Abstract
A new species of Psoralea is described. Psoralea karooensis C.H. Stirt., Muasya & Vlok is endemic to mountain streams in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The new species is characterised by its flexuose habit of many stiff bare stems with the seasonal shoots arising apically in clusters and its greenish cream flowers borne at the apex of 10–12 mm long peduncles each ending in a trifid cupulum.
Highlights
Psoralea L. comprises ± 70 species of mostly shrubs which are widespread in the winter rainfall area of South Africa and extend into Afromontane regions (Stirton 2005)
Psoralea karooensis is characterised by its small (< 13 mm long) greenish cream flowers with a small (< 1.0 mm long) trifid cupulum at the apex of a 10–12 mm long peduncle, standard with single purple flash nectar patch and purplish veins, 1-foliolate leaves, erect multi-branching short seasonal flowering shoots, and flexuose habit of many stiff bare stems with the seasonal shoots arising apically in clusters
The resprouter Psoralea glaucescens differs in its densely branched mounded habit, grey puckered stems, 3–5-foliolate irregularly sized leaves, greenish yellow flowers, with violet veining and nectar flash, borne 1–5 per axil, and purplish calyces
Summary
Psoralea karooensis (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae): a new species from the Klein Karoo region of South Africa. Academic editor: Patrick Herendeen | Received 11 July 2012 | Accepted 29 August 2012 | Published 12 September 2012 Citation: Stirton CH, Muasya AM, Vlok J (2012) Psoralea karooensis (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae): a new species from the Klein Karoo region of South Africa.
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