than will also change the way we do biology. We have their names and a brief description. As botanists, produced a brave new world dominated more and we have a pivotal part to play in this crisis. We more by technology related to information. not only have an obligation to do conservation research but also to teach that our ultimate The greatest opportunities are going to be in the survival as a nation will be through the marriage of Botany and Information Technology sustainable use of these natural resources. We —what I call BIT. Information is a resource that need to create a population of South Africans in can be used to generate money, a fact that has which the vast majority are environmentally been grasped by the First World. Science, in conscious and who will act as protectors rather particular, botany and zoology with their millions than exploiters. Although conservation has of specimens in museums and herbaria, will become a popular choice of subject at both benefit form the IT revolution. Already databases universities and technikons, the expertise and exist for chromosome numbers, herbarium funding of conservation is still not enough to collections, plants names, plus innumerable tackle the serious environmental problems facing others. We are also beginning to see the us. As a matter of urgency, conservation research production of the first interactive keys for plant aimed at alleviating this problem need to be identification. In the new millennium it will implemented, even if it doesn’t generate money. probably be information technology that will This is also unlikely to happen while so many bring on the greatest changes; it will shape our botanists are tied up with excessive world in ways that we are still unaware. administration, fund raising and teaching, and while their research is under-funded. It is becoming evident that botany, once a gentle science, is now at the cutting edge of several new The last few decades have seen the development technological fronts. Botanists can no longer sit of some exciting new technologies and paradigm quietly in their laboratories or herbaria expecting shifts. The mushrooming of techniques to handle the status quo to protect their livelihood. and analyse DNA and RNA need particular Nowadays botanists need to continually retrain so mention. They have been employed in disciplines that they are familiar with new technologies and as diverse as physiology, taxonomy, philosophies, and so that they are able to meet biotechnology and even conservation. These emerging needs. There is a need to stay current techniques will probably dominate much of the and to continually refocus. We have already seen botanical research conducted in the next century. some mass refocusing, disciplines such as 180 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 taxonomy, ecology and physiology have falling taxa. The future of biodiversity and its use student numbers while conservation, depends on such actions. Clearly, the evolution biotechnology and molecular biology are all of ethics, affected by engineered changes such as better supported. Refocusing has, unfortunately, a possibly dramatic extension in human age, is led to the virtual disappearance of some likely to bear heavily not only on our disciplines. Anatomists were once part of almost understanding of biodiversity but also on the every botany department; these days it is difficult extent of its existence by the year 3000. to find a department that has one. Every second job advertised requires expertise in molecular Dr Michael C. Rutherford, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, methods, but when last did you see a job National Botanical Institute, Cape Town, South Africa advertised for a lichenologist? There is a definite I I I loss of expertise in many fields. I believe that if we do not have the will to support these non- profit making disciplines, the science of botany is Conservatism (more of the same) going to regret their virtual demise sometime in versus the future. Liberalism (thinking big): Dr Ashley Nicholas, University of aspects of botany in the new millennium Durban-Westville, Durban, South Africa I I I The dawn of the new millennium seems to be a good opportunity to envision realistically what The rate and magnitude of change in the new can and could be achieved in botany in South millennium will have no precedent - globally. Africa in the first few years of the 21st century. The major challenges for South African botany But indeed, not dreaming unrealistically about will be those also facing the globe. How will pies in the sky, detached from reality. Let one global plant ecological knowledge match up to the rather plan around tangible, achievable goals in need to understand the consequences of research, training and scientific service delivery unprecedented change? There is an irony. We to various communities. Dreaming with one’s understand much about plant performance within feet squarely on the ground, so to speak. The aim the comfort zone of limited change. However, we of the following few paragraphs is not to deal usually have to rely on vague inference regarding comprehensively with all or even a reasonable conditions for existence and non-existence of cross-section of aspects of botany in South most plant taxa. Africa. It is rather to provide a few ideas on where one could focus attention in some fields of The next millennium will be the greatest yet for botanical endeavour for the foreseeable future. mixing of floras due to globalisation transfers, changing climate and unpredictable genetically Every botanist working in South Africa has a altered plants. It is likely that even the concept of mandate, a duty in fact, to document and study “alien species” will ultimately disappear. Result- the country’s rich flora and vegetation and the ing ecosystems of novel biotic composition with intricate processes governing their physiological novel interactions will require new understanding pathways. No one else is better positioned to do against a backdrop of increasing rates of radical this. Indeed, we are uniquely placed to address land use change and probably insidious pollution. most if not all of the needs of the country, the Our approaches will need to shift from those of subcontinent and the international community as the awkward multi-disciplinary patchwork to far as the indigenous and naturalised floras and those centred on integrated multi-hierarchical vegetation of our country are concerned. Not systems. This will not happen overnight. But only accumulating data, but analysing and there are other starting points, also in South disseminating it appropriately to information- Africa. One of these is to initiate systematic hungry end-users. For example, would it not assessment of life and death scenarios for plant serve an excellent purpose to create a ‘state-of- SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 181 the-art’ published (and web-based?) information sectors and with sponsors and stakeholders, system on southern African plants (perhaps botanists should further strengthen their efforts to focusing initially on medicinal, poisonous and maintain and indeed develop relevance. The food plants). Such a system should ideally have efforts required to achieve this will only become keys and, if electronic, database search facilities more challenging, particularly in a world and an interactive plant identification capability nowadays dominated by a generation who finds from which information about plant names most of its entertainment from couch-slouching in (scientific and vernacular), descriptive morphological, front of a television screen. The products biological and ecological information could be emanating from our research efforts should obtained. Other aspects could include illustrations therefore be a healthy mixture of traditional, (such as habit, flowers, fruits, habitat and hardcore science and modern, consumer-driven diagnostic characters), utilisation information outputs. For example, producing monographs (medicinal, food, other), with a facility to unravelling the intricacies of relationships generate distribution maps for all species. The amongst species, genera and even families should system could be further enhanced by providing not be negotiable: they remain the basis for much horticultural information, including cultivation, of our research efforts in other subdisciplines, propagation and horticultural attributes. Some of such as high-profile biological conservation the first products to be delivered in a chain of thrusts and predicting the effects of global climate events aimed at achieving such an integrated, change on species composition and vegetation published system on the southern African flora change. However, these monographic and other will be an annotated checklist of all medicinally products should be presented in such a way that a important plants and of the seed plant families wider spectrum than our immediate colleagues and genera. Both are being finalised and are due understand and value them for what they are: a to appear in 2000. means of comprehensively disseminating critical biological information on our flora that allows us The last few decades of the 20th century have to produce predictable classification systems. been characterised by the accumulation of an Such systems in turn are important for us (and almost inordinate amount of data on the southern anyone else for that matter) to understand and African flora. Countries of our subcontinent must sustainably manage our precious and perishable indeed be some of the world leaders when it plant resources. comes to generating botanical information!! But these data should now be analysed and put to Contacts with our counterparts abroad should be work for us. The time is ripe to apply multi- further strengthened, especially through South disciplinary approaches to the data with an aim to African researchers visiting overseas derive a great diversity of products that would organisations and through us hosting foreign further emphasise the relevance of botanical visitors in South Africa. But no longer should information in a rapidly developing society. approaches be entertained whereby local botanists are relegated to playing a secondary role in But the preserved and living botanical collections, accessing research material only, with perhaps at inventories of plants at the organism-level and best a rather unsatisfactory invitation of co- vegetation types are not yet complete. This authorship extended, with no possibility of important fact should also be emphasised. Much making an intellectual contribution to the funding and effort would still be required to published end-product. ensure that the flora and vegetation are adequately catalogued. I could go on..., but suffice it to say that finally I would like to record here my sincere appreciation Furthermore, this is a time to seek new for and gratitude to all those involved in and connections and sustain the existing support base supportive of South African botany, for their of South African botany. Through working generous contributions and unfailing efforts to closely with colleagues in various biological unlock the mysteries of the richest temperate 182 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 flora and vegetation on the face of the globe. The and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of sustained involvement of a broad range of this utilisation. This implies that, in addition to sponsors and benefactors has enabled plant developing a broadly based scientific scientists to make substantial progress in research understanding of our ecosystems, it is also and service delivery during the last few decades important to understand the range of socio- of the 20th century. By increasingly combining economic issues which influence the protection PERFORMANCE and DELIVERY with and sustainable use and management of STRATEGY, it is anticipated that this support vegetation. The challenge will be to balance the will continue well into the future. What more can diverse economic, cultural and social needs of I say...? residents and the users of such areas with the need to maintain our natural resources and Prof. Gideon Smith, Research and Scientific Services, conserve our biological and cultural heritage. The National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa fragility of many of the ecosystems, the I I I unpredictable nature of rainfall in many areas and the harsh economic environment intensifies this Possibly the biggest challenge facing southern challenge. African botany in the new millennium is global change. The effects of change in climate, land Dr Maureen Wolfson, Education and Research use and the dispersal of new species around the Support, National Botanical Institute, globe will be the issue for the southern African Pretoria, South Africa botanical research community. In order to I I I monitor and predict changes in species distribution detailed correlation between present • Continued on page 184 distribution of species and environmental variables, as well as experimental work to test hypotheses derived from such correlations, will be needed to distinguish between realised and fundamental niche restrictions. In addition, system ecological considerations will have to be given to understand the potential of the southern African ecosystems in the release or capture of carbon to and from the atmosphere and the contribution to the global carbon cycle. This has become particularly pressing as a political issue since the Kyoto Conference. It appears to me that we should expect some of the most important contributions to be made by botanists in the field of biogeography, ecophysiology and system ecology.

Dr Elmar Veenendaal, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Maun, Botswana I I I

In response to this, I write as a botanist who has been involved in policy issues pertaining to the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity not only to conserve biological diversity but to promote the sustainable use of its components in a manner that will lead to the fair SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 183 44 Continued from page 183 As a horticulturist involved in building and remedies through generations will supplement maintaining botanical gardens for most of my each other provided that these are, at the very working life, I have found the visits with the least, considered. As a consequence of the wider SABONET team to botanical gardens in southern acceptance of the role of botany in natural Africa fascinating. I have been inspired by the medicines, the manufacturing of quality products vast diversity of indigenous flora, the climate, the will be inevitable. natural beauty of the environment and the enthusiasm of the staff. There is tremendous Ms Ferozah Conrad, Compton Herbarium, potential to develop these gardens along the National Botanical Institute, conventional lines to which I am so accustomed. Kirstenbosch, South Africa I I I The greatest challenge in realising this great potential is to overcome the almost total lack of I believe to be effective in promoting botany, we infrastructure, skills and expertise. But does the as botanists should be much more pragmatic in answer really lie in imposing first world concepts our approach and realising, that because we love on a third world community? To my mind the nature and plants in particular and understand the first step is to bridge this gap. We need to need for conservation, does not necessarily mean introduce concepts that will inspire the local that other people share our passion, knowledge, people, that will meet their needs, that will interest, understanding or commitment. stimulate their interest and that will enable understanding of the principles, practicalities and Greater emphasis should therefore be placed on purpose of a botanical garden. The challenge for informal education, and programmes, including the millennium is to raise the consciousness of radio and TV, should be developed to focus on the local communities towards valuing the natural what is of relevance to, and within the grasp of environment and motivating them to take the the man in the street, as well as to increase the initiative in developing and preserving their level of knowledge and understanding of ecology heritage for the benefit of all their people and for in its widest sense. These programmes should be future generations. stimulating, aiming to illustrate the delicate balance in nature, and because most humans are Mr John Winter, Gardens & Horticultural Services, self-centered, how mankind is affected if this National Botanical Institute, balance is disturbed. Kirstenbosch, South Africa I I I Dr Daan Botha, Gardens & Horticultural Services, National Botanical Institute, Botany, like many other fields in science, has Kirstenbosch, South Africa traditionally been the domain of a privileged few. I I I This dynamic and exciting field needs to get exposure and become accessible to a wider group The biggest challenge facing botanists—and all of individuals. For this to happen, botany needs biological scientists for that matter—in southern to be promoted from a grassroots level. The need Africa, will be convincing politicians, for conservation, preservation and an apprecia- developers, policy and decision makers that tion for our natural environment have to be conservation of biological diversity will pay off instilled in the youth. in the long term. We will have to find ways of quantifying the value of biological resources and As we move away from conventional medicines be able to provide hard facts and figures, because towards traditional medicines, botany will play an black-on-white financial implications seem to be increasingly important role in the area of natural the only way of convincing developers and policy remedies. Advances in technology, including makers to even consider conservation of the those at molecular level, and the knowledge and natural environment. We will have to find ways experience owned by those who use these and be able to make suggestions on how to best 184 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 combine economic development and conservation Ms René Glen, National Herbarium, National of biological diversity. Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa I I I Ms Herta Kolberg, National Plant Genetic Resources Centre, NBRI, Windhoek, Namibia “The SIXTH GREAT extinction spasm of I I I geological time is upon us, grace of mankind” —Edward Wilson (1992) As botanists in southern Africa, one of our main challenges in the new millennium will be to But how deep has this SIXTH extinction spasm conserve the rich biodiversity of southern Africa. already eroded into the landscape of life? And The ever increasing population will mean more what is its measure against the five previous housing developments, more food to be produced spasms since life first took root on the continents and more fuel and water required. All these some 450 million years back? Can we claim for threats will impose more demands on our natural our subcontinent the record richness in extant vegetation, especially the wetlands. More dams terrestrial life and how far has this been will be constructed to supply more water, thus undermined? We don’t know! impeding the flow of water. Over and above this wetlands are often regarded as the dumping areas In answering these questions and leading a mega- for industrial waste or unwanted areas that can be paradigm shift in human outlook, the southern reclaimed for other purposes. All these African botanical fraternity has the most perceptions need to be changed. There needs to profound role to play in the opening years of the be better liaison between the various Research new millennium. Institutions, the commercial sector, in particular environmental management companies that do Dr John Anderson, Palaeobotany, impact studies or restore wetlands and nurseries National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa as well as with the legislative sector. I I I

Aquatic botanists need to arouse a greater awareness of these vulnerable habitats, especially with regard to plants. They need to inform and educate the public why it is essential to save our “In the past 50 years, by one natural wetland flora. This requires more field reckoning, the working vocabulary guides. These guides need to be affordable and of the average 14-year-old has written in such a manner that ‘the man in street’ can understand or, should we say, ‘that the man declined from some 25,000 words in the bog is not bogged down’ by botanical to 10,000 words (Spretnak jargon. 1997)...... in roughly the same half This challenge can be met if there is a mind century the average person has change amongst aquatic scientists. We need to come to recognize over 1000 forsake our ‘possessiveness of our particular corporate logos but can now research’ and unite as a strong force that can recognize fewer than 10 plants confront the materialistic, sadly sometimes corrupt, commercial sector. and animals native to his or her locality.” SABONET has already established a network in (David W. Orr, Conservation southern Africa. We as aquatic botanists, need to Biology 13(4): 696-699, August 1999) go into the next millennium nurturing these channels of communication and collaboration that have been made accessible to us. SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 185 Southern African botany must change from a African, botany is an enterprising awareness Euro-centric science to one that is effectively campaign. Imagine talking to a potential sponsor Afro-centric. Since botanical science is one of the who is already enlightened about our challenges. major driving forces of environmental Imagine an inflow of students towards botany conservation awareness, it is only a productive, because they recognise the challenges and want to motivated and community-involved botanical be part of it. Imagine not having to vigorously fraternity which will have any chance of halting promote a plant book on sale, because the public the environmental degradation of southern can see where it fits in. Africa. Botany and its relevance to the world in which we live has to be understood and Let us begin the new millennium by empowering appreciated by all southern Africans, from the councillors, government officials, most influential politicians and businessmen, to parliamentarians and Heads of States of SADC the poorest rural farmers. (Southern African Development Community) countries. Let us challenge Heads of States to Mr John Burrows, Buffelskloof Private Nature reach out in a 10-minute broadcast (concurrently) Reserve & Herbarium, Lydenburg, South Africa to their citizens, on our rich green heritage. We I I I have to develop the interest and arouse curiosity. A rare orchid in Malawi, for example, should be Challenges for southern African botany are: the shown on telly in all SADC countries. The development of skilled manpower in taxonomy message should be, ‘It’s our responsibility and and plant conservation in the countries; pride as southern African citizens to care for and promotion of plant resources (both terrestrial and protect such plants’. In short then, let us marine flora) for the benefit of the people. “politicise” southern African botany!

Dr Salomão Bandeira, LMU Herbarium,Eduardo Ms Yashica Singh, Natal Herbarium, National Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique Botanical Institute, Durban, South Africa I I I I I I

As we exit this millennium, we remember some As an amateur botanist and a farmer who has to influential mind shifts in the botanical world. For make a living from the natural environment, I instance, we started to move slowly away from find that the modern cavalier attitude towards colonial gardens tainted with exotics, to gardens fundamental knowledge of the environment is in tune with southern African verdant vegetation. inexplicable. Farming without a clear knowledge Why this sudden mind-shift? There was publicity of the individual components of the environment of the advantages of changing from exotic to (in this case, my farm), their distribution and the indigenous, and public awareness inspired the manner in which they function as integral parts of shift. the environment leads to a simple situation. A short term “mining” of the environment’s As we enter the new millennium, southern resources to my ephemeral benefit is, sooner or African botany is charged with several later, followed by bankruptcy. challenges: conservation of our rich diversity, competing with technocrats for students and The dependency of humanity on the world’s professionals, producing wise botanists, environmental resources for its survival is networking with southern Africa and unquestioned. It merely represents a form of internationally, creating seed banks, saving rare macro-farming. We all understand that if species, and initiating and hosting a Southern humanity continues to make environmental African Flower Show. All of these are management decisions without such basic guaranteed to succeed through a preceding understanding of its components and their primary activity viz. AWARENESS. The greatest functioning as is required in farming, then the challenge facing southern African, in fact same failure of the system will occur. 186 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 I believe that botany in all its facets should be time directing government in their attempts to playing a much greater and more forceful role in mitigate the impacts of southern African societies safeguarding those building blocks of all life — on the region’s botanical resources. This can only our indigenous plants. be done if southern African botanists link with educators in raising people’s awareness of the Mr Tony Abbott, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve region’s spectacular floral richness. Quality, Herbarium, Port Edward, South Africa relevancy, education and training encapsulate the I I I challenges which lie ahead.

I see the most important challenge being revisions Dr Timm Hoffman, Ecology and Conservation of all the succulent plant genera of South Africa, Subdirectorate, National Botanical Institute, followed by popular guides which makes Kirstenbosch, South Africa identification for the lay person simple and I I I understandable. I see two main challenges for botany, and in Publication of regional field guides. The particular for plant taxonomy. Firstly there is the popularisation of botany by producing practical need to convince governments of the importance handbooks making botany easily understandable of plants, and research in general, to ensure to the layman and thus further marketing and maintenance and expansion of herbaria in the popularisation of our flora. Also producing region. Secondly, taxonomists should become publications dealing with practical botany such as more dynamic to initiate and support national growing of indigenous plants. initiatives in close collaboration with governments, botanical institutes and other Mr Ernst van Jaarsveld, National Botanical Institute, conservation bodies. Kirstenbosch, South Africa I I I Ms Marinda Koekemoer, National Herbarium, Pretoria, South Africa The research questions to be tackled in the new I I I millennium are, of course, as many and varied as the botanists who are there to tackle them, and I believe that the biggest challenge facing will be limited solely by the imaginations of those southern African botany in the new millennium is responsible. And that is both our strength and how to justify spending money on botanical weakness. As I see it, the most important single research when poverty-stricken people are dying challenge facing southern African botany is from disease and hunger. Therefore the raising the funds to continue providing existing challenges are to find ways to solve the real and future botanists with the most exciting and problems that we face, such as food shortages, intellectually satisfying career imaginable. The water shortages, and in fact growing shortages of most obvious way of doing this is to convince natural resources. I believe that the real problem- politicians that Botany is Essential. The next most solving botanical research includes that which is obvious is to do the same to large private geared towards priority issues in the Third concerns. But how to do that?.....I leave that to World. The following are what I consider the botanists of a more political bent. priority issues: • Food shortages: genetic engineering, e.g. Dr Hugh Glen, National Herbarium, National making crops resistant to diseases, pesticides, Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa etc., bringing the costs down and limiting I I I shortages; • Diseases such as Ebola and AIDS: (a) biopros- The most important challenge facing southern pecting will hopefully lead to the creation of African botany in the new millennium is that of new drugs; (b) conservation may prevent the producing high quality science while at the same extinction of potential species before their SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 187 medicinal use (or that of others in the chain) is The end of this century has seen southern African discovered; herbaria move from being “ Mysterious • Weighing up conservation versus benefits to Museums” of the few to active centres of plant the community; and research that contribute information that is • Job creation: how can botany be used in this essential for national development. The challenge way? in the new millennium is to maintain this momentum of demystifying these institutions so Ms Janine Victor, National Herbarium, National that their relevance in national development Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa becomes increasingly unquestionable by the I I I general public.

Ms Nozipo Nobanda, National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Harare, Zimbabwe K

Colophospermum mopane is the correct name for the ‘mopane’

by Mienkie Welman

EDITORS’ NOTE: Prof. Léonard’s note on Colophospermum (in French) published in Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique 67 in 1999 was an important document. As we felt it necessary for southern African botanists to be able to read and consider what was published in the note, we have asked Ms Welman to summarise her translation of his note. This summary has been sent to Prof. Léonard in Belgium, who agreed to Ms Welman publishing the summarised and translated note in this newsletter.

In a recent article in Adansonia, Breteler, the above name change. It would be useful for Ferguson, Gasson & ter Welle (1997), reduced readers of SABONET News to look at a summary the monotypic genus Colophospermum Kirk ex of Léonard’s article: J.Léonard to a species of Hardwickia Roxb. (previously also monotypic with the Indian All the authors who have had occasion in the past species H. binata Roxb.). This change of the well to study the two above mentioned genera, known name C. mopane (Kirk ex Benth.) Kirk ex included in the tribe Detarieae of the Leguminosae J.Léonard for the common and widespread (Caesalpinioideae), have kept them separate in arborescent ‘mopane’ to H. mopane (Kirk ex their keys and no one has noted the existence of Benth.) Breteler, caused some confusion among particular affinities between them. Breteler et al. botanists, ecologists, nature lovers etc. in based their conclusion on a comparative southern Africa. examination of the pollen, the wood anatomy and some macromorphological characters. However, Léonard (1999) in an article (in French) in Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National a. The pollen de Belgique, provides convincing arguments, The pollen of the two monotypic genera studied based on taxonomic grounds, for not accepting by Ferguson is very similar and belongs to a very 188 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 particular type (pantoporate), very rarely Meanwhile, in cases of disagreement between encountered in the Leguminosae. The pollen of these diverse characters, the priority should Hardwickia however, is distinguished, at first remain with the macromorphological characters sight, from that of Colophospermum by its on which systematics rests. It is for the microreticulate exine, whereas the exine of systematist, after most profound morphological Colophospermum is reticulate. studies, to take the responsibility to decide: separate or unite. The researchers of related Ferguson concluded by saying that the existence disciplines should ‘remain in their role of of common macromorphological characters could informant of the systematist and not unsettle the confirm the idea that this special type of pollen classification themselves’. encountered in Hardwickia and Colophospermum could in reality be the reflection of an affinity c. The macromorphological characters between them. Breteler gave a list of characters common to the genera Colophospermum and Hardwickia, some Léonard states that it is because he is influenced of which, he said, in that tribe exist only in these by the existence of common macromorphological two genera. He then enumerated the differences characters in the genera Hardwickia and between these two genera, but concluded, without Colophospermum that Ferguson considered this much explanation, by putting the two genera in particular type of pollen, not as could be synonymy and in transferring C. mopane to the interpreted as a phenomenon of convergence genus Hardwickia. Since then the latter consists (secondary adaptation to wind pollination), but of two species which he distinguished as follows: rather as an indication of a real affinity between these two genera. ‘Leaflets obscurely pellucid-dotted, with 4–6 palmately arranged nerves; flowers with (4–) 5 b. The wood anatomy sepals and with 10 (–11) stamens; fruit straight, According to the anatomical descriptions of the strap-shaped, with a proximal wing. wood of C. mopane and H. binata provided by India ...... H. binata. Gasson & ter Welle, it appears clearly that, apart Leaflets very distinctly pellucid-dotted, with 8–11 from small differences, the structure of the wood palmately arranged nerves; flowers with 4 sepals of these two species is very similar from and with 20–25 stamens; fruit curved, reniform, numerous points of view. The absence of axial with a very narrow wing at one side. Southern canals in the wood of these two species probably tropical Africa constitutes a very important character. These ...... H. mopane.’ canals, in fact, are very often present in the wood of other genera of the tribe and their absence in Léonard comments as follows: Colophospermum and Hardwickia could therefore 1. It is quite true that in flower, C. mopane and be the indication of particular affinities between H. binata resemble one another at first sight. them. In conclusion, these two authors said, these This aspect of similarity is above all due to the two genera should be united. presence of unijugate leaves in these two species, but this character also exists in other Léonard stresses that the classification of genera of the tribe; phanerogams in genera rests, above all, on the 2. Breteler gave a long list of the characters macromorphological analysis of the flower, as common to the two genera. It is logical since well as of the fruit and the seed. It is very clear the two genera are neighbours in the same tribe; that it is suitable for the systematist to search 3. It should be remarked meanwhile, that several equally for characters in other disciplines, such characters, among those cited as common to as palynology, xylology, blastogeny and many the two genera, are not exclusive to them, but others. The ideal is to find a concordance are also found in other genera of the tribe. between the macromorphological characters and Breteler moreover acknowledged this, as for those based on other disciplines. example some translucid points in the leaflets, SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 189 the absence of a corolla, the presence of a Léonard now reviews the principal differences single ovule in the ovary and even strongly which have been observed between the genera ruminate cotyledons. These last characters then Colophospermum and Hardwickia and tries to are not themselves the reflection of particular specify their systematic values. affinities between these two genera; 4. Breteler then enumerated the differences 1. The number of sepals between the two genera. These are The number of sepals is always 4 in comparatively fewer in number. No comment- Colophospermum and 5 in Hardwickia. This ary accompanies this enumeration of distinctive character is used in keys to separate these two characters before the author places the genus genera. In almost all the genera of the tribe Colophospermum in synonymy under the genus Detarieae, the number of sepals is always 4. Hardwickia; Very rare are the species of those genera where 5. It is to be noted, on the other hand, that are encountered, moreover, flowers with 5 numerous distinctive characters between these sepals. In this tribe, only a few genera possess two genera are not mentioned by the author, flowers of which the calyx is always composed of such as those discussed below. 5 sepals. These observations then show that in 6. Breteler insisted too much on the similarities each of the genera of the tribe, there is only a between the two genera and not enough on the single number of sepals in the flower. The characters which separate them. It is not number of sepals then represents a character of because genera present common characters, generic value in the Detarieae tribe. To consider even numerous and sometimes exclusive ones, arbitrarily this character as having only a specific that it is necessary to put them in synonymy. value results in placing in the same genus a Affinities and putting in synonymy should not species of type K4 with a species of type K5, be confused. They are totally different rendering from this fact the retained genus concepts. heterogeneous, contrary to all the other genera in 7. The fundamental role of the systematist is to the tribe. study all the differences between groups, afterwards establish the value, generic or 2. The aestivation of the calyx specific, of those differences, and, only finally, In Colophospermum, the aestivation of the calyx to decide on the maintenance or the union of is clearly alternative. In Hardwickia, on the the groups studied; contrary, the aestivation of the calyx is imbricate. 8. Breteler neither having proceeded to the In the Detarieae tribe, the majority of genera determination of the systematic value of the possess calyces with an imbricate aestivation. In a listed distinctive characters, nor having certain number of genera, by contrast, this furnished commentary on their subject, the aestivation is subvalvate. Clearly, a distinctly reader has to try to interpret the ideas of the alternative aestivation is rare. There is then in author. He judges nevertheless, at the reading every genus of the tribe only one type of of his text, that the author accorded to the aestivation of the calyx. This character then distinctive characters listed by him, only a possesses a very important generic value. The specific value, as he put the two genera in fusion of the genera Colophospermum and synonymy; Hardwickia results then in the establishment of a 9. In proceeding in this way, the author, heterogeneous genus within which coexist two unconsciously no doubt, worked in a subjective clearly distinct types of aestivation of the calyx. manner and not in an objective manner. As a subject, he relied on his impressions 3. The number of stamens (subjectivity) and did not try to translate the The flowers of H. binata always have 10 reality of the facts studied (objectivity). The stamens, rarely 11, whereas those of C. mopane systematist, let us remember, is not free to possess 20–25. In the Detarieae tribe, the flowers determine arbitrarily the value of the of a large number of genera contain only 10 characters, it is the facts which should lead him stamens. In other genera, this number varies to determine that value. slightly and oscillates between (8–) 10 (–13), but

