Synopsis of the genus Chlorophytum (Asparagaceae) in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi)

Abstract

Background and aims - The genus Chlorophytum is revised for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, in order to prepare the treatment of the genus for the Flore d'Afrique Centrale. Methods - Herbarium taxonomy and SE micrographs of seeds. All the material kept in BR, BRLU, BRVU, FT, K, B and KIP has been examined, supplemented with recent field observations in S Katanga. Nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers have been used to clarify the taxonomic position of some species. Key results - A total of 65 taxa (D.R.Congo: 62, Burundi: 19, Rwanda: 8) are reported for the study area, i.e. fifty species, two subspecies, twelve varieties and one form. A total of 27 taxa are new to the D.R.Congo, five to Burundi and two to Rwanda. Three taxa are endemic to the D.R.Congo. Three new varieties are described (Chlorophytum africanum var. nordalianum, C. colubrinum var. upembense, C. cameronii var. ruziziense). Twelve new combinations, 16 new synonyms and one new name (Chlorophytum sphagnicolum) are proposed. An identification key is included. SEM pictures of seeds are included for fifteen taxa and colour photographs of living plants for fourteen taxa. A brief phytogeographic outline is provided. Upper Katanga, with 47 taxa, appears as a prominent center of diversity of the genus. © 2012 National Botanic Garden of Belgium and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium.