A New Genus and Some New Species of Compositae from East Tropical Africa

Abstract

Summary. The new genus Mtonia (Compositae: Astereae) is described and illustrated, based on a single new species, M. glandulijera, from Tanzania. Affinities are with Grauanthus and Nidorella. In the Astereae, the new species Felicia flava is described, and in the Inuleae the new species Inula rungwensis and Sphaeranthus samburuensis. While I was preparing an account of the Astereae and Inuleae for the Flora of Tropical East Africa the following taxa came to light. This genus is closest to Grauanthus, but plants strongly resemble Nidorella microcephala, and that is where the material was hidden. The lack of pappus (as well as the larger number of inner florets) serves to distinguish the two, but the genus Mtonia obviously forms a link between Grauanthus and Nidorella. Differences with Grauanlhus consist of the presence/absence of small rays to the outer florets. Mtonia Been?je gen. nov. herba annua foliis alternis glandulosis, capitulis heterogamis, acheniis pilosis pappi destitutis, Grauantho Fayed affine, a quo flosculis femineis ligulatis differt. Typus: Mtonia glandulifera Beentje. Annual herbs, the whole plant densely glandular. Leaves alternate, entire. Capitula terminal, laxly corymbose, heterogamous but seemingly disciform; phyllaries 2 - 3seriate, subequal; receptacle convex or toroid, minutely toothed. Outer florets in 1 2 series, female, narrowly cylindric, with a small hooded erect ray and shortly bifid, hardly exserted style; inner florets many, hermaphrodite, 5-lobed, the anthers obtuse at base and with a small triangular terminal appendage, the style briefly bifid with short parallel arms ending in slightly widened triangular appendages. Achenes compressed, pilose; pappus represented by a minutely dentate ring. Monotypic. The generic name derives from the Swahili "mto-ni", at the river.