East African Herbarium Research Articles

An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Taita Hills, Eastern Arc Mountain.

Taita Hills forests are an ecological island within the Tsavo plains and are the northern-most part of the Eastern Arc Mountains in southeast Kenya. They are highly fragmented forests embedded in a mosaic of human settlements and farms on the slopes and hilltops. Despite their intensive degradation, they exhibit a high degree of plant diversity and endemism, and therefore are regarded as a biodiversity hotspot. In spite of their distinct importance to the biodiversity of the region as well as supporting the livelihoods of the surrounding communities, floristic studies in these hills have been finite. Through repetitive floral expeditions, herbarium records from the East African Herbarium (EA), Global Biodiversity Information (GBIF), and the Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigbio) databases, as well as plant lists from literature and monographs, we provide a comprehensive checklist of 1594 taxa representing 159 families, 709 genera, 1530 species, 39 subspecies, 27 varieties, and 2 hybrids. Out of these, 75 are endemic or near-endemic, 59 are exotic, and 83 are listed as either endangered or near endangered as evaluated in the IUCN Redlist. Zehneriatuberifera G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang, a new species to science, which has previously been described, was also discovered from the Ngangao forest fragment. Information on the habit(s), habitat(s), and altitudinal range of each taxon is provided in this study. This checklist is an updated inventory of the vascular plants of the Taita Hills. It confirms the high plant diversity of the hills and provides a clear baseline for strategic conservation and sustainable management of plant resources and diversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Development of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Fingerprints for Warburgia Ugandensis Herbal Materials

Warbugia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) is among the 10 most utilised medicinal plants in East Africa. Stem bark and leaves are used as remedies for malaria, stomachache, coughs and skin diseases. Consequently, the plant is endangered because of uncontrolled harvest and lack of domestication. There is therefore fear of poor quality commercialised products due to lack of evaluation mechanisms. This study explored the chemical profiles that could be used to confirm its authenticity and purity. W. ugandensis used as reference during method development was harvested from Kenyatta University Medicinal Plant Research Garden (KUMPRG). Six other samples were obtained from different geographical locations in Kenya. The samples were identified by a botanist and a voucher specimen (MO/002- 008/2013) deposited in the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Samples were harvested and processed by World Health Organization (WHO) recommended methods. Chromatographic profiles of the leaf and stem bark were established based on parameters arrived at iteratively. The study characterised over 100 compounds in the leaf and stem bark. Based on area percent and known medicinal value, 22 compounds from the leaf and 38 from the stem bark were selected as major chemical profiles. The compounds in the stem bark included gamma-sitosterol (1.0%–2.5%), squalene (0.2%–4.6%), isolongifolene (1.2%–2.8%), phenol 2-methoxy (0.8%–1.8%) and nerolidol (0.3%–1.5%). Those in the leaf included nerolidol 2 (0.3%–1.1%), phytol (0.6%–1.7%), 2-methoxy phenol (0.2%– 2.2%), gamma-tocopherol (0.2%–0.9%), vitamin E (0.4%–1.5%) and gamma-sitosterol (1.8%–4.9%). Most of these compounds were characterised in W. ugandensis for the first time. The profiles therefore can form fingerprints for use to evaluate its quality, purity and authenticity.

Annotated Checklist of the Plants of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Coastal Kenya

A total of 605 vascular plant species, including flowering plants, gymnosperms and ferns, are included in this annotated checklist for Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve in Kilifi County in the Coast Region of Kenya. Out of these 491 are supported by a voucher specimen in the East African herbarium, and 106 are sight records, whereas an additional 8 are cited from the Flora of Tropical East Africa (FTEA). This total represents approximately 9% and 18% respectively of the flora of Kenya and the coastal region (K7 of FTEA). Taxa are distributed in 103 families and 389 genera, the largest families being Leguminosae (Fabaceae) with 62 taxa, Rubiaceae with 53 and Malvaceae with 26. The largest genera include Grewia, Cyperus, Ficus and Ipomoea. For each record a name, a cited specimen or sight record, a short general description, and its known phytogeographic distribution is provided. Globally threatened species are also indicated. The conservation importance of Arabuko-Sokoke is discussed.

