A synoptic review of the aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an ecologically diverse province in eastern South Africa.

The KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa has a varied topography, geology and climate and presents diverse habitats that support a rich and diverse flora. Aloes are well represented in KwaZulu-Natal, with four genera [ L., Klopper & Gideon F.

Temperature controls phenology in continuously flowering species of subtropical Africa.

Premise Of The Study: Herbarium specimens are increasingly used as records of plant flowering phenology. However, most herbarium-based studies on plant phenology focus on taxa from temperate regions. Here, we explore flowering phenologic responses to climate in the subtropical plant genus (Proteaceae), an iconic group of plants that flower year-round and are endemic to subtropical Africa.

Foliar secretory structures in (Meliaceae).

is a medium-sized to large evergreen to deciduous tree ranging from southern Africa to Ethiopia. Two morphologically-distinct variants of , southern and northern, may be recognized in southern Africa. Despite its wide distribution range there appear to be no published reports on the secretory structures occurring on the leaves.

Diversity and biogeographical patterns of legumes (Leguminosae) indigenous to southern Africa.

The principal aim of this study was to establish biogeographical patterns in the legume flora of southern Africa so as to facilitate the selection of species with agricultural potential. Plant collection data from the National Herbarium, South Africa, were analysed to establish the diversity and areas covered by legumes (Leguminosae/Fabaceae) indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. A total of 27,322 records from 1,619 quarter degree grid cells, representing 1,580 species, 122 genera and 24 tribes were included in the analyses.

Evolutionary history and leaf succulence as explanations for medicinal use in aloes and the global popularity of Aloe vera.

Background: Aloe vera supports a substantial global trade yet its wild origins, and explanations for its popularity over 500 related Aloe species in one of the world's largest succulent groups, have remained uncertain. We developed an explicit phylogenetic framework to explore links between the rich traditions of medicinal use and leaf succulence in aloes.

Results: The phylogenetic hypothesis clarifies the origins of Aloe vera to the Arabian Peninsula at the northernmost limits of the range for aloes.

Oberholzeria (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae), a new monotypic legume genus from Namibia.

Oberholzeria etendekaensis, a succulent biennial or short-lived perennial shrublet is described as a new species, and a new monotypic genus. Discovered in 2012, it is a rare species known only from a single locality in the Kaokoveld Centre of Plant Endemism, north-western Namibia. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular sequence data from the plastid matK gene resolves Oberholzeria as the sister group to the Genisteae clade while data from the nuclear rDNA ITS region showed that it is sister to a clade comprising both the Crotalarieae and Genisteae clades.

The epidermal cell structure of the secondary pollen presenter in Vangueria infausta (Rubiaceae: Vanguerieae) suggests a functional association with protruding onci in pollen grains.

Secondary pollen presentation is a well-known phenomenon in the Rubiaceae with particularly conspicuous pollen presenters occurring in the tribe Vanguerieae. These knob-like structures are formed by a modification of the upper portion of the style and stigma, together known as the stylar head complex. In the flower bud and shortly before anthesis, the anthers surrounding the stylar head complex dehisce and release pollen grains which adhere to the pollen presenter.

Structural evidence in Plectroniella armata (Rubiaceae) for possible material exchange between domatia and mites.

Domatia are small structures on the lower surface of a leaf, usually taking the form of cavities, pouches, domes with an opening, or hairs (or a combination of these), and located in the axils between the main veins. They are found in many dicotyledons including certain members of the Rubiaceae. As part of an ongoing study of selected southern African members of the tribe Vanguerieae of this family, their structure in transverse section was investigated.

Alien phytogeographic regions of southern Africa: numerical classification, possible drivers, and regional threats.

The distributions of naturalised alien plant species that have invaded natural or semi-natural habitat are often geographically restricted by the environmental conditions in their new range, implying that alien species with similar environmental requirements and tolerances may form assemblages and characterise particular areas. The aim of this study was to use objective numerical techniques to reveal any possible alien phytogeographic regions (i.e.

Monitoring mercury in two South African herbaria.

Mercury [Hg] emissions from old plant collections treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) may present a high health risk for staff working in certain herbaria. The present study evaluated Hg concentrations in ambient air, plant specimens and biological samples from staff working in the Pretoria National Herbarium (PRE) and the H.G.