Flora Of Ethiopia Research Articles

A New Species of Aloe from Southwest Ethiopia

The aloes of Ethiopia, Somalia and Tropical East Africa are covered by recent floristic accounts (Carter 1994; Lavranos 1995; Sebsebe & Gilbert 1997). In 1996, whilst the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea was still in press, the first author, together with Ensermu Kelbessa, encountered sterile plants of a small aloe that could not be placed. These were growing in deciduous woodland dominated by Combretum and Terminalia, under a thicket of Euclea schimperi (A. DC.) Dandy and Acacia hockii De Wild. Living material taken back to Addis Abeba has survived but has not yet flowered. Recently (1998) I. Friis (Copenhagen) and S. Bidgood (Kew) collected flowering material of what is clearly the same taxon, but a little further to the south. This showed that the plants belonged to a new species which is described here as Aloe friisii.

A New Varietal Combination in Capparis sepiaria L.

Capparis sepiaria L. was described from material from India. The species is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, from northern Australia, Malaysia, and India north into China in the east, and in Madagascar and Africa in the west. All the populations from Australia, Asia and Madagascar have been grouped into var. sepiaria in current revisions. The variation is much greater in African material, which can be subdivided into five geographically and/or ecologically correlated taxa: var. citrifolia (Pax) Toelken, var. fischeri (Pax) DeWolf, var. subglabra (Oliv.) DeWolf, var. stuhlmannii (Gilg) DeWolf and var. rivae (Gilg) DeWolf. Work towards an account of Capparidaceae for Flora of Ethiopia has shown that of these, two occur in Ethiopia: var. fischeri in the west, near the Sudan border, and var. rivae near rivers in the south. Geographically isolated material from the mountainous regions of Ethiopia, growing in evergreen scrub or forest at 1600 2200 m, is sufficiently distinct in leaf and floral characters to be considered as a sixth variety. This is validated here.

Ruellia boranica (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Ethiopia

Ruellia L., a pantropical genus with about 225 species, is the second largest genus in the Acanthaceae (Long 1970). Although centred in the New World tropics, it also has many representatives in the Old World. Studies of the genus Ruellia L. for the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea have resulted in the recognition of ten species in the Flora area, one of which is new to science. This is described below. Pollen size was measured after acetolysis (Erdtman 1960). Scanning electron micrographs are based on unacetolysed pollen material.

A Synopsis of the Genus Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae) in Ethiopia and Eritrea

The genus Convolvulus was described by Linnaeus (1753: 53). At present about 250 species are known worldwide. The most recent treatment for Africa (Baker & Rendle (1905: 88 99) recognised 24 species; Hallier's work (1893: 96 110) is also important. The genus has also been dealt with in various regional floras: Meeuse (1958: 666 696) for South Africa; Heine (1963: 339 340) for West Tropical Africa; Verdcourt (1963: 37 44; 1982: 459 464) for Tropical East Africa; Gonalves (1987: 26 30) for the Flora Zambesiaca; Lejoly & Lisowski (1993: 370 373) for Central Africa. Cufodontis (1961: 736 741) enumerated about 11 species from Ethiopia and Eritrea. During a preparation of the account of Convolvulaceae for the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea, a number of unnamed or misidentified specimens were found at ETH and K. Some belong to new Convolvulus species and are described here. In addition to herbarium studies at C, ETH, K, UPS & WAG, field observations were also made for some of the taxa.

Edwards, S., Demissew, S. & Hedberg, I. (eds), 1997. Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Nordic Journal of BotanyVolume 18, Issue 5 p. 562-562 Edwards, S., Demissew, S. & Hedberg, I. (eds), 1997. Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Kai Larsen, Kai LarsenSearch for more papers by this author Kai Larsen, Kai LarsenSearch for more papers by this author First published: 25 March 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.1998.tb01536.xCitations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume18, Issue5December 1998Pages 562-562 RelatedInformation

Hedberg, I. & Edwavds, S. (eds), 1989. Flora of Ethiopia.