190 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 the basic number of 10 remains. Rare are the The circumstance of the style very clearly lateral genera where the flowers show a much smaller on the fruit seems to be very rare. In the present number of fertile stamens, as for example 7(8) in case, this character presents an at least Afzelia Sm. Equally rare are the genera where the correlative value to distinguish Colophospermum number of stamens is always distinctly more than from the genus Hardwickia. 10, as for example Colophospermum with 20–25 stamens. One sees then in the Detarieae tribe, 7. The fruit that the number of stamens generally remain The fruits of C. mopane and of H. binata are constant in the same genus and only rarely is very different. more than 10 (–13). This character is then generically important in the tribe. It presents a In Hardwickia, the fruit is elongated, terminated generic value and certainly more than a specific by the remains of the style and is then value. longitudinally symmetrical. It is composed of a long wing-shaped inferior part and a slightly 4. The surface of the anthers inflated terminal part enclosing the seed. The In C. mopane, the surface of the anthers is veins which traverse the fruits of H. binata are smooth, whereas in H. binata, the anthers are all longitudinal and are directed towards the verrucose. This last character, very particularly, summit of the fruit. The fruit of H. binata opens, seems to be very rare in the tribe. Its value is slowly, by apical dehiscence. manifestly more than specific. It is assuredly correlative, that is to say that this character can In Colophospermum, on the contrary, the fruit is be used in addition to distinguish the genera when reniform, the remains of the style are lateral, a group of other distinctive characters of generic and, consequently, the fruit is longitudinally value allow us to separate them. asymmetrical. The fruit does not include a wing- shaped inferior part and the seed occupies the 5. Presence or absence of a disc whole fruit. The margin of the rounded part of In H. binata, there is no disc in the flower; the the fruit is slightly winged.The veins which stamens are inserted around the ovary. In C. traverse the fruit mostly emanate from the mopane, on the contrary, there is a disc in the rounded part of the fruit and are laterally directed flower. The stamens originate from below a towards the remains of the style. The fruits of slightly crenulated disc which itself, encircles the Colophospermum are indehiscent or open, very somewhat stipitate base of the ovary. The slowly indeed, by lateral dehiscence. presence or absence of an organ, in the present case a disc, evidently constitutes a very important In the Detarieae, apart from slight secondary distinctive character. In the tribe Detarieae, the variations, all the species of the same flowers of all the species of numerous genera do homogeneous genus possess, most often, the not possess a disc, but equally numerous are the same type of fruit. The structure of the fruit in genera of which the flowers of all the species this way, furnishes an excellent character of include a disc. The presence or absence of a disc generic value. Putting then arbitrarily in the same then constitutes a character of generic value. genus fruits as different as those of Colophospermum and Hardwickia results in 6. The position of the style making that genus more heterogeneous again. In H. binata, the style is terminal, on the ovary as well as on the fruit. In C. mopane, on the 8. The seed contrary, the style is inserted laterally on the The seeds of the genera Colophospermum and ovary. This character is again accentuated on the Hardwickia are totally different. fruit of Colophospermum which gives the impression of having made a rotation of 90° In Colophospermum, the seed, occupying the showing again the remains of the style clearly on whole fruit, has taken the form of the latter; it is the side. In the majority of genera in the tribe, therefore reniform and the radicle is lateral. On the style is terminal or subterminal on the ovary. the other hand, the seeds are clearly winged • Continued on page 194 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 191 L The principal characters separating the genera Hardwickia Roxb. and Colophospermum Kirk ex J.Léonard: A–B, open calyx with 5 or 4 sepals (x3); C–D, aestivation of the calyx imbricate or alternate (x5); E–F, androecium with 10(11) stamens with disc absent or with 20–25 stamens with disc present (x4); F’, detail showing the disc (x8); G–H, anther verrucose or smooth (x12); I–J, ovary with style terminal or lateral (x6). (A,C, Lushington s.n.; B,D,H,J, Teixeira 1539; E, Gamble 15258; FBF’, Phipps 2414; G,I, Khan 2319). Drawings and translated caption reproduced with permission from Léonard’s article published in Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique 67: 21–43 (1999). Drawings by Antonio Fernandez.

192 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 L The principal characters separating the genera Hardwickia Roxb. and Colophospermum Kirk ex J.Léonard: A–B, fruit elongated, longitudinally symmetrical, with wing-shaped inferior part and with terminal part slightly swollen, enclosing the seed, with veins all longitudinal and directed towards the summit of the fruit, with apical dehiscence or fruit reniform, longitudinally asymmetrical, without wing-shaped inferior part, with seed occupying the whole fruit, with veins mostly directed laterally towards the style, with lateral dehiscence (x1); C–D, seed with surface without resiniferous vesicles, not winged, with terminal radicle or seed covered with numerous large resiniferous vesicles, clearly winged around the circumference, with lateral radicle (x12); E–F, seed with margin not changed into mucilage after some time in hot water or seed with wing changed into thick mucilage after some time in hot water (x12) (A, Jafri 2780; B, Teixeira s.n.; C, E, Wight 874; D,F, Greenway 10590). Drawings and translated caption reproduced with permission from Léonard’s article published in Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique 67: 21–43 (1999). Drawings by Antonio Fernandez.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 193 44 Continued from page 191 along their whole circumference and, above all, point such as those of Colophospermum and their surface is covered with numerous and very Hardwickia. characteristic large resiniferous, reddish vesicles, sticky and fragrant (whence the name of the 9. The translucid points in the leaflets genus proposed by Kirk: colopho-spermum). Whereas these translucid points are always abundant and very visible in transparency in the Finally, after some time in hot water, not only leaflets of Colophospermum, in Hardwickia, by the testa, having become soft and filled with contrast, we have not seen any in transparency. resiniferous vesicles, is lifted with difficulty to Breteler said that there are some, but in much show the cotyledons, but the appearance of the smaller number and less visible. In the present seed is modified. The marginal portion of the case, this character presents at the most only a testa (the winged part) is, in effect, much correlative value. thickened with a sort of mucilage which, in water, has a tendency to detach itself from the seed. 10. The geographical distribution It is quite evident that the geographical In Hardwickia, in total contrast, the seed, only distribution does not constitute, on its own, a occupying the extremity of the fruit, is found character of systematic value, even if Hardwickia under an elongated-triangular shape with a is localised on the Indian continent and terminal radicle. These seeds are not winged Colophospermum in the southern African region. along their circumference and their surface is One is struck, however, that in Africa the area of without resiniferous vesicles. After some time in C. mopane is almost entirely situated in the hot water, not only is the slightly coriaceous testa Zambezian regional centre of endemism with lifted easily by pressure to show the cotyledons, some infringements into the Karoo-Namib but the appearance of the seed is not modified. regional centre of endemism and into the Kalahari-Highveld regional transition zone. The The value of the three characters (position of the flora of this Zambezian regional centre of radicle, presence or absence of a wing and endemism is composed of about 8 500 species, of consistency of the testa) is at least correlative and which about 54% are endemic to the centre. these characters only reinforce the diverse distinctive characters with generic value which In view of all the important macromorphological exist between these two genera. By contrast, the differences separating these two genera quoted presence in Colophospermum of resiniferous above, one is entitled to ask if the ‘mopane’, vesicles and the behaviour of the margin of the growing in a region with a high degree of testa in water appear to be particularly important endemism, did not differentiate there generically differentiating characters. The presence of in the course of time since the separation of the resiniferous vesicles on the seeds is altogether African and Indian continents. In the present exceptional in the tribe. This character presents a case, this character of geographical distribution generic value. In practically all the genera of the appears then like a character of at least tribe, the testa of seeds plunged into hot water, is correlative value. not modified. The case of Colophospermum is altogether exceptional and this transformation The re-establishment of the genus Colophospermum into mucilage of the margin of the testa when renders it all its phytogeographic significance. plunged into water presents a generic value. Colophospermum again becomes an endemic To conclude this comparative examination of the Zambezian genus, rather than being relegated to seeds, it is proper to underline the fact that the the rank of an endemic Zambezian species of an combination of the quoted characters belonging to Afro-Indian genus. the seeds of Colophospermum has not been observed in any other genus of the tribe. COLOPHOSPERMUM DISTINCT FROM HARDWICKIA In concluding this objective comparative analysis Therefore it does not appear at all indicated to of the distinctive macromorphological characters, place in the same genus seeds differing on this it appears clearly that the genus Colophospermum 194 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 is distinguished from the genus Hardwickia by an into a thick mucilage after some time in hot ensemble of characters, some with generic value, water, with lateral radicle and with a testa, after others with correlative value. All these characters being plunged in hot water, being lifted with belong not only to the structure of the flowers, difficulty; anthers smooth; style lateral on the but also to the structure of the fruits and the ovary and on the fruit; leaflets with abundant and seeds. The result of this analysis is that the very visible translucid points; Africa (Zambezian systematist can not put these two genera in regional centre of endemism) ...... synonymy...... Colophospermum

The characters common to these two genera, NOTES characters of a systematic value most certainly 1. Considering Léonard’s conclusive article, it is not negligible (such as the absence of bracteoles clear that the proposal to conserve the name and the absence of axial canals in the wood) are Colophospermum made by Smith, Timberlake to be interpreted, as a reflection of the affinities and van Wyk (Taxon 47: 751–752, August existing between these genera. With regard to 1998), is superfluous, since the two genera filiform filaments and the common structure of Colophospermum and Hardwickia are very the pollen, characters favouring pollination by the different. wind, it could be explained, as suggested initially 2. Copies of the articles by Léonard and Breteler by Ferguson, as a convergence phenomenon. et al. are available from the Mary Gunn Library, National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, In conclusion, the following key allows easy in the usual manner. A copy of the translation separation of the genera Hardwickia and into English of Léonard’s article is available Colophospermum: from the Curator, National Herbarium (PRE), National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. Sepals (4) 5; aestivation of the calyx imbricate; 3. I am grateful to my colleague in PRE, Ms P. stamens 10 (11); disc absent; fruits elongated, Burgoyne, for asking me to translate Léonard’s longitudinally symmetrical, with a wing-shaped article into English and thus introducing me to inferior part and a somewhat inflated terminal this very interesting case in the Leguminosae. part enclosing the seed, with veins all longitudinal, directed towards the summit of the REFERENCES fruit, with apical dehiscence; seeds with surface Breteler, F., Ferguson, I., Gasson, P. & ter without resiniferous vesicles, not winged, with Welle, B. 1997. Colophospermum reduced to margin not changing into mucilage after a time in Hardwickia (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae). hot water, with a terminal radicle and a testa, Adansonia, ser. 3, 19: 279–291, fig. 1–5. after being plunged in hot water, being lifted Léonard, J. 1999. Colophospermum n’est pas easily; anthers verrucose; style terminal on the synonyme d’Hardwickia (Caesalpiniaceae): ovary and on the fruit; leaflets with not many conclusion d’une méthode objective de travail. translucid points and very little visible; Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de India ...... Hardwickia Belgique 67: 21–43. K

Sepals 4; aestivation of the calyx alternative; W (Mienkie) G Welman stamens 20–25; disc present; fruits reniform, National Botanical Institute longitudinally asymmetrical, without inferior Private Bag X101 wing-shaped part, with seed occupying the whole Pretoria 0001 fruit, with veins mostly directed laterally towards SOUTH AFRICA the style, indehiscent or with slow lateral Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 dehiscence; seeds covered with numerous large Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 resiniferous vesicles, clearly winged along the E-mail: [email protected] whole circumference, with the wing changing

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 195 Threatened Taxonomic Knowledge: Implications for Method in Ecology

by Mark Mattson

A recent article in the SABONET News, entitled ‘Threatened knowledge in southern Africa: some thoughts’, drew attention to the emerging concern amongst botanists about the status of taxonomic expertise in our region. These concerns may be part of a broader debate about what we teach, and the kinds of knowledge we value in biology. This topic is also important because it helps us reflect on our sometimes misguided notions of what ecology can, and cannot do.

A recent article in SABONET News entitled Braam van Wyk appears to echo such concerns in ‘Threatened knowledge in southern Africa: some a recent guest editorial in Plantlife (Van Wyk thoughts’ (Willis & Smith 1999) re-stated an 1999). While genetics, cytology, physiology and emerging concern amongst botanists about the molecular biology have flourished in recent regional status of taxonomic expertise. In this, years, he states that “in many cases the and similar articles, the following themes are researcher has been alienated from the living apparent: plant in its natural environment”. He goes on to say that while most South African plant species • Taxonomic studies are underfunded, and have been classified, and basic descriptions of unacknowledged as integral to the discipline of their form and structure published, “essentially biology. nothing is known about the dynamic ecological • Taxonomic knowledge and insight are well interrelationships and behavioural patterns of the developed in few individuals. vast majority of southern African plants”. • Such knowledge, often accumulated over many Threats to our environment being what they are, years, is not always published or passed on to and in a region with the richest botanical younger, student taxonomists. diversity of any equal-sized area on the planet, van Wyk’s opinion that “practically no ecological These concerns are important because they are studies on individual plant species and their part of a broader discussion about what we teach, associated communities are being carried out by and the kinds of knowledge we value. The professional botanists in the region”, is surely successes of experimental, laboratory botany, and worthy of consideration. In another article quoted increasing prominence of molecular biology and in SABONET News, Noss (1997), discussing the biotechnology, has introduced a subtly altered failure of universities to produce conservation view of what biology is; of where it begins — biologists, recommends that students be required with natural history, description and observation, to develop skills that are not gained in traditional with naming things at the level of the organism in courses or thesis research. Noss defines these its environment. If modern biology loses sight of skills as including familiarity with fauna and flora this, a qualitative and quantitative framework of of regions of interest, including identification interpretive and evaluative skills will become skills, competence with survey methods, and diminished in importance. A particular kind of knowledge of life histories. It is becoming more knowledge will fade. This view is related to the widely acknowledged that the conceptual concerns of Willis and Smith (1999) in important centerpieces of conservation biology, appealed to ways. It suggests that we are losing touch with in the absence of critical autecological how insight in environmental biology is anchored information, can lead us astray when confronting in description, observational ability, and the long- a real world of scanty data and complex habitat lived field inquiries of the naturalist. relationships (Kareiva 1994). Why then, when 196 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 the need for descriptive natural history is most Frechette & McCoy 1993). This method also compelling, does it appear to be unfashionable? concedes the important practical question in ecology of how to extract information about There are doubtless varying perspectives on this system functioning from purely observational question. One of them concerns the inquiry into data (Mentis 1988). The quality of data disclosed what ecology can and cannot do; it suggests that through observation has long been appreciated by philosophical competence in science influences ethnobiologists. As one example, Cunningham ecological methodology — for serious (1994) cites keen observation by forest peoples in environmental scientists, this is related to the Africa, Asia, Australia and South America as parallel observation that competence in having led to rich sources of knowledge on forest transpersonal theory/ecophilosophy determines structure, canopy gap dynamics, and pollination the depth and value of our response to and dispersal of forest plants. Indeed, much environmental crises (Fox 1990; Wilber 1995). ecological modelling and field-experimentation has been flawed by insufficient descriptive There is awareness amongst thoughtful ecologists knowledge of ecological systems (Pomeroy, that, despite many successes, community ecology Hargrove & Alberts 1987). may not accomplish the task of discovering general theories and empirical laws for use in Such a method is particularly needed in unique environmental management (Shrader-Frechette & situations, like most of those in community McCoy 1994a). For this reason, when making ecology, where we cannot replicate singular conservation-related decisions, case-specific events, and where method-bound approaches fail natural history knowledge of particular taxa is to deal with the particularity, complexity and more important than general ecological theory historicity of many ecological phenomena (Mentis (Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1993). 1988; Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1994a). Again, this approach emphasises the need for This approach to ecological method, practical and precise knowledge of natural characterised as a logic of case studies, concedes history, and is a critical departure from the the heuristic, and explanatory power of much general mathematical models and untestable ecological theory, while powerfully endorsing the principles of some past ecological theorising importance of natural history. Much ecological (Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1994b). Further, it work appeals to theoretical explanation to is unrealistic to believe that descriptive work can underwrite talk about fundamental mechanisms always be directly and immediately linked to the and identification of causes in particular cases testing of specific hypotheses (Pomeroy et al. (Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1993). In contrast, 1987). The influential writings of Karl Popper the case-study approach tends to focus on specific may be interpreted as a denying of legitimacy to phenomena. It emphasises our ability to see research programmes not framed in terms of causal relations in such phenomena, and then to specific hypotheses (Roughgarden, May & Levin synthesise results about individual cases or events 1989), and a downgrading of the scientific value to produce a theoretical explanation (Shrader- of hypotheses based inductively on observed Frechette & McCoy 1993). It’s promoters argue regularities (Poynton 1991). Inductive processes that, insofar as ecology is required for solving are now becoming better understood in biology, practical environmental problems, it is more a and it is well accepted that there is nothing science of case studies and statistical regularities, unscientific in the inductive processes of than one of general laws (Shrader-Frechette & classification, ordination, correlation and McCoy 1993). It is applicable to unique regression procedures (Poynton 1991). However, situations, and those not amenable to statistical biologically meaningful interpretation of these tests, or traditional hypothesis testing. It provides procedures remains a matter of ecological insight, an organised framework for the evaluation of which is improved by field experience (Hill & alternative models and explanatory accounts, and Gauch 1980), and is dependent on natural history for scientific work in situations in which information (Mattson 1993). deterministic laws are not evident (Shrader- SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 197 Popper was critical of induction, and maintained These requirements are significant. They are, that what most characterised scientific work was respectively, the aspects of science emphasised the critical testing of hypotheses. Many experts by the three schools of philosophy of science are suspicious of research that focuses on detailed most influential today — namely, Thomas Kuhn, case studies, without framing of specific hypo- Empiricism and Sir Karl Popper (Wilber 1998). theses (Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1993, 1994a). Case study logic incorporates and integrates the Mentis (1988), aware of the ungeneralisable essentials of each of them. Lastly, case study nature of many ecological phenomena, warns practice specifically attempts to include ‘ethical against this, stating that powerful testing allows rationality’ as an integral aspect of method. focus on only one or a few hypotheses while Shrader-Frechette & McCoy (1993) assert the “ecology is par excellence a field in which requirement for ecology to move beyond purely multiple cause and multiple effect apply”. scientific rationality “into a real recognition of ecological interdependence, not only among all Poynton (1991) further cautions that to follow living beings, but also among science and our currently fashionable rules of scientific deepest values”. demarcation blindly, runs the risk of discouraging exploratory and descriptive work, without which The value of competence in Philosophy of non-trivial hypotheses cannot be formulated. Science is unacknowledged by ecologists, and is Such work may of necessity be unstructured, an unequivocal aspect of Noss’s challenge to especially amidst the rule-defying complexity of universities to produce conservation biologists the environmental sciences, which are still in a (Noss 1997). It is hoped that this article has data-gathering phase (Poynton 1991). Increasing suggested the ways in which philosophical issues philosophical maturity amongst ecologists has in science may affect how research is conducted helped them to defend the less-formulaic logic of and supported, and the fate of the environment case studies, as well as the system of inferences determined. It is perhaps a challenge for all used to link data to hypotheses, and the biologists to consider how they might promote a conceptual, ethical and methodological analyses more integral, reflective approach to education, which ensure rigour. research and funding in the natural sciences.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that if SABONET’s field-based programmes, and ecology turns out to be a science of case studies, support of botanic gardens and herbaria is that it is not obvious that this is a defect. Ecology encouraging. May it contribute to a re-focussing may not be flawed because it sacrifices univers- of emphasis in academic biology to one that ality for utility, or because it sacrifices generality endorses the centrality of natural history and for natural history and case study-based precision descriptive knowledge, and restores it to (Shrader-Frechette & McCoy 1994a). Further, prominence. This process needs to become an the notion that case study logic is non-scientific explicit feature of curriculum development and reflects a prevalent ignorance about scientific teaching. Finally, this paper has at no time sought method. It is not possible here to provide a full to criticise other aspects of biology. In treatment of case study logic and its philosophical attempting to resolve environmental problems, accomplishments; but we may, in summary, note the question is never, What kind of biology is its following basic features as: right and what is wrong?, but rather one of, how to promote complementarity between different • Injunctive — based on exemplars or paradigms interests and methods? K (Kuhn) • Evidential — knowledge grounded in evidence, References i.e. direct experience in the form of empirical Cunningham, A.B. 1994. Combining skills: data (Empiricism) participatory approaches in biodiversity • Falsifiable — subject to confirmation or conservation. In: Botanical diversity in southern refutation (Popper) Africa, ed. B.J. Huntley. Strelitzia 1, National 198 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Botanical Institute, Pretoria, pp. 149–167. eds Roughgarden, J., May, R. and Levin, S.A. Fox, W. 1990. Toward a transpersonal ecology: Princeton University Press, Princeton. developing new foundations for environmentalism. Shrader-Frechette, K.S. & McCoy, E.D. 1993. Shambhala, Boston. Method in ecology: strategies for conservation. Hill, M.O. & Gauch, H.G. 1980. Detrended Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. correspondence analysis: an improved ordination Shrader-Frechette, K.S. & McCoy, E.D. 1994a. technique. Vegetatio 42: 47–58. What ecology can do for environmental Kareiva, P. Introduction to special feature in Ecology management. Journal of Environmental Management by Schemske, D.W., Husband, B.C., Ruckelshaus, 41: 293–307. M.H., Goodwillie, C., Parker, I.M. & Bishop, J.G. Shrader-Frechette, K.S. & McCoy, E.D. 1994b. 1994. Evaluating approaches to the conservation of Applied ecology and the logic of case studies. rare and endangered plants. Ecology 75(3): 584–606. Philosophy of Science 61: 228–249. Mattson, M.C. 1993. Conserving forests: a Van Wyk, B. 1999. Guest editorial in Plantlife 20: 2–3. biophilosophical analysis of the Durban region. Wilber, K.W. 1995. Sex, ecology, spirituality: the Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Natal, Durban. spirit of evolution. Shambhala, Boston. Mentis, M.T. 1988. Hypothetico-deductive and Wilber, K.W. 1998. The marriage of sense and soul: inductive approaches in ecology. Functional Ecology integrating science and religion. Random House, 2: 5–14. New York. Noss, R.F. 1997. Failure of universities to produce Willis, C.K. & Smith, G.F. 1999. Threatened conservation biologists. Conservation Biology 11(6): knowledge in southern Africa: some thoughts. 1267–1269. Extracted in SABONET News 3(1): 28–29. SABONET News 4(2): 106–109. Pomeroy, M.R., Hargrove, E.C. & Alberts, J.J. 1987. The ecosystem perspective. In: Concepts of Mr Mark Mattson ecosystem ecology: a comparative view, eds c/o Durban Botanic Gardens Pomeroy, M.R. & Alberts, J.J. Springer-Verlag, P.O. Box 3740 New York. Durban 4000 Poynton, J.C. 1991. Scientific thinking. Biology SOUTH AFRICA Department, University of Natal, Durban. Tel.: (27) 31 2011 303 Roughgarden, J., May, R. & Levin, S.A. 1989. Fax.: (27) 31 2017 382 Introduction. In: Perspectives in ecological theory, E-mail: [email protected]

“Researchers on tropical biodiversityCparticularly taxonomistsCshould become directly involved in discussions over national implementation of Article 15 of the CBD [access to genetic resources]. Without their involvement and input, the new regulatory frameworks drafted mainly by politicians, government bureaucrats, and lawyers will continue to create unnecessary obstacles to the development of a proper knowledge base for tropical biodiversity...... Developing countries and enlightened governments of developed nations should encourage a concerted global effort to strengthen the biodiversity information systems and scientific capacity of developing countries.” (Alejandro Grajal, Conservation Biology 13(1): 6-10, February 1999)

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 199 An update on the Southern African Plant Red Data List

by Janice Golding

Plant Red Data List Workshop Namibia: The last SABONET-hosted workshop/training Ms Patricia Craven (National Herbarium, course of the 20th Century took place at the Windhoek) National Herbarium in Pretoria, South Africa Ms Sonja Loots (National Herbarium, Windhoek) from 22–26 November 1999. The purpose of the Mozambique: 5-day workshop was to impart the latest Ms Samira Izidine (LMA Herbarium, Maputo) theoretical, technical and practical skills Malawi: surrounding Red Data Listing to the recently Mr Dickson Kamundi (National Herbarium, nominated Country Red Data List Coordinators Zomba) and the other invited participants. Further Ms Elizabeth Mwafongo (National Herbarium, information was not available at the time of this Zomba) article going to press, and I shall give a complete Lesotho: report-back in the first SABONET News issue of Mr Motebang Molise (Roma Herbarium, Roma) the new millennium. Ms Lerato Kose (Conservation Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Maseru) Country Coordinators Botswana: The National Working Group of each of the ten Ms Queen Turner (National Herbarium, Gaborone) participating countries nominated Country Red Angola: Data List Coordinators. The Coordinators are Ms Georgina Neto (Luanda Herbarium, Luanda) responsible for leading the process of producing a Ms Luzia Ferreira (Luanda Herbarium, Luanda) national Red Data List. They will be expected to work in close collaboration with plant experts New Red Data List plant taxa with regard to taxonomy and distribution issues. Undertaking a literature survey is a good starting Their full contact details are available on the point for compiling Red Data Lists. The Southern Internet on http://www.sabonet.org (Southern African Plant Red Data List Project conducted an African Plant Red Data List Project). The intensive literature survey from May 1999 persons are: – October 1999 which brought to light that 383 taxa previously unrecorded in Red Data Lists Zimbabwe: exists for ten countries. New species and new Mr Anthony Mapaura (National Herbarium, localities usually suggest good potential Harare) candidates for Red Data List status. Mr Christopher Chapano (National Herbarium, Harare) 187 references that are catalogued were sourced: Zambia: 7 books, 28 journals and 11 popular articles, Ms Catherine Nguvulu (Division of Forest 4 reports and 2 theses were surveyed. The data Research, Kitwe) were collected in a way that was biased towards Mr Isaac Simwanza (Department of National Flora of southern Africa (FSA) region countries Parks and Wildlife Services, Kafue) since these have already been the focus of Red Swaziland: Data List compilations. Much of the information Mr Titus Dlamini (National Herbarium, Malkerns) collected comes from the documented ‘hotspots’ South Africa: (areas with high levels of diversity and endemism) Ms Janine Victor (National Herbarium, Pretoria) such as Mulanje and Nyika (Malawi), 200 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Mwinilungu (Zambia), Chimanimani (Zimbabwe) and so forth.

The Orchidaceae are by far the best represented in the database as new potential Red Data List candidates. The edible tubers (referred to as ‘chikanda’) of some 200 species of Disa, Habenaria and Satyrium from peat bogs and woodlands in Zambia should all be considered as potentially threatened (M.G. Bingham, pers. comm.). Angraecum angustipetalum Rendle is L recorded from Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon and the Based on publications, the majority (although only Democratic Republic of Congo. There are only slight) of potential Red Data List candidates are from two Flora zambesiaca (FZ) region collections, the FSA region countries. both from Mount Mulanje collected on the lower slopes in 1915 and 1919 respectively. These lower slopes are now under tea cultivation. A. angustipetalum has not been rediscovered despite exhaustive surveys (La Croix & Cribb 1998).

Red Data Lists do not include hybrids (depending on the species/taxonomic concept used by taxonomists) and there are also no guidelines available for the treatment of hybrids (Hilton- Taylor, pers. comm. 1999). Aerangis kotschyana (Rchb.f.) x Aerangis verdickii (De Wild.) was recorded from Phalombe Plain in Chiradzulu (Malawi) at an altitude of 650 m. A hybrid swarm was collected on an old fig tree used for shade in the village and for a bee nest. Phalombe Plain is now denuded and densely populated, and L The literature survey shows that South a great possibility exists that the population may Africa has almost twice as many new Red be extinct (La Croix & Cribb 1998). Data List candidates than the country with the next highest figure (Zimbabwe).

The number of new potential Red Data List taxa in the FSA region countries exceeds the FZ region countries and Angola (described in Conspectus florae angolensis). However, this relative paucity is partly due to the large number of publications (reflected in the number of new potential taxa) emanating from the FSA countries, particularly South Africa.

For the FSA region, South Africa in particular, there are a great many new finds. These include L The number of potential Red Data List taxa as the many succulents from the Northern Cape (eg. represented by these plant groups. The Orchidaceae is Gariep Centre, Richtersveld). New finds are still the most well represented in the literature survey. being discovered from the Cape Floristic Region such as Linconia ericiodes (Bruniaceae) and SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 201 Cyrtanthus wellandii (Amaryllidaceae; IUCN List Project, collaboration and peer reviews will category: Vulnerable D2), both known from a be encouraged. K single population (Oliver & Oliver 1999; Snijman 1999). References and Further Reading Bayer, M.B. 1999. Haworthia revisited. Umdaus Revisions also have tremendous implications to Press, South Africa. 250 pp. Red Data Lists. A good example is Haworthia La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. 1998. Orchidaceae In: where there were previously 40 taxa on the RDL Pope, G.V. (ed.) Flora zambesiaca. Flora list, and since the revision (Bayer 1999), there zambesiaca Managing Committee. Whitstable Litho Printers, United Kingdom. 11(2): 321–569. are probably at least 62 that merit threatened Oliver, E.G.H & Oliver, I.M. 1999. Bruniaceae; a status because of their narrow distribution range new species from western Cape. Bothalia 29(2): and their vulnerability to plant collectors. 256–258. Snijman, D.A. 1999. Amaryllidaceae: Cyrtantheae. Clearly, there is a need for more published New species and notes on Cyrtanthus in the Southern studies to focus on the FZ region countries and Cape, South Africa. Bothalia 29(2): 258–263. Angola, and on less charismatic plant species. Exercising literature surveys is essential for Red Janice Golding Data Lists, but the information needs to be SABONET Coordinator’s Office supplemented with field knowledge. While National Botanical Institute Pretoria, literature surveys will be an ongoing activity for SOUTH AFRICA the duration of the Southern African Plant Red E-mail: [email protected]

Herbaria and Red Data Lists

by Janice Golding

hat role can herbaria play in the taxa. The use of markers/indicators of RDL W compilation of Red Data Lists? This key status can go a long way towards compiling, question was presented to the Southern African monitoring and improving RDLs. Indicators Herbarium Working Group (SAHWG) meeting in ultimately help to ensure the identification Potchefstroom on 13 October 1999, and this accuracy of threatened taxa. Their basic purpose article largely benefited from this platform. is to ensure that the information (taxonomic, SABONET is concerned with the development of distribution, habitat and population information) herbaria and their associated staff in the ten captured by RDL compilers is sound. Further member southern African countries. This article information on a taxon concerned may also be considers the matter of herbaria and the potential generated from certain herbarium users. role they can assume with regards to Red Data Lists (RDLs). Indicators may include threatened plant labels (a small marker placed on the species cover), index RDLS are compiled from as many sources as cards (if a card filing system is in use), computer possible and this would include herbaria. tags (if an electronic filing system exists) or even Continuous literature surveys, evaluation of coloured species covers. taxonomic opinions and reflecting this in RDLs are as important as marking threatened taxa in The first call for the application of these herbaria. Herbaria are the ultimate source for the indicators goes back almost 15 years or there- correct identification and classification of plant abouts, when Prof. A.V. (Tony) Hall made 202 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 mention of it. In 1994, a memorandum was presented to the SAHWG which proposed that a small marker be placed on the folders of every taxon considered to be threatened (Hilton-Taylor 1994). The matter was approved in principle at a subsequent SAHWG meeting, but never fully endorsed; most recently, its proposal was mooted (Golding 1999). All three the individuals who forwarded the proposals have been involved with L the compilation of RDLs: A.V. Hall was A small random sample of opinion (n=8) shows that involved with the first list of threatened plants for the larger sector either fully endorses the concept of RDL indicators in herbaria and/or already makes use southern Africa (Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, of a system of RDL indicators. South Africa and Botswana) (Hall et al. 1980) and the Fynbos and Karoo biomes of South Africa (Hall & Veldhuis 1985) amongst others; frequently visited by user groups who have C. Hilton-Taylor published a comprehensive extensive field knowledge or whose visiting RDL of southern African plants for five countries reasons may be to undertake vegetation surveys (Hilton-Taylor 1996); the author is currently as part of, for example, Environmental Impact involved with the Southern African Plant Red Assessments (see Willis 1998). These user Data List Project spanning the ten SABONET groups may respond positively to the member countries. implementation of indicators and they can make a meaningful contribution towards RDLs (Golding Some herbarium curators have expressed their 1999). reserved approval of indicators on the grounds that the functionality of RDL indicators is The lack of information regarding the breakdown questionable or that implementation presents the of herbarium user profiles makes it difficult to greatest constraint. The information presented is assess whether some herbaria/certain habitats or derived from ad hoc personal communications vegetation types have more of a need for RDL with the curators/representatives from herbaria of indicators than others. South Africa and Zimbabwe (A.P. Goossens Herbarium (PUC); Bews Herbarium (NU); C.E. A question commonly posed is whether a Moss Herbarium (J); Compton Herbarium likelihood exists that unscrupulous collectors will (NBG & SAM); National Herbarium, Namibia easily find rare and threatened populations if (WIND); National Herbarium, South Africa RDL indicators are used in herbaria? The basic (PRE); National Herbarium, Zimbabwe (SRGH); assumption is that only bona fide people should University of the North Herbarium, UNIN). be given access to herbarium collections. People can consult freely available publications or web The use and scope of RDL indicators in certain sites to check what is threatened and then cross- herbaria may be limited, and this may be reference herbarium collections to obtain the reflected in the opinions of curators. Cursory specimen/locality information. However, this observations reveal that some herbaria are more would need to be controlled at the herbarium level. The use of indicators does not in anyway assist them beyond what they can do already.

The task of implementing the use of these indicators appears to be the biggest impediment (workload, staff-time and to some extent, motivation). No herbarium houses material for L The threatened plant label that was designed more every taxon with RDL status, and in no uncertain than a year ago for use at NBG & SAM. terms is the required workload large particularly SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 203 if this activity is integrated with accession duties. play in the conservation of the terrestrial biodiversity Herbaria serve as providers of botanical in a developing country. Biodiversity and information and this is a necessary and essential Conservation 3: 116–125. service that needs to be maintained for many Willis, C. 1998. Herbaria, plant taxonomists and SAIE&ES Fast reasons (see Baijnath & Nicholas 1994; Müller environmental impact assessments. Track News 1994). They can play a crucial role in 2: 5–6. maintaining accuracy of RDLs by ensuring that Ms Janice Golding specimen data on threatened plants is conveyed to SABONET Coordinator’s Office herbarium-users and parties who work with c/o National Botanical Institute threatened plants. If this role and the application SOUTH AFRICA of RDL indicators of any kind is not adopted, E-mail: [email protected] there is a chance that the taxonomic integrity of RDLs may come into question. SSC8 Southern African herbaria need to refine their position and role as botanical information centres held in Mozambique within the reality of plant species losses, habitat degradation and extinctions. The importance of RDLs will feature more frequently in the forthcoming years than ever before, and indicators present a way for herbaria to rise accordingly to the challenges.

Any comments will be welcomed by contacting the author or by making a contribution to the South(ern) African Herbarium Working Group chat site http://www.ru.ac.za/departments/ herbarium/SAHWG or the new chat site of the Southern African Plant Red Data List Project linked to the SABONET web site L Participants who attended the 8th SABONET http://www.sabonet.org. K Steering Committee meeting, Maputo, Mozambique, 30 September 1999. References and Further Reading Baijnath, H. & Nicholas, A. 1994. Herbaria: human he Eighth SABONET Steering Committee and infrastructural needs in southern Africa. In: T (SSC) meeting was held at the Hotel Huntley, B.J. (ed.) Botanical diversity in southern Cardoso, Maputo, Mozambique, on 30 Septem- Africa . Strelitzia 1. pp. 175–199. ber 1999. The occasion was hosted by Mr Mário Golding, J.S. 1999. Threatened plants and the role of herbaria. Paper presented to the Southern African AC da Silva/Ms Samira Izidine and Dr Salomão Herbarium Working Group. Potchefstroom. 4 pp. Bandeira of the LMA and LMU Herbarium Hall, A.V., de Winter, M., de Winter, B., & van respectively, as well as Ms Henny Matos of Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of UNDP-Mozambique. In addition to the SSC southern Africa. South African National Scientific Chairperson, the SABONET Secretariat and Programmes Report No. 45. CSIR, Pretoria. 244 pp. National Coordinators or representatives from Hall, A.V. & Veldhuis, H.A. 1985. South African nine of the ten participating countries, the follow- Red Data Book plants: Fynbos and Karoo Biomes. ing individuals also attended the meeting: South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 117. CSIR, Pretoria. 160 pp. • SABONET-IT Centre, South Africa: Hilton-Taylor, C. 1994. Memorandum to the Southern African Herbarium Curators Working Group. Mr Trevor Arnold Addendum E (16 September 1994). 2 pp. • UNDP/GEF, Tanzania: Dr Alan Rodgers Müller, T. 1994. The role a botanical institute can • UNDP-Mozambique: Ms Henny Matos 204 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 • UNDP-South Africa: Ms Jaana Rannikko Kew, and we hope that this closer liaison will • LMU Herbarium, Mozambique: Dr Salomão lead to greater collaboration between staff from Bandeira the National Herbarium in Tanzania, Kew Her- • NETCAB/IUCN ROSA, Zimbabwe: Mr barium and the southern African staff participat- Reford Mwakalagho ing in the SABONET Project. • SADC FSTCU, Malawi: Mr Ernest Misomali • National Herbarium, Tanzania: Mr William Apart from the usual matters discussed at such Mziray regional meetings, the SSC approved the sponsor- • Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: ship of a new cohort of postgraduate students for Prof. Simon Owens & Dr Alan Paton. the year 2000. This included staff attached to herbaria in the following countries: Lesotho, For the first time since the start of the SABONET Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Project in 1996, we were privileged to have with Zambia and Zimbabwe. We wish them all well us in Maputo representatives from Tanzania and with their studies in the new millennium. K

SABONET Courses: Database & Herbarium Management

by Christopher K. Willis

The period of August to October was a busy time tries, much of the ground covered during the for members of the SABONET Secretariat and course was new, and we were privileged to have staff of South Africa’s National Herbarium three very able demonstrators, all of whom had (PRE): during August two back-to-back Regional attended previous Database Management Database Management Courses were held at the Courses, to assist Trevor. The demonstrators National Herbarium in Pretoria and during were Ms Esmerialda Klaassen (National Her- October the National Herbarium (PRE) in South barium, Namibia), Ms Ferozah Conrad (Compton Africa hosted SABONET’s third Herbarium Herbarium, South Africa) and Ms Nikaya Management Course. Arumugam (Natal Herbarium, South Africa). This system of using more experienced staff from Database Management Courses regional herbaria to assist in presenting courses to Trevor Arnold of NBI’s Data Management new staff members is one which worked ex- Section presented the two back-to-back Regional tremely well, and will certainly be used Database Management Courses at the National again in future courses. Many thanks to Esmerialda, Herbarium in Pretoria during August. Ferozah and Nikaya for their understanding, patience and support. The project is clearly The first course (11–14 August) was a Beginner’s building up a core group of competent database Course, where course participants learnt about managers within the southern African region. It is the PRECIS.pc Specimen Database, Windows 95 very pleasing to see that the skills acquired (and Windows Explorer in particular), as well as during in-service training courses and the experi- file management, data security and Microsoft ence gained within herbaria are not being re- Access 2. For many of the course participants, stricted to those who have acquired them, but are who came from all ten southern African coun- being transferred to others in the region as well.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 205 An Advanced Database Management Course • Basic knowledge of microscopes and dissecting (16–19 August) was presented by Trevor Arnold techniques in the week following the Beginner’s Course. • Ability to use keys in identifying selected tree Areas covered during this course included taxa (presented by Meg Coates Palgrave, • Database management and security Zimbabwe) • Installing and using the Virus Protection System • Backing up data using Windows 95 Course certificates were presented to the partici- • Checking Y2K compliance and correcting pants by the Deputy Minister of South Africa’s computers that are only partially Y2K compliant National Department of Environmental Affairs & • Using MAPPIT Tourism (DEA&T), Ms Joyce Mabudafhasi, at • Developing and running Microsoft Access an evening function held in the Pretoria National queries and converting queries to reports Botanical Garden on 27 October 1999. At this • A basic knowledge of SQL and how it works same function, the SABONET four-wheel drive vehicle for South Africa was officially handed Thanks to Trevor Arnold and his staff in the over by the UNDP-South Africa Resident Repre- NBI’s Data Management section for the time sentative, Mr David Whaley, to the SABONET invested in presenting and preparing for the two Regional Coordinator, Christopher Willis, on regional courses held during August 1999. behalf of the National Botanical Institute (see News from South Africa in the Regional News Third Herbarium Management Course Update column for more information on this). From 11–29 October 1999, the National Her- Thanks to Marinda Koekemoer and the other staff barium (PRE) in South Africa hosted of the National Botanical Institute, and especially SABONET’s third Herbarium Management to the National Herbarium, as well as Meg Course. The previous two courses were held in Coates Palgrave for all their efforts in presenting August 1997 and November/December 1996. another successful SABONET in-service training The course was arranged and presented largely course. It is now up to those staff who were by Ms Marinda Koekemoer (Curator, PRE) and trained to implement what they learned in their her staff, with support from the Mary Gunn own institutions and countries. Library staff, Dee Snijman, Meg Coates Palgrave and Trevor Arnold. Course participants from the SABONET course statistics ten southern African countries experienced an SABONET has so far hosted thirteen regional intensive three-week training course and gained and two national training courses since November confidence in working in the following areas of 1996, through the generous support of its donor herbarium management: agencies, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) • Collecting, pressing, mounting, drying and through the United Nations Development Pro- labelling plant material for use in herbaria gramme (UNDP) and USAID via the World • Knowledge of the requirements regarding the Conservation Union-Regional Office for Southern physical curation of herbaria • Knowledge of the requirements regarding the scientific curation of herbaria • Ability to identify plants within the family Amaryllidaceae (presented by Dee Snijman of the Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch, South Africa) • Knowledge of, and ability to use, the essential literature required for libraries that are attached to herbaria, and a basic understanding of library cataloguing • Basic ability to use and write botanical keys

206 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Africa’s (IUCN ROSA) NETCAB Programme. applies to the countries of Lesotho, Mozambique, A total of 192 participants (102 male : 90 female) Namibia and Zimbabwe. The mean number of have attended these courses. This total includes courses attended by an individual for all the 110 different individuals (65 male : 45 female). courses presented thus far is two. Individuals (See the bar graph above for a breakdown of the from 36 different institutions have so far ben- number of course participants and individuals that efited from SABONET in-service training have attended courses from the various southern courses held within the southern African region. African countries.) An average total of 14 indi- The third Herbarium Management Course was viduals from the participating countries have the fifth regional course hosted by the SABONET attended each regional training course held thus Project in 1999, the highest number of regional far, with an overall average total of 12 partici- courses held within one year since 1996. Of these pants per course if the two national courses that five courses, three were held in South Africa, were held in Namibia during 1997 are included. and one each in Zambia (Miombo Woodland The maximum number of courses that have been Identification) and Zimbabwe (Grass Identifica- attended by an individual is seven, and this tion). K

Computerisation of southern African herbaria

by Christopher Willis & Trevor Arnold

omputerisation of southern African herbaria Herbarium, Zimbabwe—15 576 specimens since C is a core activity within the SABONET March 1999) and the National Botanical Insti- Project, as stated within the Logical Framework tute’s Compton Herbarium in Kirstenbosch, Matrix: “Activity 3.1. Computerisation of plant South Africa (NBG & SAM, 9 927 specimens specimens stored in national and regional her- since March 1999). Namibia’s National Her- baria...”. Progress amongst participating institu- barium now also has the highest percentage of tions in this important process has been described specimens computerised by participating southern in several previous editions of this newsletter. African herbaria, namely 63.9% (of a total of ca Maps showing the geographical distribution of 70 000 specimens), followed by South Africa’s specimens computerised by several southern National Herbarium (PRE) with 63.3% (of a total African herbaria were included in the August of ca 1 200 000 specimens). PRE’s collection of 1998 edition and bar graphs included in both the indigenous and naturalised plant taxa from the August 1998 and April 1999 editions of Flora of southern Africa (FSA) area are fully SABONET News. The bar graphs attached show computerised. the most recent progress achieved by participat- ing southern African herbaria, both for total As noted in the minutes of the Fourth SABONET plant specimens computerised, and grasses as a Steering Committee (SSC) meeting held in separate group. Progress made by individual Zomba, Malawi, a regional decision was taken in herbaria in the computerisation process can be September 1997 to focus initially on computeris- determined by comparing the latest figures with ing the grass specimens (Poaceae) in the partici- previously published data. In terms of total pating southern African herbaria. As this was a specimens computerised, greatest progress has policy decision taken by the SSC, we also report been made at the following herbaria: WIND here on progress amongst the regional herbaria in (National Herbarium, Namibia—20 963 speci- terms of computerising their grass specimens. mens since March 1999), SRGH (National The following herbaria have computerised 100%

• Continued on page 211 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 207 L Number of specimens (solid bars) and percentage of collections computerised (striped bars) in selected southern African herbaria using the PRECIS Specimen Database.

L Number of grass specimens computerised (solid bars) and the percentage of the total grass specimen collection this represents (striped bars) in selected southern African herbaria using the PRECIS Specimen Database. 208 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 L Maps 1–4. Geographical coverage of specimens computerised using the PRECIS Specimen Database— National Herbarium (WIND), Namibia; National Herbarium (SRGH), Zimbabwe; National Herbarium (GAB), Botswana and Peter Smith Herbarium (PSUB), Botswana. Each cell corresponds to a quarter-degree latitude/ longitude grid square. Grey shaded cells represent grid squares where between 1 and 24 specimens have been computerised, while solid cells represent grid squares where 25 or more specimens have been computerised. All maps produced by Trevor Arnold, Data Management section, National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa, using the locally developed MAPPIT GIS.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 209 L Maps 5–8. Geographical coverage of specimens computerised using the PRECIS Specimen Database—Roma Herbarium (ROML), Lesotho; Natal Herbarium (NH), South Africa; Compton Herbarium (NBG and SAM), South Africa and the National Herbarium (PRE), South Africa. Each cell corresponds to a quarter-degree latitude/ longitude grid square. Grey shaded cells represent grid squares where between 1 and 24 specimens have been computerised, while solid cells represent grid squares where 25 or more specimens have been computerised. All maps produced by Trevor Arnold, Data Management section, National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa, using the locally developed MAPPIT GIS.

210 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 44 Continued from page 207 of their grass specimens: ROML (Lesotho), towards attaching grid square references to the WIND (Namibia) and NBG (South Africa). Other specimens computerised in each of the herbaria herbaria where 50% or more of the grass speci- concerned. K mens have so far been computerised include PRE (South Africa, 91.3%), UZL (Zambia, 80%), Christopher Willis & Trevor Arnold MASE (Lesotho, 60%) and SDNH (Swaziland, National Botanical Institute 50%). 100% of PRE’s grass specimens from the Private Bag X101 FSA area are computerised. The uncomputerised Pretoria component is largely grass specimens collected 0001 from tropical Africa north of the FSA region. SOUTH AFRICA Staff attached to Zimbabwe’s National Herbarium E-mail: [email protected] (Christopher) (SRGH) have computerised 14 889 grass speci- [email protected] (Trevor) mens, representing 30% of their grass collection. Staff attached to both GAB (National Herbarium, Botswana) and LUAI (Luanda Herbarium, An- HOW DO WE DESIGN gola) are yet to start computerising their grass THE RIGHT USE OF LANGUAGE specimens (although they have computerised other plant groups). As a result these participat- BACK INTO THE CULTURE? ing herbaria are not represented in the corre- sponding bar graph. • Restore the habit of talking directly to each other, whatever the loss of economic efficiency; • The proper use of language is a slowly acquired Attached are maps showing the geographical art that is easily corrupted by technological con- trivances that increase the volume and velocity of coverage of specimens computerised as of No- communication...We cannot disinvent the Internet, vember 1999 in the following southern African but for our own sanity we can and should limit the herbaria: WIND (Namibia), SRGH (Zimbabwe), use we make of it; GAB and PSUB (Botswana), ROML (Lesotho), • Restore the habit of public reading....adults should NH, NBG & SAM and PRE (South Africa). The turn off the television, disconnect the cable, undo cells shown represent quarter-degree latitude/ the computer, and once again read good books longitude grid squares, with the grey cells repre- aloud to their children; senting grid squares with between 1 and 24 • Those who corrupt language ought to be held ac- specimens computerised, and the black cells countable for what they doCbeginning with the representing grid squares with 25 or more speci- advertising industry; • To preserve the places where language grows, we mens computerised by the specific herbarium. must protect the independence of local newspa- Although specimens from other participating pers and local radio stations by forbidding non- herbaria (Luanda Herbarium (LUAI), Angola; local ownership. We need to support regional pub- Maseru Herbarium (MASE), Lesotho; National lishing houses and small, independent Herbarium (MAL), Malawi; INIA Herbarium bookstores....We need to teach the young to hon- (LMA), Mozambique; National Herbarium our difference in speech and dialect.....And we (SDNH), Swaziland and the University of Zam- must protect those parts of our culture where bia Herbarium (UZL), Zambia) have been com- memory, tradition, and devotion to place still ex- puterised (see bar graphs), their geographical ist, because it is there that language is often most coverage has not been included because (a) it was vibrant; • Finally, because language is the only currency not received by the National Botanical Institute’s wherever men and women pursue truth, there Data Management section, or (b) there was no should be no higher priority for schools, colleges, quarter-degree grid square value attached to the and universities than to defend the integrity and specimens so far computerised, resulting in the clarity of language in every way possible.” specimens not being able to be mapped. If this computerised information is to have any rel- (David W. Orr, Conservation Biology 13(4): evance in future, serious attention must be given 696–699, August 1999) SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 211 The PROTEA ATLAS PROJECT

here is no doubt that there is a shortage of included, providing a focus for conservation Tbotanists on the subcontinent. Even ignoring ideals. Together, it is hoped that participants will the exceptional botanical wealth of the subconti- not only make a contribution to the understanding nent, we need more taxonomists, field ecologists and conservation of our flora, but also acquire and biogeographers. It is unlikely that political life skills enabling them to participate meaning- and economical factors will change the status quo fully in monitoring rare species, assisting in in the future. conservation actions and inventorising threatened habitats. How can this problem be redressed? One solution is to encourage amateur involvement in botany. Where the Protea Atlas Project differs from most At retirement many people have the time and other Atlas Projects (and there are many of energy to seek a suitable hobby. Many younger them—tree atlases are underway or planned for people yearn for a goal—a target—to provide a Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, KwaZulu-Natal, focus for their weekend outdoor activities. With Mpumalanga; there are also frog, bird and alien age many active people require a more sedate plant atlases), is that it does not involve a raster hobby—bagging peaks and racing up and down sampling unit. Simply put, other atlases use a mountains becomes a little harder and new fixed grid system—usually the 1:50 000-scale motivation and direction is required. Sadly, there maps—as the units for information collecting. is no vibrant culture of fostering amateur involve- These are usually on the scale of 25 x 25 km. ment in botany present among professional The Protea Atlas Project allows the atlasser to botanists. Amateurs are usually perceived as select his own plot anywhere—using latitude and ignorant meddlers, best discouraged in the inter- longitude to define the centre (a GPS is handy). ests of achieving scientific and curatorial targets. And yet, amateurs provide a vast resource that Furthermore, the maximum size of a record can be tapped to catalogue, map, describe, locality is 500 m in diameter. This means that the inventorise and explore our flora. data are ideal for monitoring by conservation authorities (indeed, Western Cape Nature Con- The Protea Atlas Project is an attempt to involve servation has included the Protea Atlas input onto amateurs in botany. In its scope it is rather their cybertracker system used by field rangers ambitious: participants are expected to come to on patrols). It is also at a scale ideal for Environ- grips with the ecology and taxonomy of the 400 mental Impact Assessments and evaluating Red proteas on the subcontinent. The idea is to foster Data Book status of our plants as individual an understanding of why plants occur where they populations can be mapped, enumerated and do—the role of water, soils, climate, fire, monitored. Furthermore, the scale is ideal for pollinators, seed dispersers and competitors on looking at patterns of fine-scale species distribu- protea distributions is built into the data routinely tions, modelling global climate change and required for the project. In addition, threats such designing optimal nature reserve systems to as alien invaders, agriculture and picking are also conserve our flora.

212 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Although the Protea Atlas Project has been a issues are quite different. The primary focus here largely South African Project, it was hoped that is the difference in classification between the other countries would join in. Indeed, members John Beard and the John Rourke/Dick Brummitt from Zimabwe and Swaziland contributed to the camps. In our recent visit there, three things project from its inception. In Swaziland, under stood out. the auspices of the Swaziland National Trust Commission, the project blossomed. Q Firstly, compared to the Cape Flora proteas, tropical proteas are rather similar to one an- However, the project was conceptualised in the other, making identification a little more rich Cape Floral Kingdom, where the emphasis is complicated. It is perhaps not surprising then, quite different from that of the tropical and that there are divergent views on the taxonomy subtropical floras. In the Cape Flora conservation of the species. issues are paramount—1/3 of proteas are listed in Q Secondly, proteas are far more ubiquitous than the Red Data Book for plants. To some degree herbarium records would suggest. Given the there also is a tourist and commercial cut-flower large flowerheads that occupy much space in interest in proteas. However, in Zimbabwe, the herbarium cabinates, atlassing is perhaps the • Continued on page 214

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 213 44 Continued from page 213 best way of obtaining representative data. morphological variability for a species—this Certainly, herbarium records fall far short of may partly explain the taxonomical polarisation adequately showing protea distributions within of viewpoints. However, more data are needed Zimbabwe—this must impact on taxonomical to adequately evaluate these impressions. No perceptions. However, motivating people to doubt other equally intriguing discoveries will map common species requires much effort— be made in other countries. rare species are far more charismatic. Q Thirdly, the incidence of hybrids between even We are looking to expand the Protea Atlas unrelated species is legion—an order of magni- Project to other SADC countries, should the tude higher than anything seen in the Cape demand exist. If you would like more information Flora. This applies not only to the numbers of on the project, visit us at http://www.nbi.ac.za/ hybrid plants as a proportion of the totals, but protea. Should you wish to participate in the also that we found hybrids between most project or initiate a local atlassing group please species at so many places. This makes plant write to The Coordinator, Protea Atlas Project, identification a little more difficult. It also Private Bag X7, Kirstenbosch 7735, South Africa means that the inclusion of a few cryptic (or e-mail: [email protected]). K hybrids in herbaria may increase the apparent

HOW TO COLLECT FIELD SAMPLES FOR DNA ANALYSIS

by Hassina Aboobaker & Ashley Nicholas

Introduction figures or just educating the next generation to do Estimates of global biodiversity extinction rates the right thing. Another thing that we can be done range from between 1% to 30%; see text box. It is to being to collect DNA samples for is broadcast on televisions and radios that at least preservation. In fact, the collection of DNA one species of plant or animal is becoming extinct samples should become a routine part of any field everyday. The threat of extinction, even if not trip undertaken to collect herbarium or similar accurately assessible, is nonetheless real. Africa, specimens. There are a number of methods that particularly heavily industrialised countries such have been successfully implemented; the most as South Africa, is no exception. Those readers convenient of these being the silica gel method. living in the Johannesburg–Pretoria area will This procedure is simple, effective and relatively have noticed that over the last 20 years the two cost efficient; and is given below. cities have more or less merged. We are, no doubt, all aware of this habitat destruction Why use the silica gel method? whether it be from expanding conurbation, pine Although the use of freshly collected material is plantations or overgrazing. The forces that drive the preferred source for DNA or RNA analysis, habitat destruction are social, economic and it is not always possible or desirable. In Africa, political, and there is little likelihood that while much of the fieldwork undertaken by botanists is populations continue to expand and the greedy to remote areas and may last for weeks. In such continue to exploit, that it will not stop. As situations, it is impossible to use fresh material or botanists, we all need to be concerned with this impractical to preserve it in liquid nitrogen. issue even if there is, at present, little that we can Besides, collected DNA samples may need to be do about it. Naturally we can all play our part in posted to experts elsewhere for analysis and, as a trying to improve the situation whether it be result, may spend up to as much as a year in the through recycling waste, canvassing political queue waiting to be diced, split, bulked and run. 214 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Also, we need to start thinking of keeping DNA silica gel. For effective preservation, Chase & samples, especially of extinct plants, for some Hills (1991) recommend a ratio of 10 grams of distant time when it may be possible to recreate gel to 1 gram of plant material. However, we those species in the laboratory using only its DNA. have found that in more succulent material, such as stapeliad stems, the ratio of gel needs to be Did you know? increased. As Chase & Hills (1991) point out, it • Natural or background extinction rates are is better to have too much gel than too little. The about 1 to 2 species per year (Badgley 1997). silica gel should be a mixture of small (28-200 Presently more than 100 species are becoming mesh size non indicating silica gel) and large extinct per year, 100% more than the (6-16 or 6-18 mesh size self-indicating silica gel) background extinction rate. in a ratio of 1 : 25. The smaller-sized silica gel will remove any moisture from the plant material, • 20% of bird species have become extinct in the while the larger-sized silica gel, by turning from last 2000 years (Thomas 1998). blue to pink, will give an indication of how effective this has been. Plant material removed • According to Thomas (1998) 4% to 5% of the from the container between 12 to 48 hours later USA’s plant species (some 20 000) are (depending on how much moisture it contained) threatened with extinction. In South Africa just will, if sufficiently dehydrated, be brittle. This over 10% of our 21 377 species are threatened can be tested by snapping it with your fingers. (Golding 1999). Twice that of the USA. Remember that degradation of the DNA will start within about 12 hours of the plant material being • The world population grows by 90 million collected. people each year (Population Action International 1997). The above procedure can be carried out at the same time as the herbarium voucher specimens are being made. Remember to place a pencil DNA preservation using silica gel written tag with your name and number in the Containers container. Alternatively, we attach a pencil We use aluminum tablet tubes, the kind you get written label to the outside of the container using when you buy those effervescent vitamin tablets, cellotape; making sure that it is securely taped and which have a dehydration mechanism built on. This latter option has the advantage of not into the tightly fitting cap. Chase & Hills (1991) having to open the container (if it is not recommend 12 x 8 cm ziplock plastic bags. In transparent) to look for your tag. essence, any small watertight container will do. c) On returning to the laboratory or a) Preparation of Material: 4 to 6 grams of herbarium: Once dry or on returning to home fresh material (leaves are used if the plant has base, the silica gel can be removed. However, we them) needs to be collected. This plant material place a small handful of the larger mesh, self- has to be either torn or cut using a razor-blade or indicating gel into the container with the material scalpel (we use an NT cutter) into pieces no so that it can continue to remove any moisture bigger than 2 cm2. To speed up drying, we that finds its way in. If this gel eventually starts usually try to make pieces smaller. However, do to turn pink (you need to check periodically) then not use a scissors as these tend to crush rather the material may rehydrate and spoil. The initial than cut their way through the material. gel, after it has been removed, can now be placed Unfortunately, crushed cells will immediately in an oven at about 150°C for drying. When dry, start to undergo lysis and the nucleic acids in the larger mesh silica gel, will return to its these cells will be denatured or destroyed. original blue colour. Your gel mixture is now ready to be used again. Drying in a microwave b) Silica Gel: The pieces of plant material are will also work, and is much faster. If you are now intermixed with about 50 to 60 grams of situated in the field and need to recycle your gel, SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 215 then a portable plant drier will work, but this Hassina Aboobaker & Ashley Nicholas may take much longer, sometimes even days. Botany Department University of Durban-Westville Conclusion Private Bag X54001 As pointed out by Jones et al. (1997) all Durban 4000 biologists are geneticists now. DNA techniques SOUTH AFRICA are being employed in all fields of biology from E-mail: [email protected] (Aboobaker) taxonomy to ecology to physiology. This shift in [email protected] (Nicholas) emphasis needs to be embraced and botanical All correspondence to be addressed to the Senior collectors encouraged to take DNA samples Author. (especially of endangered plant species) as a matter of routine when collecting herbarium specimens. There are also many extant projects Checklist of Namibian that collectors can contribute samples to, so helping researchers expand their sample base. Plant Species The senior author is looking for DNA samples of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) for a study on The first work on gene conservation of this threatened medicinal Namibia’s flora, plant, while the junior author is less fussy and Prodromus einer would be grateful for any material of the Flora von Asclepiadaceae (in its broadest sense). If you Südwestafrika, came would like a slightly more in-depth look at how to out in a series of collect and preserve DNA samples Chase & Hills leaflets between 1966 K (1991) and Adams (1993) are recommended. and 1972 (Merxmüller 1966–1972). It References and Further Reading included keys to Adams, R.P. 1993. The conservation and utilization genera and species of genes from endangered and extinct plants: DNA and has thus been the BankNet. In: Gene conservation and exploitation— standard reference 20th Stadler Genetics Symposium, eds. J.P. Gustafson, R. Appels & P. Raven. Plenum Press, work for the National New York, pp. 35–52. Herbarium of Namibia. In 1992, Kolberg et al. Badgley, C. 1998. The mass extinctions of the 21st brought out an updated list with references to century. http://www.sprl.umich.edu/GCL/notes2/ name changes. This publication, Checklist of extinct.html. Consulted 5th November, 1999. Namibian Plant Species started off as another Chase, M.W. & Hills, H.H. 1991. Silica gel: An updated list, but over the past few years it ideal material for field preservation of leaf samples evolved to become a list that needs checking, i.e. for DNA studies. Taxon 40: 215–220. it is not necessarily a list of what occurs in Golding, J. 1999. A Plant Red Data List for southern Namibia, but what has been recorded as Africa. SABONET News 4(2): 111–118. occurring here! The aim was to find out what Jones, N., Ougham, H. & Thomas, H. 1997. Markers and mapping: we are all geneticists now. ‘may’ occur here so a means of identifying such New Phytologist 137: 165–177. taxa could be found, e.g. suitable literature. Population Action International. 1997. Why population growth matters. http:// The sources for the list were herbarium www.populationaction.org/why_pop/ specimens, literature and communication with whyfactfig.htm. Consulted 5th November, 1999. botanists all over the world. Obviously it was not Thomas, J.H. 1998. Lecture 10 — Extinction. possible to verify taxonomic status or include all BIL160. Evolution and Biodiversity. http:// herbarium specimens not yet computerised, so fig.cox.miami.edu/Faculty/Tom/bil160sp98/ notes have been included to indicate problem 10_notes.html. Consulted 5th November, 1999. areas. Similarly, an exhaustive survey of the

216 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 literature was unrealisable and many readers may Second edition of question the inclusion of certain references. One must however remember that Prodromus is in Index herbariorum: German, so references in English have been added to help with the language barrier. southern African supplement now available The editor would like to thank all contributors thus far and expresses the hope that this is just the beginning of their and many other experts’ input! SABONET, and in particular Christopher Willis, are thanked for making publication possible so that it can reach a far greater audience. Constructive criticism, feedback and communication will make this publication really worthwhile!

The production of the Checklist of Namibian Plant Species was supported financially by the Global Environment Facility/United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Government of Namibia. The second edition of Index herbariorum: Report Details: Craven, P. (ed.). 1999. southern African supplement, co-authored by Checklist of Namibian Plant Species. Southern Gideon Smith and Christopher Willis, has been African Botanical Diversity Network Report published as the eighth number in the project’s No.7. SABONET, Windhoek, Namibia. 206 pp. occasional SABONET Report Series. The first ISBN 1-919795-37-5. edition was published in September 1997 but included only 20 southern African herbaria. The To order a free hard copy of this report, contact second edition provides updated information on Patricia Craven, National Botanical Research those herbaria included in the first edition, as well Institute, Private Bag 13184 Windhoek, Namibia. as including new information for some 75 Tel: (264) 61 2029111, Fax: (264) 61 258153, additional herbaria within the region that were not E-mail: [email protected] K included in the first edition. The authors, with support from a few colleagues from South References Africa’s National Herbarium (Marthina Mössmer, Kolberg, H., Giess, W., Müller, M.A.N. & Christien Bredenkamp and Jean Meyer), travelled Strohbach, B. 1992. List of Namibian plant species. more than 60 000 km within southern Africa Dinteria 22: 1–121 personally visiting many of the herbaria and Merxmüller, H. (ed.) 1966–1972. Prodromus einer accessing first hand information directly from the Flora von Südwestafrika: 1–175. J. Cramer, Lehre. various herbarium curators. Photographs of each herbarium are included in the publication, some of which readers will have seen in progress reports published in previous editions of SABONET News since December 1998. This milestone regional publication contains probably the most detailed and comprehensive information regarding southern African herbaria ever published, and complements the Southern African

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 217 Herbarium Needs Assessment report published as one’s target audience. It would seem that number six in the SABONET Report Series in July southern African trees are well provided in this 1999. regard, with the standard names in the National List of Trees (Von Breitenbach 1995). But are The production of the Index herbariorum: they? Closer inspection reveals that some names southern African supplement 2nd edition was are at best insensitive in the light of today’s supported financially by the Global Environment realities (e.g. bastard this and Transvaal that), Facility/United Nations Development while some large groups such as the genus Rhus Programme. are carefully hidden from the novice’s understanding by a layer of disparate names that Report details: Gideon F. Smith and Christopher would hardly lead one to suspect that these K. Willis. 1999. Index herbariorum: southern numerous groups (six in Rhus) all belong to the African supplement. 2nd edition. Southern same genus, and so need only one set of group African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 8. characters to be memorised. SABONET, Pretoria, South Africa. 184 pp. ISBN 1-919795-47-2. In July Jacana Education organised a day-long event in Johannesburg, which was attended by The report is available free of charge from the some 40 academics, artists, publishers, botanists, SABONET Secretariat, and will also be added to nature conservation officials and members of the project’s web site, http://www.sabonet.org in amateur organisations. This meeting came to the due course. To order a free hard copy of this conclusion that there was a need for a revision report, contact The Project Coordinator, South- (probably, it seemed at that stage, relatively ern African Botanical Diversity Network, c/o minor) of the existing list of standard names. National Botanical Institute, Private Bag X101, Accordingly, a group of seven representatives Pretoria, 0001 SOUTH AFRICA. was elected to examine the best available list(s) in Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 the light of a list of principles drawn up by the E-mail: [email protected]. K wider conference. The task proved considerably longer and more exacting than it appeared at first, but a list pr recommended names was drawn up and is now available for comment. In Recommended addition, a statement of the principles followed with some fully worked examples and many English names shorter notes was prepared. This statement alone occupies 18 pages, and is far too long to for trees of reproduce here. The list of names includes over southern Africa 1200 entries. All this information is available on the internet at SAPPI and Jeep Sponsored Workshop http://www.wits.ac.za/museums/herbarium/ common.htm or for those who do not have web by Hugh Glen access, hard copy may be had from Jacana Education, P. O. Box 2004, Houghton 2041, t is surely part of the mission of every botanist, South Africa. Requests may also be sent to Ior at least every taxonomic botanist, to spend at Jacana by fax [(27) 11 648 5516] or phone [(27) least some time doing whatever may be possible 11 648 1157, ask for Pam Thompson]. to encourage amateurs and hence the next Unfortunately it is necessary to cover the cost of generation to share one’s interest in plants. One printing the hardcopy, so there is a charge of of the most necessary first steps in this regard is R15.00 for this option. Nevertheless, anyone to have a set of easy to remember, descriptive interested in trees is strongly urged to read the names for the plants one loves, in the language of list of recommended names and send comments 218 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 to Jacana as soon as possible (by phone, fax or K e-mail to [email protected]). RAVEN’S 7- POINT PLAN Hugh Glen National Herbarium More than 4 000 scientists from 100 countries met in National Botanical Institute St Louis, Missouri, in August 1999. Held only once Private Bag X101 every six years, the International Botanical Congress Pretoria 0001 South Africa was last held in Tokyo. Peter Raven, Director of the E-mail: [email protected] Missouri Botanical Garden and President of the Congress, proposed the following seven-point plan to address the global problems of plant conservation:

1. Establish a new coordinating body for plant Changes to the conservation, preferably linked to the UN. At its heart would be a multidisciplinary and cross- SAHDG Listserver sectoral alliance of all the key players.

2. Secure additional funding for the study of plants. Contact details of the South(ern) African The Global Environment Facility should help by Herbarium Discussion Group (SAHDG) providing funds for capacity building in developing listserver, being run on behalf of the South(ern) countries. African Herbarium Working Group (SAHWG) Make plant information accessible on the by Pete Phillipson, have recently changed. The 3. Internet. A huge effort is needed to computerise contact e-mail address is now: the information on herbarium specimens and make [email protected]. This e-mail address it available to all. Botanic gardens, too, should can be used to send e-mail to all the list create a unified database of all their holdings of members. Subscription can also be done through living plants. the following web site: http://www.ru.ac.za/ mailman/listinfo/sahdg-L. All members of the old 4. Place more emphasis on the dangers of alien list have been automatically transferred to the introduced plants and animals to native new system, and should have received a welcome biodiversity. message via e-mail. This message provides Maintain national censuses of the condition of information about sending messages and 5. wild plants. This will show which are well accessing membership details from the web. If protected in nature, which are abundant, and which you are a member and have not already done so, are endangered. please take a moment to visit these web pages to see what this is all about. An additional feature of 6. Give special attention to medicinal plants. Ways the new system is the automatic archiving of all are needed to ensure their use is sustainable. messages. Members can also use e-mail to make changes to their membership details. Send an 7. Provide international funding for research on e-mail to [email protected] plant population biology and plant reproduction. containing the word ‘help’ in the message body, It includes, for example, work on pollinators and and an e-mail message will be sent to you with the problem for seed banks of recalcitrant seeds. instructions. In conclusion, Raven called for a major UN-sponsored conference to establish the necessary alliance and If you have questions, problems, comments, work out how to implement such a plan. please send them to [email protected]. K Source: Adapted, with permission, from Plant Talk, Issue 19, October 1999. K

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 219 220 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 K

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 221 222 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 South African Association of Botanists http://botany.ru.ac.za/SAAB/SAAB.htm At the time of going to press, this web site was still under construction, but you should soon be able to use it to find members= names, SAAB contacts, the SAAB mission statement and constitution, as well as a calendar of upcoming events.

Grass Phylogeny Working Group http://www.ftg.fiu.edu/grass/gpwg The Grass Phylogeny Working Group was established in 1996 with the goal of combining a series of existing data sets to produce a comprehensive phylogeny for the grass family. Another more general goal of this collaboration was by Marthina Mössmer to help focus the further development (i.e. taxon sampling) of existing data sets. Because of the The Tree of Life strong support for various portions of this http://phylogeny.arizona.edu/tree/phylogeny.html phylogeny, and the clear need for a revised The Tree of Life is a multi-authored, distributed classification of the family, the Grass Phylogeny Internet project about phylogeny Working Group will also present a subfamilial and biodiversity. The site classification of the grasses based on the contains information on the comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. The web site diversity of organisms on Earth, also includes the most current grass cladogram their history, and characteristics. (July 1999). The information is linked together in the form of the IBC evolutionary tree that connects http://fp.bio.utk.edu/mycology/nom-news.htm all organisms to each other. The web site consists For those curious souls, Dr. Ron Peterson of the of over 1380 WWW pages housed on 20 University of Tennessee Botany department has on computers in four countries, and is authored by the mycology web page a “summary” of the events biologists from around the world. that took place at the recent nomenclature session at the IBC in St. Louis. There is also some other A site map, viewable by text-only browsers as well material pertinent to Botanical nomenclature on this as graphical browsers, provides an overview of the page. project. To look at pages in the Tree, you can begin at the root, or you can search for a particular BioLink organism; alternatively, you may wish to go to some http://www.ento.csiro.au/biolink/home.htm popular groups or browse some sample pages. The first test version (Beta 1) of BioLink, The Biodiversity Each page contains information about one group of Information Management System, organisms (for example, the Coleoptera page gives was made available earlier this information about all beetles, the Salticidae page year. Since its release BioLink has about jumping spiders, the Cephalopoda page been enthusiastically received. about squids, octopuses, and related molluscs, and Over 90 copies have been requested by the Fungi page about fungi). The pages are linked researchers in 22 countries and numerous one to another in the form of the evolutionary tree demonstrations have been held at museums and of organisms, with the pages branching off from a conferences in Australia, the U.K., Europe and the group’s page being about subgroups. For example, U.S. As a result of often extensive comments and the links from the page on frogs leads one to pages suggestions, numerous changes have been made on individual families of frogs, and eventually up to to BioLink including the addition of a number of some individual species of frogs. new features. We have now completed these SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 223 changes and would like to announce the release of and yet all of the power and robustness of SQL a new test version, BioLink Ver. 1.0 (Beta 2). As Server is maintained. It also means that migration with the previous release, this release is being to the full Microsoft SQL Server package is as made available free of charge. simple as obtaining a licensed copy of the software.

