A new species of Merxmuellera (Arundineae, Poaceae) from South Africa

Abstract

Merxmuellera setacea N.P. Barker from the south-western Cape. South Africa, is formally described. Descriptions of the morphology and leaf anatomy, in transectional and surface view, as observed under the light- and scanning electron microscope are given. Comparisons between this taxon and other southern African arundinoid species are made on the basis of morphological and anatomical observations. While the morphology of M setacea is in keeping with the generic limits of Merxmuellera Conert. the leaf blade anatomy appears to be intermediate between Merxmuellera, Pentameris Beauv. and  Pentaschistis (Nees) Spach.