Nordic Journal of BotanyVolume 18, Issue 5 p. 518-518 Hedberg, I. & Edwavds, S. (eds), 1989. Flora of Ethiopia. Kai Larsen, Kai LarsenSearch for more papers by this author Kai Larsen, Kai LarsenSearch for more papers by this author First published: 25 March 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.1998.tb01531.xCitations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume18, Issue5December 1998Pages 518-518 RelatedInformation

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.

A New Species of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) from SE Ethiopia

During revision of the genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) for the Flora of Ethiopia, a collection was found of an Ipomoea from SE Ethiopia which was filed as I. aff. garcheana at the herbaria of C, ETH and K. Although from a single collection, these specimens are complete, bearing vegetative parts, flowers and fruits, which clearly show the distinction of the taxon from I. garckeana and other related taxa. The material is here described as a new species.

A Synopsis of Swertia (Gentianaceae) in East and Northeast Tropical Africa

A key to the twenty-four species of Swertia (Gentianaceae) occurring in East and northeast tropical Africa is provided. Two new subspecies and one new variety are briefly described. Seven taxa have had their taxonomic status changed. Alterations to the nomenclature of the taxa are made preliminary to the account of the family for Flora of Ethiopia and Flora of East Tropical Africa. Ecological notes and distribution are given for each species. Brief taxonomic comments are given on some critical species. Recent chromosome counts of some species are provided.

Lectotypification of the Name Calystegia hederacea Wall. (Convolvulaceae), with a Note on the Occurrence of the Species in Ethiopia

Preparation of an account of Convolvulaceae for the Flora ofEthiopia (Sebsebe, in press) requires a lectotype to be chosen for the name Calystegia hederacea Wall., necessitating consideration also of the authorship of the name. It was published in the first edition of William Roxburgh's Flora Indica, which was prepared by William Carey after Roxburgh's death from his manuscript notes. Carey also included additional species from unpublished manuscripts received from Nathaniel Wallich, always trying to indicate which parts were by Wallich by adding the initials N.W. after them. However, it is not always clear where the notes by Wallich begin and end. The name in question was ascribed to Wallich and followed by a long description, after which a short note was added headed 'Obs.' followed by the initials N.W. It might appear at first sight that the description was by Roxburgh and only the short note by Wallich, requiring the authorship of the name as Wallich ex Roxburgh. However, it seems that this is not the case and that the whole account of the species was by Wallich, for in the second

The Genus Cladostigma (Convolvulaceae)

The genus Cladostigma was described by Radlkofer (1883: 412 416) with the type species C. dioicum Radlk. from Eritrea. The genus was subsequently mentioned by Baillon (1891: 328); Peter (1891: 18); Hallier (1893: 570 71), (1894 [1893]: 87). A second species, C. hildebrandtioides Hallier was later described (1899: 63) from the Ogaden, in eastern Ethiopia. Whilst revising the genus throughout its area of distribution, a number of unnamed specimens from southern Ethiopia were found in C, ETH, K and UPS under either Cladostigma or Hildebrandtia. Some of these specimens belong to an undescribed Cladostigma described here as C. nigistiae Sebsebe, a third species for the genus. The species is named in honour of my wife, Nigist, for her unreserved support and encouragement of my work on the Flora of Ethiopia. In this study, herbarium material from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Arabia has been investigated and field observations made in Ethiopia.

A New Species of Pentaschistis (Gramineae) from Ethiopia

Summary. The new grass species Pentaschistis dolichochaeta is described from Ethiopia. It appears to be most closely related to P. chrysurus (K. Schum.) Peter from Tanzania. During the course of preparation of the account of the grass family for the 'Flora of Ethiopia', two remarkably large specimens of Pentaschistis Stapf from the uplands of Shewa province were found in the herbarium in Addis Ababa. These proved to belong to a new species, described below: Pentaschistis dolichochaeta S. M. Phillips sp. nov. P. chrysuro (K. Schum.) Peter affinis sed columna aristae arcte torta et dentibus lemmatis acutis cum setis adnatis differt; P. pictigluma (Steud.) Pilg. habitu robusto, spiculis majoribus et antheris