Conservation of Wild Food Plants and Their Potential for Combatting Food Insecurity in Kenya as Exemplified by the Drylands of Kitui County.

Wild food plants are important resources for people living in dry areas of Kenya. A botanical inventory of vascular plants of Kitui county was compiled from specimens collected during field investigations in Kitui county, at the East African (EA) herbarium and from literature reporting on plants of Kitui county. To obtain an inventory of wild edible plants found in Kitui county, literature reporting on wild edible plants of Kenya were searched and combined with the use reports obtained from field surveys in Kitui county. A total of 199 wild plants found in Kitui county have the potential of being utilized as foods in different ways. Plant species growing either as trees or shrubs (83 species) and herbs (36 species) are the dominant life forms while the best represented plant families are Leguminosae (25 species) and Malvaceae (17 species). Fruits (124 reports) and leaves (56 reports) are the common plant parts collected for food. Fruits (120 species) and vegetables (44 species) are the common wild food types in Kitui county. Further studies on species distribution are necessary to address conservation concerns that may threaten such plants.

An annotated checklist of the coastal forests of Kenya, East Africa.

The inadequacy of information impedes society’s competence to find out the cause or degree of a problem or even to avoid further losses in an ecosystem. It becomes even harder to identify all the biological resources at risk because there is no exhaustive inventory of either fauna or flora of a particular region. Coastal forests of Kenya are located in the southeast part of Kenya and are distributed mainly in four counties: Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River County. They are a stretch of fragmented forests ca. 30−120 km away from the Indian Ocean, and they have existed for millions of years. Diversity of both fauna and flora is very high in these relicts and the coastal forests of Eastern Africa, extending along the coast from Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique, are ranked among the priority biodiversity hotspot in the world. In spite of the high plant species richness and their importance towards supporting the livelihoods of the communities that live around them, floristic studies in these forests have remained poorly investigated. Hence, based on numerous field investigations, plant lists from published monograph/literature, and data from BRAHMS (Botanical Records and Herbarium Management System) database at East African herbarium (EA), we present a detailed checklist of vascular plants recorded in this region. Our results show that Kenyan coastal forests play an essential role in the flora of Kenya and the plant diversity of the coastal forests of East Africa. The checklist represents 176 families, 981 genera, 2489 species, 100 infraspecific taxa, 90 endemic plants species, 72 exotic species, and 120 species that are included in the current IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as species of major concern. We also discovered three new species to the world from these relicts. Thus, Kenyan coastal forests present a remarkable and significant center of plant diversity.

Digital Knowledge of Kenyan Succulent Flora and Priorities for Future Inventory and Documentation

Biodiversity inventory in Kenya has been ongoing for about a century and a half, coinciding with the arrival of naturalists from Europe, America, and elsewhere outside Africa. Since the first collections in the mid-to-late 1800s, there has been a steady increase of plant surveys, frequency of inventory, and discovery of new species that have considerably increased knowledge of faunal and floristic elements. However, as in all other countries, such historical biological collection activities are more often than not, ad hoc, resulting in gaps in knowledge of species and their habitats. While Kenya is relatively rich botanically, with a succulent flora of about 428 taxa, it is apparent that the list is understated owing to, among other factors, difficulty of preparing herbarium material and restricted access to some sites. This study investigated completeness of geographic knowledge of succulent plants in Kenya, with the aim of establishing species distribution patterns and identifying gaps that will guide and justify priority setting for future work on the group. Species data were filtered from the general BRAHMS database at the East African Herbarium and cleaned via an iterative series of inspections and visualizations designed to detect and document inconsistencies in taxonomic concepts, geographic coordinates, and dates of collection. Eight grid squares fulfilled criteria for completeness of inventory: one in the city of Mombasa, one in the Kulal–Nyiro complex, one in Garissa, one in Baringo, and four grid squares in the Nairobi–Nakuru–Laikipia area. Poorly-known areas, mostly in the west, north, and north-eastern regions of the country, were extremely isolated from well-known sites, both geographically and environmentally. These localities should be prioritised for future inventory as they are likely to yield species new to science, species new to the national flora, and/or contribute new knowledge on habitats. To avoid inconsistencies and data leakage, biodiversity inventory and documentation needs streamlining to generate standardised metadata that should be digitised to enhance access and synthesis.

