𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰 (Rutaceae: Diosmeae) - a new species endemic to the Kamdebooberge, Sneeuberg Massif (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

Abstract

𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 Bartl. & H.L. Wendl. (Rutaceae: Diosmeae) is a genus of 33 aromatic shrub species, which—with the exception of at least three species—is endemic to the Core of the Greater Cape Floristic Region and contributes to the exceptional richness of the Core of the Greater Cape Floristic Region, which is also part of a biodiversity hotspot. We describe the 34th known species, A. 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰 V.R. Clark & J.D. Vidal—a narrow endemic confined to the Kamdebooberge (Camdeboo Mountains) in the south-western Sneeuberg massif, near Aberdeen (Eastern Cape, South Africa). Morphologically, it is closest to A. sheilae I. Williams, but differs by the smaller, obovate-lanceolate leaves; alternate phyllotaxy; adpressed to patent leaf insertion; shorter sepals and bracts; and a rounded apical anther gland. Also, 𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰 occurs primarily on Karoo Supergroup dolerites—rather than on Cape Supergroup sandstones. 𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰 contributes to a local node of endemism in the western Sneeuberg—including the other, highly localised Kamdebooberge endemic Faurea recondita Rourke & V.R. Clark—and is the only 𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 found north of the Great Karoo, on the Great Escarpment. 𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰 is the second Eastern Cape endemic in the genus—both being in summer/bimodal autumn–spring climates—out of three species recorded in the province. The Kamdebooberge deserves further botanical exploration and may contain further novelties.