A new species of Maytenus (Celastraceae) from southern Natal

Abstract

Maytenus abbottii Van Wyk, a rare shrub or small tree endemic to the Table Mountain Sandstone area of southern Natal, is described. It is a remarkable species combining several features either absent from or rare in the other southern African species of Maytenus Molina. The taxonomic affinities of M. abbottii are obscure but they may lie with M. acuminata (L.f.) Loes. and allies. Diagnostic characters include: leaf and bark with elastic threads shown on breaking; abbreviated axillary racemes densely set with imbricate bracts; tetramerous flowers; stamens incurved apically and fused at the base; style relatively long and slender with a peltate stigma; ovary almost entirely immersed in, and adnate to, the disc (hypanthium?); seeds with postchalazal vascular bundles and a white puberulent aril. Maytenus abbottii Van Wyk, ’n seldsame struik of kleinerige boom endemies in die Tafelbergsandsteengebied van Suid-Natal word beskryf. Dit is ’n merkwaardige spesie wat verskeie kenmerke besit wat afwesig of seldsaam by ander Maytenus Molina-spesies in suidelike Afrika is. Die taksonomiese affiniteite van M. abbottii is onduidelik, maar dit mag moontlik met M. acuminata (L.f.) Loes. en verwante spesies wees. Diagnostiese kenmerke sluit in: elastiese drade sigbaar wanneer die blare of bas gebreek word; verkorte okselstandige raseme dig beklee met hipsofille; tetrameriese blomme; meeldrade wat apikaal na binne buig en aan die basis vergroei is; styl relatief lank en dun met ’n skildvormige Stempel; vrugbeginsel bykans ten volle in die skyf (hipantium?) ingesink en daarmee vergroei; saad met na-chalasale vaatbondels en ’n wit arillus wat met fyn haartjies bedek is.