Notes on the genus Cussonia in South Africa

Abstract

Information gathered during studies of the genus Cussonia under field conditions is presented. The development of the inflorescences, and branch and leaf initiation, is given special attention. The subdivision of the genus  Cussonia is discussed and the following new subgeneric taxa are created: Subgenus  Cussonia (type species: C.  spicata  Thunb.) with two sections: Sect.  Cussonia and Sect. Capitata  Strey; Subgenus  Paniculata  Strey (type species: C.  paniculata Eckl. & Zeyh.); Subgenus Protocussonia  (type species: C.  natalensis Sond.). It is pointed out that the names C. kraussii Hochst. and C.  chartacea Schinz have been misapplied to two undescribed species, and are synonyms of C. spicata Thunb. and  Schefflera umbellifera  (Sond.) Baill., respectively. Four new species are described viz. C. arenicola Strey, C. zuluensis Strey, C. nicholsonii Strey and C. sphaerocephala Strey.