Plants of the

FREE STATE inventory and identification guide

E. Retief and N.L. Meyer

S T R E L I T Z I A 38

Pretoria2017

S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017) 851

developed. Cladodes on short branches, solitary, linear, ± 30–40 × 2–5 mm, acute, striate, hard. Flowers: in apical fascicles; tepals white; Oct.–Dec. Fruit a berry. Dry karroid areas, rocky niches. Bobbejaanappel, bergappel (A).

DrGr KarSh

suaveolens Burch.Protasparagus suaveolens (Burch.) Oberm.

Erect chamaephyte, up to 1 m high. Roots terete. Stems minutely pubescent. Branches either spreading or suppressed (fox-tail habit adopted during dry conditions). Spines straight, often producing spinules. Cladodes filiform. Flowers: apical on branchlets; tepals white with a dark midrib; Jun.–Jan. Fruit a berry. Rocky grassland. Wild asparagus; katdoring (A); mvane (X).

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

virgatus BakerProtasparagus virgatus (Baker) Oberm.

Erect, stiff, herbaceous shrub, up to 1.4 m high. Roots terete. Stems erect with spreading branches, giving a fern-like appearance, glabrous and clearly quadrate. Spines absent. Cladodes (1)2–4(–7) in a fascicle, 5–15(–25) mm long. Flowers: solitary, pendulous, placed along branches; tepals white; Sep.–Jan. Fruit a berry. In shade. Makkatdoring, katstert (A); iphinganhloya, ihabiya, ibutha, unwele (Z).

MsGr

ReferenceOBERMEYER, A.A. & IMMELMAN, K.L. 1992. Asparagaceae. Flora of southern Africa

5,3: 11–82.

ASPHODELACEAE

Compiled by R.R. Klopper & G.F. Smith

Perennial, rarely annual, herbs, shrubs, succulent rosette plants to small pachycaul trees. Leaves dorsiventral, often succulent, sometimes terete, sheathing at base, often serrate-dentate and marginally spiny in succulent taxa. Flowers: in simple or compound racemes or spikes; bisexual, perianth segments 3 + 3, free, nearly free or fused into tube, white, yellow, orange, red or mauve, never blue-violet; stamens 3 + 3, filaments free, linear; ovary superior; style single with small apical stigma. Fruit usually a 3-locular, loculicidal capsule. Aloe family.

ASPARAGACEAE

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ASPHODELACEAE

Key to genera1a Leaves distinctly succulent; blade usually margined with prominent teeth . . . . 21b Leaves ± non-succulent, mesophytic or leathery; blade with margins lacking

distinct spines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82a Filaments with feathery appendages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bulbine2b Filaments without feathery appendages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33a Perianth bilabiate, < 15 mm long, mouth not upturned, white . . . . . . . . . . . 43b Perianth regular, if rarely weakly bilabiate, then flowers > 15 mm long, mouth

upturned, usually brightly coloured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54a Leaves smooth, pubescent or rugulose; perianth curved, segments free . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haworthia4b Leaves smooth or with white, subtuberculate to subspinescent spots; perianth

straight, segments fused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haworthiopsis5a Leaves cauline dispersed, sheath prominent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aloiampelos5b Leaves rosulate or distichous, sheath not prominent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66a Leaves without spines or prickles, distinctly 3-ranked . . . . . . . . . . Gonialoe6b Leaves usually with spines or prickles, rosulate or distichous . . . . . . . . . . . 77a Rosettes small; leaf blade with several scattered small, white, subtuberculate

to spinulescent spots, apex tapering to distinct hair-like awn. . . . . Aristaloe7b Rosettes of various sizes; leaf blade smooth or with prickles but not with

small subtuberculate or spinulescent spots, apex unarmed or armed with fierce spine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aloe

8a Perianth tubular, segments fused towards base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kniphofia8b Perianth stellate, segments free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trachyandra

Aloe L. (sthn Afr.: 144 spp.)

Key to species:1a Much-branched shrub . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. arborescens subsp. arborescens1b Single stemmed or acaulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22a Plants with a single, usually unbranched stem, occasionally branched at

apex, > 0.5 m long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32b Plants acaulescent or with single stem < 0.5 m long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53a Inflorescence usually simple; bracts prominent, obscuring flowers. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. broomii var. broomii3b Inflorescence much branched; bracts small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44a Racemes 500–800 mm long; floral bracts 8–10 mm long; perianth scarlet to

orange, uncurved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. ferox4b Racemes ± 250 mm long; floral bracts 4–5 mm long; perianth yellow to

golden-yellow, slightly decurved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. spectabilis5a Leaves with blade linear, only slightly succulent, deciduous (grass aloes) . . . . 65b Leaves with blade variously shaped, very succulent, not deciduous. . . . . .116a Leaves with blade very narrowly linear, leaf bases forming bulb-like swelling

underground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76b Leaves with blade variously shaped; leaf bases not forming bulb-like swelling

underground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97a Flowers scarlet, not Haworthia-like, 35–50 mm long . . . . . . A. kniphofioides7b Flowers whitish to greenish brown, Haworthia-like, up to 15 mm long . . . . . 88a Bulbs usually single; leaves ± 2 mm wide, twisting a few times; inflorescence

usually appears before leaves, with semi-erect flowers . . . .A. subspicatum8b Bulbs often clumping; leaves 4–5 mm wide, strongly spiralling; inflorescence

appears with leaves, with erect flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. jeppeae9a Leaves distichous, blade narrowly long-deltoid, distinctly keeled, V-shaped in

cross section; perianth salmon-pink near base, green at apex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. cooperi subsp. cooperi

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ASPHODELACEAE

9b Leaves not distichous, blade narrowly ovate, not distinctly keeled; perianth yellow to red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

10a Leaves with blade up to 90 mm wide; perianth salmon-pink, cylindrical, ± 40 mm long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. boylei