FEATURES ADDED TO THE NEW BIOLINK RELEASE RELEASE SCHEDULE, PREREQUISITES AND COSTS The first release of BioLink provided management Prerequisites for installing BioLink include a tools for taxon names and material information Pentium-based PC running Windows 95/98/NT4 based on both museum specimens and field and up to 300 megs of disk space (if all gazetteer observations. This new release focuses on taxon- files, modelling files, database engine and based information while extending and fine-tuning demonstration data are loaded). The next release many of the features of the first release. Major of BioLink, Beta 3, is scheduled for the end of this additions in this release include the following: year. This release will feature a flexible, user- definable report writer. The complete BioLink $ Expanded taxon handling to include botanical package, BioLink Ver. 1.0, will be released early names next year. Pricing and licensing details and the $ Storage of common names user’s manual are currently being finalised and will $ A Loans Management module including an be available on the BioLink web site shortly. automatic reminder feature $ Type data for both genera and species OBTAINING A COPY OF BIOLINK BETA 2 $ Management of taxon-based political distribution As with Beta 1, this release of BioLink is being information provided free of charge. Because of its large size $ Full support for literature references BioLink is available only on CD-ROM. To receive a $ Full support for multimedia and other binary data disk please e-mail your name and postal address items to [email protected]. We will mail a copy $ Recording of the storage location of taxa directly to you. $ A Query Tool to search for and retrieve any item or set of items in a BioLink database MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BIOLINK $ An expanded mapping tool which can display For additional details concerning BioLink see the georeferenced bitmap images and can Biolink web site (URL above). You can also contact dynamically calculate the distance between map us directly with any questions and comments at objects and the mouse pointer [email protected]. If you would like to be added $ Calculation of predictive distributions using both to the BioLink mailing list please visit http:// Box Car and Gower Metric climatic matching www.ento.csiro.au/biolink/subscribe/subscribe.html. algorithms

Two changes of special interest involve the Synthesis of the North American Flora installation procedures and the database engine. http://www.bonap.org The installation procedures included with BioLink The new Synthesis of the North Beta 1 proved more difficult than originally American Flora web site provides a anticipated. Because of this we have developed a quick view of relative diversity across completely new installation program. This custom U.S. and Canada for any taxon of developed program steps through the entire setup vascular plants. This digital product displays colour- process including the installation of the BioLink coded summary diversity maps for all ranks. The client software, gazetteer and modelling datasets, system allows Boolean operators for geographic database engine and demonstration data. This new queries and user selection of regions (states/ program greatly simplifies the installation of provinces). These options should allow a close look BioLink. at relative diversity among various North American areas (coastal plain, great plains, etc.) for taxa at The second significant change from Beta 1 is the any rank. move from Microsoft SQL Server to the Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE). This new database provides OVERVIEW OF THE SYNTHESIS the core SQL Server functionality in an easier to Over the past 30 years, Dr John Kartesz, Director install and royalty free package. This means that a of the Biota of North America Program (BONAP) of separate SQL Server license is no longer required the North Carolina Botanical Garden has produced 224 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 a vast database for the vascular plants of North and/or accepted names). Synonymised America north of Mexico. The work now serves as checklists can be displayed and printed for any an international standard for many federal plant group. Author citations for all scientific government agencies, universities, colleges, and names, along with common names for each fully private conservation groups, including The Nature accepted species can also be included. The Conservancy. It provides the only comprehensive Synthesis permits the transfer of scientific names source for nomenclature and taxonomy for all (in italics!) directly into Microsoft Word or known native and naturalised vascular plants WordPerfect documents by simply clicking on the and their associated synonyms (nearly 75,000 desired name. By using the Lexicon as a standard names), as well as the phytogeography, reference tool, countless hours of tedious morphology and other data for the approximately editorial time can be saved by those needing to 28 000 unique plant types. include accurate scientific names within manuscripts or species checklists. The Synthesis software was written by Dr Christopher Meacham, plant taxonomist and ATLAS software specialist at the Jepson Herbarium, The Atlas displays distribution maps for each of University of California at Berkeley. The program is the more than 28 000 accepted taxa, designed for IBM-compatible computers running representing nearly a quarter of a million state or Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, or 2000 operating equivalent level records. The maps can be printed in systems, with at least 25 MB of available hard-disk black and white or colour, or saved as bitmap space, a Pentium or faster processor, and images. The Atlas permits individual state or minimally 32 MB of RAM. The program can also be equivalent level summaries of taxa to be used on Macintosh computers running Virtual PC displayed for each of the 70 geographic software, although it is recommended that the regions. Rare, state level noxious, extirpated/ computer have components that are comparable to historical occurrences, eradicated, extinct, and or better than those indicated above. This program erroneous reports are indicated for various taxa by enables plant taxonomists, horticulturists, different colours. Complex search capabilities are nurserymen, foresters, wildlife managers, also possible, including Boolean operations ecologists, and other plant enthusiasts to produce designed to compare and contrast taxa common to species checklists, distribution summaries, and individual states, groups of states, or even groups of species assessments for morphology, rarity, geographic regions. Bibliographic and/or repository endemism, nativity, and other biological attributes. vouchering details documenting each of the 240 000 Since the program is entirely mouse driven, users state or equivalent level records can be no longer need to type scientific names in order displayed by simply running the cursor over that to view distributional or biological attribute data, or particular geographic area. Zoom capabilities to produce checklists anywhere within North embedded within the mapping system will permit America, from private wood lots to state or regional county level and even site-specific data to be added floras. This program consists of three integrated in the future. components: the Lexicon, Atlas, and Biological Attributes. BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES The Biological Attributes provide fully populated LEXICON summaries for 172 biological fields, including The Lexicon provides the underlying nomenclature morphological and other specialised data, for all and taxonomy used within Dr Kartesz=s 1994 accepted taxa. These biological attributes were Timber Press publication A Synonymized Checklist selected because of their botanical usefulness or of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada, interest to a broad audience and/or because of and Greenland, including current updates. Each their national or international significance. name has undergone rigorous scrutiny in both Examples of these attributes include: state and orthography and authorship to assure scientific national level rarity and endemism, nativity, correctness and consistency with the International weediness, habit (tree, shrub, vine, etc.), habitat, Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The Lexicon trophic level, duration, etc. Numerous other data enables the user to show immediate relationships fields that might be of interest to the horticultural between taxa at various ranks, i.e. families, genera, community and gardeners, such economically species, subspecies, and varieties, and to produce important plants and herbs of commerce, plants listings of all plant names in current use (synonyms reported to have medicinal uses, major range SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 225 plants, plants reported to be toxic or edible introduction to the spectacular diversity in biology of (including the part of the plant that has been plants in New Zealand and provides a comparison reported to be edible), drink plants, spice plants, with plants from around the world. It is designed to lumber and timber sources, ornamental grasses, benefit high school students and teachers, tertiary perfume plants, alpine species, along with plants students and academics, and enthusiasts and that attract butterflies, honeybees, and scientists alike. The plants of New Zealand have hummingbirds, are included. Boolean operations evolved through a long period of isolation, over 80 are also incorporated within the Biological million years ago, creating an incredibly unique Attributes, enabling comparisons of various flora and fauna. Almost 80% of New Zealand’s attributes to be made in concert with state level vascular flora alone is endemic. New Zealand has distributions. been described as the closest scientists will get to studying life on another planet or as a ANoah’s Ark@. K ORDERS The Synthesis is now available through the North Marthina Mössmer Carolina Botanical Garden. An order form can be SABONET Project Consultant printed and faxed or mailed to the North Carolina E-mail: [email protected] Botanical Garden.

Proceedings of the 1998 BGCI Congress http://www.nbi.ac.za/bgci98/ html%20files/home.htm From the 14th to the 18th September 1998 the Fifth International Botanic Gardens Conservation Congress took place in Cape Town, South HE APER HASE Africa. It was held in the T P C Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the by Hugh Glen and Christopher Willis northern slopes of Table Mountain and was co- organized by BGCI and the National Botanical Institute of South Africa (NBI) and hosted by NBI. The Proceedings of the Congress are available on he object of this column is to keep an eye the NBI’s web site. Topen for literature that SABONET users may find useful. This will mostly be new publications, The theme of the congress was Plants, People and but may well include older information in answer Planet EarthCthe role of botanical gardens in to questions such as “what’s the best key to ...”. sustainable living. The aim of the congress was to It is neither possible nor desirable that the flow of review the priorities for botanic gardens as centres such information should be one-way, from for biodiversity conservation and the promotion of Pretoria outwards, so would readers please feel environmental sustainability. The congress free to submit notes and useful information to the supported the development of a renewed global strategy for botanic gardens in the 21st century and address at the end of this column. Full-length highlight shared responsibilities and their common book reviews have been moved to their own mission. The Congress was attended by over 400 column, as they seem to be flourishing. participants from 55 countries. The citation of an item here does not imply any See http://www.nbi.ac.za/bgci98/html%20files/ guarantee of its contents or even its existence; willis.htm for the text of Christopher Willis=s very often the compiler has not seen the presentation on SABONET. documents referred to.

Diversity of New Zealand plants The following new thesis is to be found in the http:// www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/ Mary Gunn Library:– nzplants/index.htm This web site provides an Oliver, E.G.H. 1999. Systematic Studies in the 226 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 tribe Ericeae (Ericaceae C Ericoideae). Ph.D., latex and thorns, and leaf form and arrangement, University of Cape Town. will ring a bell with tree-enthusiasts south of the Limpopo, too. However, the common names in Recent new books include:- Bemba, Kaonde, Lunda, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga mark this as a specifically Zambian book, and all Bayer, M.B. 1999. Haworthia revisited. the more useful for it. What makes the book even Umdaus, Pretoria. ISBN 1-919706-08-1. Bigger, more useful for practical tree-lovers is the better and more colourful than Bruce’s two (admittedly sketchy) coverage of Araucaria, previous Haworthia books. Pinus and Eucalyptus, which are among the commonest exotic trees in the subcontinent. The Bolnick, D. 1995. A guide to the common wild glossary, which includes some medicinal-plant flowers of Zambia and neighbouring regions. jargon, is also memorable (and would be more so Macmillan, London. ISBN 0-333-64038-1. if there were twice as much of it). If I were to Zambians can be proud of this little book, which gripe about the reprint, I should concentrate on provides short descriptions and beautiful the elderly names used for a few species (What I watercolour paintings of some 600 species of call stamvrug hasn’t been Chrysophyllum mostly herbaceous plants found, I gather, not all magaliesmontanum in the herbarium for some 30 that far from Lusaka. This book is a more than years; first it was Bequaertiodendron, and now it worthy companion to the tree book by Storrs is correctly Englerophytum magaliesmontanum.) (see below), and raises the question of whether and the coarse screen used to reproduce what SABONET could or should try to persuade NBI were evidently first-rate original photographs. Bookshop in Pretoria to keep basic texts like this But this griping is mainly because I want a copy one on the flora of all member countries, and not and have not found one on sale. Although this just the FSA region. neither is nor pretends to be the ultimate book on Zambian trees, it is an excellent and noteworthy Breuer, I. 1998. The World of Haworthias. Vol. 1, step in that direction. Bibliography and annotated index. Breuer, Niederzier (Germany). ISBN 3-926573-08-2. Van Balgooy. M.M.J. 1998. Malesian seed Exactly as it says, a catalogue raisonné of names plants: portraits of tree families. Rijksherbarium, in Haworthia, and so a book to gladden the heart Leiden. ISBN 90-71326-36-6. The verso (left- of the succulentomane and frustrate everyone else. hand-side) of each opening is given over to a line drawing of one representative species of the Craven, P. & Marais, C. 1992. Damaraland family in question; the recto is filled with brief Flora. Gamsberg Macmillan, Windhoek (reprint but concentrated notes on the salient features of 1998). ISBN 1-86848-784-9. A recent visit to the family. Swakopmund with Pat Craven’s Namib Flora in the cubbyhole (along with maps, passports etc.) Among the older books that somehow escaped the showed just how excellent her books are. I’m net, these are especially noteworthy:- looking forward to the next one. And to the day NBI bookshop keeps them. 1. Friedmann, F. 1994. Flore des Seychelles: Dicotylédons. ORSTOM, Paris. ISBN 2-7099- Storrs, A.E.G. 1975. Know your trees: some of 1226-0. Descriptions are terse, but no more so the common trees found in Zambia. Reprint 1995 than necessary. The presence of common by Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi. names is a blessing, however, and the notes Pity there’s no visible ISBN number or price. seem good. There are numerous line drawings, The book deals with some 185 common trees, which are beautifully explicit as identification many of which are as familiar to us “down aids. I suspect that all the useful facts in the south” as they presumably are to the intended introduction are repeated in English in Zambian audience. The sequence, which depends Robertson (1989), which is a boon to those of on striking habits, presence or absence of milky us who read French by the “look and guess” SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 227 method. One suspects that the paper on which framework for a fragmented landscape B The this book is printed may not be ideally Coastal Lowlands of the Western Cape, South permanent (or was it always rough and cream- Africa (C.E. Heijnis, A.T. Lombard, R.M. coloured?). Nevertheless, I was delighted to Cowling & P.G. Desmet). Pages 471–496. find this one. The Robertson book has a map showing where all the islands are, and some Biodiversity and Conservation 8(7) July 1999 line drawings, as well as lists of the monocots Q Central European vascular plants requiring and gymnosperms. It claims to be an annotated priority conservation measures — an analysis checklist, which means that vouchers and from national Red Lists and distribution maps distribution (which islands in the Seychelles), (M. Schnittler and K.-F. Günther). Pages 891–925. and a few lines of notes, often including a thumbnail description, are given for each Biodiversity and Conservation 8(8) August 1999 species. Now that I have found Friedmann, Q Plant characteristics determine insect borer I shall enjoy using both books. assemblages on Protea species in the Cape Fynbos, and importance for conservation 2. Woods, R.S. 1966. An English–Classical management (Mark G. Wright and Michael J. Dictionary for the use of Taxonomists. Pomona Samways). Pages 1089–1100. College, Los Angeles. Yes, it is old, so old that it antedates both ISBN numbers and my Bothalia 29(2) was published in October 1999. It entire botanical career (and, I expect, the contains, amongst others, the following articles: entire lives of some SABONETters). But how I Q Two new species of Gladiolus (Iridaceae: have managed to function for the past however Ixioideae) from South Africa and notes on many years without it is beyond belief. This long-proboscid fly pollination in the genus book is a dictionary full of (almost) all the (J.C. Manning, P. Goldblatt and P.J.D. Winter). wonderfully obscure words one needs to Pages 217–223. concoct a name and then a description for that Q Studies on the Sphaerocarpales (Hepaticae) new taxon. How ever shall I do without it, from southern Africa. 1. The genus now that I know of its existence? Monocarpus and its only member, M. sphaerocarpus (S.M. Perold). Pages 225–230. Christopher Willis draws our attention to:- Q Three new species of Zygophyllum (Zygophyllaceae) from Namibia and Northern AETFAT Bulletin 45 (June 1999) Cape (L. van Zyl and E.M. Marais). Pages 231–237. Q SABONET—A Regional Capacity-Building Q FSA contributions 13: Ulmaceae (C.M. Programme (Christopher K. Willis & Brian J. Wilmot-Dear). Pages 239–247. Huntley). Pages 9–12. Q FSA contributions 14: Cannabaceae (C.M. Wilmot-Dear). Pages 249–252. Africa—Environment & Wildlife 7(6) November Q Notes on African plants: Convolvulaceae. 1999 Notes on Dichondra and Xenostegia in southern Q CAPE Action plan for the environment Africa (W.G. Welman). Pages 253–254. (WWF South Africa). Pages 46-47. A US$ 1 Q Notes on African plants: Crassulaceae. million project is underway to draw up a long- Crassula maputensis: a new record for the FSA term conservation strategy for the Cape Floral region (P.M. Burgoyne and A.E. van Wyk). Kingdom. Funded by the Global Environment Pages 254–255. [See also article by Priscilla Facility (GEF) through The World Bank, it Burgoyne in SABONET News 3(1), April 1998, underlines the international significance of page 25] biodiversity conservation and sustainable Q Notes on African plants: Bruniaceae. A new development in South Africa’s “fynbos” ecoregion. species Linconia from Western Cape (E.G.H. Oliver and I.M. Oliver). Pages 256–258. Biodiversity and Conservation 8(4) April 1999 Q Notes on African plants: Amaryllidaceae: Q Picking up the pieces: a biosphere reserve Cyrtantheae. New species and notes on 228 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Cyrtanthus in the southern Cape, South Africa Q Changes in woody community structure and (D.A. Snijman). Pages 258–263. composition under contrasting landuse systems Q Notes on African plants: Proteaceae. A new in a semi-arid savanna, South Africa (Steven I. species of Serruria from the southern Cape, Higgins, Charlie M. Shackleton and E. Robbie South Africa (J.P. Rourke). Pages 263–266. Robinson). Pages 619–627. Q Preliminary list of Xhosa plant names from Eastern Cape, South Africa (A.P. Dold and Kirkia 17(1) July 1998 has recently been received M.L. Cocks). Pages 267–292. by the Mary Gunn Library. This number contains Q The floristics of Sand Forest in northern the following articles of relevance to southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (D. Kirkwood African botanists: and J.J. Midgley) Pages 293–304. Q Eriocaulaceae of the Flora zambesiaca area Q Miscellaneous notes: Poaceae. Chromosome (Sylvia M. Phillips). Pages 11–67. studies on African plants. 12. The tribes of Q Macrotyloma (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) subfamily Pooideae. (J.J. Spies, T.H. Burger in the Flora zambesiaca area (B. Mackinder). and S.M.C. van Wyk). Pages 335–341. This Pages 69–84. study confirms the basic chromosome number of Q A preliminary checklist of macrofungi from x = 7 for the tribes Poeae, Hainardieae, the North Luangwa National Park, Zambia Aveneae, Bromeae and Triticeae, as well as the (D.A. Shah-Smith). Pages 85–107. basic chromosome number of x = 9 for the tribe Q Kirkia Index — Volumes 1–16 (1961–1997). Meliceae. Pages 109–125.

British Cactus and Succulent Journal 17(3) Orchids South Africa 30 1999 September 1999 Q A new species from southern Zimbabwe — Q The reintroduction of Gasteria baylissiana — Polystachya phirii (Werner Fibeck). Pages 42–45. a check up (Ernst van Jaarsveld). Pages 119–121. Endemic to the Limpopo escarpment in southern Q Mesembs in the muthi-market: Lithops lesliei Zimbabwe. Polystachya phirii, a dwarf (reaching as an ethnomedicinal plant (Gideon F. Smith only 100 mm in height) epiphytic orchid, is the and Neil R. Crouch). Pages 133–137. first endemic species recorded from the Limpopo Q The attraction of Dinteranthus (Suzanne escarpment. P. phirii emits a strong chocolate scent. Mace). Pages 163–166. The six members of the genus Dinteranthus are discussed. PLANT TALK Issue 19 (October 1999) contains the following articles which may be of interest to Edinburgh Journal of Botany 56(3) 1999 our readers: Q Old World Gesneriaceae: VI. Six Q Agulhas Plain: A brave new fynbos national miscellaneous notes (B.L. Burtt). Pages 371–79. park (Richard Cowling and Barry Heydenrych). Amongst others, a new species of Streptocarpus, Pages 21–25. Streptocarpus huamboensis from Angola, is Q The Sehlabathebe Herbarium: Survival of described. This species is known only from the the fittest (Gideon Smith and Christopher type collection. The type was collected by Willis). Page 38. Huntley, Roberts & Ward from Mt Moco in the Huambo District, Angola, on 18 December 1973 South African Journal of Botany 65(3) was at an altitude of 2335 m. published in June 1999. It contains, amongst others, the following articles: Journal of Biogeography 26(3) May 1999 Q The effect of fire on two Eastern Cape Q The influence of climate change on the Cyclopia species (Fabaceae) (S.R. du Toit and distribution of indigenous forest in KwaZulu- E.E. Campbell). Pages 203–207. Seedling Natal, South Africa (Harriet A.C. Eeley, recruitment of the Eastern Cape endemics Michael J. Lawes & Steven E. Piper). Pages Cyclopia longifolia and Cyclopia pubescens was 595–617. analysed after fire.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 229 Q Studies in Cyperaceae in southern Africa. Q The status of Larryleachia Plowes and 33: a new monotypic genus, Capeobolus additional synonymy for Lavrania Plowes (J. Browning and K.D. Gordon-Gray). Pages (P.V. Bruyns). Pages 302–305. The genus 218–222. The new monotypic genus Capeobolus Larryleachia is shown to be superfluous and is J. Browning is established to accommodate the reduced to synonymy under Lavrania Sect. South African endemic sedge previously Cactoidea. Full synonymy for the four species equivocally treated as Costularia brevicaulis or placed by Plowes in Larryleachia is given. Tetraria brevicaulis. The distribution is limited to Q Micropropagation of Scilla nervosa the Western Cape, South Africa. (Hyacinthaceae), a southern African medicinal Q A new species of Diascia (Scrophulariaceae) bulb (N.R. Crouch, M. Brunkhorst and S.A. from the Eastern Cape (South Africa), with McCartan). Pages 306–307. notes on other members of the genus in that region (K.E. Steiner). Pages 223–231. A new Southern African Forestry Journal No. 185 July species of Diascia from the Eastern Cape 1999 Province in South Africa is described Q Remote sensing from space — present and (D. esterhuyseniae) and two species (D. aliciae future applications in forestry, nature and D. racemulosa) synonymised by Hilliard and conservation and landscape management Burtt (1984) are re-instated as distinct. (Christoph Kätsch and Holger Vogt). Pages 14–26. D. esterhuyseniae is known only from hilltops Q The charcoal commodity chain in Maputo: near Engcobo in the Eastern Cape. access and sustainability (Roland Brouwer and Q A first record of Agave decipiens naturalised Dânia M. Magane). Pages 27–34. in southern Africa (G.F. Smith and E.M.A. Steyn). Pages 249–252. Native to the southern Systematic Botany 24(1) 1999 parts of Florida, USA, the alien Agave decipiens Q A critique of some recent developments in is reported from South Africa for the first time. plant nomenclature (R.K. Brummitt). Pages 108–115. South African Journal of Botany 65(4) was published in August 1999. It contains, amongst Taxon 48 August 1999 others, the following articles: Q A comprehensive reference model for Q Vegetation ecology of the southern Free biological collections and surveys (Walter G. State: 1. Plant communities of the Zastron Berendsohn, Anastasios Anagnostopoulos, area (P.W. Malan, H.J.T. Venter and P.J. du Gregor Hagedorn, Jasmin Jakupovic, Pier L. Preez). Pages 260–269. Nimis, Benito Valdés, Anton Güntsch, Richard J. Q Vegetation analysis of Pedlar’s Bush, Pankhurst & Richard J. White). Pages 511–562. Mpumalanga, and its conservation (T.L. Morgenthal and S.S. Cilliers). Pages 270–280. The Botanical Review 65(2)(April-June 1999) Q Cineraria lyratiformis (Senecioneae, Q Desert rocks as plant refugia in the Near Asteraceae), a new name for Cineraria lyrata East (Avinoam Danin). Pages 93–170. Will be of (G.V. Cron, K. Balkwill and E.B. Knox). Pages interest to our readers from Namibia and the arid 287–290. Known distribution confined to South western parts of Angola and South Africa. Africa and Lesotho. Q The rational usage of Drimia robusta Bak. in Dr Jan Wieringa kindly supplied the following traditional medicine (R.P. Luyt, A.K. Jäger and information: J. van Staden). Pages 291–294. Monopetalanthus exit. A systematic study of Q Seed germination of Opuntia stricta: Aphanocalyx, Bikinia, Icuria, Michelsonia and Implications for management strategies in the Tetraberlinia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) Kruger National Park (C.F. Reinhardt, L. — Wageningen Agricultural University Papers Rossouw, L. Thatcher and W.D. Lotter). Pages 99–4: I–XVI & 1–320. J.J. Wieringa, 1999. 295–298.