A New Species of Pluchea (Compositae: Plucheeae) from Somalia

In the course of preparation of the account of Plucheeae (Compositae) for the Flora of Ethiopia, species such as Pluchea pteroclada Chiov. and P. pectinata F. G. Davies & J. P. Lebrun, both abundant in Somalia, were found to be represented by one or a few herbarium specimens each from the Ogaden region, and southern Sidamo in Ethiopia, respectively. Extension of the study of specimens of Pluchea from Somalia at the herbaria in Nairobi (EA) and at Kew (K) revealed an undescribed but distinctive species with fleshy leaves. This species is here described and illustrated. Pluchea succulenta Mesfin, sp. nov. P. aromaticae Balf. f. similis sed foliis oblanceolatis sessilibus (non anguste ellipticis petiolatis) distinguitur; a P. heterophylla Vatke foliis oblanceolatis marginibus integris, foliorum paginis et phyllariis dense sessilio-glandulosis (non foliis obovato-oblongis, integris vel inciso-dentatis, foliorum paginis lepidoso-punctatis, ramis phyllariisque dense stipitato-glandulosis) differt. Typus: Somalia, E. Mijertein, Hafun Peninsula, 14 Nov. 1959, Hemming 1831 (holotypus EA; isotypus K). Bushy perennial herb or straggling shrub, up to 40 cm high; stem woody below, densely covered with marscecent leaves or with evident scars of leaf bases. Leaves simple, alternate or spiral and closely spaced on short internodes especially on young branches, oblanceolate, narrowed into the sessile base, succulent to sub-succulent, glabrous but with dense shiny resinous glands, 2-4-5 x 0 -5-1 -2 cm, margins entire. Capitula heterogamous, disciform, 8-10 x 6-12 mm, hemispherical, solitary and terminal or few, corymbosely arranged; peduncle up to 5 cm long, bracteate, densely sessile-glandular. Phyllaries 7-9-seriate, closely imbricate, continuous with bracts on peduncle, densely sessile-glandular, narrowly ovate with acute or acuminate apices, margins ciliate or shortly but regularly fimbriate; outer 2 - 2 - 5 x 0 - 6 -0-8 mm; inner 5-6 x 0-5-0-7 mm. Receptacle flat or slightly depressed in middle, epaleate. Corollas purple or mauve-pink. Outer florets female, 4- 5-seriate; corolla filiform, 5 - 2

Two New Species of Conyza (Compositae: Astereae) from NE & E Tropical Africa

In the course of the preparation of the account of Conyza (Compositae -Astereae) for the Flora of Ethiopia, a number of specimens that could not be matched with any of the existing taxa in the genus from Africa were found among the material in the herbaria in Ethiopia (ETH), Nairobi (EA), Kew (K) and Uppsala (UPS). Some of the specimens in EA and at K had been determined as Conyza sp. E (Agnew 1974); these are here described as C. agnewi in honour of Dr A. D. Q. Agnew, who through consistent work in the field and in herbaria, produced 'Upland Kenya Wild Flowers', a flora which has also been useful to botanists and ecologists working on the flora of adjacent countries. An unmatched specimen from southern Ethiopia is also described as C. flabellata. Both species are illustrated. Conyza flabellata Mesfin sp. nov. frutex 30-45 cm altus; folia simplicia alterna vel in internodia abbreviata spiraliter disposita, flabellata vel obovata supra scabridohispida infra hispido-tomentosa sessilia, ad margine serrata usque 4 x 2 cm; capitula heterogama hemispherica 4 - 4 - 2 x 3- 5-4 mm; receptaculum planum; phyllaria c. 4-seriata incrassata vel firma, 2- 4- 3- 2 x 0- 5-0 -8 mm, exteriora dense pubescentia, interioria glabra; flosculi flavi, flosculi marginale pistillati c. 30-35 ligulati distincta; C. megensis F. G. Davies proxima sed habitu fruticosa (versus herbaceo perenni) capitula minora (4-4-2 x 3-5-4 mm versus 6-8 x 7-8 mm) et folia flabellata vel obovata (versus oblonga et ad basin cordata et subamplexicaules) differt. Typus: Ethiopia, Sidamo, Mega, 22 Oct. 1962, Mooney 9814 (holotypus ETH). Shrub, 30-45 cm high; stem striate, terete, puberulous in lower older parts, hispid-tomentose in upper parts and on branches, leafy. Leaves simple, alternate or spirally arranged on short internodes and thus leaves overlapping, flabellate to obovate, scabrid-hispid above, hispid-tomentose beneath, narrowed below into the sessile base, margins evenly serrate, teeth obtuse-apiculate, up to 4 x 2 cm, almost all leaves with tiny axillary shoots. Capitula heterogamous, radiate, hemispherical, 4 - 4 - 2 x 3 - 5-4 mm, in dense branched cymose clusters, peduncle