10b Leaves with blade up to 70 mm wide; perianth yellow to red, markedly swollen in middle, 20–24 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. ecklonis

11a Inflorescence almost horizontal; plants forming dense, often hollow, circular groups, rosettes not erect, facing outwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. claviflora

11b Inflorescence erect; plants solitary or forming dense groups, rosettes usually erect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

12a Flowers not constricted above ovary; leaf blade obscurely lineate, without spots on upper surface, sometimes with few white spots on lower surface, scattered or arranged in transverse bands . . . . . . . . . . .A. hereroensis var. hereroensis

12b Flowers constricted above ovary; leaf blade with many white spots, arranged in interrupted, wavy, transverse bands on both surfaces or only on upper surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

13a Flowers in capitate-corymbose racemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. maculata13b Flowers in cylindrical or conical racemes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1414a Perianth distinctly club-shaped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. grandidentata14b Perianth not club-shaped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1515a Winter-flowering (Jun., Jul.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. davyana15b Summer-flowering (Nov.–Apr.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. zebrina

arborescens Mill. subsp. arborescensSucculent, perennial shrub; caulescent. Stems 2–3 m high, much branched to form an arborescent shrub. Leaves dull green to grey-green, without spots, 0.5–0.6 m long; margins with firm, pale teeth, usually curved forward. Flowers: inflorescence usually simple, erect, ± 0.8 m high, with conical to elongate-conical, dense racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth ± 40 mm long, orange, scarlet, or occasionally yellow; May–Aug. Rocky outcrops. Krantz aloe; kransaalwyn (A); ikhala, unomaweni (X); inhlaba-encane, inkalane-encane, umhlabana (Z).

MsGr

boylei BakerSucculent, perennial herb, grass aloe; caulescent. Stems short or up to 0.2 m long, simple or suckering to form dense groups, erect. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate-ensiform, 500–600 mm long, up to 90 mm wide; margins white, with soft, white teeth, deep green, upper surface usually without spots, sometimes lineate or with few scattered spots near base, lower surface copiously white-spotted near base. Flowers: inflorescence simple, erect, 0.4–0.6 m high, with capitate, subcorymbose or slightly conic, dense racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth ± 40 mm long, salmon-pink, greenish tipped, cylindrical, narrowing towards mouth; Dec., Jan. Eastern Escarpment grassland. Boyle’s grass aloe; Boyle-se-grasaalwyn (A); isiphukuthwane, isiphuthumane (Z).

MsGr

broomii Schönland var. broomiiSucculent, perennial herb; caulescent. Stems short, up to 1 m long, usually simple, sometimes dividing at apex, procumbent, with many persistent dried leaves. Leaves with blade broadly ovate to narrowly ovate, ± 300 mm long, apex dry, terminating in very pungent spine; margins reddish brown, with deltoid, pale-tipped teeth, yellowish green, obscurely lineate. Flowers: inflorescence usually simple, erect, 1.0–1.5 m high, with cylindric, slightly acuminate, dense

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racemes; stamens and stigma well exserted; perianth 20–25 mm long, hidden by large bracts, pale lemon-coloured; Aug.–Oct. Rocky slopes. Bergaalwyn, slangaalwyn (A). Figure 11E, p. 8.

AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh

claviflora Burch.Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, forming dense, often hollow, circular groups, rosettes not erect, facing outwards, 150–250 mm in diameter. Leaves with blade, somewhat sickle-shaped, up to 200 mm long; margins with sharp, brown teeth, grey-green, few spines along tip of keel. Flowers: inflorescence usually simple, almost horizontal, with cylindrical, dense racemes; stamens and stigma well exserted; perianth club-shaped, 30–40 mm long, bright red, yellowing with age Aug., Sep. Usually on calcrete, margins of Kalahari thornveld. Aanteelaalwyn, kanonaalwyn, kraalaalwyn (A).

KarSh

cooperi Baker subsp. cooperiSucculent, perennial herb, grass aloe; acaulescent or with a slender stem up to 0.15 m high, usually simple, sometimes suckering to form small groups. Leaves distichous; blade narrowly long-deltoid, distinctly keeled, V-shaped in cross section; margins narrow, white, with firm, white teeth, green, usually without spots on upper surface, with copious white spots at base on lower surface, obscurely lineate. Flowers: inflorescence simple, erect, up to 1 m or more high, with dense, conical racemes; stamens not or only slightly exserted, stigma exserted; perianth 38–40 mm long, salmon-pink near base, green at apex; Jan.–Mar. Marshy places or among rocks on hillsides. Cooper’s grass aloe; inqimindolo, isiphukuthwane, isiphuthumane (Z).

MsGr

davyana SchönlandSucculent, perennial herb; acaulescent; rosettes solitary or few. Leaves with blade triangular to narrowly ovate, ± 100 mm long, with additional ± 100 mm dry, twisted apical portion; margins horny, brown, with pungent, brown teeth, green, with many oblong, white spots, sometimes arranged in interrupted, wavy transverse bands on upper surface, pale glaucous green, obscurely lineate without spots on lower surface. Flowers: inflorescence branched, 0.6–1.0 m high, branches ascending, with broadly conical, apically dense, basally laxer racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth 32–35 mm long, pale pink, whitish- to greyish-striped; Jun., Jul. Rocky outcrops in grassland. Oorbeweidingsaalwyn (A).

VreDm DrGr

ecklonis Salm-DyckSucculent, perennial herb, grass aloe; acaulescent or stem very short, rosettes solitary or in small groups. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate, up to 400 mm long, up to 70 mm wide; margins white, cartilaginous, with firm, white, deltoid teeth, dull green, without spots, sometimes with few, small, white spots near base. Flowers: inflorescence simple, erect, up to 0.5 m high, with densely capitate, somewhat corymbose racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth, 20–24 mm long, markedly swollen in middle, yellow to red; Nov.–Feb. Grassland, heavy soils. Ecklon’s grass aloe; Ecklon-se-grasaalwyn (A); maroba lihale (SS); isiphukuthwane, isiphuthumane (Z).

DrGr MsGr

ASPHODELACEAE

S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017) 855

ferox Mill.Succulent, perennial tree; caulescent. Stems 2–3 m long, simple, erect, densely covered with persistent dried leaves. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate-ensiform, up to 1 m long; margins with stout, deltoid, reddish to brownish red teeth, dull green, sometimes reddish tinged, without spots, with smooth or with irregular scattered spines. Flowers: inflorescence much branched, ± 1 m high, with cylindrical, very dense racemes; floral bracts 8–10 mm long; stamens and stigma well exserted; perianth ± 33 mm long, scarlet to orange; May–Nov. Rocky slopes. Bitter aloe; tapaalwyn, bitteraalwyn, opregte-aalwyn, karoo-aalwyn (A); hlaba (SS); ikhala (X); umhlaba (Z).

Zastr

grandidentata Salm-DyckSucculent, perennial herb; acaulescent or stems very short, suckering to form dense groups. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate, 100–150 mm long; margins horny, reddish brown, with pungent, deltoid, reddish brown teeth, upper surface brownish green, with many dull, white, oblong spots, usually arranged in interrupted, transverse bands, more prominently marked on lower surface. Flowers: inflorescence branched above middle, ± 0.9 m high, with cylindric, slightly acuminate, lax racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth club-shaped, 28–30 mm long, dull red; Aug.–Oct. Gravelly or stony soil in flat areas and on ironstone koppies. Kleinbontaalwyn (A). Figure 11B, p. 8.

AcGr DrGr KarSh

hereroensis Engl. var. hereroensisSucculent, perennial herb; acaulescent or older plants with very short stem, rosettes solitary or suckering to form small clumps. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate to ovate, 300–400 mm long; margins cartilaginous, with pungent, deltoid, red-brown teeth, greyish green or often bronzed, obscurely lineate, usually without spots on upper surface, few to many whitish spots scattered or arranged in transverse bands on lower surface. Flowers: inflorescence erect, branched, lower branches rebranched, up to 1 m high, branches widely spreading, with corymbose-capitate, very dense racemes; not constricted above ovary; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth 25–33 mm long, scarlet; Jun.–Sep. Arid, stony desert conditions with very low rainfall. Figure 2, p. vi.

AcGr DrGr

jeppeae Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.Chortolirion latifolium Zonn. & G.P.J.Fritz

Succulent, bulbous perennial; acaulescent. Bulb often clumping, with loosely packed, membranous scales covering slightly fleshy leaf bases. Leaves semisucculent, grass-like, deciduous; blade erect, slender, 4–5 mm wide, strongly spiralling, greyish green, white-spotted near base; margins with soft, white, decurved teeth. Flowers: Haworthia-like, zygomorphic, erect; inflorescence a lax, unbranched raceme, appearing with leaves; perianth reddish brown to greenish brown with greenish keels to segments; Nov., Dec. Fruit an apically acuminate capsule. Sandy soil in rather open, short grasslands.

DrGr

kniphofioides BakerSucculent, perennial herb, grass aloe; acaulescent; rosettes solitary, leaf bases forming bulb-like swelling underground. Leaves green, without spots, blade narrowly linear, 200–300 mm

ASPHODELACEAE

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long; margins entire or minutely dentate, with small, white teeth. Flowers: inflorescence single, rarely 2, simple, erect, up to 0.55 m high, with very lax, few-flowered racemes; stamens and stigma not or very shortly exserted; perianth 35–50 mm long, cylindrical, scarlet, green-tipped; Nov., Dec. Grassy slopes in stony ground. Grass aloe, poker aloe; grasaalwyn (A).

MsGr

maculata All.A. saponaria (Aiton) Haw.

Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent or stem up to 0.5 m long, rosettes solitary or suckering to form dense groups. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate to ovate, up to 250–300 mm long, with dried twisted apex; margins with pungent, deltoid, horny, brown teeth, pale to darker green, with many, dull, white spots in irregular broken, wavy, transverse bands on upper surface, paler green, obscurely lineate and usually without spots on lower surface. Flowers: inflorescence branched in middle, 0.4–1.0 m high, branches ascending, with capitate-corymbose, dense racemes; constricted above ovary; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth 35–45 mm long, red or orange to yellow; Jun., Jul. or Sep.–Jan. Rocky outcrops and grassland. Common soap aloe; bontaalwyn, seepaalwyn (A); lekhala, lekhala-la-Lesotho (SS); ingcelwane (X); amahlala, icena (Z).

AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh

spectabilis ReynoldsSucculent, perennial tree; caulescent. Stems up to 5 m long, simple, rarely forked high up, erect, densely covered with persistent dried leaves. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate-ensiform, ± 1 m long; margins with stout, pungent, deltoid, reddish to brownish teeth, dull green, sometimes reddish tinged, without spots, with scattered, reddish brown, pungent spines. Flowers: inflorescence much branched, up to 1 m high, with cylindrical, rather truncate, fairly erect, dense racemes; floral bracts 4–5 mm long; stamens and stigma well exserted; perianth ± 32 mm long, slightly decurved, yellow to golden-yellow; Jul., Aug. Umhlaba, inhlaba, ikhala, inhlabane (Z).

Naturalised population on farm Besterskrik, 5 km north of Korannaberg.

DrGr MsGr

subspicatum (Baker) Boatwr. & J.C.ManningChortolirion subspicatum (Baker) A.BergerHaworthia subspicata Baker

Succulent, bulbous perennial; acaulescent. Bulb mostly single, with loosely packed, membranous scales covering slightly fleshy leaf bases. Leaves semisucculent, grass-like, deciduous; blade flaccid to erect, slender, ± 2 mm wide, usually 2–5 twisted, light green to glaucous-green, white-spotted near base; margins with soft, white, decurved teeth. Flowers: Haworthia-like, zygomorphic, semi-erect, slightly subsecund; inflorescence a lax, unbranched raceme, appearing before leaves; perianth whitish to light greenish brown with greenish keels to segments; Aug.–Apr. Fruit an apically acuminate capsule. Sparse or dense grasslands.