230 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Monopetalanthus becomes part of Aphanocalyx, within the borders of South Africa. Four pages while some of its species are now included in are devoted to each form, which include Tetraberlinia and Bikinia. Both Bikinia and Icuria numerous colour photographs, a distribution are new genera. map, a graphic illustration of the species’ phenology (leaves, flowers and pods) and a comprehensive text. More than 270 colour Van Rooyen, G. & Steyn, H. 1999. South illustrations are included within the book. The African Wild Flower Guide 10 : Cederberg, species are divided into five groups, based on the Clanwilliam & Biedouw shape and position of the thorns (spines and Valley. Botanical Society prickles). The text for each species is of South Africa, Cape incorporated within the following subheadings: Town. ISBN 1 874999 19 • Scientific name 8. 256 pp., 210 x 150 mm. • Synonyms The 10th in the Botanical • Common names Society’s series of Wild • National Tree Number Flower Guides, and the • Outstanding features first to have a plastic cover, • Habitat this publication is a must • General description for anyone visiting the • Main stem Cederberg area in the southwestern part of South • Shoots Africa. The text was prepared by Gretel van • Thorns Rooyen and Hester Steyn and the beautiful • Leaves photographs taken by Riaan de Villiers, all of the • Inflorescence University of Pretoria’s Department of Botany. • Pods and seeds The Cederberg is renowned for the Clanwilliam • Similar species cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis), once • General common in the Cederberg but now on the brink The book also includes a key to the identification of extinction. This field guide will certainly go a of the South African Acacia species (using long way towards creating greater awareness of characters mainly (but not exclusively) of a the diversity of the indigenous flora and plant vegetative nature), glossary, an extensive conservation needs of this western escarpment reference list (85 references) and an index to both area amongst both local people and visitors to the scientific and common names. This book is a Cederberg, Clanwilliam and Biedouw Valley. high quality production which is what we have The authors, photographer and all those involved come to expect from Briza Publications over the in the production of this publication must be past few years, and will be a useful addition to congratulated on their efforts. the libraries of South African tree (especially Acacia) lovers as well as all those with an interest Smit, Nico. 1999. Guide to the Acacias of in our natural heritage in general. South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria. ISBN 1 875093 15 X. Duncan, Graham D. 1999. Grow Clivias. 224 pp., 240 x 167 Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. National mm. Soft cover. This Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch, South Africa. book, written and ISBN 1-919684-25-5. 45 pp., 210 x 148 mm. photographed by Prof. Soft cover. The latest addition to the Nico Smit, attempts to Kirstenbosch Gardening Series which focuses on give a complete account the cultivation and propagation of southern of all 40 recognised Africa’s indigenous flora. The publication Grow species, subspecies and Clivias provides a detailed treatment of the varieties of the genus species, cultivation and propagation of the Acacia that occur popular genus Clivia. The booklet includes SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 231 general information on the genus, coverage of the BOOK REVIEWS species, varieties and cultivars, hybrids, cultivation, propagation, The Kalahari and its Plants. Pieter van der pests and diseases as well Walt & Elias le Riche. 1999. Published by the as Clivia Club addresses in authors (Info Naturae, P.O. South Africa and Australia. Box 31899, Totiusdal 0134). For anyone interested in ISBN 0620 23416 4 growing clivias (according English; 0620 23415 6 to the author, clivias are Afrikaans. 148 pp., 64 among the most easily cultivated bulbous plants), colour photos. Soft cover. this is a very worthwhile investment and source 210 x 148 mm. of interesting and practical information. Other Price: R 69.00. editions within the Kirstenbosch Gardening Series that have so far been published are as follows: This is no coffee-table Grow Succulents, Grow South African plants, book. It is a guide, lovingly Grow Restios, Grow Proteas, Grow Cycads and and almost lyrically written, to the inner secrets Grow Agapanthus. K of one of the last refuges on the subcontinent, where nature can still do its thing. It leads us to a References world where the stressed visitor from some Robertson, S.A. 1989. Flowering plants of Seychelles. faraway metropolis can quietly observe this Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. biome almost as it was before Homo sapiens, so- called, came onto the stage. The cover photo Hugh Glen & Christopher Willis shows a Kalahari savanna (written savannah in National Herbarium this book), probably taken somewhere along the National Botanical Institute dry riverbed of the Nossob River, all in shades of Private Bag X101 brown and yellow. Only a rainbow introduces the Pretoria 0001 merest hint of green. This may indicate to the SOUTH AFRICA reader that this work is about a region in which Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 the struggle for existence is much more obvious Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 than in a lush green meadow. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (Hugh) Chapter 1, The Kalahari, tells us about its [email protected] (Christopher) location and the origin of its name, its geology, physiography, soils and general ecology. The second chapter, Conservation areas, discusses general geography, origin of place names, climate, water provision, veld fires and game diseases. Chapter 3, Vegetation, occupies about two-thirds of the book. It is subdivided into Trees, shrubs, bossies and dwarf shrubs, succulents, grasses, bulbs, creepers, opslag (ephemerals and annuals) and fungi, and deals with a total of 56 species. Did you know that elephants shake camelthorn trees (Acacia erioloba, formerly A. giraffae) to make its large, grey, nutritious pods fall to the ground? Or that the bark of Albizia anthelmintica, also called Worm-bark false-thorn, with its ability to destroy 232 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 intestinal worms, may have evolved this quality Lepidoptera of southern Africa. Host-plants & together with the animal species which have used other associations: a catalogue. D.M. Kroon. this field pharmacy over the aeons? We read that 1999. Lepidopterists’ the San hunter-gatherers use the sap in the bark Society of Africa and of the black thorn, Acacia mellifera, as a binding D.M. Kroon, South Africa. agent for the poison mixture on their arrow ISBN 0-620-24916-1; points, and manufacture thin tubes to suck water 160 pp. Soft cover. from the sand from the bark of twigs of the silver 292 x 211 mm. cluster-leaf, Terminalia sericea. Amateurs have, over the The authors cite only a few references. Most of last few centuries, made the information is based on their personal significant contributions to knowledge and experience. Much of this, in turn, the development and is derived from the life-skills and traditional understanding of biology knowledge accumulated by hunter-gatherers of in southern Africa. This old, by latter-day hunters, farmers and publication by Douglas Kroon, an accomplished conservationists, and passed on from generation amateur lepidopterist who has been collecting and to generation. Two maps, one of the Southern studying southern African Lepidoptera (moths Kalahari and one of the Kalahari Gemsbok and butterflies) and their food plants for over 25 National Park, help to transport the reader to the years, is yet another milestone in that long string sandy semidesert where Namibia, Botswana and of milestones accomplished by amateur biologists South Africa meet. Four photos, three of them in the subregion. The author is clearly passionate taken from the air, presumably from a plane about his subject, and should be congratulated on piloted by the junior author, help to make the a fine piece of work and significant contribution imaginary visit to this world more realistic. Each to our understanding of lepidoptera host-plants of the plants dealt with is shown on a colour slide and other associations. As Braam van Wyk has reproduction, from which many of them can be stated in his Foreword, “Compiling a catalogue recognised. I am given to believe that plans are like this is not easy. Preparation of the various afoot to produce illustrations that will focus lists has meant the scrutiny and assessment of closer on the plants of the region. many thousands of records on insect-plant interactions and many systematic treatments on As the title indicates, the main emphasis of this various plant and insect taxa.....This catalogue book falls on plants. However, a wealth of represents, in a way, an inventory of the known information about the animals, directly or outcome of the co-evolutionary “arms race” indirectly dependent on them, can also be found between plant defence and lepidopteran here. Overall, the authors have succeeded in response.” sketching a comprehensive picture of the dune Kalahari biome. Even though the picture book The main advantage of the book, as described by browser may be disappointed, the reader with a the author, is that it collates “new information real interest in the Kalahari, especially its driest and that found in scattered literature records often parts, will find this book a great source of only available in specialist libraries. It is a information and delight. compilation of known host-plants of Lepidoptera and survival strategies of the larvae mostly in the Otto Leistner Southern African Region. The facts were National Botanical Institute incorporated into a database which was Private Bag X101 subsequently used to generate a series of Pretoria 0001 queriesCthe results have been arranged as Lists SOUTH AFRICA in this volume.” The geographical area covered Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 is essentially south of the Cunene and Zambezi Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 Rivers, although it is quite likely that much of the SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 233 information will also be relevant further north as As botanists, we look forward to Douglas well. Kroon’s next work of art!

The catalogue comprises essentially five Lists, Copies of the book can be ordered from: one Annexure which is an overview of the The Honorary Secretary current Higher Classification of the Lepidoptera, Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa and an extensive Reference List, which is divided PO Box 477 into two separate sections for convenience — Jukskei Park, 2153 Lepidoptera and Botanical. A list of commonly SOUTH AFRICA used abbreviations in scientific publications with expanded titles is also provided, as well as a Christopher Willis short addendum of additional records recently National Botanical Institute received and a single lined page for notes. Private Bag X101 Pretoria 0001 List 1 is sorted alphabetically by Lepidoptera SOUTH AFRICA species name, and includes the Lepidoptera E-mail: [email protected] genus, family; the plant genus, species and family name; the name of the individual to whom Field Guide to the Acacias of Zimbabwe. this particular record is attributed, and a literature Jonathan Timberlake, Christopher Fagg & or journal reference. Richard Barnes. 1999. Illustrations by Rosemary Wise. CBC Publishing, List 2 is essentially similar to List 1 but includes PO Box 4611, Harare, three additional fields of information. It deals Zimbabwe. with Lepidoptera with known insect, or other ISBN 0-7974-1936-5; larval nutritional substrate strategies and use. 160 pp. 240 x 155 mm. Many are associated with ants. Acacias have always List 3 is arranged to meet the needs of botanists. appealed to nature It is arranged alphabetically by genus and species lovers in that they form of plant and includes the associated plant family an integral part of the as well as Lepidoptera genus and species. African landscape. Notwithstanding several List 4 has a blocked tabular arrangement where works on southern plant families are listed alphabetically. Below African acacias having been published over the each family is an alphabetical listing of genera past number of years, the authors felt that there with the associated lepidopteran family and still existed a strong need for an everyday genus. identification guide to the some 40 species found in Zimbabwe, more particularly for use by people List 5 is an index of Lepidoptera, arranged concerned with land management, whether alphabetically by genus, species and family. agriculturalists, wildlife managers or interested naturalists. Some of the species covered reflect This catalogue, which consolidates existing soil type and land potential, some are of information on the subject within southern significant economic value for fuel, browsing, Africa, is aimed at making the known southern fencing and other products such as gum, while African host-plant information more widely others have great potential for improvement of available. Although not illustrated, this catalogue degraded land. certainly will be an essential reference book for anyone interested in observing or studying the This publication emanates from two research relationships between plants and lepidopterans. projects conducted by the Oxford Forestry

234 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Institute and funded by the United Kingdom Zimbabwean specimens and field notes. The Department for International Development for the common names for each species are also given in benefit of developing countries. languages used in Zimbabwe. The major field characters are listed after the main description. The first part of this useful guide contains the This is followed by details on characters introduction and deals with various important differentiating the species from others with which subjects such as Taxonomy, Origin and it might be confused. For each species a Distribution, Ecology covering headings such as distribution map is provided, with distributional Acacias in vegetation, Plant succession, Bush notes compiled from herbarium specimens encroachment, Rooting habits, Nitrogen fixation, available from numerous herbaria throughout Animals and acacias, and finally Uses including Zimbabwe, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Browse, Wood, Edible products and Medicines. Forest Herbarium at Oxford and the National Herbarium in Pretoria, as well as ecological notes The following part deals with the description of primarily derived from the authors’ own field the different Acacia species and highlights the observations. The final section under each various characteristics such as life form, trunk description incorporates notes on the general and bark, young twigs, thorns, leaves, glands, biology, the nomenclature of the species and its flowers, pods and seeds. This is followed by a various economic uses gained from local detailed description on ‘how to use this field literature and local observations. guide’. It incorporates four different methods to identify a specimen, either by means of the Illustrations are provided in the form of illustrations, distribution maps, descriptive text or Rosemary Wise’s excellent line drawings of the one of the three keys provided. habit, thorns, leaves, leaflets, glands, inflorescences, fruit and seeds. These illustrations The main key is a dichotomous one based mainly are so accurate that it is often not necessary to on vegetative characters and incorporates pods refer to the accompanying descriptive text to and flowers only where deemed necessary. It also identify an Acacia species. The height of the trees helps the identifier to distinguish between Acacia can readily be gained by comparison with species and similar-looking non-acacias such as drawings of all kinds of human or animal figures species of Albizia and Dichrostachys as well as under the tree or even by a parked vehicle, Australian acacias. The other two keys are rendering a humoristic touch to the illustrations. different types of character matrices. In the Furthermore, the illustrations and maps are species matrix at the end of the book, any of the conveniently placed near the relevant text. readily noted field characters shown, can be chosen. Those species reflecting that particular Included in the latter part of the book are character are indicated by a dot; a solid dot illustrations of pods from all indigenous acacias, signifies that the character is nearly always grouped under spicate and globose flowered present, while an open circle signifies that the species. There is also a list of species found in character is only occasionally present. The other various geographical regions and vegetation types character matrix lays out a selection of easily in the country, as well as a glossary of botanical noted vegetative characters along the top axis terms used, some of which are illustrated, a list together with inflorescence and pod characters of common names, a comprehensive bibliography along the vertical axis. Any species with that of sources of information used in the preparation combination of characters is mentioned where the of the book and finally an index of all scientific column and row intersect. names.

Descriptions of 40 species found in Zimbabwe I can recommend this guide without hesitation to are provided and arranged alphabetically. These acacia enthusiasts throughout southern Africa, are concise and to the point, with important particularly since it covers an area containing characters highlighted in bold, based on species not found elsewhere. An added bonus is SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 235 its light weight and size, facilitating easy handling parasitic habit and Origins and evolutions of the in the field. families as well as chapters on Comparative morphology of haustoria within African Gerrit Germishuizen Loranthaceae by Clyde Calvin and Carol Wilson National Botanical Institute and on Pollination mechanisms in African Private Bag X101 Loranthaceae by Donald Kirkup. Pretoria 0001 SOUTH AFRICA Keys are provided to genera in both families. Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 These are user-friendly and the terminology is Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 simple. The gross morphology is generally used to distinguish between the genera. Within each Mistletoes of Africa. Polhill, R. & Wiens, D. genus, keys are provided to the species and, 1998. The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanical where applicable, to sections and species within Gardens, Kew; each section. ISBN 1 900347 56 3; 370 pp. 302 x 212 mm. As introduction to the systematic portion of this book, the authors state that “this book serves as a While compiling data of precursor for the Flora of tropical East Africa southern African members and Flora zambesiaca. The citation of literature of the mistletoes for the is fairly extensive as in those Floras.” Seed plants of southern Descriptions of families, genera, sections and Africa: families and genera, species are concise and comprehensive and are a project of the National supplemented with information relating to Herbarium, Pretoria, I important references, synonyms, type collections, consulted this beautiful and distribution, habitat, host species, flowering times most useful book on these parasites with their and interesting notes on distinguishing characters. showy flowers, and thought I might share it with Descriptions are based on extensive field studies readers of SABONET News. as well as on specimens examined from several herbaria worldwide. Until the late 1970s, the mistletoes in southern Africa were classified in one family, the Illustrations are provided in the form of high- Loranthaceae, comprising two genera, Viscum quality close-up colour photographs of and Loranthus. Subsequent studies by Wiens and inflorescences, individual flowers and fruit. In Toelken in their revision of the group for Flora addition there are accurate line drawings by of southern Africa, volume 10 (1979), placed Christine Grey-Wilson and Marguerite Scott Viscum in its own family, Viscaceae. (reproduced from Flora of southern Africa Furthermore, in view of the close similarities in mentioned above) of the habit, inflorescences, their basic flower structure, all African species flowers and fruit and interesting morphological were originally assigned to the same genus, characters of the flower are also included. Loranthus. However, Wiens and Toelken Excellent maps of the distribution in Africa are distinguished 11 genera in southern Africa, along also provided for each species. The illustrations the lines suggested by earlier taxonomists. In the and maps dealing with each species are updated Mistletoes of Africa, Polhill and Wiens conveniently placed near the descriptions and now recognise 13 genera occurring in southern paragraphs on distribution thereby avoiding Africa. Today, the family Loranthaceae unnecessary paging to and fro searching for comprises some 77 genera and about 950 species them. while the Viscaceae has seven genera and some 450 species, both families widespread worldwide. I conclude this review with an excerpt taken from Apart from the main section of the book devoted the introduction to the book: “Mistletoes rank to the systematics, there are chapters on The among the most fascinating groups of plants. 236 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Popular culture in the Western world is imbued Helmut Angula, Minister of Agriculture, Water with the mystery of Viscum album, fruiting mid- and Rural Development, before they can apply winter in a barren landscape. The species not sustainable utilisation of their natural resources, only adorns our Christmas festivities as a portent the government needs to know more about the of friendship, but is still a respected palliative for vegetation of the area. The aim of this booklet is our most feared disease, cancer, with its to describe the common plants of the Cuvelai connotations in sympathetic medicine of abnormal drainage basin and to use this knowledge to help growth. The sight of brilliantly flowering plants assess the state of the wetlands. springing from leafless trees at the height of the dry season in Africa is no less spectacular. The The introduction gives a clear, concise burning bush of the Bible may indeed have been description of the wetland as a whole. It explains Plicosepalus acaciae (Moldenke, 1952: Plants of the difference between oshanas and ondombes. the Bible), a species common also to the Horn of These facts are substantiated with a map of the Africa.” Having identified and curated these drainage basin and profile diagrams of an oshana families in the National Herbarium for many and an ondombe. The different wetland habitats years, I can but only agree with the authors that are discussed and some of the distinctive plants of the mistletoes are indeed a fascinating group of each habitat are mentioned. Table 1 lists the plants. Furthermore, this well-produced plants recorded from the Cuvelai Wetlands and in publication, printed on glossy paper, is a must for which zones they occur. The genera are arranged libraries and herbaria as a reference work on according to the National Botanical Research these two most interesting families. Institute (Craven 1998). Table 2 is a list of Kwanyama common names, while Table 3 is a Gerrit Germishuizen provisional list of the characteristic plants that National Botanical Institute could occur in the oshanas and ondombes. Private Bag X101 Between Tables 2 & 3 there is a discussion as to Pretoria 0001 which plants occur during the wet season and SOUTH AFRICA how the more common species could be used in Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 monitoring the wetland. A short Bibliography Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 occurs after Table 3. The rest of the booklet consists of impressionistic illustrations sketched Guide to the common plants of the Cuvelai by the author himself, of some of these wetland wetlands. Nicholas V. Clarke. 1998. Southern plants. African Botanical Diversity Network, Windhoek, Namibia. ISBN 0-86976-444-6. 43 pp. There is no key, so identification would have to Soft cover. 209 x 146 mm. be made by browsing through the illustrations and reading the short descriptions. Using the This is a small booklet of 43 drawings to get to the genus level is fine, but I pages filled with extremely am a bit hesitant about using them to species useful information on the level. For example: wetland plants of the oshanas (water courses) and • The root structure in the Cyperaceae are ondombes (deeper pools) in important characters when identifying these northern Namibia. The outer plants. Sadly this significant feature is not cover which immediately mentioned or even illustrated. Although my attracts one’s attention, is a knowledge of the Cyperaceae is poor, I was colourful picture of Oshikuku ondombe. The use however able to recognise the different genera of local terminology creates an awareness that from these illustrations. these wetlands are unique in a country that one • The shape of the leaves (pinnae) of the associates more with sand dunes and desert plants. Marsilea spp. depends largely on the age of the According to the Honourable Minister, Mr plant and the depth of the water, if any. It is SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 237 the shape and the position of the sporocarp that References is essential in order to be able to identify these Craven, P. (Ed.). 1998. Checklist of Namibian aquatic ferns. A sketch of a sporocarp would Plant Species. Unpubl. National Botanical have assisted in identifying the plant as well Research Institute, Windhoek. emphasising the importance of these structures Ellery, K. & W. 1997. Plants of the Okavango in naming these ferns. Delta: a field guide. Tsaro Publishers. Durban. • In southern Africa two species of Utricularia Musil, C.F. 1973. Water plants of Natal. occur with the flower stem supported by a ring Published by: The Wildlife Protection and of floats, namely Utricularia inflexa (illustrated Conservation Society of South Africa on page 39) which according to Taylor (1989) Taylor, P. 1989. The genus Utricularia a has purple, sometimes yellow flowers, the taxonomic monograph. Kew Bulletin Additional diagnostic character is that the floats are long Series XIV. and slender while the other species, U. stellaris, has yellow flowers and short, stout René Glen floats, similar to those illustrated on pg. 39. National Herbarium According to the illustration I would suggest National Botanical Institute that it is U. stellaris that occurs in the Cuvelai Private Bag X101 wetland and not U. inflexa as the caption Pretoria 0001 implies. SOUTH AFRICA Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 There is a lot of information in this booklet, some Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 of which may not be noticed because sadly there E-mail: [email protected] is no index to which to refer. Nevertheless, as long as one realises that as the title implies, it is a Let’s look at seaweeds. Antje Burke, Derick du handbook that directs one to a possible name, Toit, Teresa Sguazzin. Illustrated by Coleen then this booklet is most certainly a Guide to the Mannheimer & Asser Karita. 1995. Enviroteach, common plants in the Cuvelai Wetland and Dr Desert Research Foundation of Namibia. ISBN Clarke should be congratulated on producing 99916-43-03-6. such a useful and informative work. It certainly Soft cover. 210 x 143 mm. fulfils the aim it sets out to achieve. In fact, I feel it is essential that anyone working on wetlands in This is a stimulating southern Africa should possess a copy of this guide. booklet of 98 pages of the seaweeds along the Apart from Water Plants of Natal (Musil 1973) Namibian coast. The and Plants of the Okavango Delta (Ellery 1997) introduction covers a lot no such field guides have been published for of general information southern Africa. Not only is this booklet the first such as what seaweeds field guide on wetland plants for Namibia, it is are, where they occur, also the first such guide to be sponsored by how they are adapted to SABONET. life in the ocean, the importance of seaweed to Many thanks to SABONET for further enhancing their natural habitat as the knowledge of wetland plants in southern Africa. well as their economic importance. After the For further information, please contact the general information, the Namibian marine National Botanical Research Institute, Private environment, the importance of these marine Bag 13184, Windhoek, Namibia. plants to Namibia, seaweed farming especially at Tel.: (264) 61 202 2020, Fax: (264) 61 258153 Lüderitz where seaweeds are cultivated E-mail: [email protected].