Digital Knowledge of Kenyan Succulent Flora and Priorities for Future Inventory and Documentation

Biodiversity inventory in Kenya has been ongoing for about a century and a half, coinciding with the arrival of naturalists from Europe, America, and elsewhere outside Africa. Since the first collections in the mid-to-late 1800s, there has been a steady increase of plant surveys, frequency of inventory, and discovery of new species that have considerably increased knowledge of faunal and floristic elements. However, as in all other countries, such historical biological collection activities are more often than not, ad hoc, resulting in gaps in knowledge of species and their habitats. While Kenya is relatively rich botanically, with a succulent flora of about 428 taxa, it is apparent that the list is understated owing to, among other factors, difficulty of preparing herbarium material and restricted access to some sites. This study investigated completeness of geographic knowledge of succulent plants in Kenya, with the aim of establishing species distribution patterns and identifying gaps that will guide and justify priority setting for future work on the group. Species data were filtered from the general BRAHMS database at the East African Herbarium and cleaned via an iterative series of inspections and visualizations designed to detect and document inconsistencies in taxonomic concepts, geographic coordinates, and dates of collection. Eight grid squares fulfilled criteria for completeness of inventory: one in the city of Mombasa, one in the Kulal–Nyiro complex, one in Garissa, one in Baringo, and four grid squares in the Nairobi–Nakuru–Laikipia area. Poorly-known areas, mostly in the west, north, and north-eastern regions of the country, were extremely isolated from well-known sites, both geographically and environmentally. These localities should be prioritised for future inventory as they are likely to yield species new to science, species new to the national flora, and/or contribute new knowledge on habitats. To avoid inconsistencies and data leakage, biodiversity inventory and documentation needs streamlining to generate standardised metadata that should be digitised to enhance access and synthesis.

Traditional healers and the managment of malaria in Kisumu District, Kenya

To document the ethnobotanical information on malaria treatment with the goal of eventually testing the medicinal plant extracts for antiplasmodial activity. A prospective study. Informants from Kisumu City and its environs were gathered at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Vector Biology Control Research, Kisian, Kisumu. Semi-structured Questionnaires were administered to 16 traditional health practitioners (THPs) to evaluate the THPs' perceptions and practice relating to causation and treatment of malaria. The THPs described the signs, symptoms and cause of malaria. Details of the preparation and use of plants for management of malaria were recorded. Of the 16 respondents 12 (75%) knew that malaria is transmitted by mosquito bite and 12 (75%) recognised the main symptoms as fever. Of the 36 medicinal plants, claimed to treat malaria in Kisumu, 19 plants were identified at the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya. The ethnomedical and ethnobotanical data generated form the basis for pharmacological evaluation of the medicinal plants collected to establish their potential in the treatment of malaria.

PORTULACARIA AFRA IN EAST AFRICA

The Portulacaceae fascicle (Phillips, 2002) of the “Flora of Tropical East Africa” (FTEA) has one surprising entry. Portulacaria afra Jacq. is included for Kenya with the note that it “appears to be native”. In all other literature that I have seen, including the latest account of the succulent Portulacaceae (Rowley, 2002), this species is listed as native only to Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland. Its appearance in Kenya is a remarkable major disjunction in distribution. The inclusion of Portulacaria afra in the FTEA is based on a single herbarium specimen at Kew, collected south of Kongolai, West Suk District (in FTEA area K2) by Mrs. E. Marjorie Tweedie. The specimen (Tweedie 3759) is dated February 1970. However, the FTEA also notes that this species is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Nairobi, and indeed I have it growing in my own garden. There is no specimen of this species in the East African Herbarium, Nairobi. In addition to being a very active plant collector, Mrs. Tweedie (1898–1982) was a botanical artist, producing both line drawings and paintings. Some of her artwork has been published (e.g. line drawings in Agnew & Agnew, 1994) and for her paintings she was awarded the Gold Grenfell Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society (U.K.) in 1933. In 1980 Mrs. Tweedie presented her paintings to the Kew Herbarium library. There are about 1500 paintings, mounted in seven albums with brief handwritten notes for each. With the albums of paintings is a typescript from Mrs. Tweedie (1979) with notes on some of the plants illustrated. On page 27 of album no. 1 there is a painting of Portulacaria afra, with the following caption:

ALOE KILIFIENSIS (ALOACEAE) NEWLY RECORDED FOR TANZANIA

Aloe kilifiensis Christian (1942) is one of the seven currently accepted taxa of the series Saponariae A.Berger that occur in East Africa. Since its description, the species was known only from collections along the Coast Province of Kenya (Reynolds, 1966; Carter, 1994). During a recent field expedition in search of East African aloes, a previously unknown population of A. kilifiensis was found in Tanzania (figure 1), which means therefore, this species is no longer endemic to Kenya. The newly discovered population occurs near Pangani Falls, in Pangani District of North Eastern Tanzania (5 20’S, 3839’E, 177 m). A voucher specimen (Wabuyele 40) for the population is deposited at the East African Herbarium (EA).

The First Herbarium Botanist in Nairobi

ABSTRACT Evelyn R. Napier (1902–1952) established the herbarium of the Coryndon Museum, where she was employed as botanist from 1930 to 1934. She continued contributing to the herbarium collections after her marriage to D.W. Molony in 1935. Several plants that she collected in Kenya were named in her honour as new species. The Coryndon herbarium was later merged with the herbarium brought to Nairobi from the Amani Institute in Tanzania, to form the East African Herbarium, still located in the National Museum.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera leucotricha on Prunus africana in Kenya.

Prunus africana, formerly known as Pygeum africanum, is widely distributed in moist, tropical Africa and produces durable timber. Extracts from its bark are used in treatment of prostate disorders. Powdery mildew was observed on nursery-grown seedlings of P. africana in Kenya (Nyeri, Kiambu, and Kericho districts) in the dry seasons of 1998, 1999, and 2000. White ectotrophic mycelial growth was observed on leaves. The fungus caused stunting, distortion of leaves, surface necrosis of invaded tissues, and general decline in growth of seedlings that led to premature leaf fall and death. Invaded leaflets wilted and dropped, leaving behind a bare stem. The primary mycelium was hyaline, with no secondary brown mycelium. The conidial state was conspicuous, with conidia produced in chains. Appressoria were unlobed and nipple shaped. Conidiophores were straight and three-celled, measuring 75 to 112 μm. Conidiophore foot cells were topped by a longer cell and one or two shorter cells measuring 35 to 77 μm. Conidia had fibrosin bodies, were ovoid, and measured 27 to 30 × 17 to 18 μm. The fungus was identified by the International Mycological Institute IMI (W6496) as Podosphaera leucotricha (Ellis & Everh.) E. S. Salmon. Infected leaves of P. africana were deposited at the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya (Accession No. KM-KEFRI/446/2001). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating seedlings of P. africana by gently pressing infected leaves with abundant sporulation onto healthy leaves. The plants were then incubated under moist conditions for 48 h and thereafter maintained in a glasshouse. After 15 days, powdery mildew symptoms developed on seedlings. Examination of leaves confirmed that they were infected with Podosphaera leucotricha. Uninoculated control plants were free of powdery mildew. To our knowlege, this is the first report of Podosphaera leucotricha as a pathogen of P. africana. Reference: 1. H. J. Boesewinkel. Bot. Rev. 46:167, 1980.

A taxonomic investigation of variation withinCissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) in Kenya

Using information from literature as well as records of localities on herbarium specimen labels at the East African Herbarium Nairobi (EA), materials ofCissus quadrangularis L.,C. cactiformis Gilg. andC. quinquangularis Chiov. were collected and new localities were sought. On the basis of the nature of their stem angles, the specimens ofC. quadrangularis were sorted into two variants, A and B. Variant A has smooth stem angles while variant B has rough stem angles. The authors have proposed that variant B should be recognized as a new variety withinC. quadrangularis. Variant A is the type variety ofC. quadrangularis. A map showing the distribution of the two variants in Kenya has been prepared. The rough-edged variant was found to be absent from the low-lying semi-arid regions of northern Kenya. The variants were found occurring in distinct, separate populations but without separate geographical patterns. The results of t-test show no significant difference (p=0.05) between the means of measurements of dimensions of various organs in the two variants. The stem angles of specimens of the two variants were studied under scanning electron microscope (SEM). This showed a clear morphological difference between the two variants. The results of the investigation support the hypothesis that the variation withinC. quadrangularis represents distinct kinds that can be recognized as taxa at infra-specific level.