VreDm AcGr DrGr KarSh Zastr

zebrina L.Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, rosettes sometimes solitary or usually suckering to form groups. Leaves with blade narrowly ovate, 150–350 mm long, usually with dried twisted

ASPHODELACEAE

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apex; margins with stout, pungent, red-brown teeth, dull green, sometimes rich brown in dry conditions, with transverse bands of conspicuous, whitish, oblong spots on upper surface, usually obscurely or copiously spotted on lower surface. Flowers: inflorescence branched at ± middle or above, 0.75–2.00 m high, branches ascending, with narrowly cylindrical-acuminate, dense to very lax racemes; stamens and stigma exserted; perianth 25–35 mm long, dull red to pinkish red or coral-coloured with paler segment margins; Nov.–Apr. Rocky outcrops and grassland. Bontaalwyn (A).

VreDm

Aloiampelos Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. (sthn Afr.: ± 7 spp.)

striatula (Haw.) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. var. striatulaAloe striatula Haw. var. striatula

Succulent, perennial shrub; caulescent. Stems up to 1.75 m long, much branched. Leaves cauline dispersed; blade linear to narrowly ovate, up to 250 mm long, apex acuminate; margins very narrow, cartilaginous, with firm, white, deltoid teeth; semiglossy green, without spots, sheath prominently green-lined. Flowers: inflorescence simple, with cylindric-conic, dense racemes; stamens and stigma well exserted; perianth 40–45 mm long, yellow to slightly orange-tinged; Oct., Nov. Mohalakane, seholobe (SS).

MsGr

Aristaloe Boatwr. & J.C.Manning (sthn Afr.: ± 1 sp.)

aristata (Haw.) Boatwr. & J.C.ManningAloe aristata Haw.

Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, usually suckering to form dense clumps, rosettes 100–150 mm in diameter. Leaves with blade green with several scattered small, white, subtuberculate to spinulescent spots, very narrowly ovate, 80–100 mm long, apex tapering to hair-like awn; margins with soft, white, cartilaginous teeth, soft white spines in 1 or 2 rows at apex of keel. Flowers: inflorescence occasionally simple, usually branched from middle, erect, ± 0.5 m high, with lax racemes; stamens and stigma slightly exserted; perianth ± 40 mm long, red on upper surface, paler below; Nov. Sandy karroid flats and mountain slopes in grassland. Guinea-fowl aloe; tarentaalaalwyn (A); lekhala-le-lenyenyane, lekhalana, sereleli (SS); umathithibala (Z).

DrGr MsGr Zastr

Bulbine Willd. (sthn Afr.: ± 66 spp.)

Key to species:1a Plants with a tuberous base, crowned by a dense ring of erect bristles . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. favosa1b Plants with a rhizomatous base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22a Leaves strap-shaped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. narcissifolia2b Leaves semiterete to terete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33a Leaves spirally twisted; capsule inflated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. angustifolia

ASPHODELACEAE

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3b Leaves not twisted; capsule not inflated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44a Plants caulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. frutescens4b Plants acaulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55a Racemes capitate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. capitata5b Racemes elongated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66a Leaves bluish green; plants with vertically elongated, rhizomatous base . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. lagopus6b Leaves dark green, in dense basal rosette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77a Pedicels erect when barren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. abyssinica7b Pedicels recurved to recurved-recoiled when barren . . . . B. asphodeloides

abyssinica A.Rich.Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, base rhizomatous. Leaves in a basal rosette; blade terete, up to 400 mm long, bright, dark green. Flowers: inflorescences several, erect, sometimes arcuate, raceme lax to very dense; bracts whitish brown or yellow, apex long-acuminate, base auriculate, margins entire; pedicels erect when barren; perianth yellow; Aug.–May. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Widespread in grassland and also drier areas. Bushy bulbine; geelkatstert, wildekopieva (A); moetsa-mollo (SS); intelezi (X); ibuchu (Z). Figure 61.

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

angustifolia Poelln.B. tortifolia I.Verd.

Succulent, perennial, herb; acaulescent, base rhizomatous. Leaves subdistichous to whorled; blade terete, spirally twisted, up to 0.5 m long, dark green. Flowers: inflorescences 1 or 2, erect to slightly curved, raceme dense; bracts whitish brown when dry, apex caudate, base irregularly auriculate, margins entire; pedicels erect when flowering, curved in fruit; perianth yellow; Nov.–Mar. Fruit an inflated capsule. Sand, loam or granite.

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

asphodeloides (L.) Spreng.Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent or almost caulescent, base rhizomatous. Leaves in a basal rosette; blade semiterete, up to 0.57 m long, dark green. Flowers: inflorescences several, erect to curved, raceme lax to slightly compact; bracts white, apex filiform-caudate, base subauriculate, margins deeply divided, hairy towards base; pedicels recurved to recurved-recoiled when barren; perianth yellow; Jan.–Dec. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Grassland, sandy soil. Copiva, spreading bulbine; wildekopieva, balsamkopieva, geelkatstert (A); khomo-ya-ntsuka, moetsa-mollo, pekane (SS); intelezi, itswelemyoka (X); ibhucu, ithethe elimpofu (Z).

AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh

capitata Poelln.B. stenophylla I.Verd.

Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, base rhizomatous, overtopped by persistent leaf-bases. Leaves in a basal rosette; blade, terete, up to 400 mm long, light green. Flowers: inflorescences 1–3, erect to slightly curved, raceme dense, capitate; bracts transparent, white when dry, apex acuminate-caudate, base auriculate, margins entire; perianth yellow; Jul.–Jan. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Grassland or thorn scrub in sandy or stony soil. Narrow-leaved bulbine.

