A new species of Berkheya (Asteraceae, Arctotideae) from the Northern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Berkheya is a large, mainly southern African genus of approximately 75 species, several of which are poorly known and under-collected. Since revision in 1959, only a few new species have been described. Publication of new taxa facilitates conservation objectives and contributes to a better understanding of the southern African flora.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe a new species of Berkheya, consider its taxonomic position within the genus and assess its conservation status.

Methods: Macromorphology and micromorphology of the new species were compared with known species.

Results: Berkheya dumicola N.G.Bergh & Helme was described from two subpopulations from the northern Bokkeveld escarpment, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The species is a tall shrub with radiate flowerheads, toothed receptacle alveole margins, a uniseriate pappus of small, rounded scales and very short twin-hairs on the cypsela.

Conclusion: Berkheya dumicola is a new species with a unique combination of features. Based on morphological characteristics, its closest relative within the genus is likely to be the recently describedBerkheya chrysanthemoides J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. The limited geographic extent and small population size of B. dumicola warrant an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of ‘Endangered’.