Stachys nemorivaga: A Neglected Stachys (Labiatae) from Africa

New material of a species initially thought to be undescribed appears to match the description of the previously published species, Stachys nemorivaga Briq. This neglected species came to light when the two authors were revising Stachys for Flora Zambesiaca and Flora of Tropical East Africa, and looking at Stachys for the Flora of Ethiopia. Stachys nemorivaga was previously known only from the holotype (from material collected in Angola) which was destroyed in Berlin during the Second World War. It has subsequently been collected in Zambia and Zaire as well as a further collection in Angola. Stachys is a large sub-cosmopolitan genus in the Labiatae, subfamily Lamioideae (Cantino et al. 1992) which includes about 450 species (Codd 1985). The genus is mostly centred in the Mediterranean region of Europe and Turkey, although about 80 species (Epling 1934) occur in N. and S. America (32 of which are confined to N. America (Mulligan & Munro 1989). In Africa over 40 species occur in South Africa (Codd 1985), over 20 species in north Africa, 10 species in northeast tropical Africa, 8 species in south tropical Africa, 6 species in east tropical Africa, 3 species in west tropical Africa and 2 species in the Congolian region (one of which is S. nemorivaga). A number of species within the genus are widely cultivated for agricultural (Chinese Artichoke-S. affinis L.), horticultural (S. coccinea (L.) Trev., S. germanica L., S. byzantinia C. Koch. and others) and medicinal purposes (S. officinalis (L.) Trev. used in Europe, and S. cuneata Banks ex Benth. and S. linearis Burch. ex Benth. in South Africa (Codd 1985) to name but a few). Briquet (1894) placed Stachys nemorivaga in sect. Stachys [Stachyotypus) Dum.] subsect. Ruderales Benth. and then in 1896 placed it in sect. Stachys [Eustachys Briq. ] subsect. Rectae Boiss. Although Bhattercharjee (1980), proposed an infrageneric classification of Stachys, she did not consider the tropical African species in detail. In tropical Africa the native species fall within three groups (Sebsebe and Harley 1992), section Stachys, section Ambleia Benth. and a further new section which will be considered by Sebsebe & Harley in a subsequent paper. The different sections are distinguished by a different combination of trichome types and each of the sections occupy a different phytogeographical region. Section

A New Combination in the Genus Endostemon (Labiatae)

Summary. Herbarium material from Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, previously included under Endostemon tereticaulis (Poir.) Ashby (Labiatae) have been found to belong to a separate species, earlier described as Orthosiphon kelleri Briq. The new combination, Endostemon kelleri (Briq.) 0. Ryding is made. Synonymy, morphological description, habitat, comparisons with other species, illustrations, distribution map and a key to the species of the E. tereticaulis group are provided. Briquet (1903) described Orthosiphon kelleri from eastern Ethiopia and later Giirke (1906) described 0. ellenbeckii from the same area, but the two names have only seldom been used in herbaria. In his revision of Endostemon, Ashby (1936) transferred 0. ellenbeckii to this genus and reduced 0. kelleri to a synonym under E. tereticaulis (Poir.) Ashby. In an unpublished revision of Endostemon, Ayobangira (1990) retained 0. kelleri as a synonym under E. tereticaulis and reduced E. ellenbeckii to a synonym under E. camporum (Giirke) Ashby. He also found that some specimens which were included under E. tereticaulis in various herbaria represented a distinct taxon, which he called E. friisii. According to second hand information, this name will shortly be validly published (Ayobangira in press). During work for the Flora of Ethiopia, the present author found that the same group of specimens represents a distinct species, matching 0. kelleri, 0. ellenbeckii and E. friisii. The oldest of these names, 0. kelleri, must therefore be transferred to Endostemon and used for this taxon. Material from BM, C, ETH, K, UPS and Z was studied. Endostemon kelleri (Briq.) 0. Ryding comb. nov.