The National Museums of Kenya: A Brief Overview

The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to study and preserve Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage. By gaining more knowledge in this vast area of study, we hope to foster a greater sense of respect for our environment and learn more efficient methods of managing our natural resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world. Vested in the NMK, the Antiquities and Monuments Act of 1983 provides the legislative authority that governs all the movable and immovable relics of historical, archeological and paleontological significance in the country (Fig. 1). From its beginnings as a small repository of natural history specimens, the museum has grown over the years into a multi-disciplinary research institute of international repute hosting over 20 departments and divisions, including Archeology, Paleontology, Mammalogy and Education. It is also host to centers of scientific excellence, such as the East African Herbarium, the Center for Biodiversity and the Institute of Primate Research. There are 15 regional museums throughout the country and eight historical/archeological sites open to the public. One of the main objectives of the NMK is to create public awareness about the importance of conservation and in particular the importance of preserving Kenya’s unique natural and cultural diversity. This is achieved through public programs such as permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions, educational youth programs (from primary school to university level) and the production of museum publications. To this end, the NMK has also begun to explore new technologies such as the Internet and multimedia as ways of reaching its target audience. The National Museums of Kenya: A Brief Overview

Weed invasion in East Africa: insights from herbarium records

The invasion process was documented from data on the labels of specimens stored in the East African Herbarium at the National Museums of Kenya. We analysed data from seven abundant alien plant species: Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae), Capsella bursa‐pastoris (L.) Med. (Brassicaceae), Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae), Galinsoga parviflora Cav. (Asteraceae), Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae), Spergula arvensis L. (Caryophyllaceae) and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Caryophyllaceae) and compared these data with the spread of two native weeds: Cynoglossum coeruleum A.DC. (Boraginaceae) and Senecio discifolius Oliv. (Asteraceae). Although all investigated species had been already recorded before the Second World War, most specimens were collected between 1960 and 1980. This regional spread is correlated with a change in the agricultural systems of Kenya. The early records of alien weeds were restricted to higher altitudes. With the increasing human population and the associated increase of agricultural activities (e.g. irrigation in arid areas) the weed species from South America were able to spread to lower altitudes.

Ceropegia inornata (Asclepiadaceae), a New Species in Kenya and Ethiopia

During an ongoing study of Ceropegia L. (Asclepiadaceae), a few distinct specimens were seen at the East African Herbarium (EA), Nairobi. Comparison of these specimens with Archer's (1992) account showed that they matched his group VI. Some of the sheets in EA also bore the name 'inornata', an epithet introduced by the late P. R. O. Bally of EA, in the 1960's or 1970's, but never published. The author has since collected more material of this taxon in Kenya; some of this is in cultivation at Miinster Botanical Garden, Germany. On a recent visit to Kew (K), Ethiopian specimens of this species were seen. These had been determined by M. G. Gilbert of the Natural History Museum (BM) as a new species for the Flora of Ethiopia.

The Use of Leap in Herbarium Management and Plant Biodiversity Research

The List of East African Plants (LEAP) is an electronic database of the species, subspecies, and varieties of vascular plants (angiosperms, gynmosperms, ferns, and fern allies) that are native or naturalised in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania). The information in LEAP comes primarily from the Flora of Tropical East Africa (FTEA; published as family fascicles from 1952 to present) and is supplemented by other published sources, such as The Sedges and Rushes of East Africa (Haines & Lye, 1983), Pteridophytes of Tropical East Africa (Johns, 1991), Upland Kenya Wild Flowers (Agnew & Agnew, 1995), and Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas (Beentje, 1995), and specimen information from the East African Herbarium (EA) and other sources for those plant families not yet written for FTEA. This information includes taxon names, author citations, life form, origin, altitudinal range, geographic distribution (using FTEA floral division codes), and higher-level classification. Presented below is a brief history of LEAP, the current structure and organisation of LEAP version 1.3, a discussion of potential applications for herbarium management and plant biodiversity research (along with the limitations of such a database) and the work to be conducted in the future.

