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Continued work on the systematics of the genus Encephalartos has been conducted over a large area along the Mozambican coast to determine the infraspecific variation and taxonomic status of Encephalartos ferox populations. The northern extent of the species was also investigated based on anecdotal information that it might represent a new taxon. Several (45) vegetative and reproductive (ca. 40) characters were analysed and used to re-circumscribe E. ferox. Literature and iconographic citations are included, as is information on ecology, cytology and conservation as available. No specimens of E. ferox were located north of the Save River in the Sofala Province, Mozambique, and the northernmost population of the species was found to be anomalous. Accordingly a new subspecies, E. ferox subsp. emersus, is recognised based on its invariably emergent stems, shorter unarmed petiole length, shorter leaves, greater number and narrower leaflets (in seedlings as well) which are more closely spaced. Strobili and peduncles in subsp. emersus are shorter and narrower with strobili having a propensity towards yellow, while internally the megasporophylls are green, grading to white away from the outer surface. The IUCN Red List status is suggested as Critically Endangered A4d + B1a,b(v) + B2a,b(v), with the threat of illegal over-collection highlighted. AbstractoEstudos contínuos sobre a sistemática do gênero Encephalartos já foram realizados sobre uma grande área ao longo da costa de Moçambique para determinar variações infra-específicas e estado taxonômico das populações de Encephalartos ferox. A extensão da espécie no norte também foi investigada, baseado em evidência anedótica que a espécie pode representar um novo grupo taxonômico. Vários (45) caracteres vegetativos e reprodutivos (ca. 40) foram analisados e usados para circunscrever Encephalartos ferox. Literatura e citações iconográficas estão incluídas, também informações sobre a ecologia, citologia e conservação como disponível. Espécimenes de Encephalartos ferox não foram encontrados norte do rio Save, na província da Sofala e as populações mais setentrionais foram consideradas anômalas. Consequentemente, uma nova subespécie, Encephalartos ferox subsp. emersus é reconhecida. Com caules invariavelmente emergentes; pecíolos mais curtos e desarmados; folhas mais curtas e quantidade maior de folíolos mais estreitos (em mudas também) e estreitamente espaçados. Estróbilos e pedúnculos de Encephalartos ferox subsp. emersus são mais curtos e estreitos, com estróbilos mais propensos para o amarelo, enquanto megasporophylls são verdes internamente, tornando brancos distante da superfície externa. O estado da espécie sobre a Lista Vermelha da IUCN é Perigo Crítico A4D + B1a,b(v) + B2a,b(v), onde a ameaça de coleção ilegal é destacada.

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⁎ SAAB student award: Best oral presentation by an MSc student under the age of 30Mortality rates in Africa are very high, with breast cancer being the second most common form of cancer in women. Dodonaea viscosa L. Jacq.is used for a vast range of diseases as a traditional medicine and has illustrated anti-cancerous properties in previous studies. In this study, a metabolomic and physiological approach was used to differentiate chemotypic differences among populations of D. viscosa, and elucidate bioactivity of plants. A non-invasive estrogen receptor positive human cancer cell line (MCF-7), a metastatic estrogen receptor negative human cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and a normal breast epithelial cell line (MCF-12A) were used together with an in vivo tumour-bearing mouse model to evaluate bioactivity. Liquid LC/MS-based metabolomic profiling was used to assess samples collected from different locations in the Western Cape. The MTT assay was used to assess cell viability after treatment in MCF-12A cells, MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. The efficacy of the plant extract was compared with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin, using a tumour-bearing mouse model. There is evidently chemotypic variation in populations of D. viscosa, with the Stellenbosch population exhibiting the highest cytotoxic potential. Extracts illustrated bioactivity against the breast cancer cells, but had limited toxicity to normal breast epithelial cells. Apoptosis was evident by the apoptotic markers detected in Western blot analysis after treatment of the extract. Doxorubicin (Dox) and the extract exhibited equivalent reduction tumour size in the tumourbearing mice model. The vital potential of D. viscosa as adjuvant treatment for breast cancer has been demonstrated in this study.

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