Synopsis of the Continental African Species of Fernandoa (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract

were obviously different from F. magnifica, the only species previously recorded from eastern Africa. These collections differ from F. magnifica most notably in inflorescence structure, calyx shape, and length of anther-thecae. Their ecology is also quite different from that of F. magnifica. All collections are from medium altitude dry forest and bushland on rocky hills in the southern part of the SomaliaMasai Regional Centre of Endemism (White 1983: 112) and in very similar Zambesian vegetation in S Malawi. F. magnifica occurs only in lowland forest and thicket in the Zanzibar-Inhambane Regional Mosaic (White 1983: 187). Comparison of these collections with F. magnifica and with the other African species of the genus has convinced the author that they represent a distinct species which is described below as F. abbreviata. During the course of this work it also became clear that F. magnifica var. lutea differs sufficiently from F. magnifica to be recognised at species level, and it is described fully here. A key to and synopsis of all the continental African species is provided. Pollen morphological studies (Harley & Banks 1994) lend support to the taxonomic changes proposed here. The pollen ofF. abbreviata is differently shaped and smaller than the pollen of F. magnifica. The pollen of F. lutea is smaller than that of F. abbreviata and has thicker walls than either of the other two. Outside continental Africa Fernandoa also occurs on Madagascar, but a treatment of the Madagascan species is outside the scope of this paper. Only a section of the examined collections is cited in this paper. A complete list of all material studied in connection with the preparation of this paper is available on request from the author or from the Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.