238 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 commercially, the traditional uses and the NEW BOOK IN THE products of seaweed are discussed. There are 20 line drawings, each with a scale STRELITZIA SERIES OF THE bar, of the commonest seaweeds that occur along the Namibian coast. On the facing page is the NATIONAL BOTANICAL scientific name, common name, brief description of the habit, colour, texture, size, habitat, INSTITUTE distribution as well as interesting facts. From personal experience this information is more than explicit to enable one to identify the algae. Strelitzia 8: Bulbinella in South Africa, by Following this is a brief discussion on former NBI staff member Pauline L. Perry. microscopic diatoms and dinoflagellates, some of A4 size, soft cover, which can cause Red tide. Then there is a section 78 pages, with 14 on “cooking with seaweed” which I found colour plates by entertaining. The booklet ends with suggestions Jeanette Loedolff. for further reading and a glossary in case there was some term used that could cause some This systematic confusion. treatment of the 17 species of Bulbinella, This is an inexpensive, captivating booklet that a genus of deciduous heightens our awareness of the importance of geophytes belonging algae in any aquatic environment. Although the to the family information may only be of interest to those that Asphodelaceae or have access to a coastline, especially those on the Liliaceae sensu lato, West Coast of southern Africa, it is, also contains most nevertheless, a booklet that all aquatic scientists useful information on cultivation and and naturalists should acquire. propagation. Species of Bulbinella occur in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape Provinces The Namibian environmentalists should be of South Africa, and on the main islands of New congratulated on setting standards for producing Zealand. simple but informative booklets on the aquatic plants, such as this booklet and the Guide to the The data sources for the book include a detailed common plants of the Cuvelai wetlands, of their morphological study based on living material, country.K seedling development, leaf anatomy, geographical distribution and ecology. Previous work on René Glen breeding biology is reviewed. For the taxonomic National Herbarium treatment, existing type material as well as National Botanical Institute herbarium material from the main collections in Private Bag X101 South Africa and Europe was examined. Of the Pretoria 0001 21 names originally attached to the genus, as Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200 enumerated in Index kewensis, seven had Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 previously been transferred to other genera, six E-mail: [email protected] have been placed in synonymy, and eight have been upheld. One variety was raised to specific rank. Eight new species and two new varieties were described by the present author in 1987. In Strelitzia 8, one new species and two new subspecies are described and four varieties are raised to subspecies.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 239 Price: SADC countries R85,00; other countries Towards the end of this issue is a complete list of US$30,00. the administration and research staff of the National Botanical Institute, South Africa, 31 Postage & packaging: RSA and SADC countries March 1999, as well as a list of their publications R15,00 on first book, R5,00 on every subsequent from April 1998 to March 1999. An updated book; other countries US$6,00 on first book, guide for authors to Bothalia is also included. US$2,00 on every subsequent book. For the first time acknowledgements to referees from 1983 to 1999 compiled by B.A. Momberg Available from: NBI Bookshop, Private Bag and O.A. Leistner, is provided. X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa Tel.: (27) 12 804-3200 Subscription price: SADC countries R160,00 for Fax: (27) 12 904-3211 a year/other countries US$ 5,00 for a year. Back E-mail: [email protected] K issues available from R10,00 (SADC)/US$ 5,00 other countries. Information supplied by Emsie du Plessis. Available from: NBI Bookshop, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] K

LATEST issue of Information supplied by Gerrit Germishuizen. Bothalia now available New FSA volume Hepatophyta. Part 1: Marchantiopsida. Fasc. 1: BOTHALIA 29,2 Marchantiidae, by S.M. Perold. 1999. Flora of October 1999 southern Africa. 252 pp; 31 spore plates; 73 figures and 34 maps. ISBN 1-919795-44-8. This issue contains much information that is of Soft cover price: SADC countries R185.00; other interest to southern African taxonomists and plant countries US$ 35.00. Postage & packaging, diversity specialists. Some nine species new to surface mail: SADC: R15.00 on first book, the Flora of southern Africa are treated. These R5.00 on every subsequent book; other countries: include two new species of Cyrtanthus described US$6.00 on first book, US$2.00 on every by D.A. Snijman, two species of Gladiolus by subsequent book. Obtainable from NBI J.C. Manning, P. Goldblatt and P.J.D. Winter, Bookshop, Private Bag X101 Pretoria 0001. three species of Zygophyllum by L. van Zyl, and Tel.: (27) 12 804 3200; Fax: (27) 12 804 3211. a single species each of the genera Serruria and E-mail: [email protected]. Linconia described by J.P. Rourke and E.G.H. Oliver respectively. All are illustrated with Taxonomic treatment by the leading authority of photographs and accurate black and white thallose liverworts in South Africa, with keys; drawings. A full colour plate of the new species detailed descriptions; SEM photographs of of Gladiolus rhodanthus by the botanical artist spores; line drawings by artists, G. Condy, J. Auriol Batten is provided. Kimpton, A. Pienaar and M. Steyn; distribution in the FSA area; and notes on collection, See The Paper Chase in this issue for further preservation, study and identification. K details on contributions contained in this number of Bothalia, the house journal of the National Information supplied by Maretha Joubert, Botanical Institute, Pretoria. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa 240 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 LESOTHO Southern African Herbarium - National University of Lesotho ROML) Botanists’ Mr Paseka Mafa - [email protected] (currently studying for a BSc (Hons) at the E-MAIL ADDRESSES University of Cape Town) Ms Annah Moteetee - [email protected] (currently studying for a PhD at the Rand The following is a list of the e-mail addresses for Afrikaans University) staff working in some of the national/university Prof. CR Nagendran - [email protected] herbaria, botany departments, botanical gardens and biodiversity programmes of southern Africa. University Botanic Garden Thanks to all those who sent their e-mail Mr Moretloa Polaki - [email protected] addresses to the editors for inclusion in this list. MALAWI PLEASE NOTE that this list gets updated every National Herbarium (MAL) and Botanic issue of our newsletter. In order to avoid Gardens frustration and possible disappointment, our Mr Aubrey Banda - [email protected] readers are advised to please use the most recent Mr Augustine Chikuni - list available. Some of the addresses listed in [email protected] previous editions of the newsletter may no longer OR [email protected] be relevant. Mr Dickson Kamundi - [email protected] SPECIAL APPEAL: Should you be aware of any Mr Bintony Kutsaira - changes to one or more of the addresses listed [email protected] below, or would like to be added to the list, Mr MacLean Machinjili - please notify Christopher Willis, at [email protected] [email protected] so that the list can be Mr Zacharia Magombo - updated on a regular basis. [email protected] Ms Cecilia Maliwichi - ANGOLA [email protected] Agostinho Neto University Ms Elizabeth Mayaka - Dr Esperança Costa - [email protected] [email protected] OR [email protected] Mr Montfort Mwanyambo - OR [email protected] [email protected] Dr Elissaveta Loutchanska - [email protected] Ms Liz Matos - [email protected] General NHBG address: [email protected] Medicinal plants: [email protected] BOTSWANA National Herbarium (GAB) National Botanic Gardens of Malawi E-mail not yet available Mr Mphamba Kumwenda - [email protected] Peter Smith Herbarium (PSUB) Dr Elmar Veenendaal - MOZAMBIQUE [email protected] LMA Herbarium General address - [email protected] Mr Mario da Silva - [email protected] Ms Samira Izidine - [email protected] University of Botswana Herbarium (UCBG) OR [email protected] Dr Moffat Setshogo - [email protected] Ms Marta Manjate - [email protected] OR [email protected] SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 241 LMU Herbarium - Eduardo Mondlane University C.E. Moss Herbarium (J) - University of the Mr Salomão Bandeira - [email protected] Witwatersrand Ms Filomena Barbosa - [email protected] Prof. Kevin Balkwill - Ms Carlota Quilambo - [email protected] [email protected] Dr Mandy-Jane Balkwill - Department of Biological Sciences - Eduardo [email protected] Mondlane University Ms Glynis Cron - [email protected] John Hatton - [email protected] Mr Donald McCallum - [email protected] NAMIBIA Mrs Reneé A Reddy - National Botanical Research Institute [email protected] Ms Patricia Craven - [email protected] Mr Ramagwai J. Sebola - Dr Gillian Maggs-Kölling - [email protected] [email protected] General NBRI address - [email protected] Coastal & Environmental Services National Herbarium (WIND) Dr Ted Avis - [email protected] Ms Esmerialda Klaassen - [email protected] Ms Kate Johnson - [email protected] Ms Coleen Mannheimer - [email protected] Compton Herbarium (NBG & SAM) National Botanic Garden Ms Jo Beyers - [email protected] Mr Henk Dauth - [email protected] Ms Pascale Chesselet - [email protected] Mr Christopher Cupido [email protected] Vegetation Survey Dr Peter Goldblatt - [email protected] Mr Ben Strohbach - [email protected] Dr Hubert Kurzweil - [email protected] Dr John Manning - [email protected] National Plant Genetic Resources Centre Dr Ted Oliver - [email protected] Ms Herta Kolberg - [email protected] Dr John Rourke - [email protected] Dr Koos Roux - [email protected] Namibian Tree Atlas Project Dr Dee Snijman - [email protected] Ms Barbara Curtis/Coleen Mannheimer - Dr Kim Steiner - [email protected] [email protected] Donald Killick Herbarium, KwaZulu-Natal SOUTH AFRICA Nature Conservation Service Bolus Herbarium (BOL) — University of Cape Mr Rob Scott-Shaw - [email protected] Town (includes Associated Staff) Mrs Anne Bean - [email protected] Free State National Botanical Garden Dr Peter Bruyns - [email protected] Mr Martin Lumley - [email protected] Prof. Tony Hall - [email protected] Mr Amadeus Mogale (Curator) - Ms Cornelia Klak - [email protected] [email protected] Prof. Peter Linder - [email protected] When sending mail to a staff member at the Ms Pat Lorber - [email protected] Free State National Botanical Garden, insert the Ms Sioban Munro - [email protected] name of the person in the subject line Terry Trinder-Smith - [email protected] Mr George Verboom - [email protected] Garden Route Botanical Garden Bolus library - [email protected] Ms Claire Wallace - [email protected]

Buffeslkloof Private Nature Reserve & Herbarium Harold Porter National Botanical Garden Mr John Burrows - [email protected] Ms Karin Behr (Curator) - [email protected]

Herbarium Soutpansbergensis Mr Norbert Hahn - [email protected] 242 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Jonkershoek Herbarium Mpumalanga Parks Board - Lydenburg Ms Melanie Simpson - Ms Sonnette Krynauw - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Mervyn Lotter - [email protected]

Karoo National Botanical Garden Natal Herbarium (NH) Mr Ian Oliver (Curator) - [email protected] Ms Nikaya Arumugam - OR [email protected] [email protected] Dr Neil Crouch - [email protected] Kimberley McGregor (KMG) Museum Herbarium Mr Jeff Govender - [email protected] Ms Tania Anderson (Curator) - Mr Smiso Ngcobo - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Alfred Ngwenya - [email protected] Ms Annemarie van Heerden (assistant curator) - Ms Yashica Singh - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Rosemary Williams (Curator) - [email protected] Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Mr Graham Duncan - [email protected] Natal National Botanical Garden Mr Philip le Roux (Curator) - Mr Brian Tarr (Curator) - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Fiona Powrie - [email protected] National Botanical Institute Mr Ernst van Jaarsveld - Dr Daan Botha - [email protected] [email protected] Prof. Brian Huntley - [email protected] OR [email protected] (home) Mr John Winter - [email protected] National Herbarium (PRE) Dr Heidi Anderson - [email protected] Kirstenbosch Research Centre Dr John Anderson - [email protected] Dr Neville Brown - [email protected] Ms Clare Archer - [email protected] Dr George Davis - [email protected] Dr Robert Archer - [email protected] Mr J de Wet Bosenberg - Mr Trevor Arnold - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Antoinette Botha - [email protected] Dr John Donaldson - [email protected] Ms Christien Bredenkamp - [email protected] Dr Timm Hoffman - [email protected] Ms Priscilla Burgoyne - [email protected] Ms Boniswa Madikane - Ms Maud Cloete - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Carole de Wet - [email protected] Dr Dave McDonald - [email protected] Dr Bernard de Winter - [email protected] Dr Guy Midgley - [email protected] Ms Emsie du Plessis - [email protected] Dr Charles Musil - [email protected] Ms Lyn Fish - [email protected] Ms Ingrid Nänni - [email protected] Mr Gerrit Germishuizen - [email protected] Dr Mike O’Callaghan - [email protected] Dr Hugh Glen - [email protected] Mr Les Powrie - [email protected] Ms René Glen - [email protected] Dr Tony Rebelo - [email protected] Ms Beverley Harris - [email protected] Dr Mike Rutherford - [email protected] Ms Loraine Hawker - [email protected] Ms Stephanie Wand - [email protected] Ms Lesley Henderson - [email protected] Mr Paul Herman - [email protected] Lowveld National Botanical Garden Ms Millissa Heymann - [email protected] Mr Rudi Britz (Curator) - [email protected] Ms Marie Jordaan - [email protected] Mr Johan Hurter - [email protected] Ms Marinda Koekemoer (Curator) - Mr Willem Froneman - [email protected] [email protected] When sending mail to a staff member at the Ms Louisa Liebenberg - [email protected] Lowveld National Botanical Garden, insert the Mr Cuthbert Makgakga - [email protected] name of the person in the subject line

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 243 Mr Mactavish Makwarela - PRECIS [email protected] [email protected] Ms Alice Masombuka - [email protected] Mr David Mbedzi - [email protected] Pretoria National Botanical Garden Mr Jean Meyer - [email protected] Mr Hans Heilgendorff (Curator) - Ms Nicole Meyer - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Caroline Netnou - [email protected] General: [email protected] Mr Solomon Nkoana - [email protected] Dr Sarie Perold - [email protected] Qwa Qwa Herbarium - University of the North Ms Cathy Prentice - [email protected] (Qwa Qwa campus) Ms Julie Ready - [email protected] Prof. Rodney Moffett - [email protected] Ms Elizabeth Retief - [email protected] Mr Lionel Riddles - [email protected] Rand Afrikaans University - Botany Department Mr Paulus Sebothoma - [email protected] Dr Patricia Tilney - [email protected] Prof. Gideon Smith - [email protected] Prof. Herman van der Bank - Ms Shirley Smithies - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Hannelie Snyman - [email protected] Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk - [email protected] Ms Christina Steyn - [email protected] Dr Elsie Steyn - [email protected] Range and Forage Institute, Agricultural Mr Jacques van Rooy - [email protected] Research Council Ms Helen van Rooyen - [email protected] Dr Kathy Immelman - [email protected] Ms Janine Victor - [email protected] Ms Mienkie Welman - [email protected] Rhodes University - Botany Department Dr Maureen Wolfson - [email protected] Dr Nigel Barker - [email protected] Prof. CEJ Botha - [email protected] NBI Libraries: Prof. Roy Lubke - [email protected] Mary Gunn Library - [email protected] Mr Pete Phillipson - [email protected] Librarian: Mary Gunn Library (Ms Estelle (presently at the following address in Tanzania: Potgieter), National Herbarium - [email protected] until December 1999) [email protected] Mr BS Ripley - [email protected] NBI Librarian (Kirstenbosch): Ms Yvonne Reynolds - [email protected] Rondevlei Scientific Services Herbarium, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield Peninsula Technikon - Department of Biological Dr Nick Hanekom - [email protected] Sciences Ms Francine Rubin - [email protected] Mr JC Coetzee - [email protected] Dr Ian Russell - [email protected] Ms Beate Sachse - [email protected] Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology - Tierberg Karoo Research Centre Saasveld Herbarium (SAAS) - Port Elizabeth field station Technikon Dr Sue J. Milton - [email protected] Mr Mike Cameron - [email protected] Mr Peet Peens (Curator) - [email protected] Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Agricultural Research Council H.G.W.J Schweickerdt Herbarium (PRU) - Dr Roger Ellis - [email protected] University of Pretoria Ms Martie Dednam - [email protected] Potchefstroom University Prof. Braam van Wyk - Dr Matt H. Buys - [email protected] [email protected] Dr Sarel S. Cilliers - [email protected] Prof. Braam Pieterse - [email protected] 244 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Scientific Services Herbarium, Department of Prof. Patricia Berjak - [email protected] Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna Dr Glen Campbell - [email protected] Mr Johan Baard (Curator) - Prof. John Cooke - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Bruce Page - [email protected] Mr Rynhard Kok - kokr@dwaf- Prof. Norman Pammenter - wcp.wcape.gov.za [email protected] Mr Herbert M. Sibiya - [email protected] Selmar Schonland Herbarium, Grahamstown Mr Dehn von Ahlefeldt - Ms Estelle Brink - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Tony Dold - [email protected] Dr Paula Watt - [email protected]

Skukuza Herbarium (KNP), Kruger National University of Natal-Durban - Electron Park Microscope Unit, George Campbell Building Ms Guin Zambatis (Curator) - Mr James Wesley-Smith (plant scientist) - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Nick Zambatis - [email protected] University of Natal-Pietermaritzburg - Botany Southern Cape Herbarium Department Yvette van Wijk - [email protected] Ms Angela Beaumont - OR [email protected] [email protected] Dr RP Beckett - [email protected] Technikon Pretoria Herbarium Mr Clinton Carbutt - [email protected] Dawid du Plessis (Curator) - Dr WA Cress - [email protected] [email protected] Dr TJ Edwards - [email protected] Ms CW Fennell - [email protected] Umtamvuna Herbarium, Umtamvuna Nature Dr JF Finnie - [email protected] Reserve Dr JE Granger - [email protected] Mr Tony Abbott - [email protected] Prof. EF Hennessy - [email protected] Dr Steven D Johnson [email protected] University of Cape Town - Botany Department Ms NP Makunga - [email protected] Prof. John Bolton - [email protected] Dr MT Smith - [email protected] Prof. William Bond - [email protected] Prof. J van Staden - [email protected] Dr Jill Farrant - [email protected] Dr Jeremy Midgley - [email protected] University of the North - Botany Department Prof. Willie Stock - [email protected] Mr Martin J Potgieter [email protected] Mr Pieter Winter - [email protected] University of Cape Town - Institute for Plant Conservation University of the Orange Free State - Prof. Richard Cowling - [email protected] Department of Botany and Genetics Dr Dave Richardson - [email protected] Dr Andor Venter - [email protected] Prof. Johan Venter - [email protected] University of Durban-Westville - Botany Prof. RL Verhoeven [email protected] Department Prof. Snowy Baijnath - [email protected] University of Port Elizabeth - Botany Department Dr Ashley Nicholas - [email protected] Dr JB Adams - [email protected] Mr Pravin Poorun - [email protected] (Estuarine vegetation) Prof. Guy C Bate - [email protected] University of Natal-Durban - Biological Sciences (Estuarine micro-algae) Department Prof. Alan Amory - [email protected] SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 245 Dr EE Campbell - [email protected] Lincoln M Raitt - [email protected] (Terrestrial vegetation) Mr Frans M Weitz - [email protected] Dr DR du Preez - [email protected] (Surf zone algae) University of the Witwatersrand - Botany Mr PT Gama - [email protected] Department (Microalgae) Prof. Ed Witkowski - [email protected]

University of Pretoria - Botany Department Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden Prof. George Bredenkamp - Mr Peter Chaplin (Curator) - [email protected] [email protected] Prof. Albert Eicker - [email protected] Mr Andrew Hankey - [email protected] Dr Veldie van Greuning - Ms Sharon Turner - [email protected] [email protected] When sending mail to a staff member at the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, University of Stellenbosch - Botany Department insert the name of the person in the subject Prof. Frikkie Botha - [email protected] line Dr Charlie Boucher - [email protected] Dr Leanne Dreyer - [email protected] Dr Karen Esler - [email protected] NOTE: Additional South African botanists’ Ms Lynn Hoffmann - [email protected] e-mail addresses can be accessed on the internet Dr Bettie Marais - [email protected] at the following address: Prof. Valdon Smith - [email protected] http://www.ru.ac.za/departments/herbarium/ Dr Piet Vorster - [email protected] SAHWG/address.html

University of Stellenbosch - Botanic garden The web page entitled “Southern African Piet van der Merwe - [email protected] Botanists’ addresses” was prepared by Peter Phillipson, Rhodes University and the Selmar University of the Transkei - Botany Department Schonland Herbarium, Grahamstown, with Prof. R Bhat - [email protected] thanks to Nigel Barker and Les Powrie. Dr Sizwe Cawe - [email protected] RV Nikolova - [email protected] SWAZILAND University of North-West - Biological Sciences National Herbarium (SDNH) Department Malkerns Research Station (general) - Mr S David Phalatse - [email protected] [email protected] This address can be used to contact Gideon Dlamini, Titus Dlamini or Bongani Dlamini at University of Venda - Botany Department the National Herbarium. Insert the name of the Mr Maanda Ligavha - person in the subject line. ligavham/[email protected] Ms Colleen Todd - ZAMBIA todd_colleen/[email protected] Forestry Herbarium (NDO) Mr Robert Tshivhandekano - Mrs E.N. Chupa - [email protected] robie/[email protected] Noah Zimba - [email protected] Prof. Pablo Weisser - pablo/[email protected] Herbarium (UZL) - University of Zambia Ms Tasila Banda-Sakala (presently studying at University of the Western Cape - Botany the Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA)- Department [email protected] Dr Derek Keats - [email protected] OR [email protected] Dr Richard Knight - [email protected] OR [email protected] 246 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 Mr David Chuba - [email protected] (currently studying for a BSc (Hons) at the Botanists working on University of Cape Town) southern African plant taxa Ms Florence Nyirenda - [email protected] Dr Patrick Phiri - [email protected] OR [email protected] This section lists e-mail addresses of a few of the botanists living outside southern Africa that are Independent working with southern African plant taxa. If you Mr Mike Bingham - [email protected] would like to be included in this list, please notify one of the editors together with the names of the ZIMBABWE families/taxa you are working on. Biodiversity Foundation for Africa Mr Jonathan R. Timberlake - AUSTRALIA [email protected] (small messages only) Queensland Herbarium, Toowong, Queensland OR [email protected] Bryan Simon - [email protected] (work) National Herbarium (SRGH) & Botanic Garden [email protected] (home) Mr Ezekeil Kwembeya - (Tropical grasses) [email protected] (currently studying for a MSc at the University of ENGLAND Cape Town) IUCN - World Conservation Union Mr Claid Mujaju - [email protected] Craig Hilton-Taylor - [email protected] (currently studying for a MSc at the University of Cape Town) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew National Herbarium (SRGH) - [email protected] Diane Bridson - [email protected] Ms Nozipo Nobanda (Curator) - [email protected] (Rubiaceae; Vahliaceae) Ms Ratidzayi (Rattie) Takawira - Dr Thomas Cope - [email protected] [email protected] (also available (Poaceae) through SRGH) Dr Phillip Cribb - [email protected] (Orchidaceae) University of Zimbabwe - Department of Dr David Goyder - [email protected] Biological Sciences (Asclepiadaceae; Fabaceae) Dr Shakkie Kativu - [email protected] Ms Yvette Harvey - [email protected] Mr I Mapaure - [email protected] (Capparaceae; Lamiaceae; Sapotaceae) Dr Clemence Zimudzi - [email protected] Dr Michael Lock - [email protected] (Fabaceae; Xyridaceae; Zingiberaceae) University of Zimbabwe - Institute of Dr Alan Paton - [email protected] Environmental Studies (Lamiaceae; Verbenaceae) Prof. Bruce Campbell - [email protected] Dr Sylvia Phillips - [email protected] OR [email protected] (Eriocaulaceae; Poaceae) Prof. Peter Frost - [email protected] Dr Gerald Pope - [email protected] (Asteraceae) Independent Dr Brian Schrire - [email protected] Mr Michael Kimberley - [email protected] (Fabaceae; Rhamnaceae) (cycads, orchids and succulents) Dr Kaj Vollesen - [email protected] Ms Meg Coates Palgrave - [email protected] (Acanthaceae: Blepharis, Duosperma) Mr Darrel C.H. Plowes - [email protected] Mrs Mary Wilkins/Ellert - GERMANY [email protected] Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena Dr Norbert Zimmermann -

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 247 [email protected] Botanical Institute, The Norwegian Arboretum, (Euphorbiaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) University of Bergen, Hjellestad Dr Cornelis Berg - [email protected] University of Bayreuth (Moraceae; Ulmaceae) Prof. Sigrid Liede - [email protected] (Asclepiadaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) SWEDEN Dr Ulrich Meve - [email protected] Swedish Museum of Natural History (Asclepiadaceae) Dr Mari Kallersjo - [email protected] (Asteraceae; Myrsinaceae; Primulaceae) University of Cologne - Botanical Institute Prof. Dr Bertil Nordenstam - Dr Joachim Thiede - [email protected] [email protected] (Compositae, especially Senecioneae and (Aizoaceae; Crassulaceae) Calenduleae: Syncarpha; Colchicaceae: Anticharis) University of Hamburg - Institut fuer Allgemeine Botanik Uppsala University Prof. Dr HEK Hartmann - Prof. Kåre Bremer - [email protected] [email protected] (Asteraceae) (Aizoaceae; Mesembryanthema) Mr Mattias Iwarsson [email protected] Dr Pia Parolin - (Lamiaceae: Leonotis) [email protected] (Desert ecology; ecophysiology) SWITZERLAND Institute for Systematic Botany, University of NETHERLANDS Zürich Agricultural University, Wageningen Prof. Christopher Cook - [email protected] Ir Ben Groen - [email protected] OR [email protected] (Asphodelaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) (Hydrocharitaceae; Limnocharitaceae; Prof. Dr LJG van der Maesen - Lythraceae; Podostemaceae; Pontederiaceae) [email protected] (Fabaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) USA Dr Ir Jan J Wieringa - Herbarium Vadense University of California - Jepson Herbarium (WAG) - [email protected] Bruce Baldwin - (Fabaceae (Leguminosae): Aphanocalyx, [email protected] Bikinia, Icuria, Monopetalanthus and (Asteraceae: Blepharispermum, Welwitschiella) Tetraberlinia) University of Missouri-Columbia - Dunn-Palmer NEW ZEALAND Herbarium (UMO) Victoria University, Wellington Dr P Leszek D Vincent - [email protected] Mr Fanie Venter - [email protected] (Asteraceae: Senecio; Iridaceae: Aristea) NORWAY WALES Agricultural University of Norway - Department National Botanic Garden of Wales of Biology and Nature Conservation Dr Charles Stirton - [email protected] Prof. Kåre Lye - [email protected] (Fabaceae; Hyacinthaceae; Rosaceae; (Cyperaceae) Verbenaceae) Dr Brita Stedje - [email protected] (Anthericaceae; Asphodelaceae; Hyacinthaceae) 13 December 1999 K

248 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 The problem of effective coordination also specifically affects UNDP-supported Regional News environmental programmes and projects. In addition to the NCSA-UNDP environment Update programme, the UNDP is also supporting activities on the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, the Drought and Desertification Convention, and implementation Framework Convention on Climate Change. In News from Botswana addition to these, there are regional initiatives in which both UNDP and Government of Botswana are involved. These are the Management of the A Report of the Botswana National Okavango basin, the Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Agency (NCSA)/ Support Programme and Southern African UNDP Environment Programme Botanical Diversity Network (SABONET). Evaluation Follow-up Workshop, 5-6 October 1999, Gaborone, Botswana During May this year, an independent team of consultants evaluated the NCSA/UNDP by Moffat Setshogo (National Coordinator, environment programme. Some of the important SABONET-Botswana) and Kagiso Keatimilwe findings and recommended actions included, the (UNDP-Botswana) need for refocusing UNDP support, building more effective operational and programme Background linkages between the various activities of the The current UNDP support to the Government of UNDP/Botswana programme and other Botswana is taking place in the context of the programmes implemented by the Government of Country Cooperation Framework agreed for the Botswana. period 1997–2003. The overall objective of cooperation is to reduce poverty and improve As a result of the May evaluation, a workshop implementation capacity by working in four was held to identify and agree on concrete steps thematic areas, including the environment. In this to implement key recommendations. Operational regard, UNDP support is aimed at ensuring managers and project coordinators presented key sustainable use of natural resources to improve elements of their respective programmes, key livelihoods, building capacity so that government successes and constraints, as a way of getting all and NGOs can implement programmes, programme partners familiar with each others supporting priorities identified in the National work. This process identified synergies and Conservation Strategy, which was developed in common grounds for collaboration and for 1990, and other policy documents, as well as refocusing the programme, to maximise impact. helping to ensure effective participation in international and regional agreements. A Summary of the Workshop Proceedings