DrGr MsGr

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S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017) 859

Figure 61. Bulbine abyssinica (Asphodelaceae). Artist: M.E. Connell.

ASPHODELACEAE

860 S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017)

favosa (Thunb.) Schult. & Schult.f.B. filifolia BakerB. trichophylla Baker

Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, base tuberous, crowned by a dense ring of erect bristles. Leaves in a basal rosette; blade semiterete, up to 230 mm long, green. Flowers: inflorescences 1–3, erect to slightly curved, racemes lax; bracts white, transparent, apex acuminate-caudate, base truncate, margins entire; pedicels recurved when barren; perianth yellow; Oct.–Feb. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Grassland and rocky areas.

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr Zastr

frutescens (L.) Willd.B. caulescens L.

Succulent, dwarf shrub; caulescent, base rhizomatous. Stems and branches up to 0.7 m long, woody or rosulate. Leaves whorled along stem; mostly terete or subterete, up to 280 mm long, green to glaucous-green. Flowers: inflorescences many, erect or slightly curved, raceme lax to dense; bracts white, apex filiform-caudate, base subauriculate, margins deeply lobed, hairy towards base; pedicels patent to recurved when barren; perianth yellow; Jan.–Dec. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Bushveld, woodland, grassland, rocky slopes. Rankkopieva (A).

DrGr MsGr KarSh

lagopus (Thunb.) N.E.Br.Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, base rhizomatous, vertically elongated. Leaves in a basal rosette; blade semiterete, up to 490 mm long, bluish green. Flowers: inflorescences many, erect to slightly curved, raceme basally lax; bracts narrowly ovate, apex piliferous, base auriculate, margins deeply lobed; pedicels reflexed to revolute when barren; perianth yellow; Aug.–Nov. Fruit with capsule not inflated. S and SW aspects in stony soil.

DrGr MsGr

narcissifolia Salm-DyckSucculent, perennial herb; acaulescent, base rhizomatous. Leaves distichous; strap-shaped, laxly twisted, up to 350 mm long, grey-green. Flowers: inflorescences 1 or 2, erect, raceme dense, compacted; bracts white, membranous, apex caudate, base auriculate, margins entire; pedicels adpressed to rachis when barren; perianth yellow; Feb.–Apr., Sep.–Nov. Fruit with capsule not inflated. Grassland, sandy soil. Strap-leaved bulbine; geelslangkop, wildekopieva (A); khomo-ea-balisa, serelelile (SS).

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

Gonialoe (Baker) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning (sthn Afr.: ± 3 spp.)

variegata (L.) Boatwr. & J.C.ManningAloe variegata L.

Succulent, perennial herb. Plants acaulescent; stoloniferous, forming dense groups. Leaves Gasteria-like; blade narrowly ovate-deltoid, 100–150 mm long; margins white, horny, with closely spaced, small protuberances; keeled, without spines or prickles, distinctly 3-ranked, green or brownish, mottled white. Flowers: inflorescence usually branched, ± 0.3 m high, with conical, lax racemes; stamens not or very shortly exserted, stigma exserted; perianth nodding,

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S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017) 861

35–45 mm long, dull pink to red, rarely yellow; Jul.–Sep. Stony ground, usually in protection of small bushes. Partridge-breasted aloe, variegated aloe; bontaalwyn, kanniedood (A).

KarSh

Haworthia Duval (sthn Afr.: ± 42 spp.)

bolusii Baker var. blackbeardiana (Poelln.) M.B.BayerSucculent, perennial herb; acaulescent, 40–150 mm in diameter, slowly proliferating. Leaves incurved; blade soft, translucent, boat-shaped, bluish green; margins and keel with pale, pliable, bristle-like spines 2 mm long. Flowers: inflorescence simple, robust, erect; perianth bilabiate, curved, < 15 mm long, segments free, greenish white with ± dirty green keels; Oct., Nov. Among low-growing, sparse, mesic vegetation.

KarSh

Haworthiopsis G.D.Rowley (sthn Afr.: ± 18 spp.)

tessellata (Haw.) Boatwr. & J.C.ManningHaworthia venosa (Lam.) Haw. subsp. tessellata (Haw.) M.B.Bayer

Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, 15–70 mm in diameter, freely suckering from stoloniferous roots. Leaves spreading; blade tough, triangular, dark green to grey-green, with many longitudinally tessellately branched veins on upper surface; margins and keel with firm, triangular spines. Flowers: inflorescence simple or sparsely branched, lax, erect; perianth bilabiate, straight, < 15 mm long, segments fused, greenish white with ± dirty green keels; Sep.–Dec. Grassland, sandy soil or rock crevices.

KarSh Zastr

Kniphofia Moench (sthn Afr.: 49 spp.)

Key to species:1a Perianth up to 10 mm long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21b Perianth > 10 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42a Flowers pendulous when mature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .K. breviflora2b Flowers ascending to spreading when mature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33a Buds greenish white to orange-yellow tipped with red; perianth whitish to

yellow, non-fragrant; leaves mesophytic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .K. multiflora3b Buds dark brown; perianth brown to purplish brown, fragrant; leaves succu-

lent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. typhoides4a Leaves with blade narrow, grass-like, < 5 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54b Leaves with blade > 5 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65a Perianth white or tinged with reddish brown towards base. . . . . . . K. thodei5b Perianth concolorous, coral-red, orange-red or salmon-red to yellow-orange

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. triangularis subsp. triangularis6a Margins and keel always entire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76b Margins and keel usually serrulate to sparsely toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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862 S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017)

7a Perianth 42–50 mm long; leaf blade 8–25 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . K. fluviatilis7b Perianth 30–40(–42) mm long; leaf blade 6–14 mm wide K. porphyrantha8a Plants usually caulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. caulescens8b Plants acaulescent or occasionally shortly caulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99a Plants occasionally shortly caulescent; buds purplish orange; perianth pale

yellow-green or tinged with orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. albomontana9b Plants acaulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1010a Perianth 15–21 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1110b Perianth > 25 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1211a Flowering time Oct.–Dec.; perianth white to greenish white . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. ensifolia subsp. ensifolia11b Flowering time Feb., Mar.; perianth whitish to yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. ensifolia subsp. autumnalis12a Inflorescence overtopping reflexed leaves, 0.8–1.5 m high . . . . . .K. linearifolia12b Inflorescence subequal to or shorter than leaves, 0.4–0.8 m high . . . K. ritualis

albomontana BaijnathPerennial herb; acaulescent or occasionally shortly caulescent. Stems 1–4, up to 0.25 m long. Leaves recurved; blade stiff, 0.6–1.0 m × 22–45 mm, V-shaped in cross section; margins and keel finely serrulate. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.8–1.2 m high, raceme ovoid, dense; perianth 18–22 mm long, purplish orange and spreading in bud, pale yellow-green or tinged with orange and pendulous when mature; Nov.–Feb. Mountain grassland, seepage areas.

MsGr

breviflora Harv. ex BakerPerennial herb; caulescent. Stem single, short. Leaves first ascending, later recurving, narrow, grass-like, 400–700 × 2.5–6 mm, triangular in cross section; margins and keel entire. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.4–0.8 m high, racemes ovoid to oblong, basally medium-lax, apically dense; perianth 7–11 mm long, yellow-green, often tinged red and erect to spreading in bud, whitish to yellow and spreading to pendulous when mature; Jan.–Mar. Mountain grassland, hillsides, vleis. Leloele (SS).

MsGr

caulescens BakerPerennial herb; caulescent. Stems several, simple or sparsely branched, up to 0.6 m long. Leaves with blade erect or recurved towards apex, 450–700 × 25–50 mm, V-shaped in cross section; margins and keel distinctly finely serrulate. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping or subequal to leaves, 0.3–0.6 m high, raceme oblong to cylindrical, very dense; perianth 22–24 mm long, coral-pink to flame-coloured and spreading in bud, pale greenish yellow to creamy yellow and spreading to pendulous when mature; Jan.–Mar. Mountain grassland, marshy places, seepage areas. Lesotho red-hot poker; basoetovuurpyl (A); leloele-la-loti, leloele-lenyenyane (SS); icacane, umathunga (Z).

DrGr MsGr Zastr

ensifolia Baker subsp. autumnalis CoddPerennial herb; acaulescent, occasionally shortly caulescent. Stems several, short. Leaves erect, recurved toward apex, 0.5–1.2 m × 15–45 mm, V-shaped in cross section; margins and keel usually conspicuously serrulate, rarely smooth. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.6–1.8 m high, raceme cylindrical, very dense; perianth 15–21 mm long, greenish white, red tinged or dull to flame red and spreading in bud, whitish to yellow with green stripe

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down each lobe and spreading to pendulous when mature; Feb., Mar. Black clay soil along streambanks, low-lying areas in grassland.

DrGr MsGr

ensifolia Baker subsp. ensifoliaPerennial herb; acaulescent, occasionally shortly caulescent. Stems several, short. Leaves erect, recurved toward apex, 0.5–1.2 m × 15–45 mm, V-shaped in cross section; margins and keel usually conspicuously serrulate, rarely smooth. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.6–1.8 m high, with cylindrical, very dense racemes; perianth greenish white, sometimes red-tinged or dull to flame red and spreading in bud, white to greenish white with green stripe down each lobe and spreading to pendulous when mature, 15–21 mm long; Oct.–Dec. Black clay soil in marshy places, vleis and streambanks.

DrGr KarSh

fluviatilis CoddPerennial herb; caulescent. Stems several, short. Leaves erect, firm, 350–700 × 8–25 mm, V-shaped in cross section; margins and keel entire. Flowers: inflorescence usually overtopping leaves, 0.45–0.65 m high, raceme ovoid to subglobose, dense; perianth 42–50 mm long, flame to orange-red and deflexed in bud, apricot-yellow to greenish yellow and pendulous when mature; Nov., Dec. Mountain grassland, streambanks. River poker.

MsGr

linearifolia BakerPerennial herb; acaulescent, occasionally shortly caulescent. Stems several to many, short. Leaves first erect, later recurved, rigid to flaccid, 0.6–1.4 m × 12–28 mm, strongly keeled; margins and keel serrulate to sparsely toothed, occasionally smooth. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping reflexed leaves, 0.8–1.5 m high, with ovoid or oblong to rhomboid, dense racemes; perianth pinkish red to green, tinged with dull red and erect to spreading in bud, yellow-orange to yellow-green or greenish and pendulous when mature, 25–35 mm long; Jan.–Apr. Streambanks, marshy places and mountain grassland. Common marsh poker; vuurpyl (A); icacane, umathunga (Z).

MsGr Zastr

multiflora J.M.Wood & M.S.EvansPerennial herb; caulescent. Stems usually several, short. Leaves erect, later recurved, 0.8–1.8 m × 20–40 mm, deeply keeled; margins and keel serrulate. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping reflexed leaves, 0.8–2.0 m high, racemes slender, elongate, subdense; perianth 7–12 mm long, greenish white to orange-yellow tipped with red and ascending in bud, whitish to yellow and ascending when mature; Feb.–Apr. Mountain marshes, vleis and streambanks.

MsGr

porphyrantha BakerPerennial herb; caulescent. Stems usually many, short. Leaves first erect, later recurved, 300–450 × 6–14 mm, keeled; margins and keel smooth. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.4–0.6 m high, racemes subglobose to shortly cylindrical, dense; perianth 30–42 mm long, flame-orange, tipped with yellow and spreading in bud, lemon-yellow and pendulous when

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864 S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017)

mature; Oct.–Feb. Mountain grassland, grassy vleis. Dwarf red-hot poker; hoëveldvuurpyl (A); leloele (SS); icacane, umathunga (Z).

