The identity of Albuca caudata Jacq. (Hyacinthaceae) and a description of a new related species: A. bakeri

Abstract

The name Albuca caudata Jacq. has been widely misunderstood or even ignored since its description in 1791. After studying herbarium specimens and living populations in South Africa, plants fitting Jacquin´s concept of that species are found to be widely distributed in the Eastern Cape, mainly in the Albany centre of Endemism. Furthermore, some divergent specimens matching Baker´s concept of Albuca caudata are described as a new related species: Albuca bakeri. Data on typification, morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported for both taxa. Affinities and divergences with other close allies are also discussed.

Albuca annulata sp. nov. (Hyacinthaceae) from the Albany Centre of Endemism, South Africa

“…Albuca caudata differs from A. annulata by many morphological characters, such as the roots tuberose; leaves canaliculate and numerose; inflorescence inclined and unilateral; tepals white and green (cf. Martínez‐Azorín et al 2011b).…”

“…(cf. Martínez‐Azorín et al 2011b) has shown that the current concept of that species is very wide and includes different biological entities that can be accepted as autonomous taxa. One of those taxa has been described as A. bakeri Mart.‐Azorín & M. B. Crespo, which is characterised by remarkable zebra‐banded cataphylls covering the bulb neck.…”

The rediscovery of Albuca tenuifolia, an orophilous species from the eastern Great Escarpment in South Africa

“…J. C. Manning & Goldblatt), has remained almost unchanged from the late 19th century, and is the focus of our current research (cf. Martínez‐Azorín et al 2011b). Furthermore, identification keys are lacking for all currently accepted taxa of Albuca , and many of them still poorly known or in need of further studies (cf.…”