Acanthostelma, a New Genus of Acanthaceae from Somalia

Abstract

In the course of a survey of the genus Neuracanthus Nees our attention has focused on the endemic Somalian species N. thymifolius Chiov. Until the last decade only two specimens of this species were found in the Kew herbarium, and both had been identified as 'Barleria sp.'. In the last few years several new collections have been made, and have been correctly identified by Mr J. B. Gillett in Nairobi as N. thymifolius. The general aspect of this species is quite unlike that of other species of Neuracanthus, and close examination reveals numerous characters to distinguish it at generic level.