FSA contributions 19 : Asteraceae : Anthemideae : Eumorphia

A total of seven Eumorphia taxa were studied from herbarium specimens housed in PRE. In each species, morphological characters were investigated. The length of the corolla, length and width of the involucre, length of the style and ovary, number of ray florets, where possible, and length of cypselae were measured with the aid of a Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom® Series microscope. Two cypselae in each taxon, except in the case of E. swaziensis and E. corymbosa, were examined by means of a scanning electron microscope (JSM-840, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan). Anthers were studied under a dissecting and light microscope and photographs were taken with a digital camera (Canon Powershot S80 Digital Camera) mounted on the light microscope (Olympus Vanox-S). Type specimens seen on the website are distinguished by the code e! in citations below. Acronyms for herbaria are listed in Holmgren et al. (1990) and in Smith & Willis (1999).


INTRODUCTION
The genus Eumorphia DC. belongs to the tribe Anthemideae in the subfamily Asteroideae of the family Asteraceae.It consists of six species and two subspecies (Hilliard & Burtt 1982), which are endemic to southern Africa.It occurs widely in southern Africa in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Western and Eastern Cape (Herman et al. 2003).

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of seven Eumorphia taxa were studied from herbarium specimens housed in PRE.In each species, morphological characters were investigated.The length of the corolla, length and width of the involucre, length of the style and ovary, number of ray florets, where possible, and length of cypselae were measured with the aid of a Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom® Series microscope.Two cypselae in each taxon, except in the case of E. swaziensis and E. corymbosa, were examined by means of a scanning electron microscope (JSM-840, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan).Anthers were studied under a dissecting and light microscope and photographs were taken with a digital camera (Canon Powershot S80 Digital Camera) mounted on the light microscope (Olympus Vanox-S).Type specimens seen on the website are distinguished by the code e! in citations below.Acronyms for herbaria are listed in Holmgren et al. (1990) and in Smith & Willis (1999).
Etymology: the generic name Eumorphia is derived from the Greek words, eu-meaning well and morphe meaning form; referring to the neatness of the foliage (Jackson 1990: 91).
Distribution and habitat: Eumorphia dregeana occurs in the southeastern Free State and the northwestern Eastern Cape, at 1 311-1 980 m (Figure 2).According to specimens in the National Herbarium, E. dregeana grows in False Mountain Renosterveld (Karoo Escarpment Grassland), on sandy slopes and in vleis.
Note: although close to E. prostrata, it has paleate receptacles.Green bush because of its thinner indumentum on leaves, more robust, hence its name, pappus scales forming a corona on cypsela.Flowering time: Dec.-May.