MsGr

ritualis CoddPerennial herb; acaulescent, occasionally shortly caulescent. Stems solitary to few, short. Leaves first erect, later recurved to semispreading, soft; 400–900 × 12–24 mm, deeply keeled; margins and keel conspicuously and regularly serrulate. Flowers: inflorescence subequal to or shorter than leaves, 0.4–0.8 m high, racemes rhomboid-cylindrical to ovoid, basally dense, apically laxer; perianth 25–30 mm long, coral or salmon-coloured to dull orange-red and spreading to pendulous in bud, greenish yellow and pendulous when mature; Jan.–Mar. Shallow soil in rock crevices, dry watercourses and on grassy slopes. Ritual poker; leloele-la-Lesotho, lelutla (SS).

DrGr MsGr

thodei BakerPerennial herb; caulescent. Stem usually single, short. Leaves first erect, later recurved, soft, 250–500 × 2–5 mm wide, keeled; margins and keel smooth to finely serrulate, especially toward apex. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.3–0.5 m high, with subglobose to ovoid, dense racemes; perianth 20–35 mm long, dull red to reddish brown, often white-tipped and spreading to pendulous in bud, white or tinged with reddish brown towards base and pendulous when mature; Nov.–Mar. Moist places in mountain grassland. Thode’s poker; leloele (SS).

MsGr

triangularis Kunth subsp. triangularisPerennial herb; caulescent. Stem solitary to several, short. Leaves erect, recurved at middle; blade triangular in cross-section, 280–600 × 1.5–3.0 mm; margins and keel entire to serrulate. Flowers: inflorescence subequal to leaves, 0.3–0.6 m high, racemes subcylindrical to ovoid, dense; perianth 24–35 mm long, concolorous, coral-red, orange-red or salmon-red to yellow-orange, pendulous in bud and when mature; Jan.–Apr. Mountain grassland. Mandarin poker; leloele-le-lenyenyane, motosi, qaloe (SS).

MsGr

typhoides CoddPerennial herb; caulescent. Stem solitary to several, short. Leaves ± distichous, succulent, ascending, firm; blade tending to be spirally twisted, 350–650 × 8–25 mm, keeled; margins and keel entire. Flowers: inflorescence overtopping leaves, 0.50–0.75 m high, racemes cylindrical, very dense; perianth 4.5–6.5 mm long, dark brown and erect in bud, brown to purplish brown and ascending to spreading when mature; Feb., Mar. Black clay soil. Bulrush poker.

VreDm DrGr MsGr

Trachyandra Kunth (sthn Afr.: 49 spp.)

Key to species:

[partially based on Obermeyer: 717 (1962)]

1a Inflorescence simple or with 1 or 2 ascending branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21b Inflorescence divaricately branched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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2a Inflorescence simple, sometimes with 1 or 2 ascending branches; leaves somewhat distichous; roots red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. erythrorrhiza

2b Inflorescence always simple; leaves tufted or in a basal rosette; roots not red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3a Scape erect, densely reflexipilose, especially when immature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. reflexipilosa

3b Scape arcuate near base, protruding outside leaf rosette, glabrous . . . . . . 44a Pedicels recurved in fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. saltii var. secunda4b Pedicels erect in fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55a Pedicels ± 10 mm long in fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. saltii var. saltii5b Pedicels ± 20–30 mm long in fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. saltii var. oatesii6a Plants with short, woody stem, with persistent, reticulate fibres of old leaf

bases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. burkei6b Plants acaulescent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77a Leaves often sticky; fruit a glabrous capsule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87b Leaves nearly glabrous or minutely glandular pubescent; fruit covered with

short, gland-tipped tubercles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98a Lowest branches of inflorescence not trichotomous, but alternate; scape not

clavate at apex; plants rather slender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. laxa var. laxa8b Lowest 3 branches of inflorescence trichotomous; scape clavate at apex;

plants sturdy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. laxa var. rigida9a Fruit densely and evenly covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles; leaves

flat and keeled or triquetrous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109b Fruit sparsely covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles; leaves terete . . .1110a Pedicels scabrid, twisted in fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. asperata var. asperata10b Pedicels glabrous, erecto-patent in fruit . . . .T. asperata var. nataglencoensis11a Pedicels twisted in fruit, up to 7 mm long . . . . . . .T. asperata var. basutoensis11b Pedicels erect in fruit, up to 15 mm long . . . . . . . . . T. asperata var. macowanii

asperata Kunth var. asperataPerennial herb, 0.15–0.25 m high; acaulescent. Leaves with persistent fibres of old leaf bases; blade linear or triquetrous, straight or twisted, 200–250 × 1–5 mm, glabrous or minutely glandular pubescent. Flowers: in a divaricately branched raceme; pedicels scabrid, contorted in fruit, up to 12 mm long; perianth white or pink with darker keel; Sep.–Dec. Fruit densely covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles. Marshy areas or stony soil in grassland. Wildeknoflok (A); leloelenyana-la-lilomo, motoropo (SS); unjwazi (Z).

DrGr MsGr

asperata Kunth var. basutoensis (Poelln.) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.26–0.60 m high; acaulescent. Leaves with persistent fibres of old leaf bases; blade terete, grass-like, 200–300 × 1–5 mm, nearly glabrous. Flowers: in a divaricately branched raceme; pedicels contorted in fruit, up to 7 mm long; perianth white or pink with darker keel; Sep.–Dec. Fruit sparsely covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles. Mountain grassland.

DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

asperata Kunth var. macowanii (Baker) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.20–0.45 m high; acaulescent. Leaves with persistent fibres of old leaf bases; blade terete, grass-like, 200–300 × 1–5 mm, nearly glabrous. Flowers: in a divaricately branched raceme; pedicels erect in fruit, up to 15 mm long; perianth white or pink with darker keel; Sep.–Dec. Fruit sparsely covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles. Mountain grassland.

