Psoralea karooensis (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae): a new species from the Klein Karoo region of South Africa

PhytoKeys. 2012:(17):19-23. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.17.3672. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Abstract

A new species of Psoralea is described. Psoralea karooensis C.H. Stirt., Muasya & Vlok is endemic to mountain streams in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The new species is characterised by its flexuose habit of many stiff bare stems with the seasonal shoots arising apically in clusters and its greenish cream flowers borne at the apex of 10-12 mm long peduncles each ending in a trifid cupulum.

Keywords: Fabaceae; Klein Karoo; Leguminosae; New species; Psoralea; Psoraleeae; South Africa; Taxonomy.