New Taxa in Maerua (Capparaceae) Proposed for the Flora of Ethiopia

During studies of Capparaceae carried out for the Flora of Ethiopia, the following new taxa in Maerua were discovered. Maerua intricata Kers, sp. nov. TYPE: Ethiopia. Ogaden: Mustahil to Ferfer, 5 Dec. 1954, Peggy E. Ellis 357 (holotype, K). A speciebus quas A. Brongniart et alii auctores ad Courboniam ascripserunt habitu intricato foliis minutis costa plerumque immersa ideo utrinque occulta distinguenda, ab eis etiam in combinatione petioli brevissimi (ut in M. pseudopetalosa (Gilg & C. Benedict) De Wolf) cum fructibus ellipsoidalibus basi regulariter per quattuor valvas dehiscentibus (ut in M. subcordata (Gilg) de Wolf) differt. Virgate shrub 0.5-2 m tall, intricately branched, stems erect or ascending, glabrous, ? minutely scabrous, branches and branchlets stiffly divaricate, somewhat striate. Leaves simple, minute, 5-15 mm long, 1-5(-8) mm wide, stiff, coriaceous, narrowly elliptic, oblong or lanceolate, seemingly often nerveless (midrib imbedded), petiole very short, 0.51.5(-2) mm long. Flowers without petals, solitary and axillary; pedicel short, 7-11(-13) mm long; receptacle cylindric, (2-)3-4.5 mm long; sepals three, (6-)8-10 mm long; androgynophore finally exceeding the receptacle by 1-2.5 mm; stamens ca. 20-25; gynophore 12-16 mm long, longer than the pedicel; ovary fusiform, 4-nerved; placenta 2, ovules two on each placenta. Fruit broadly ellipsoid, with one or rarely two seeds, pericarp finally breaking up into four valves at the very base of the fruit, otherwise indehiscent. Seed (9-)14-15 mm long, narrowly ovate to oblong, cotyledons pale yellowish. Maerua intricata is clearly allied to the species of Maerua that were formerly grouped in the genus Courbonia Brongniart. It differs in the intricately branched growth, the minute leaves with a generally completely immersed and consequently hidden midrib. The petioles are as short as in M. pseudopetalosa, whereas in shape and mode of dehiscence the fruits are comparable with those of M. subcordata. Distribution. Known from the area around the River Schebelli in eastern Ethiopia and central Somalia and from there north into the African Horn of the northeastern Somali Republic; from 100 m near the coast to 350 m inland. Habitat. In Acacia-Commiphora bushland or in scattered low bush. Growing on rocky slopes, in stony soil at foot of hills, in sandy areas with limestone ridges or in dry water courses. Indigenous names. Cagat, cagah (Bari region), Dugal erigiren (Hiraan region). Paratypes. ETHIOPIA. OGADEN: Scivelli to Beletuen, June 1943, Hummel 151 (K); Webi (= Schebelli River), July-Aug. 1891, Robecchi-Brichetti 228 (FT). SOMALIA REPUBLIC. SANAAG REGION: below Einad, 11055'N, 48?55'E, 1957, Newbould 1022 (K). BARI REGION: Alula, without date, Anonymous s.n. (FT fragments); along road from Alula to Seyn Wayn, 9 Oct. 1982, Barbier 939 (FT, K); near Bender Merhagno, 11041'N, 50?27'E, 15 Oct. 1982, Barbier 946 (K); Mt. Bolimock W of Alula, 29 Oct. 1959, Hemming 1786 (K); 40 km SW of Alula, 11055'N, 50'30'E, 14 Nov. 1980, Hemming & Watson 3087 (K); near Bosaso, to Cassim Bender, 7 July 1924, Puccioni & Stefanini 1034 (= 1136) (FT); Wadi Merero, Scortecci, 1957 (FT); mountain pass W of Bargal, ca. 11?15'N, 51000'E, 25 Nov. 1985, Thulin & Warfa 5532 (UPS); mountains S of Bender Murrayha, valley above Tayeega, 29 Oct. 1959, Thulin & Warfa 5814 (K, UPS). NUGAAL REGION: valley slope of Nugal River, 7 Oct. 1959, Hemming 1679 (K). MUDUG REGION: 69 km SW of Galkayo on main road, 06027'N, 46'53'E, 4 June 1979, Gillett, Hemming & Watson 22347 (K). HIRAAN REGION: 03006'N, 45004'E, 1 Aug. 1983, Abukar Sheik 2023 (K); Bulo Burti district, 4 km N of Murkayale, 03050'N, 45013'E, 28 Sep. 1986, Kuchar 17082 (K); El Mocoile, on road from Bulo Burti to Galgiel, 5 Apr. 1933, Suckert 66 (FT, K). Figure 1. Maerua intricata Kers. -A. Portion of stem with flowering twigs. -B. Portion of stem with immature fruits. -C. Ovary in transversal and longitudinal sections. -D-F. Leaves. -G. Gynophore with ovary, torus with stamen scars, androgynophore. -H. Flower. -I. Mature fruit showing the basal dehiscence, seed partially exposed. NOVON 3: 50-54. 1993. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.104 on Mon, 20 Jun 2016 05:54:48 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms Volume 3, Number 1 1993 Kers