Most of the support is being provided through the Nine presentations on ongoing programmes and National Conservation Strategy Agency (NCSA), projects were made, seven of which were on which is the principal government institution biodiversity or biodiversity-related issues. These responsible for coordination of environmental were: issues. Apart from the NCSA, environmental issues are handled by other institutions such as (a) Environment Programme Support the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Six areas have been identified for support under Ministry of Agriculture, and the Department of the Botswana Government/UNDP environment Meteorological Services, making effective programme. These are: support to the coordination difficult. institutional review of the NCSA; accelerating SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 249 community natural resource management; support priority programmes for community to the maintenance of the integrity of wetlands; implementation; provide institutional supporting Botswana’s efforts to meet its goals strengthening of the government focal point for under global environment agreements; support the Convention; capacity building for NGOs so for preparation of national environment that they can participate effectively in the monitoring system; and support for the National Action Programme; and support the preparation of Botswana’s contribution to the work of a task force to elaborate proposals for Southern African Development Community National Desertification Fund. Several awareness Water Sector Round Table. seminars have been undertaken, media materials have been produced and four projects for Achievements include the preparation of a community implementation have been approved. wetlands inventory, the institutional review of the NCSA, and the development of a wetlands policy (d) Enabling Botswana to fulfil commitments which is ongoing. under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (b) Global Environment Facility Small Grants The objectives of the project, which is being Programme implemented through the Department of The GEF Small Grants Programme supports Meteorological Services, are to improve eligible projects addressing biological diversity, Botswana’s capacity to comply with reporting climate change, and international waters obligations under the United Nations Framework implemented by communities and NGOs. Land Convention on Climate Change; increase public degradation projects, where they relate to the and political awareness; and strengthen national other focal areas, are also eligible for funding. capacity to develop climate change projects. The 26 projects have been approved, largely in the objectives will be achieved through seminars, area of biodiversity, since 1992. 21 of these study tours, and expanded access to information. projects are still ongoing. The project can also support professional and policy dialogue with other countries. The (c) Support to the Convention to Combat expected date of completion is 2000. Drought and Desertification Project implementation started in January 1997 Work aimed at providing input into the with funding from DANIDA. The project will preparation of a National Communication in end during the last quarter of 1999. Following accordance with the first objective is ongoing. It completion of the project, the government will includes studies on mitigation analysis for the take over funding of activities from its own non-energy sector, updating of greenhouse gases resources. The project objectives are: to identify inventories, review of climate change policies in Botswana, vulnerability of the forestry sector to climate change, and vulnerability of the heath “Any teaching or practice of conserva- sector to climate change. tion biology that neglects history is incomplete....In the next century of In addition, some training has been provided to conservation, we must provide more various institutions to help them develop climate opportunities for students, employees, change projects. Public awareness is being raised and citizens to know this history, not through workshops. The project is expected to be merely the index of dates and names, completed in 2000. but the changing currents of assump- (e) Management of the Okavango River Basin tions, ideas, knowledge, and applica- The GEF is funding a preparatory assistance tions that have carried us to the project to support Angola, Botswana, and present” (Curt Meine, Conservation Namibia, as riparian countries of the Okavango, Biology 13(1): 1, February 1999) in their efforts to assure the sustainable 250 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 development and management of the basin’s land regional cooperation in biodiversity and water resources, including the protection of conservation; develop national and regional its unique wetland environment and associated capacity to coordinate and implement biodiversity. The riparian countries have sustainable use activities; integrate effective established the Okavango River Basin practises of sustainable natural resource use Commission (OKACOM) to coordinate and direct into national and regional conservation and international support for the basin’s natural other sectoral planning and programmes; and resources. OKACOM’s primary objective is the develop financial mechanisms to ensure the implementation of a basin-wide environmental sustainability of the regional support assessment and an integrated management plan to framework. ensure sustainable development of the basin’s water and land resources and to conserve the The outputs of the project are expected to integrity and diversity of its ecosystems. The include an information system and network, a preparatory assistance has produced a diagnostic regional strategy and monitoring for assessment of the basin, as well as a GEF biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, proposal, under the international waters programme, and training of personnel from participating which will among others lead to the development countries. The project will be implemented over of a strategic management plan for the basin. five years. A series of national workshops have been held to: brief the relevant stakeholders (f) Southern African Botanical Diversity about the project; identify biological issues of Network (SABONET) transboundary nature; discuss implementation A presentation on SABONET was mainly on the arrangements; and to get an indication of organisational structure, activities, implementing national contributions. NCSA is coordinating strategy, and reporting strategy. The project is this project in Botswana. about four years old now. From 1995 to 1998 the project was run on USAID/IUCN ROSA Possible linkages between the funding, and has since April 1998 been funded by programmes/projects GEF. Major achievements so far include: There was a definite realisation that there is a operational National Working Groups; a number lot of overlap between the different projects of regional and national training courses, which that could provide possible linkages. For were according to identified needs of instance, SABONET could easily link with the participating institutions, have been offered; Regional Biodiversity Support Programme computerisation of herbaria; at least five staff are because it is already addressing a fraction of the on postgraduate training (BSc(Hons) and MSc); programme. A meeting was therefore planned and a significant number of publications are being to take place sometime in November 1999, in ‘churned’ out from the SABONET machine! which all the project coordinators would meet, Plant collection activities have been limited in compare notes and find out where and how it most countries because of the lack of transport, was possible to establish these links. but arrangements are underway to buy a vehicle for each participating country. All in all, the Thanks, Ulf! project has taken off reasonably smoothly. Mr Ulf Nermark, Senior Curator of Natural History, left the services of the National (g) Regional Biodiversity Support Programme Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery, under The Southern Africa Biodiversity Programme which the National Herbarium falls, at the end was approved by the GEF in December 1997. of October 1999. Mr Nermark was instrumental The UNDP Malawi office is the focal point in getting SABONET started in Botswana. His within the region. The objectives of the understanding of often protracted government programme are: to improve accessibility to procedures enabled the paper work to go biodiversity information and its application in through the system reasonably quickly. The conservation; achieve cross-sectoral national and SABONET-Botswana National Working Group SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 251 wishes to express its appreciation of Mr SNPH). The Sehlabathebe Herbarium was for a Nermark’s contribution and hopes he continues long time hidden and unknown due to the connected to the network he helped to start. We unavailability of a Curator, after its pioneers, wish him the best in whatever opportunities come Beverly, Hoener and Rutledge, left in 1976. his way. Mr Khotso Sepamo is responsible for ROML, Information supplied by Moffat Setshogo, Mr Khotso Kobisi for MASE and Mr Lekhooa SABONET-Botswana National Coordinator Fokhoti for SNPH. Mr Motebang Molise has been appointed as the Herbarium Manager Herbarium Assistants for GAB responsible for the overall supervision of the The National Herbarium of Botswana (GAB) has three herbaria in the country. They are all for a long time been without an assistant. In continuing the process of computerising the February this year, interviews were conducted herbaria collections. They say they are excited for a Herbarium Technical Officer, a candidate about their work and progressing well especially was identified but unfortunately he got another after attending the Herbarium Management post before he could be officially notified. course and Database Management course at the However, the post was re-advertised, and I am National Herbarium in Pretoria earlier this year. pleased to report that the position has now been filled. The new Herbarium Assistant is Mr Jacob The appointment of the Herbarium Officers Monyeki who graduated with a Diploma in follows the appointment of the new SABONET- Agriculture at Botswana College of Agriculture Lesotho National Coordinator, Mr Thulo last year (1998). Qhotsokoane, and the Alternate Coordinator, Mr Moretloa Polaki earlier this year. Mr Polaki Also assisting in the Herbarium is Miss Monicah is also the Curator of the National University of Kabelo, a general Museum Assistant who has Lesotho Botanical Garden, also based at Roma. some experience in general Herbarium Management, collecting, pressing and mounting, Field Trips the experience she gained from being in the field The SABONET-Lesotho National Working with me a few times. She has been of great help Group has decided on a collection expedition in identification, using vernacular names and around the Katse area where there is a large receiving visitors at the National Herbarium when project of the Lesotho Highlands Water I am not in. Both Ms Kabelo and Mr Monyeki Authority. This area was chosen on the basis that are presently undergoing computerisation training it is not botanically well documented and has a from the Curator of the National Herbarium. high botanical diversity especially associated with the mires or bogs. This will be the first field trip Information supplied by Queen Turner, after engagement of the new staff. National Herbarium (GAB), Botswana Other Activities • In August 1999 the Roma Herbarium (ROML) was relocated to a much larger and spacious News from Lesotho room. • The SABONET-Lesotho National Working Group holds its meetings once every month. SABONET Appointments On 20 July 1999 SABONET-Lesotho appointed Information supplied by Ms Lerato Kose, Herbarium Research Officers for each of the Sehlabathebe Herbarium, Conservation three Lesotho herbaria, namely ROML, MASE Division, Lesotho and Sehlabathebe (now with the official acronym, Tel.: (266) 323600/855068

252 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 data capture is going well, with over 45 000 News from Malawi specimens done so far. We hope to finish by the end of 2000. A highlight for us was the arrival of all the WIND data from PRE, so we would like Dr Augustine Chikuni has been appointed Acting to thank those involved in the transfer of this General Manager for the National Herbarium and valuable resource. Botanic Gardens of Malawi (NHBG) with effect from 14 October 1999. Of course the handover of the fabulous new SABONET vehicle on 11.11.99 was also a major In view of the above appointment, Dr Chikuni is milestone. This major addition to our facilities the interim Head of this institution until Prof. will make it much easier to coordinate fieldwork, James Seyani assumes his duties as General especially in goo seasons when everyone wants to Manager. Dr Chikuni will now represent the be out at once. Our sincere thanks to the NHBG in all the SABONET Steering SABONET team who organised this. Committee’s business and Mr Dickson Kamundi remains as Malawi’s alternate representative. The Botanic garden is a busy spot these days, with Henk Dauth gearing up to finish planting Dr Chikuni, 35, joined the NHBG in April 1989 our newly completed glasshouse by the end of as Assistant Scientific Officer. He obtained his December. Maybe we will see a SABONETter or MSc degree in Pure and Applied Plant and two here for the official opening next year. Fungal Taxonomy in 1991 from the University of Reading, UK. He recently completed his PhD Patricia Craven is relieved to be able to announce study, specialising in the genus Brachystegia, at the difficult but successful birth of the new Wolfson College, Oxford, UK. Thus he became species list of Namibia. This magnum opus has probably the only specialist in the systematics of taken four years to produce, and it has been Brachystegia in the whole of southern Africa! It eagerly awaited by all of us here at WIND, as is my hope that the knowledge Dr Chikuni gained well as by many colleagues in other centres. This will be of importance to Malawi and the entire list is unique in that it highlights discrepancies miombo region. and queries so that these may be addressed to obtain clarification of possible. Information supplied by Dickson Kamundi, National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens, Silke Bartsch, Coleen Mannheimer, Henk Dauth Zomba, Malawi and Sonja Loots (a staff member of the Gene Bank) were the envy of several other staff members when they undertook a field trip to News from Namibia Diamond Area No. 1 in September. The main • Continued on page 254 Although the last quarter has been a productive one for WIND, we have had some sad times, with three staff members losing close relatives in a short period during September/October. We are also sad to report that Sabine Austaller, a very active staff researcher has left us to get married and move to Johannesburg. Our loss is their gain.

Another loss to us is our top data capturer, Elaine Hammerslacht, who has obtained more permanent employment at a local bank. It is partly thanks to her that we are able to report that Staff members from WIND on a field trip to Diamond Area No. 1, Namibia (photo: NBRI, Namibia). SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 253 44 Continued from page 253 purpose of the trip was to look at the new Secondly, we also became the proud owners of a Daberas mine site and continue the monitoring at Toyota Raider Double Cab 4x4 collecting the Scorpion site, but several good collections of vehicle. This long-awaited vehicle will enable us mesembs and euphorbs were taken, as well as to expand our plant collecting efforts into some live specimens for the glasshouse. previously inaccessible areas. Our first trip, in December 1999, is to Rhodes in the Eastern Cape We were fortunate recently to obtain some state- Province, but before then, we need to go for of-the-art RAPDS equipment from an unexpected some off-road driving lessons! Long live source. Although the equipment is not complete, SABONET! we hope to be able to obtain the missing links by various means (eg. begging), and then to talk Marinda Koekemoer SABONET into a training course for staff Curator, National Herbarium, South Africa members.

We wish all our colleagues, wherever they are, a blessed holiday season, and to all the SABONET organisers a good rest and plenty of energy for next year.

Information supplied by Coleen Mannheimer, WIND, Namibia

L The new collecting vehicle of the Pretoria News from South Africa National Herbarium (photo: Adela Romanowski).

Thank you SABONET! PhD for Ashley Nicholas The South African National Herbarium (PRE) in Ashley Nicholas, from the Botany Department, Pretoria owes a big THANK YOU to SABONET University of Durban-Westville (UDW), received for two large gifts that we recently received. his PhD, from UDW, in May 1999. His thesis was entitled “A taxonomic reassessment of the Firstly there were subtribe Asclepiadinae (Asclepiadaceae) in desperately needed southern Africa.” This thesis covered the herbarium systematics of 182 species in 23 genera. cupboards for the main as well as for the bryophyte collections. These cupboards provided relief in many areas in the herbarium where storage of the collection was becoming impossible.

L Miss Mienkie Welman selecting specimens from one of the new cabinets in the Pretoria National Herbarium L Dr Ashley Nicholas (photo: Adela Romanowski). (photo: Adela Romanowski). 254 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 family, the birth‡ of two sons can only be News from Swaziland interpreted as a sweet revenge for Mr Nyirenda. When it comes to voting at a mini local government level, the outcome of the vote could Through SDNH’s active participation in the now go either way. SABONET-Zambia would Programme for Management and Use of the like to congratulate them on the birth of their Biodiversity in Swaziland and as custodians of the twin sons. botanical data in Swaziland we have been invited to participate in the establishment of the National Biodiversity Data Unit (NBDU). The need for a Inventory of local plants with centre to store information on the country’s pesticidal, repellant and medicinal biological diversity was raised in the Swaziland properties in the Muswishi Environmental Action Plan, published in August and Lusiti areas 1997. The purpose of the NBDU is to compile and coordinate (electronic and hard copy) by C.K.M. Kaposhi† and P.S.M. Phiri‡ information on biodiversity in Swaziland ranging from fauna and flora to land use, socio-cultural This is a summary of a report on a small project and population dynamics. The NBDU will be conducted jointly by the National Institute for housed in the Biology Department of the Scientific and Industrial Research and the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) and managed University of Zambia during the period by three members of staff—Dr Ara Monajam, November 1998 to January 1999. A study of the Dr Cebsile Magagula and Mr Themba Mahlaba. Traditional Botanical Knowledge (TBK) was The staff at UNISWA will keep the zoological carried out in Lusitu and Muswishi farming database and refer inquiries on the floral issues to community areas in Siavonga and Chibombo SDNH as custodians of the botanical data in districts in Southern and Central provinces of Swaziland. The botanical data currently compiled Zambia. The information on the local plants with under SABONET will undoubtedly boost this pesticidal, repellant and medicinal properties at effort massively. the two sites was collected through a questionnaire. Samples of the plants reported Information supplied by Titus S. Dlamini, were collected and scientifically identified. Swaziland National Herbarium An inventory of local plants with pesticidal, repellant and medicinal properties at Muswishi and Lusitu has, therefore, been produced. A total News from Zambia of 64 species were recorded at Lusitu while 62 species of plants were documented at Muswishi. The study has also revealed that there were more Arrival of SABONET twins plants used for medical and veterinary remedies During the second week of November 1999 than those used as pesticides and repellants. Ten Edwin and Florence Nyirenda were blessed with species at Muswishi and ten at Lusitu were a set of twins. The new “SABONET” babies are documented as being used for the control of both boys. Mrs Florence Nyirenda is the insect pests by the farmers at the two sites. The Herbarium Research Officer at the University of database of the plants at the two sites includes Zambia Herbarium (UZL). At the time of going information on the scientific (Latin) names of the to press the Nyirendas had not as yet decided to plants, vernacular names, uses or remedies, plant name their sons. This family has had a set of two parts used and the collection locality. In addition, girls, the eldest being a school-going active girl a list of respondents, their sex, age and length of while the youngest daughter specialises in residence in the area has also been included. The narrating events of the day to exhausted parents documentation of two species used as as soon as they arrive from their respective work termiticides, two as mosquito repellents and two places. In order to consolidate democracy in this as pesticides is significant. It is envisaged that SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 255 this inventory of local plants with pesticidal, scientific basis. In this brief study the use of repellant, veterinary and medicinal properties will Cassia abbreviata (Fabaceae) and Terminalia be utilised by farmers at the two sites, as well as mollis (Combretaceae) as traditional medicines regionally, with scientific backing from research was investigated. Cassia abbreviata is a institutions. It is anticipated that this short study popularly used plant in the treatment of diarrhoea will lay a firm foundation for extending similar in most parts of Zambia. It is locally known as activities to the rest of the country when adequate muleza and munsokansoka in Nyanja and Bemba funding becomes available. languages respectively. Its stem, leaves and fruits have been found to contain a compound with † C.K.M. Kaposhi purgative properties but fatal if taken in large Livestock and Pest Research Centre doses. It is important to identify locally available National Institute for Scientific and Industrial plants that could be useful to the national list of Research drugs or some plants that could even replace Private Bag 350049 some imported pharmaceutical preparations. In Chilanga Zimbabwe, Cassia abbreviata is used to cure ZAMBIA abdominal pains, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, heavy mensuration and backache. Its also used to ‡ P.S.M. Phiri prevent abortion and as an aphrodisiac. The root Department of Biological Sciences of Terminalia mollis, locally known as chibobo The University of Zambia (Tonga) and mubobo or kabesha (Bemba), is used P.O. Box 32379 as a traditional cure for diarrhoea in Zambia. In Lusaka neighbouring Zimbabwe, this species is also used ZAMBIA as a cure for bile emisis. The aim of this study was, therefore, to provide scientific evidence for Biological activity of two Zambian the efficacy of these plants. plants The results of a scientific experiment showed that by C. Katongo Terminalia mollis, which is used traditionally to treat STDs, has high antibacterial activity. The Zambia has abundant medicinal plants which antibacterial activity was also positive for Cassia have been used by contemporary traditional abbreviata, which is used in the treatment of practitioners for the treatment of various diseases diarrhoea. Thus this preliminary study provided on an empirical basis. Unfortunately, very little some scientific evidence of the antimicrobial work has been done to scientifically investigate activity of the plant extracts obtained from the therapeutical potential of these plant materials Terminalia mollis and Cassia abbreviata, both of through bioassays, pharmacological evaluation which are used in Zambia as traditional plant and chemical identification before the useful plant medicines against infectious diseases caused by species become extinct. Diseases like diarrhoea, bacteria. Further work can be done to isolate the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and active ingredients from the herbal extracts and to tuberculosis can successfully be cured through test them against a number of pathogenic bacteria the use of traditional herbs. The high frequency with the view of establishing which pathogenic of diarrhoea and STDs suggests that imported bacteria are susceptible. Such results could form drugs cannot, alone, suffice to combat them. a basis for developing new drugs for the local Therefore, traditional drugs can be used to and world pharmaceutical markets. officially complement modern drugs. Details of the experiment conducted and a list of The selected herbs are used traditionally as the references referred to in the compilation of medicine to treat bacterial-type infections. The this article can be obtained directly from the treatment is done empirically without any author.

256 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 C. Katongo Charlton presented a lecture to staff on how the Department of Biological Sciences actual atlassing is done and this lecture was School of Natural Sciences further consolidated by Saturday fieldwork which The University of Zambia was coordinated by Tony Rebelo at some location P.O. Box 32379 50 km outside Harare. Among the team was Gail Lusaka Reeves from Kew who also presented a talk on ZAMBIA the use of DNA analysis techniques in the taxonomy of proteas.

Information supplied by Nozipo Nobanda, News from Zimbabwe National Coordinator, SABONET-Zimbabwe K

Entrance Fees We would like to say THANK YOU to everybody who contributed towards the fencing project of Each edition of SABONET News is the result of a the National Botanic Garden in Harare. team effort, and the editors would like to sincerely thank the following people and organisations that The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden can have contributed to, and helped in preparing, the 11th issue of SABONET News: now be accessed from only three entry points. Two gates along Fifth Street Extension leading to Tony Abbott Hassina Aboobaker the Botanic Garden Carpark and the Herbarium John Anderson Antworks respectively and the one gate on Sandringham Trevor Arnold Nikaya Arumugam Drive leads to the National Parks Offices. Salomão Bandeira Nigel Barker Hugo Bezuidenhout Daan Botha With effect from 1 January 2000 we will charge Priscilla Burgoyne John Burrows nominal fees for entry and parking. The exact Ferozah Conrad Neil Crouch fees to be charged will be advertised in the next Mario AC da Silva Henk Dauth issue of SABONET News. This is in line with our Emsie du Plessis Suzanne Enslin Anne-Lise Fourie Gerrit Germishuizen government policy of restructuring and we hope Hugh Glen René Glen that the new measures will not only improve our Janice Golding Michelle Harck balance of payment but also our service delivery. Hans Heilgendorff Timm Hoffman Brian Huntley Samira Izidine Study Visit by Students from Steve Johnson Maretha Joubert Dartmouth College, USA Marinda Koekemoer Esmerialda Klaassen A group of 20 Environmental Studies students Herta Kolberg Chris Kosolosky from Dartmouth College in the USA spent five Sonnette Krynauw Otto Leistner Prof. J. Léonard Peter Linder days with the staff of the National Herbarium and Gillian Maggs-Kölling Coleen Mannheimer Botanic Garden between 23 September and 15 Anthony Mapaura Mark Mattson October 1999. They were briefed on how the CR Nagendran Ashley Nicholas National Herbarium and Botanic Garden Nozipo Nobanda Ted Oliver functions and the major vegetation types of Patrick Phiri Estelle Potgieter Zimbabwe. Two of the days were spent Adela Romanowski Nyasha Rukazhanga-Noko surveying the vegetation of the outstation which Mike Rutherford Moffat Setshogo lies some 32 km outside Harare - Mazoe Botanic Yashica Singh Gideon Smith Reserve. Hannelie Snyman Hugh Synge Sandra Turck Ernst van Jaarsveld Elmar Veenendaal Janine Victor Protea Atlas Project Mienkie Welman John Winter SRGH was happy to be introduced to the Protea Maureen Wolfson Atlas Project on 5 and 6 November 1999. Val SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 257 For further information related to the SABONET project or contributions to SABONET News, please contact:

Christopher Willis or Marthina Mössmer The Editors SABONET News National Botanical Institute Private Bag X101 Pretoria 0001 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: (27) 12 804 3200 Fax: (27) 12 804 3211 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

In the April 2000 edition of If you are not already on the SABONET News mailing list, or your contact details SABONET News… have changed, please complete this form and post or fax it to the SABONET Coor- O Profile: Chamarajanagar R Nagendran dinator at (27) 12 804 3211. O Red Data List Workshop, November 1999 O SABONET-Nyika Expedition 2000 Name: ...... O XVIth IBC Congress, 1999 Position: ...... O Computerisation of herbaria Organisation: ...... O SABONET Report Series ...... O The Paper Chase Address: ...... O Regional News Update ...... Country: ...... Tel. (include international dialling code): ...... Fax: ...... E-mail (where available): ......

258 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 SABONET News is published in April, August and December and distributed free-of-charge to interested persons. Manuscripts submitted for publication should preferably be in English. All photographs by Christopher Submissions for the next issue should reach the editors before 15 March 2000. The editors would Willis except where otherwise noted. be grateful for material submitted on diskette (preferably using WordPerfect or MS Word) as SABONET News IS PRINTED ON well as an accompanying hard copy. Articles can RECYCLED PAPER. also be submitted via e-mail. If possible, please include black and white photographs, slides or Printing: line drawings to illustrate your material. Please caption all tables, figures and photographs Business Print Centre clearly on a separate sheet. Each photograph or slide should be labelled with a photographer Typesetting: credit. Each author should provide name, Antworks Layout & Design affiliation, postal address, telephone and fax numbers as well as an e-mail address (if available). Contributors should study the most recent issues of SABONET News for stylistic conventions.

This newsletter was made possible through support provided by the GEF/UNDP (SABONET is a GEF Project implemented by the UNDP) and the Regional Centre for Southern Africa, Gaborone, Botswana, US Agency for International Development (Plot no. 14818 Lebatlane Road, Gaborone West, Extension 6, Gaborone), under the terms of the Grant No. 690-0283-A-00-5950. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Agency for International Development, the GEF/UNDP, the SABONET Steering Committee or the National Working Groups.

SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999 259 SABONET News wishes all its readers a very happy and safe festive season and a productive year 2000!

260 SABONET News Vol. 4 No. 3 December 1999