DrGr MsGr KarSh

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866 S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017)

asperata Kunth var. nataglencoensis (Kuntze) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.3–2.2 m high; acaulescent. Leaves with persistent fibres of old leaf bases; blade linear or triquetrous, 200–400 × 1–5 mm, glabrous or minutely glandular pubescent. Flowers: in a divaricately branched raceme, with ascending branches; pedicels glabrescent, erect to erecto-patent in fruit, up to 15 mm long; perianth white or pink with darker keel; Sep.–Dec. Fruit densely covered with short, gland-tipped tubercles. Marshy areas or stony soil in grassland.

DrGr MsGr

burkei (Baker) Oberm.Anthericum burkei Baker

Perennial herb, 0.3–1.2 m high; caulescent; stems short, woody, with persistent, reticulate fibres of old leaf bases. Leaves grass-like; blade semiterete, up to 400 mm long, ± 2 mm wide. Flowers: in a divaricately branched raceme, up to 300 mm high; scape arcuate at base, glabrous; pedicels patent, up to 15 mm long; perianth white with 2 dark spots at base of lobes; Sep.–Mar. Fruit glabrous. Sandveld.

AcGr

erythrorrhiza (Conrath) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.45–0.80 m high; acaulescent, with red roots. Leaves somewhat distichous; blade linear, erect often with twist, up to 400 mm long, ± 6 mm wide, shortly and sparsely pubescent, striate. Flowers: inflorescence simple or with 1 or 2 ascending branches, up to 0.8 m high; pedicels patent-erect in fruit, up to 18 mm long; perianth white with yellow spots; Oct. Fruit covered with short glandular tubercles. Black turf marshes.

VreDm

laxa (N.E.Br.) Oberm. var. laxaPerennial herb, 0.25–0.80 m high; acaulescent, slender. Leaves terete, up to 400 mm long, ± 3 mm wide, often sticky. Flowers: in a divaricate, much-branched raceme, branches alternate; scape not clavate at apex; pedicels erect in fruit, up to 6 mm long; perianth white with darker keel, recurved; Feb.–Apr. Fruit glabrous. Grassland, sandveld. Rolbossie, tolbossie, sand-ui (A).

VreDm

laxa (N.E.Br.) Oberm. var. rigida (Suess.) RoesslerT. laxa (N.E.Br.) Oberm. var. erratica (Oberm.) Oberm.

Perennial herb, 0.4–1.2 m high; acaulescent, sturdy. Leaves with blade terete, up to 400 mm long, ± 3 mm wide, often sticky. Flowers: in a divaricate, much-branched raceme, 3 lowest branches trichotomous; scape clavate at apex; pedicels erect in fruit, up to 6 mm long; perianth white with darker keel, recurved; Feb.–Apr. Fruit glabrous. Grassland, sandveld. Rolbossie, tolbossie, sandui (A).

AcGr DrGr

reflexipilosa (Kuntze) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.25–0.80 m high; acaulescent. Leaves grass-like; blade linear, up to 450 mm long, ± 8 mm wide, glabrous on upper surface, evenly setose and ribbed on lower surface.

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S T R E L I T Z I A 38 (2017) 867

Flowers: inflorescence a simple raceme, up to 1 m high; scape erect, densely reflexipilose, especially when immature; pedicels spreading in fruit, up to 25 mm long; perianth white with darker keel; Oct.–Mar. Fruit glabrous. Moist grassland, swamps or black turf.

MsGr

saltii (Baker) Oberm. var. oatesii (Baker) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.1–0.5 m high; acaulescent. Leaves grass-like; blade linear, up to 500 mm long, glabrous or pubescent. Flowers: inflorescence a simple raceme, up to 400 × 1–25 mm; scape arcuate near base, protruding outside leaf rosette, glabrous; pedicels erect in fruit, ± 20–30 mm long; perianth white with darker keel; Nov.–Mar. Fruit glabrous. Grassland.

AcGr KarSh

saltii (Baker) Oberm. var. saltiiPerennial herb; acaulescent. Leaves grass-like; blade linear, up to 500 mm long, glabrous or pubescent. Flowers: inflorescence a simple raceme, up to 400 × 1–25 mm; scape arcuate near base, protruding outside leaf rosette, glabrous; pedicels erect in fruit, ± 10 mm long; perianth white with darker keel; Nov.–Mar. Fruit glabrous. Grassland.

VreDm AcGr DrGr MsGr KarSh Zastr

saltii (Baker) Oberm. var. secunda (K.Krause & Dinter) Oberm.Perennial herb, 0.27–0.60 m high; acaulescent. Leaves grass-like; blade linear, up to 500 mm long, glabrous or pubescent. Flowers: inflorescence a simple raceme, up to 400 × 1–25 mm; scape arcuate near base, protruding outside leaf rosette, glabrous; pedicels recurved in fruit, ± 15 mm long; perianth white with darker keel; Nov.–Mar. Fruit glabrous. Grassland.

DrGr

ReferencesGRACE, O.M., KLOPPER, R.R., SMITH, G.F., CROUCH, N.R., FIGUEIREDO, E.,

RØNSTED, N. & VAN WYK, A.E. 2013. A revised generic classification for Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae). Phytotaxa 76: 7–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.76.1.2

MANNING, J.C., BOATWRIGHT, J.S., DARU, B.G., MAURIN, O. & VAN DER BANK, M. 2014. A molecular phylogeny and generic classification of Asphodelaceae subfamily Alooideae: a final resolution of the prickly issue of polyphyly in the alooids? Systematic Botany 39: 55–74.

OBERMEYER, A.A. 1962. A revision of the South African species of Anthericum, Chlorophytum and Trachyandra. Bothalia 7: 669–767.

ROWLEY, G.D. 2013. Generic concepts in the Alooideae 3: the phylogenetic story. Alsterworthia International, special issue 10: 1–7.

ASPHODELACEAE