<strong>From the frying pan: an unusual dwarf shrub from Namibia turns out to be a new brassicalean family</strong>

• DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.439.3.1
• Publication Date: 2020-04-20T05:57:02Z
• Authors: WESSEL SWANEPOEL; MARK W. CHASE; MAARTEN J.M. CHRI...; OLIVIER MAURIN; FÉLIX FOREST; ABRAHAM E. VAN WYK
• Keywords: Petal; Sepal; Perianth; Raceme

Tiganophyton karasense, an evergreen dwarf shrub, is described as a new species. A genus and family are also proposed for it in the order Brassicales. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data indicate that sister to Bataceae/Salvadoraceae, all three Koeberliniaceae. First realized be undescribed 2010, T. karasense rare species known only from localities arid Karas Region, southern Namibia. These small shrubs grow near edges seasonal pans on calcareous substrate underlaid by shales mudstones Prince Albert Formation Karoo Supergroup. Morphological characters diagnostic include: marked differentiation into long short shoots; dimorphic, spirally arranged leaves; glucosinolate production; bisexual laterally flattened flowers borne singly bract axils shoots only; tetramerous calyx, corolla androecium with fused sepals free, non-clawed petals; staminal disc, but no nectary glands; deeply bilobed ovary gynobasic style; S-shaped gynophore supporting bilocular, horizontally orientated or inverted ovary; two ovules per locule; dry, persistent fruit, provisionally interpreted one-seeded nutlet. Based IUCN Red List categories criteria, conservation assessment Vulnerable (VU D1) recommended karasense.