A Revision of Ethulia (Compositae: Vernonieae)

Initial work on this genus was done by M.G.G. when employed in the East African Herbarium, Nairobi, prior to June, 1982. It was then put on one side when he was employed by the Ethiopian Flora Project to work at Kew on various other families. Later C.J. revised the East African species for the Flora of Tropical East Africa and as the taxonomic concepts of both authors agreed in all but a very few details, it was decided to pool results in the one paper. Authorities are indicated independently for each new taxon or combination. The Director of the Rijksherbarium, Leiden, is thanked for the loan of material to the East African Herbarium. The authors also thank the Directors of the following herbaria for the loan of critical material to Kew and/or for the provision of visiting facilities to one or other of the authors: BM, BR, BRLV, ETH, FT, MPU, P. All cited collections have been seen by at least one of the authors unless otherwise indicated.

A New Genus Nogalia (Boraginaceae: Heliotropioideae) from Somaliland and Southern Arabia

Whilst preparing an account of the Boraginaceae for the Flora of Tropical East Africa I attempted to name as much unidentified Heliotropium material collected in northeast Africa as possible. The genus is very complex in this region, often with affinities in the Middle East as well as with other areas of tropical Africa. A revision of the described and the many undescribed species would be a lengthy task. One outstanding Somali plant has always puzzled me ever since I examined it a few years after it was first received at the East African Herbarium for naming in 1945. Study of three more gatherings, including one in fruit, demonstrates that the plant cannot be accommodated in Heliotropium nor in the related Tournefortia and Argusia. A new genus has therefore been erected. A little hunting demonstrated that there was a very close relative in southern Arabia described long ago by Baker as Heliotropium drepanophyllum; the relationship is, indeed, so close there is difficulty deciding whether the Somali plant is a distinct species or only a subspecies. It is surprising this relationship has escaped the notice of routine determiners for over 40 years but worthy of note that the first person (the hand seems to be that of J. H. Hemsley), to examine the Kew duplicate of Glover and Gilliland 1110 annotated it '? Boraginaceae gen. indet.'. No fruits of the Arabian plant were available to Baker and his assignment of H. drepanophyllum to section Radula Bunge was a guess based on superficial resemblance. Despite similarity in floral characters the fruit precludes relationship with Heliotropium as the classification of the subfamily stands at present. Boissier (1875: 125) in his generic description of Heliotropium states 'vel rarius in caryopsem monospermam concretae'. This, however, refers to H. supinum L. in sect. Piptochlaena (Don) DC. (now subg. Piptochlaena (Don) Riedl) where the single nutlet is due to reduction; in the tropics this species often has 1-4 nutlets. There is lack of agreement as to how the rest of the subfamily Heliotropioideae should be classified, either as a single genus Tournefortia L., as advocated by Edmondson in Davis (1978: 246), or as two--Tournefortia L. and Argusia Boehmer (= Messerschmidia Hebenstreit)-as proposed byJohnston (1935: 161; 1951: 118), Dandy (1967, in Heywood 1972: 256), Valentine in Tutin (1972: 84), Riedl (1967: 8-9) and Heine (1976: 108). Argusia is a small genus of saline areas with a specialised fruit comprising A. argentea (L.f.) Heine, a widespread littoral plant of the Old World Tropics, A. sibirica (L.) Dandy (= Messerschmidia sibirica (L.) L.) from Roumania across Central Asia to Japan and A. gnaphalodes (L.) Heine (Mallotonia gnaphalodes (L.) Britton, Messerschmidia gnaphalodes (L.)

Two New Species of Polycarpaea (Caryophyllaceae) from Somalia

For some years now, material of some very striking cushion-forming plants has been accumulating at the end of the Caryophyllaceae, in both the Kew Herbarium and the East African Herbarium in Nairobi, in folders marked '?gen. nov.?'. These have much-branched woody stems covered with subulate leaves and with tiny pedunculate inflorescences. They were re-examined in the course of preparing an account of the Caryophyllaceae for the Flora of Ethiopia and it became clear that they had many features in common with some species of Polycarpaea, most notably P. spicata Wight ex Arn. and the very remarkable Limonium-like P. kuriensis Wagner, known only from the island of Abd al Kuri near Socotra.