Two New Taxa of Solanecio (Compositae : Senecioneae) from Ethiopia

The name Solanecio (Sch. Bip.) Walp. was brought into use by Schultz Bipontinus (1842: 441) to accommodate Schimper's "zwei arten [referring to Schimper 1361 and 1610; both = Solanecio tuberosus (Sch. Bip. ex A. Rich.) C. Jeffrey] mit knolliger Wurzel vielleicht zur Culture geeignet, ausserdem ausgezeichnet durch ein sehr verliingertes Nectarium, sehr behaarte Achaenen, 5 bliithiges Capitulum, etc." and was given subgeneric status within Senecio L. Later, Walpers (1846-47: 273) raised this to generic rank and briefly described it as "radix tuberosa edulis?, nectaria valde elongata, achaenia pilosissima, capitula quinqueflora,-Herbae Abyssinicae." But this treatment was not accepted by Bentham (1873), Oliver & Hiern (1877), or O. Hoffmann (1897), who tacitly indicated Solanecio to be synonymous with Senecio, as did other later workers on either the African composite flora (e.g. Humbert & Staner 1936; Robyns 1947; Adams 1963; Maquet 1985), or the Senecioneae (e.g. Nordenstam 1978), until it was re-elevated to generic rank by Jeffrey (1986). In his key to the Senecioneae in east tropical Africa, Jeffrey (1986: 876) distinguished the two genera on characteristics of the ovary wall crystals. This distinction has been accepted by Lisowski (1991). Solanecio, with about 16 to 17 species, is confined to tropical Africa, Yemen and Madagascar. During work on the composite flora of Ethiopia, two new taxa of Solanecio were discovered and these are described below. The new taxa can be differentiated

A New Species of Chiliocephalum Benth. (Compositae: Inuleae) from Ethiopia

Chiliocephalum Benth. (1873a) has until now been considered as a monotypic genus (Oliver 1877: 337; Cufodontis 1966: 1104; Anderberg 1988: 1) consisting of C. schimperi Benth. (1873b). During the course of studies on the Compositae for the Flora of Ethiopia, a second species of the genus was discovered among the recently collected material in the herbaria in Ethiopia (ETH) and Kew (K). Field studies at one of the localities from which the species was reported were made in 1986.

A New Species of Aloe from the Ethiopian Rift Valley

One of the authors (S. D.), working on a revision of the Ethiopian members of the genus Aloe for the Flora of Ethiopia, encountered many unnamed herbarium specimens of a species that was well known as the most abundant and conspicuous aloe in the southern part of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, and quite distinct from all other species of the genus. In the process of describing this species, it was realised that the name A. gilbertii had been used for material of this taxon by T. Reynolds but not validated. He was working on specimens growing at Kew that were collected and tentatively so named by one of us (P. E. B.), whose attention had been drawn to the species by M. Gilbert. Although the name A. gilbertii was not validly published by Reynolds, we would like to retain it here in recognition of the botanist M. Gilbert, who has devoted his life to working on the Flora of Ethiopia.