Ornithogalum adamii, a new dwarf species from the Tanqua Karoo, Western Cape and the new combinations O. humanii and Albuca crispolanata (Hyacinthaceae: Ornithogaloideae)

Abstract

Ornithogalum adamii J.C.Manning is a new dwarf hysteranthous-leaved species from the southern Tanqua Karoo of Western Cape, South Africa. It is distinguished by leathery black outer bulb tunics, 1 or 2 leaves with narrowly oblong-elliptic blades with thickened cartilaginous margins, and a few-flowered sub-corymbose raceme of small flowers with tepals 4–6 mm long and dimorphic, unequal stamens. It is morphologically most similar to the other dwarf species in ser. Nanaspasia (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt of section Linaspasia U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies. The new combination O. humanii (Mart.-Azorín et al.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt is provided for the species described as Eliokarmos humanii Mart.-Azorín et al., and Trimelopter crispolanatum Mart.-Azorín et al. is transferred to the genus Albuca L. as A. crispolanata (Mart.-Azorín et al.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt.