FLORA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
VOLUME 16 FABACEAE
Editor 0. A. Leistner
assisted by Emsie du Plessis
Part 3 Papilionoideae
Fascicle 6 Crotalarieae (Aspalathus)
by Rolf Dahlgren
Botanical Research Institute
Department of Aqriculture and Water Supply
Republic of South Africa
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REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND WATER SUPPLY
DEPARTEMENT VAN LANDBOU EN WATER VOORSIENING
FLORA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
VOLUME 16
PART 3, FASCICLE 6
EDITORIAL BOARD
Dr B. de Winter, Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria, RSA
Prof. R. B. Nordenstam, Natural History Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Dr R. M. Polhill, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Prof. J. J. A. van derWalt, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, RSA
ISBN 0 621 11263 1
ROLF MARTIN TEODOR DAHLGREN
7 July 1932 —14 February 1987
FLORA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
which deals with the territories of
SOUTH AFRICA, CISKEI, TRANSKEI, LESOTHO, SWAZILAND, BOPHUTHATSWANA,
SOUTH WEST AFRICA/NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA AND VEND A
VOLUME 16 FABACEAE
PART 3 PAPILIONOIDEAE
FASCICLE 6 CROTALARIEAE (ASPALATHUS)
by
Rolf Dahlgren
Editor
O. A. Leistner
assisted by Emsie du Plessis
Editorial Committee: B. de Winter, D. J. B. Killick, G. E. Gibbs Russell, O. A. Leistner
and Emsie du Plessis
Botanical Research Institute,
Department of Agriculture and Water Supply
1988
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016
https://archive.org/details/floraofsoutherna1636unse
CONTENTS
New taxa, names, combinations and statuses published in Part 3, Fascicle 6 vi
Introduction vii
Plan of Flora of southern Africa viii
Preface xi
A note to facilitate accurate determination of Aspalathus species xii
ASPALATHUS 3,6: 1
Key to keys'and some species 3,6: 4
Group 1: Sericeae 3,6: 26
Group 2: Diffusae 3,6: 60
Group 3: Cephalanthae 3,6: 61
Group 4: Crotalariiformes 3,6: 82
Group 5: Lebeckiiformes 3,6: 84
Group 6: Pedunculares 3,6: 90
Group 7: Borboniae 3,6: 102
Group 8: Filicaules 3,6: 117
Group 9: Rostratae 3,6: 121
Group 10: Rubescentes 3,6: 130
Group 11: Adnates 3,6: 137
Group 12: Leptanthae 3,6: 169
Group 13: Ternatae 3,6: 185
Group 14: Purpureae 3,6: 191
Group 15: Gigantes 3,6: 203
Group 16: Decorae 3,6: 205
Group 17: Callosae 3,6: 206
Group 18: Camosae 3,6: 208
Group 19: Sulphureae 3,6: 221
Group 20: Aciphyllae 3,6: 226
Group21: Pachycarpae 3,6: 231
Group 22: Pingues 3,6: 238
Group 23: Marginales 3,6: 283
Group 24: Niveae 3,6: 284
Group 25: Spinescentes 3,6: 286
Group 26: Vermiculatae 3,6: 289
Group 27: Aciculifoliae 3,6: 290
Group 28: Astroites 3,6: 291
Group 29: Terminales 3,6: 296
Group 30: Tereticarpae 3,6: 332
Group 31: Digitifoliae 3,6: 339
Group 32: Teretilobae 3,6: 351
Group 33: Calcicolae 3,6: 375
Group 34: Laterales 3,6: 382
Index 3,6: 423
v
NEW TAXA, NEW NAMES, NEW COMBINATIONS AND NEW
STATUSES PUBLISHED IN PART 3, FASCICLE 6*
Aspalathus cordicarpaDti/z/g., sp. nov., p. 3,6: 363
Aspalathus keeromsbergensis Dahlg., sp. nov., p. 3,6: 147
Aspalathus lebeckioidesDa/t/g., nom. nov., p. 3,6: 85
Aspalathus petersonii Dahlg., nom. nov., p. 3,6: 249
Aspalathus tulbaghensisDa/?/g., nom. et slat, nov., p. 3,6: 313
Aspalathus lotoides Thiinb. subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg., comb, nov., p. 3,6: 27
Aspalathus shawiiL. Bol. subsp. glabripetala {Dahlg.) Dahlg., comb, nov., p. 3,6: 417
Aspalathus shawii L. Bol. subsp. longispica {Dahlg.) Dahlg., comb, nov., p. 3,6: 417
Aspalathus amoena {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 357
Aspalathus brevicarpa {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 321
Aspalathus congesta {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 397
Aspalathus empetrifolia {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 358
Aspalathus horizontalis {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 323
Aspalathus isoiata {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 179
Aspalathus katbergensis {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 265
Aspalathus kougaensis ( Garab . ex Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 399
Aspalathus puberula {Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 173
Aspalathus stricticlada {Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov., p. 3,6: 297
* Date of publication: July, 1988
INTRODUCTION
For a key to the families and the genera not keyed out in this fascicle, the Flora should be used
in conjunction with R. A. Dyer’s Genera of Southern African Flowering Plants, Vol. 1 (1975) and
Vol. 2 (1976), which are arranged on the lines of the Engler system. The genera are numbered, as
far as possible, according to the list published by De Dalla Torre and Harms in their Genera
Siphonogamarum (1900-1907) in order to facilitate reference, though genera in the Flora are not
necessarily arranged in this sequence.
This fascicle was compiled in accordance with a Guide to Contributors to the Flora of sou-
thern Africa (Ross, Leistner & De Winter, 1977). The author had completed most of his work on
the manuscript before changes were introduced to the format of the Flora. It was therefore decided
not to bring the format of the present fascicle in line with the latest edition of the Guide for
Contributors to the Flora of southern Africa (compiled by Leistner, Ross & De Winter and avail-
able from the Librarian, Botanical Research Institute, Private Bag X101 , Pretoria, 0001).
This is the first fascicle of part 3, which is devoted to the Papilionoideae, to appear. Part 1 of
volume 16 (Fabaceae) dealing with Mimosoideae was published in 1975 and part 2 on Caesalpi-
nioideae in 1977. Part 3 is scheduled to appear in nine fascicles. The number of the part, namely
‘3’, and the number of the fascicle, ‘6’, precede the page number on all pages marked with Arabic
numerals. This was done with a view to compiling a combined index to the entire volume. In parts
1 and 2 of volume 16 the part number was not incorporated in the page number. This could be
accommodated in the combined index by preceding the page numbers of part 1 with a ‘1’ (Mimo-
soideae) and of part 2 with a ‘2’ (Caesalpinioideae).
It was also decided to publish the distribution maps as they have been prepared by the author.
The grid superimposed on most of these maps does not represent latitudes and longitudes but
consists of 50 km squares. More than one type of base map was used, with different shading
indicating different ranges of altitudes. In Maps 54 and 55 the altitude is indicated as follows:
unshaded area — below 610 m (2 000 ft), sparsely dotted area — 610-1 220 m (2 000-4 000 ft)
and densely dotted area — above 1 220 m (4 000 ft). In Maps 74, 77, 78 and 114 the following
applies: unshaded area — below 500 m, sparsely dotted area — 500- 1 000 m, densely dotted area —
1 000—1 500 m, diagonally striped area — 1 500-2 000 m and vertically striped area — above
2 000 m. In all other maps the shading represents the following altitudes: unshaded area — below
305 m (1 000 ft), sparsely dotted area — 305- 1 220 m (1 000 -4 000 ft) and striped area — above
1 220 m (4 000 ft).
vii
PLAN OF FLORA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
Cryptogam volumes will in future not be numbered but will be known by the name of the group they cover. The
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Alien families are marked with an asterisk.
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X
PREFACE
This presentation of Aspalathus largely follows my work ‘Revision of the genus Aspalathus’
in Opera Botanica (Lund) 4 (1960), 6 (2) (1961), 8 (1) (1963), 10(1) (1965), 11(1) (1966), 20
(1968) and 22 (1968) and in Botaniska Notiser 121: 165-208 (1968). A survey of the genus was
given in Opera Botanica (Lund) 9 (1) (1963), a key has been provided in Botaniska Notiser 122:
512-548 (1969), and chromosome numbers were published in Botaniska Notiser 124: 383-398
(1971). The genus was also treated in various other, minor papers.
This monographic work was based on two periods of field work lasting for about 15 months,
in 1956-57 and 1965—66 and on dried material in many herbaria. For company and assistance in
the field I wish to thank especially Dr Bo Peterson, Prof. Arne Strid and Miss Elsie Esterhuysen.
The revisional work was carried out at the Botanical Museum of the Department of Botany at the
University of Lund, Sweden.
The taxonomy has been slightly changed as a consequence of experience gained after the
publication of the Revision, and the general sequence has been changed. In several cases a more
practical-pragmatic species concept has been applied. With the whole of the revision in hand it has
now been possible to supply an improved grouping of the species and present a different sequence,
which is more practical and possibly reflects phylogenetic relationships more adequately. Aspala-
thus here consists of 278 species and is the largest of all genera endemic to the Cape Province and
Natal of South Africa. One species, and dubiously so, is recorded from Lesotho, but none yet from
the Orange Free State or Transvaal.
The following changes have been made in relation to the ‘Revision of the genus Aspalathus’
(see above):
Raised from subspecies to species rank, in the sequence of species used here, are A. hetero-
phylla (earlier in A. lot aides), A. lin(e)arifolia (earlier in A. rugosa), A. aemula (earlier in A.
sericea), A. lebeckioides (earlier as A. linearis subsp. latipetala), A. willdenowiana (earlier in A.
uniflora), A. neglecta and A. cliff ortioides (both earlier in A. spicata), A. puberula (earlier in A.
ericifolia), A. isolata (earlier in A. varians), A. petersonii (earlier as A. leucophylla subsp. septen-
trionalis), A. subtingens (earlier in A. lactea), A. katbergensis (earlier in A. simii), A. stricticlada
(earlier in A. cuspidata ), A. tulbaghensis (earlier as A. acuminata subsp. magniflora ), A. lepto-
coma, A. brevicarpa and A. horizontalis (these three earlier in A. divaricata), A. amoena and A.
empetrifolia (earlier in A. retroflexa), A. congesta and A. kougaensis (earlier in A. chortophila)
and A. shawii (with three subspecies; earlier in A. joubertiana). Most of these units are more
practicable to keep on the species level than on subspecies level, and — as the majority of them
were originally described as species — nomenclatural recombinations for them are not necessary.
New species that have not appeared in any rank in the actual series ‘Revision of the genus
Aspalathus’, but have been described in separate articles outside this series are the following: A.
singuliflora, A. taylorii, A. rycroftii, A. barbigera , A. vacciniifolia and A. oliveri.
Species upheld in the same series, but here considered to be synonymous to other species or to
be hybrids, are: A. pumila (included in A. esterhuyseniae), A. leiantha (included in A. crenata),
and A. lotiflora (hybrid?). There are also a few subspecies which I have not upheld because I
considered them to be local aberrations.
The genus Aspalathus consists of quite a number of groups of more or less obviously closely
similar species, where so many details are shared that a close phylogenetic relationship appears
likely. Many of these were recognized as informal ‘groups’ in the Revision, but were established
only to give recognition to this similarity. This is just as well, because in the present treatment, it
turned out to be more practical to use fewer units. Grouping supposedly related species with
various shared features under a common name has the advantage that group descriptions can be
used to relieve the descriptions of their species from the shared features and thus avoid repetition.
xi
Nearly all taxa — a few subspecies excepted — have been illustrated here. All drawings but one
(A. oliveri , by B. Johnson) are my own and for the most part have been taken from the Revision.
A note to facilitate accurate determination of Aspalathus species
The determination of Aspalathus species is greatly facilitated by a rough examination of a
specimen and by measuring certain parts in advance. Most useful is knowledge of the following
features: total size; pubescence of branchlets; for leaves, whether trifoliolate or unifoliolate; for
leaflets, shape, length, pubescence; for flowers, whether in a terminal inflorescence or solitary (or
few) on lateral short-shoots; for bracts, whether trifoliolate, lobed or simple, whether accreted or
not to the pedicel and their size; for pedicel, length and pubescence; for bracteoles, size and shape;
for calyx tube, pubescence; for calyx lobe, length, shape, pubescence; for petals, colour; for stand-
ard, shape, size and colour, whether pubescent on back and, perhaps, on margins of front, pres-
ence of apical cusp, presence of callosities at base of front; for wing and keel claws, whether they
are free from or attached to base of staminal sheath and length; for wing and keel blades, shape,
size and pubescence; for wing blades, number of rows of minute folds, number of folds in each
row; for keel blades, presence of lateral spurs on sides; for ovary, pubescence and number of
ovules; and for fruit, size, shape and pubescence. With these data available, only little extra
information will be needed for accurate determination of the specimen.
xn
Crotalarieae
ASPALATHUS
by Rolf Dahlgren*
3662
3,6: 1
Aspalathus L. [emend. Dahlg., Bot. Notiser 116: 185 (1963)]; L., Syst. Nat. edn 2: 27 (1740);
Sp. PI. edn 1: 71 1 (1753); Gen. PI., edn 4: 318 (1754); Berg., Descr. PI. Cap. 200(1767); Lam.,
Encycl. 1: 286 (1783); Thunb. (Hedenberg, Hansen), Diss. Bot., Aspalathus (1802); DC., Prodr.
2: 137 (1825); Endl., Gen. PI. 1263 (1840); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 583 (1848); Harv.
in FI. Cap. 2: 94 (1862); Benth. & Hook, f., Gen. PI. 478 (1865); Harv., Gen. PI. edn 2, 76
(1868); Taubert, Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 219(1 894); Phill. , Gen. edn 1, 321 (1926); Salter in Adamson
& Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 472 (1950); Phill., Gen. edn 2, 407 (1951); Dahlgren, Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4 (1960); 6(1) (1961); 6 (2) (1961); 8(1) (1963); 9(3) (1963); 10(1) (1965); 1 1(1) (1966);
21 (1968); 22(1968); Bot. Notiser 114: 313 ff. (1961); 115: 465 ff. (1962); 116: 185 ff. (1963);
116: 431 ff. (1963); 117: 188 ff. (1964); 120: 26 ff. (1967); 120: 149 ff. (1967); 121: 165 ff.
(1968); 121: 505 ff. (1968); 122: 512 ff. (1969); 124: 383 ff. (1971); Hutchinson, Gen. FI. PI. 1:
345 (1964); Dyer, Gen. 1: 251 (1975); Polhill, Bot. Syst. 1: 322 (1976). Type species: A. cheno-
poda L.
Achyronia L. ex Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 156(1891). Used by Linnaeus, in Gen. PI., edn 2-4, but not in Sp. PI. No type
species selected.
Borbonia L., Hort. Cliff., 494 (1738); Gen. PI., edn 2, 345 (1942); Sp. PL, edn 1, 707 (1753); Lam., Encycl. 1: 435
(1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 122 (1800); Thunb. (Haartman), Diss. bot., Borbonia (181 1); DC., Prodr. 2: 137 (1825); Endl.,
Gen. PL, 1261 (1840); Benth., Hooker, J. Bot. 2: 460 (1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 27 (1862); Benth. & Hook, f., Gen. PL
475 (1865); Harv., Gen. PL 72 (1868); Taubert, Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 219 (1894); Phillips, Gen., ed. 1, 319 (1926); Salter in
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 462 (1950); Phillips, Gen., edn 2, 403 (1951); Dahlgren, Bot. Notiser 1 16: 185 (1963)
as incorporated in Aspalathus-, Dahlgren, Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 22 (ditto). Type species: B. cordata L.
Bootia Adans., Fam. PL 2: 341 (1763). Type species not selected.
Scaligera Adans., Fam. PL 2: 323 (1763). Type species not selected.
Eriocylax Neck., Elem. Bot. 3: 24(1790). Type species not selected.
Sarcophyllus Thunb. (Brantstrom), Nov. Gen. PL 135 (1800). Type species: S. carnosus Thunb. [= Aspalathus capensis
(Walp.) Dahlg.].
Diallosperma Raf., FI. Tellur. 69 (1838). Type species: D. spinosa (L.) Raf. ( =Aspalathus spinosa L.).
Fakeloba Raf., FI. Tellur, pro parte excl. typ. Type species: F . cretica (L.) Raf. ( =Anthyllis hermanniae L.).
Sarcocalyx Walp. , Linnaea 13: 479 (1839). Type species: S. capensis Walp. [= Aspalathus capensis (Walp.) Dahlg.]
Pachyraphea Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 556 (1845). Corresponds to forms of the present Aspalathus triquetra Thunb.; thus this
partly corresponds to Aspalathus subgen. Triplobractea Dahlg.
Cyphocalyx Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557 (1845). Said to correspond to Aspalathus arida E. Mey.
Plagiostigma Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557 (1845). This was intended for Aspalathus ‘ pinea ’ sensu Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7 (1848), non Thunb., which corresponds to A. macrantha Harv.
Slreptosema Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 558 (1845). Said to be used for Aspalathus ‘ verrucosa ' and A. hystrix ’, both names
incorrectly used for A. willdenowiana Benth.
Psilolepus Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 558 (1845). Corresponds largely to the Aspalathus bracteata and A. lanata groups in
Dahlgren, Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4 (1960). No type species selected.
Paraspalathus Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 559 (1845). Corresponds to a great part of the genus, with sessile biovulate ovaries
and one-seeded pods not longer than the calyx. No type species selected.
Trineuria Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 561 (1845). Corresponds to a mixture of different species including Aspalathus ciliaris
and A. chenopoda (type of Aspalathus ). No type species selected.
Heterolathus Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 561 (1845). Corresponds largely to the Aspalathus polycephala and A. fasciculata
groups in Dahlgren, Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4 ( 1960). No type species selected.
Except for Borbonia none of the above generic names have been extensively used, and selecting type species for them
would only be of academic interest.
* Late of The Botanical Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
3,6:2
Crotalarieae
Shrubs or shrublets, rarely small trees, prostrate, ascending or erect, rarely up to 3 m tall or
more. Branches often thorny; lateral branchlets frequently developed as short-shoots, appearing as
dense fascicles of leaflets. Branchlets glabrous, variously pubescent. Leaves below inflorescence
regions without petiole and stipules (small stipular teeth present in subgenus Nortieria), trifoliolate
or more rarely unifoliolate, the leaflet(s) situated on an inconspicuous or tubercle-like leaf base
prolonged in some species into a unique, single or trimerous spur or spine. Leaflets varying from
flat to canaliculate or terete, obtuse to mucronate or spine-tipped, with entire margin (very rarely
laterally toothed), glabrous or variously pubescent, from weak to stiff. Inflorescence principally
racemose, often unifloral, often comprising a spike, umbel or head on the branch ends, peduncu-
late or not, or when developed on lateral branchlets often unifloral, whole inflorescence system
then often with spike-like appearance. Flowers variable in size, bracteate and bracteolate, with a
generally short pedicel. Floral bracts usually simple (unifoliolate), small or more rarely similar to
leaflets of foliar leaves, in some groups trifoliolate and similar to foliar leaves, leaflets then
sometimes partly fused. (Bracts occasionally petiolate.) Bracteoles generally simple, rarely trifo-
liolate. Calyx generally regular, campanulate, with upper lobes ± broader than lower, not bila-
biate; lowest lobe in some species enlarged and boat-shaped. Petals papilionaceous, generally
yellow but often with purplish shades, especially on back of standard, more rarely white, or purple;
flowers in some species turning black when dried. Standard usually ovate or circular, rarely with
callous lunate structures at the base, usually ± pubescent on back, with short or long claw. Wings
clawed, generally elongate, often partly pubescent, in most species with one to several rows of
minute pockets on the basal upper parts; claws in some species basally attached to staminal sheath.
Keel clawed, lunate or rostrate, obtuse or acute, generally with a lateral pocket (spur) on each side,
these pockets rarely firmly attached to part of the wings; claws in some species adnate to the
staminal sheath. Stamens united for basal two-thirds or four-fifths into a sheath with upper slit on
either side of the upper median filament; 5 anthers short and dorsifixed, 4 long and basifixed and
one (the lower median) intermediate. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary glabrous or pubescent, usually
with 2-6 rarely up to c. 20 ovules; style ± upcurved; stigma capitate, rarely elongate and directed
forward. Pod (legume) at least usually dehiscent, broadly ovate to lanceolate or rarely linear, with
1 — c.8 seeds. Seeds reniform to obliquely ovate, without caruncle.
The largest genus of flowering plants endemic to South Africa, with ± 278 species, most of them concentrated in the
winter rainfall region of the Cape Province, extending into Natal (with, for example, A. setacea Eckl. & Zeyh.,
A. chortophila Eckl. & Zeyh., A. gerrardii H. Bol., A. simii H. Bol., A. spinosa L.). A great many species are very
restricted in their distribution, about 50 being local endemics in a wide sense (Dahlgren, Bot. Notiser 116: 468, 1963).
Distributional patterns in relation to Weimarck, Phytogeogr. Groups (1941)and in relation to soil conditions are given by
Dahlgren in Bot. Notiser 1 16: 431-472 (1963) and Bot. Notiser 121: 505-534 (1968), respectively. In the winter rainfall
region there is fairly good concordance between the distribution of Aspalathus and a rainfall more than 254 mm (= 10
inches) (Dahlgren, Bot. Notiser 116: 434, 1963).
Species often show a marked preference for a specific type of soil. Most of them are restricted to Table Mountain
Sandstone substrates, but others to marine sand, to limestone outcrops, to clayey soils weathered from shales, to the lime-
rich and clayey soils of the Malmesbury beds, etc. Most species grow in sclerophyll scrub, in vegetation types referable to
Cape fynbos and to transitional forms between this vegetation and renosterveld and strand veld.
The name Aspalathus is derived from the Greek ' A.onct\a6o<;. Plants so named appear in the Bible, and are also
mentioned by Theognis, Theophrastos and Theocritos (all before Christ); in Theophrastos it may have referred to Alhagi
Toum. ex Adans. and in other works it may have referred to Calicotome Link. Later (by Plato, Pliny, Clusius and Bauhin)
the word has obviously been used for species of Genista L. and Cytisus L.
Aspalathus, contrary to what may be expected, has nearly always been treated as feminine. Possible motives for that,
apart from tradition, could be that the Greek word from which it was derived was feminine, but also that its species
occasionally attain the size of a tree (arbor), and are therefore to be treated as feminine. Attempts to change Aspalathus to
masculine were made by Gilmour, Green & Spraque (Kew Bull. 1935: 77; 1935) before the following Botanical Congress,
but nothing emerged out of this, so the attempt was obviously unsuccessful.
Aspalathus has at times been subdivided into sections and subgenera. The following subgenera were introduced in
Dahlgren, Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 48-50 (1963). The interrelationships of the subgenera are not clear. The subgenera
are not used in this account as they are of little practical use. Some of them correspond to the informal groups used here:
Crotalarieae
3,6:3
Subgenus Ecklonella = group Diffusae
Subgenus Nortieria = group Lebeckiiformes
Subgenus Purpureipelala = group Purpureae
Subgenus Triplobractea = group Tematae
Subgenus Rafnioides is best included in subgenus Nortieria, and its species A. nudiflora is here treated in the group
Lebeckiiformes.
Key to the subgenera:
la Bracteoles (and bracts) trifoliolate subgen. Triplobractea
lb Bracteoles (i.e. the two transverse phyllaries on the pedicel) unifoliolate (simple):
2a Petals white or ± purple or violet (not yellow); bracts trifoliolate, trilobate or simple, if trilobate or simple then
corresponding to united leaflets subgen. Purpureipetala
2b Petals usually ± yellow; bracts trifoliolate or simple; if petals not yellow, then bracts always simple (often very
small):
3a Leaves trifoliolate:
4a Flowers several together in inflorescences or solitary, but not as below, often solitary on leafy short-shoots;
leaves flat or erete but rarely as below subgen. Aspalathus
4b Flowers solitary (and subsessile, minute), situated on the stems between trifoliolate leaves; these with flat
leaflets tomentose on upper side and with involute margins subgen. Ecklonella
3b Leaves simple (unifoliolate):
5a Leaves subterete or slightly flattened, linear-piniform, without distinct veins subgen. Nortieria
5b Leaves distinctly flat, with or without distinct veins:
6a Stigma regular, capitate; wing petals not twisted subgen. Aspalathus
6b Stigma elongate, directed forward, wing petals twisted subgen. Nortieria
3,6:4
Crotalarieae
Key to keys and some species
la Leaves simple
KEY 1 (p. 3,6: 6)
lb Leaves trifoliolate:
2a Bracteoles (flower prophylls) and bracts trifoliolate KEY 2 (p. 3,6: 7)
2b Bracteoles simple (bracts trifoliolate, trilobate or simple):
3a Petals white, violet or purple (not at all yellow); bracts trifoliolate, trilobate or simple
(often all shapes in the same inflorescence), when simple apparently of 3 fused leaf-
lets (flowers in terminal spikes or heads) KEY 3 (p. 3,6: 7)
3b Petals partly or entirely yellow, but often with red or purple pattern (rarely of entirely
different colour, and if so, flowers solitary on lateral short- shoots); bracts trifoliolate
or unifoliate:
4a Bracts trifoliolate at least on the lower (peripheral) flowers of the inflorescence
KEY 4 (p. 3,6:7)
4b Bracts simple or rarely absent:
5a Leaflets distinctly flat, of variable size:
6a Flowers solitary or few, in racemes on leaf-opposed peduncle (these are in
reality terminal) KEY 5 (p. 3,6: 8)
6b Flowers not on leaf-opposed peduncles:
7a Calyx tube glabrous on most parts of the outer side (except sometimes on
the base) KEY 6 (p. 3,6: 8)
7b Calyx tube pubescent on most of the outer side:
8a Flowers very small, solitary, directly on stems below leafy branch ends;
leaflets with involute margins, woolly-hairy on upper side (small,
partly herbaceous) 28. A. diffusa
8b Flowers, if small, not distributed as above; leaflets not with involute
margins, not with woolly upper side:
9a Flowers in spikes, heads, racemes, or umbels, usually 3 or more per
inflorescence, on branch ends:
10a Inflorescence compact, head-like, or umbel-like, not ovate or
elongate KEY 7 (p. 3,6: 9)
10b Inflorescence more or less elongate: a spike or raceme
KEY 8 (p. 3,6: 11)
9b Flowers solitary or binary, sometimes pedunculate, at tips of branches
or branchlets or (more often) on lateral short-shoots:
1 la Flowers solitary or binary on the tips of well developed branchlets
orbranches KEY 9 (p. 3,6: 1 1)
lib Flowers solitary or binary on lateral short-shoots (i.e. distributed
laterally on branches):
1 2a Branches with numerous lateral branch thorns 1 65 . A. spinosa
12b Branches thorny or not, but thorns not numerous and lateral
KEY 10 (p. 3,6: 12)
Crotalarieae
3,6:5
5b Leaflets subterete or angular (sometimes sulcate or even somewhat flattened):
13a Flowers solitary or binary on lateral short-shoots, i.e. situated in the centre of
lateral leaf clusters, often scattered along branches or branch ends in consid-
erable number:
14a Petals all glabrous (the base of the standard or margins of the basal parts
of petals sometimes excepted) KEY 11 (p. 3,6: 12)
14b Petals (at least the apex and/or midrib of the back of the standard) with
some pubescence:
15a Keel more or less pubescent KEY 12 (p. 3,6: 14)
15b Keel glabrous:
16a Leaflets even when fully developed (i.e. not only when juvenile) cov-
ered with grey-sericeous pubescence KEY 13 (p. 3,6: 15)
16b Leaflets when mature, green, either glabrous or with spreading,
mostly sparse pubescence or puberulous:
17a Leaflets sharply spine-tipped KEY 14 (p. 3,6: 16)
17b Leaflets not spine-tipped, varying from obtuse to acuminate or
mucronulate:
18a Branches with regularly distributed, relatively short, often
slightly recurved lateral thorns 1 65 . A. spinosa
18b Branches without such thorns (but sometimes thorny in other
ways):
19a Leaf bases produced into a short woody spur or spine (keel ±
beak-like) KEY 15 (p. 3,6: 17)
19b Leaf bases without spur or spine:
20a Ovary with 16-20 ovules; fruits long, linear . 71. A. filicaulis
20b Ovary with less than 6 ovules; fruits ovate or lanceolate ....
KEY 16 (p. 3,6: 17)
13b Flowers solitary or 2— several on the tips of branchlets with 1 or more
distinct (sometimes peduncular) intemodes:
21a Petals entirely glabrous (except for some pubescence on the base of the
standard blade and, rarely, some ciliation on petal margins)
KEY 17 (p. 3,6: 19)
21b Petals at least with some pubescence (apart from standard base), normally
at least on distal parts of the standard back or on its midrib:
22a Keel glabrous KEY 18 (p. 3 ,6: 2 1 )
22b Keel at least with some pubescence:
23a Branches ending in sharp thorns KEY 19 (p. 3,6: 24)
23b Branches not ending in sharp thorns (but sometimes straight and
rigid):
24a Leaflets not ending in a prickle or spikelet KEY 20 (p. 3,6: 24)
24b Leaflets ending in a prickle or spikelet:
25a Pedicels glabrous (calyx glabrous; fruit smooth). . . 219. A. rigidifolia
25b Pedicels pubescent KEY 21 (p. 3,6: 24)
3,6:6
Crotalarieae
KEY 1
la Leaves distinctly flat:
2a Stigma elongate, forwardly directed 49. A. nudiflora
2b Stigma subcapitate, not directed forward or only slightly so:
3a Leaves silvery sericeous; keel blades sericeous:
4a Flowers solitary on lateral short-shoots, thus dispersed along large portions of the branches. . 22. A. caledonensis
4b Flowers several to numerous in apical spike:
5a Calyx lobes deltoid-triangular, 0,5 — 1,5 mm long 19. A. altissima
5b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, ± 2,5 mm long or more:
6a Petals sericeous; keel blades 7—8 mm and wing blades 9— 10 mm long 17. A. sericea
6b Petals woolly or tomentose; keel blades 6-7 mm and wing blades ± 7 mm long 18. A. aemula
3b Leaves glabrous or pubescent, only rarely sericeous and keel then glabrous:
7a Leaves strictly perfoliate (amplexicaul) surrounding the stem completely 63. A. perforata
7b Leaves not entirely clasping the stem:
8a Leaves closely pubescent on lower side 57. A. lanifera
8b Leaves glabrous or sparsely pubescent on lower side:
9a Stems (branches) closely pubescent on youngest (upper) parts:
10a Pistil with more than 12 ovules; fruits more than 30 mm long 66. A. angustifolia
10b Pistil with 2-4 ovules; fruits less than 20 mm long:
1 1 a Leaf margins glabrous; leaves broadly lanceolate or ovate 67 . A . cordata
1 lb Leaf margins ciliate at least basally, leaves lanceolate 68. A. barbata
9b Stems (branches) glabrous or sparsely pubescent on youngest parts:
12a Pistil with 2 ovules; fruits ovate; keel blades ± 3 mm long 60. A. monosperma
12b Pistil with 4 or more ovules; fruits lanceolate to linear or oblong; keel blades 4 mm long or more:
13a Keel blades ± pubescent:
14a Shrublets thin and gracile; wing blades ±7,5 mm long or less 65. A. lanceifolia
14b Shrublets not gracile; wing blades 8,5 mm long or more 66. A. angustifolia
13b Keel blades glabrous:
15a Branchlets terete or obtusely angular or striated, not angular or alate:
16a Leaf margins with rigid tubercles or teeth; leaves ovate or elliptic:
17a Inflorescence of several or numerous smaller flowers; keel blades ± 4,5 mm long or
less 64. A. complicata
17b Inflorescence with 1 - numerous relatively large flowers; keel blades 6 mm long or more:
18a Branches usually low, decumbent; flowers 1-4; leaves not very hard, margins ±
undulate with sparse minute tubercles 61 . A. commutata
18b Branches erect or suberect; flowers usually 7—25; leaves rather hard, with permanent
marginal teeth 62. A. perfoliata
16b Leaf margins smooth; leaves linear or lanceolate (flowers normally on leaf-opposed pedun-
cles):
19a Calyx, bracts, bracteoles and upper parts of stem with sparse, long, spreading hairs;
standard 8 ,5 mm broad or more 58. A. compacta
19b Calyx, bracts, bracteoles and stems glabrous; standard less than 8,5 mm broad
59. A. alpestris
15b Branchlets sharply angular or alate:
20a Bracts and bracteoles less than 1 mm long; leaves elliptic-circular, with or without apical
mucro 70. A. elliptica
20b Bracts and bracteoles more than 2 mm long; leaves ovate or elliptic-ovate, tapering into a
mucro or spine 69. A. crenata
Crotalarieae
3,6:7
lb Leaves terete or only slightly flattened:
21a Stigma elongate, forwardly directed 49. A. nudiflora
21b Stigma subcapitate, not directed forward or only slightly so:
22aTree-like plant with pendulous branches; keel blades 6,5-7 mm long 52. A. pendula
22b Low or up to ± 2 mm tall shrub, branches usually not pendulous; keel blades ± 6 mm long or less:
23a Keel blade glabrous 50. A . lebeckioides
23b Keel blade puberulous at least on lower parts 5 1 . A . linearis
KEY 2
la Flowers very large: keel blades more than 15 mm long (petals cream-white to yellow) 1 16. A. grandiflora
lb Flowers not quite as large: keel blades 13 mm long or less (petals yellow, often purplish on standard):
2a Upper calyx lobes narrowly triangular (although broader than lower), with tapering, subulate apex; calyx
sparingly long-sericeous or (at least calyx lobes) glabrous 1 13. A. galeata
2b Upper calyx lobes broadly triangular; calyx lanate to densely sericeous:
3a Longest leaflets 6-12 mm long; standard usually more than 13,5 mm broad; fruit more than 11 mm long;
shrubs 1 m high or more 1 15. A. densifolia
3b Longest leaflets usually less than 5 mm long; standard less than 13,5 mm broad; fruit less than 1 1 mm long;
shrubs usually lower than 1 m 1 14. A. triquetra
KEY 3
la Keel glabrous; upper two calyx lobes separated from each other by a deep slit (petals cream-
white 1 25 . A . forbesii
lb Keel more or less hairy; upper lobes not separated by a deep slit (petals white or more or less violet):
2a Inflorescence with a great number of ovate, imbricate bracts, the lowest bracts of the head without axillary
flowers 1 1 9 . A . globulosa
2b Inflorescence base not with numerous such bracts:
3a Wing blades more than 10 mm long, apically glabrous, keel rather beaked 123. A. rosea
3b Wing blades less than 10 mm long, generally hairy also on apical parts; keel lunulate, obtuse:
4a Calyx lobes, bracts and bracteoles filiform and slender:
5a Wing blades less than 5 mm long and less than 2 mm broad; calyx lobes very slender; leaflets usually
incurved; inflorescence globose 124. A. cerrhantha
5b Wing blades more than 5 mm long and more than 2 mm broad; calyx lobes not so slender, but linear-
subfiliform; leaflets usually more or less straight; inflorescence elongate or globose 120. A. cephalotes
4b Calyx lobes shortly linear, triangular, ovate or rounded; bracts and bracteoles not filiform:
6a Petals densely woolly villous; shrubs to 1 m high or more:
7a Inflorescence globose, subtended by numerous imbricate, trifoliolate or trilobate bracts; calyx
lobes less than 2,5 mm long 122. A. globosa
7b Inflorescence elongate, spicate; bracts not imbricate; calyx lobes 5-6 mm long (habit resembling
A. cephalotes ) 121. A. barbigera
6b Petals sericeous or partly tomentose, shrubs less than im high:
8a Bracts more than 5 mm long; calyx lobes more than 3 mm long 120. A. cephalotes
8b Bracts less than 3,5 mm long; calyx lobes generally less than 3 mm long:
9a Bracts in upper (central) part of inflorescence simple, lower trifoliolate or trilobate; wing blades
2 mm broad or more, calyx lobes obtuse to subacute 1 18. A. nigra
9b Bracts usually all trifoliolate; wing blades usually more than 2 mm broad; calyx lobes acute to
acuminate 1 17. A. submissa
KEY 4
la Long-shoot leaves basally with a very sharp, woody spine (2— )3— 7 mm long 103. A. aculeata
lb Long-shoot leaves (and short-shoot leaves as well) without leaf base spine:
2a Bracts of peripheral flowers in the inflorescence with a stalk or prolonged leaf base 1-4 mm
long 102. A. chenopoda
3,6:8
Crotalarieae
2b Bracts not stalked:
3a Leaflets or foliar leaves mostly less than 4 mm long, obtuse (plant similar to a dwarf
A. ciliaris) 97. A. millefolia
3b Leaflets of foliar leaves (4 — )5 mm long or more:
4a Calyx lobes narrowly linear or acicular, usually 0,5 mm broad or less for most of the length:
5a Keel blades with some pubescence on lower parts, less than 6,5 mm long (calyx lobes usually partly
purplish) 99. A. pigmentosa
5b Keel blades glabrous, more than 6,5 mm long:
6a Keel blades more than 9,5 mm long; leaves often rigid and prickly; petals turning ferruginous or
reddish 98. A. rubiginosa
6b Keel blades more than 9,5 mm long; leaves not rigid:
7a Flowers in close heads; petals remaining yellow 100. A. araneosa
7b Flowers solitary or in pairs; petals turning ferruginous 94. A. cliff ortioides
4b Calyx lobes from linear to subglobose, at least upper lobes more than 0,5 mm broad at the middle:
8a Keel at least partly sericeous 96. A. ciliaris
8b Keel glabrous:
9a Wing blades more than 7 mm long; standard cusp less than 1 mm long 96. A. ciliaris
9b Wing blades ± 7 mm long or less; standard cusp ± 1 mm long or more 94. A. cliffortioides
KEY 5
la Keel blades sericeous:
2a Calyx lobes ± 3 mm long; bracteoles 4-5 mm long; some leaves partly glabrescent and becoming light
green 11. A. comptonii
2b Calyx lobes 1,5— 2,5 mm long; bracteoles 1,5—3 mm long; leaves closely silvery sericeous 10. A. bodkinii
lb Keel blades glabrous:
3a Leaflets (the largest) less than 10 mm long:
4a Keel blades connate to the tip, without subapical lobe (subalpine forms of) 53. A . bracteata
4b Keel blades connate to a little lobe slightly below the apex (alpine plant) 54. A. patens
3b Leaflets more than 10 mm long:
5a Leaflets less than 1 ,5 mm broad 53. A. bracteata
5b Leaflets usually more than 1 ,5 mm broad:
6a Wing blades ± 4,5 mm broad; calyx lobes 7-9 mm long; leaflets tapering to acuminate 56. A. latifolia
6b Wing blades 2,5-3 mm broad; calyx lobes usually less than 6 mm long; leaflets linear, lanceolate or
falcate, not tapering 55. A. lanata
KEY 6
la Flowers several together in terminal heads or head-like spikes:
2a Standard back and keel partly (apically) puberulous 31. A. myrtillifolia
2b Standard back (except the base) and keel glabrous:
3a Wing blades with one (—two) row(s) of minute folds on upper basal parts:
4a Branches glabrous (except at the nodes), sulcate 128 .A. callosa
4b Branches hairy, not sulcate 129 .A.tylodes
3b Wing blades with several rows of minute folds:
5a Largest bracts not more than 8,5 x 2,5 mm 131. A.fusca
5b Largest bracts more than 1 1 mm long and 6 mm broad 133. A. vacciniifolia
lb Flowers solitary on branchlet tips or solitary or up to 3 together among hairs on axillary short-shoots:
6a Leaflets ending in spinelets or mucros 189. A . abietina
6b Leaflets without spinelets:
7a Standard back partly pubescent; leaves glaucous 141 . A. sulphurea
7b Standard back glabrous; leaves normal green 173. A. mundiana
Crotalarieae
3,6:9
KEY 7
la Leaflets 30-60 mm long, narrowly linear; flowers large; petals almost glabrous; standard blade
±20 mm long 126. A. stokoei
lb Leaflets considerably shorter; flowers not as above:
2a Lowest calyx lobe distinctly longer than others, and generally widened near or above the middle:
3a Keel glabrous:
4a Largest bracts 7x3 mm or less 43. A. rupestris
4b Largest bracts exceeding 8x4 mm:
5a Shrubs stiff, erect; also uppermost leaves with axillary short-shoots 45. A. fasciculata
5b Shrublets weaker, somewhat decumbent; upper leaves not with axillary short-shoots 44. A. suaveolens
3b Keel more or less pubescent:
6a Leaflets glabrous, shiny; ovary with 4-5 ovules 47. A. venosa
6b Leaflets pubescent; ovary with 2 ovules 46 . A. polycephala
2b Lowest calyx lobe of about the same size and shape as the others (often slightly longer):
7a Calyx lobes ending as spinelets:
8a Bracts 3-4 mm long; flowers 6-8 mm long 41 . A. corniculata
8b Bracts more than 10 mm long; flowers 10- 14 mm long (including calyx lobes):
9a Standard more than 8 mm broad; ovary and fruit completely pubescent 39. A. acidota
9b Standard less than 7 mm broad; ovary and fruit pubescent only along dorsal suture 40. A. borboniifolia
7b Calyx lobes not ending as spinelets:
10a Wing and keel claws adnate at the base to the staminal sheath (leaflets less than 1 mm broad,
but the larger ones 10-20 mm long) 95. A. confusa
10b Wing and keel claws free from staminal sheath:
11a Leaves green, either glabrous or with sparse (-dense) spreading pubescence; leaves often
coriaceous or camose:
12a Bracts (of peripheral flowers) large, obdeltoid-rhombic, up to more than 6 mm broad, the lowest
as broad as long (or broader), hairy on the base, otherwise glabrous 134. A. truncata
12b Bracts either all considerably longer than broad or, when suborbicular, much less than 6 mm long:
13a Leaves of long-shoots with a single or temate woody spur or spine 8 . A . tridentata
1 3b Leaf bases without spur or spine:
14a Ovary with 2 ovules:
15a Calyx lobes broadly triangular, about 1 mm long or less, lowest bract almost as broad
as long 33. A. psoraleoides
15b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, bracts much longer than broad:
16a Pedicels considerably longer than the calyx tube (gracile shrublet) 38. A. taylorii
16b Pedicels much shorter than calyx tube:
17a Wings glabrous 42. A. esterhuyseniae
17b Wings ± pubescent, at least on the lower parts:
18a Bracts lanceolate to ovate 4. A. quinquefolia
18b Bracts linear or subulate or very small and triangular:
19a Leaflets broadly lanceolate, ovate or rhombic, broadest near the middle,
ending as a spinelet 34 .A.marginata
19b Leaflets linear or (ob)lanceolate, obtuse, acute or mucronulate:
20a Flowers small: standard and wing blades ± 6,5 and 5 mm long or less, respec-
tively 31. A. inops
20b Flowers somewhat larger: standard and wing blades more than 7 and 5,5 mm
long, respectively:
21a Wing blades more than 8 mm long; leaflets of upper leaves usually 3 mm
broad or more 35. A. aspalathoides
3,6: 10
Crotalarieae
21b Wing blades usually 7,5 mm long or less; leaflets of upper leaves usually
±2,5 mm broad or less 36. A. stenophylla
14b Ovary with (3)4— 8 ovules:
22a Leaflets circular or broadly rhombic-ovate 32. A. orbiculata
22b Leaflets linear-oblanceolate or sometimes obovate:
23a Bracts (and bracteoles) subfiliform, subulate, or narrowly linear:
24a Leaves camose, glabrous or glabrescent; pedicels slender, usually ± 4 mm long or
more 30. A. securifolia
24b Leaflets less camose, often puberulous when young; pedicels 2—3 mm
long 29. A. cytisoides
23b Bracts (and bracteoles) lanceolate, oblanceolate or obovate:
25a Ovary with 6 ovules 8. A. tridentata
25b Ovary with 3-4(5) ovules:
26a Leaves coriaceous-camose; bracts oblong-spathulate 30. A. securifolia
26b Leaves not camose (but sometimes slightly coriaceous); bracts lanceolate:
27a Calyx lobes 5,5-10 mm long; standard 9,5-13,5 mm broad 13. A. linearifolia
27b Calyx lobes 1,5-5 mm long; standard 6, 5-9, 5 mm broad 14 .A.rugosa
1 lb Leaves with grey or silvery, sericeous (rarely spreading) pubescence; leaves weak, flexible:
28a Leaflets grey-tomentose:
29a Procumbent; calyx white-villous with oblong lobes 15. A. incam
29b Erect or ascending; calyx short-pubescent, with triangular, tapering lobes . . 29. (forms of) A . cytisoides
28b Leaflets sericeous or sericeous-lanate:
30a Flowers less than 8 mm; shrublets prostrate or decumbent 3. A. argyrella
30b Flowers 9 mm long or more; shrublets ascending to erect:
3 1 a Ovary with 2 ovules:
32a Shrubs erect, more than 0,5 m tall:
33a Indumentum of long hairs; bracts linear, more than 10 mm long 6. A . dunsdoniam
33b Indumentum short; bracts lanceolate to ovate, less than 10 mm long KEY 8
32b Shrubs smaller:
34a Shrublets slender, decumbent, usually with 2-3(4) flowers together; standard ovate,
acute, 4-5 mm broad 9. A. villosa
34b Shrublets less slender, decumbent to erect, usually with 5—10 flowers per inflorescence;
standard obovate, obtuse, more than 5 mm broad KEY 8
3 lb Ovary with 3 or more ovules:
35a Leaves (at least of short-shoots) glabrescent, green:
36a Bracts closely situated (lanceolate), forming a star-like configuration under the
head 8 . A . tridentata
36b Bracts not forming such a close involucre:
37a Leaves weak and flexible, without apical mucro 16. A. radiata
37b Leaves more or less rigid, mucronulate 29. A. cytisoides
35b Leaves sericeous throughout:
38a Calyx lobes 10—13 mm long (linear-lanceolate) 12. A. bidouwensis
38b Calyx lobes less than 7 mm long:
39a Leaflets small: usually only ± 3 mm long or less, closely massed on lateral short-
shoots ; shrublets knotty .rigid 20 . A . ramulosa
39b Leaflets larger, not as above:
40a Calyx lobes broadly and shortly triangular, 0,5 -1,5 mm long (inflorescence more
often ovate) 19. A. altissima
Crotalarieae
3,6: 11
40b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, more than 2 mm long:
41a Shrubs with rather densely long-hairy branchlets; upper foliar leaves closely
situated and partly surrounding the inflorescence 7. A. salicifolia
41b Shrubs with rather slender, glabrescent branchlets; upper foliar leaves not surround-
ing the floral heads 8 . A . tridentata
KEY 8
la Ovary with 2 ovules:
2a Standard ± 11-13 mm broad; wing blades 1 1 — 12,5 x 4—5 mm 5. A. acocksii
2b Standard 5- 10 mm broad; wing blades 6- 10 X 3-4 mm 4. A. quinquefolia
lb Ovary with 4 or more ovules:
3a Ovary with 5-7 ovules:
4a Spikes sparse, elongate (with some distance between the flowers); petals intensely lemon-coloured (retaining
this colour when dry) 2. A. heterophylla
4b Spikes ovate, continuous; petals light yellow, near centre often with fine dark striation 1. A. lotoides
3b Ovary with 4 ovules:
5a Inflorescence a dense, multiflorous spike:
6a Calyx lobes broadly triangular or deltoid, 0,5- 1 ,5 mm long 19. A. altissima
6b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular to linear:
7a Foliar long-shoot leaves with 3 equal leaflets 16 .A.radiata
7b Foliar long-shoot leaves with 1 large (middle) and 2 smaller (lateral) leaflets (or the latter missing
altogether):
8a Petals sericeous; wing blades 9-10 mm long 17. A. sericea
8b Petals woolly villous; wing blades ± 7 mm long 18. A. aemula
5b Inflorescence a raceme (with distinct, but short pedicels):
9a Bracts lanceolate 14. A. rugosa
9b Bracts narrowly linear to subfiliform 29. A. cytisoides
KEY 9
la Lowest calyx lobe considerably larger and wider than other calyx lobes (leaves grey-pubescent) 46. A. polycephala
lb Lowest calyx lobe not or only slightly larger than the others:
2a Calyx very closely villous; leaflets white-tomentose and oblanceolate, ± 3 mm broad or more 15. A. incana
2b Calyx lobes either not densely villous, or if so the leaflets either narrower than 3 mm or not white-tomentose:
3a Keel blades glabrous:
4a Leaflets ± 4 mm long or less; ovary (fruit) completely glabrous 216b. A. acicularis subsp. planifolia
4b Leaflets (when distinctly flat) at least 6 mm long; fruit pubescent:
5a Leaves, calyx and standard with white-tomentose pubescence 253. A. karrooensis
5b Leaves short-puberulous, glabrescent 161. A. petersonii
3b Keel blades pubescent:
6a Leaves closely silvery sericeous:
7a Shrubs erect, with straight spreading branches; flowers solitary on or near branch tips 25. A. singuliflora
7b Shrublets decumbent to prostrate; flowers solitary or few on tips of weak (often peduncular) branches:
8a Shrublets closely matted; standard apically rounded-obtuse 10. A. bodkinii
8b Shrublets decumbent, not matted; standard apically pointed 9. A. villosa
6b Leaves glabrous or sparsely puberulous, green:
9a Calyx lobes somewhat recurved, subulate-acicular, spine-tipped; ovules 4-5 41. A. corniculata
9b Calyx lobes not spine-tipped; ovules 2:
10a Wings glabrous 42. A. esterhuyseniae
10b Wings with at least some pubescence on lower parts:
1 la Leaflets broadly lanceolate, ovate or rhombic, spine-tipped 34. A. marginata
1 lb Leaflets linear or oblanceolate, acute to mucronulate:
12a Standard and wing blades ± 6,5 and 5 mm long or less, respectively 37. A. inops
12b Standard and wing blades ± 7 and 5,5 mm long or more, respectively 36. A. stenophylla
3,6: 12
Crotalarieae
KEY 10
la Branches ending as strong, rigid thorns (calyx lobes 0,7 mm long or less) 164. A. obtusata
lb Branches not or only (A. acicularis) weakly thorny:
2a Leaves green, glabrous, glabrescent or sparsely pubescent, sometimes ciliate on the margins:
3a Keel beak-like; flowers solitary in axils of leaves, and scattered along unbranched (or sparingly branched)
branches; flowers actually with small bract and thus each representing a short-shoot 48. A. vulpina
3b Keel not beak-like, but lunate; brachyblasts leafy:
4a Keel glabrous or subglabrous:
5a Ovary and fruit glabrous 216b. A. acicularis subsp. planifolia
5b Ovary and fruit with at least some pubescence 153. A. tuberculata
4b Keel pubescent:
6a Calyx with villous pubescence; leaf bases often developed as spurs; ovules 4-5 27. A. dasyantha
6b Calyx short-sericeous; leaf bases not developed as spurs; ovules 2:
7a Leaflets oblong, quite flat, usually 3—5 x 1-2 mm 21. A. oblongifolia
7b Leaflets linear, only slightly flattened or with a central longitudinal groove, usually 8-22 x 0,8- 1,2
mm 152. A. burchelliana
2b Leaflets densely silvery sericeous:
8a Ovary with 4-5 ovules; leaf bases often with distinct spur 26. A. ternata
8b Ovary with 2 ovules; leaf bases always without spur:
9a Flowers ± 10 mm long; calyx lobes almost quadrate, apically obtuse-retuse 23. A. quadrata
9b Flowers 13- 16 mm long; calyx lobes ovate or narrowly triangular, usually acute:
10a Bracteoles ovate; shrublets decumbent, slender, sparingly branched; each branch with one or few
flowers 24. A. intervallaris
10b Bracteoles lanceolate or linear; shrublets erect, straight, not or little branched; flowers numerous along
the branches:
1 la Leaves greenish, short- sericeous, glabrescent, calyx lobes ovate 21. A. oblongifolia
1 lb Leaves silvery sericeous; calyx lobes tapering, narrowly triangular 22. A. caledonensis
KEY 11
la Lateral branches ending in sharp, woody thorns of almost uniform length:
2a Leaves entirely or partly grey-pubescent; calyx tomentose 1 85 . A . acanthophylla
2b Leaves glabrous or sparsely puberulous; calyx glabrous or short-puberulous:
3a Pedicel shortly pubescent; keel blades generally less than 6 mm long 165. A. spinosa
3b Pedicel (including the narrow calyx base?) glabrous for most of the length (the base excepted); keel blades
more than 6 mm long 167. A . glabrata
lb Lateral branches not as above, but branches often thorny:
4a Leaflets ending in a straight, sharp spinelet:
5a Bracts ± 2 mm broad or more 146. A. aciphylla
5b Bracts less than 2 mm broad:
6a Wing blades less than 2 mm broad; floriferous short-shoots concentrated at branch ends 147. A. spiculata
6b Wing blades more than 3 mm broad; floriferous short-shoots scattered 145. A. collina
4b Leaflets not spine-tipped, but often mucronulate or mucronate:
7a Pedicel glabrous, often relatively long:
8a Leaflet apices recurved, finely apiculate (-mucronulate) 180. A. recurvispina
8b Leaflet apices not recurved, obtuse to merely pointed:
9a Leaflets less than 2,5 mm long; calyx lobes 0,4 mm long or less, fleshy, obtusely triangular
179. A. obtusifolia
9b Leaflets more than 2,5 mm long; calyx lobes 0,5 mm long or more, linear or narrowly triangular:
10a Wing blades less than 3,5 mm long and less than 1,2 mm broad; wing claws ± 2,5 mm long
or more 178. A. zeyheri
Crotalarieae
3,6: 13
10b Wing blades more than 3,5 mm long and 1,5 mm broad; wing claws 1,7 mm long
or less 177. A. sanguined
7b Pedicel, if distinct, more or less pubescent, generally short:
1 la Bracteoles more than 4 mm broad; branches divided into glabrous, pale segments 137. A. capensis
1 lb Bracteoles less than 1,5 mm broad; branches pubescent, terete, not divided into segments:
12a Rowers pale rose or pink (‘mauve’):
13a Calyx lobes deltoid, acute; bracts broadly linear to spathulate 148. A. costulata
13b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular to subulate; bracts linear-subulate 149. A. pallidiflora
12b Rowers yellow, orange-coloured or (partly) dark reddish:
14a Shrublets procumbent or prostrate; calyx tube glabrous, longitudinally ridged; calyx lobes subulate-
acicular, terete pedicel very short (fruits flat, ovate):
15a Leaflets very slender, only ± 0,2 mm thick (but 2-5 mm long); fruit glabrous,
glossy 239. A. hypnoides
15b Leaflets less slender, ± 0,3-0, 4 mm thick; fruit with short appressed hairs, not glossy (narrowly
cordate) 238 . A. cordicarpa
14b Shrublets usually ascending-erect, seldom decumbent; when calyx is glabrous then its lobes are
usually short and/or the pedicel is distinct:
16a Calyx lobes with conspicuously thickened margins:
17a Keel blades 5,3 mm long or less; ovary glabrous or pubescent only on basal upper
parts 182 .A.wurmbeana
17b Keel blades 5,5 mm long or more; ovary usually ciliate along the whole of the upper
side 181. A. recurva
16b Calyx lobes not with thickened margins:
18a Keel blades beak-like, 8 mm long or more 176. A. arenaria
18b Keel blades lunate or angled (but obtuse), 7 mm long or less:
19a Calyx lobes ovoid, subterete, fleshy, ± 2 mm long and 1 ,5 mm thick 175. A. odontoloba
19b Calyx lobes not as large nor as fleshy:
20a Leaflets with a profound longitudinal groove at least on the lower side 173. A. mundiana
20b Leaflets terete or slightly flattened, but without distinct groove:
21a Branches very strong and thomy 162 (b). A. lactea (subsp. breviloba)
21b Branches not thomy:
22a Calyx tube glabrous:
23a Standard claw obsolete 170. A. obliqua
23b Standard claw short but distinct:
24a Fruits 10 mm long or more; wing blades 5 mm long or more (petals often camose
and stiff, mainly bright yellow) 174. A. pinguis
24b Fruits 9 mm long or less; wing blades usually 4-7 mm long or less (petals often
turning ferruginous or reddish purple, hardly camose or stiff) 168. A. subtingens
22b Calyx tube puberulous or sparsely to closely pubescent:
25a Apex of standard very stongly incurved 157. A. smithii
25b Apex of standard only slightly incurved:
26a Wing and keel claws only ± 1 mm long or less (fruits glabrous or almost
glabrous) 182. A. wurmbeana
26b Wing and keel claws 1,3 mm long or more (fruits villous or in A. lactea almost
glabrous):
27a Calyx lobes shortly subulate; standard acute 159. A. acutiflora
27b Calyx lobes triangular, short:
28a Most leaflets 1-3 mm long; flowers bright yellow 169. A. steudeliana
28b Most leaflets 4-8 mm long; flowers usually ferruginous or rubescent
162. A. lactea
3,6: 14
Crotalarieae
KEY 12
la Calyx (outside), pedicel and ovary all glabrous (leaflets ending in spinelets) 219. A. rigidifolia
lb Calyx, pedicel and ovary more or less pubescent:
2a Wing and keel claws adnate to base of staminal sheath and leaflets spine-tipped (rather large
shrubs) 93 .A.neglecta
2b Wing and keel claws not attached to staminal sheath, or if attached to staminal sheath then not spine-tipped:
3a Wing blades with 1(2) row(s) of rather irregular minor folds on upper basal parts and usually firmly attached
to lateral bulges of keel blades (flowers small, with linear-subulate calyx lobes):
4a Bracts and bracteoles lacking 112 .A. parviflora
4b Bracts present, but often small; bracteoles present or (rarely) lacking:
5a Bracts similar to and of almost same size as leaflets of foliar leaves:
6a Wing blades usually glabrous (seldom with some pubescence near apex); calyx rather sparingly
pubescent 108. A. ericifolia
6b Wing blades pubescent on lower apical parts; calyx closely long- and white-pubescent:
7a Bracteoles very small or lacking 105. A. muraltioides
7b Bracteoles similar to the bracts but slightly narrower:
8a Calyx lobes more than 2,5 mm long, more or less recurved; standard blades usually more than
6,5 mm long 110 .A.varians
8b Calyx lobes 2-2,5 mm long, not recurved; standard blade 6-6,3 mm long 109. A. isolata
5b Bracts much smaller (especially narrower) than leaflets of foliar leaves:
9a Petals pale, cream-coloured with keel purplish, or all petals pale, dull yellowish 107. A. hispida
9b Petals light bright yellow:
10a Bracteoles generally lacking; foliage long-pubescent 105 . A . muraltioides
10b Bracteoles present; foliage leaves with sparse, short pubescence 106. A. puberula
3b Wing blades with 3 or more rows of minute folds on upper basal parts and not attached to the keel:
11a Wing blades glabrous:
12a Leaflets 8-22 mm long and 0,8- 1,2 mm broad, often slightly flattened or canaliculate, mucro-
nate 152. A. burchelliana
12b Leaflets much shorter and/or narrower:
13a Calyx lobes triangular; bracts ± 1 mm long or less 184. A. spinescens
13b Calyx lobes filiform, linear-lanceolate, oblong or rostrate (and then incurved); bracts 2 mm long or
more:
14a Standard with apical cusp more than 0,5 mm long; calyx lobes long and slender.... 83. A. asparagoides
14b Standard without or with very short cusp; calyx lobes rather broad with distinct midvein... 82. A. opaca
1 lb Wing blades with at least some pubescence on lower apical parts:
15a Leaflets usually less than 3 mm long, obtuse-acute; wing blades pubescent on most parts of outer side
(flowers normally 2-4 on branchlet tips) 186. A. vermiculata
15b Leaflets usually more than 3 mm long, pointed; wing blades pubescent only on half or less of outer side:
16a Rowers medium-sized or large; wing and keel blades pubescent on most parts of outer side (flowers
normally 2-4 on branchlet tips):
17a Keel blades somewhat beak-like; calyx lobes short, but spine-like (less than 2 mm
long) 265 . A . fourcadei
17b Keel blades lunate, obtuse; calyx lobes usually more than 2 mm long or, when shorter, not spine-
like:
18a Leaves glabrous; leaflets spine-tipped 266. A. teres
18b Leaves glabrous or pubescent; when glabrous then leaflets not spine-tipped or pungent:
19a Calyx lobes linear-acicular, more than 4 mm long 259. A. setacea
19b Calyx lobes triangular or subulate, less than 4 mm long:
Crotalarieae
3,6: 15
20a Fruits smoothly sericeous; calyx smoothly and closely puberulous; calyx lobes narrowly
triangular, subglabrous 259. A. setacea
20b Fruits woolly-villous; calyx villous or woolly; calyx lobes subulate or triangular, when tri-
angular then pubescent:
21a Ratio keel blade/keel claw less than 1,5 259. A. setacea
21b Ratio keel blade/keel claw more than 7:
22a Leaves glabrous:
23a Shrublets decumbent; leaflets densely set, mostly more than 5 mm long (Prince
Albert- Ladismith Districts) 263. A. congesta
23b Shrublets decumbent to erect, if decumbent then with leaflets less than 4 mm long
(Uitenhage Division to Natal) 262. A. chortophila
22b Leaves pubescent:
24a Leaves grey-pubescent (hairs one-armed); petals light yellow 264. A. kougaensis
24b Leaves green, very sparingly pubescent (hairs two-armed); petals bright yellow-
orange, often reddish centrally 262. A. chortophila
16b Flowers rather small: wing and keel blades less than 5 mm long:
25a Calyx lobes more than 3,5 mm long (linear-subfiliform or acicular):
26a Leaves green, usually sparsely pubescent; wing blades less than 5 mm long 258. A. alopecurus
26b Leaves grey-pubescent; wing blades more than 5 mm long 259. A. setacea
25b Calyx lobes less than 3,5 mm long, triangular or subulate:
27a Leaves glabrous:
28a Wing and keel blades ± 4 mm long or less 260. A . cliffortiifolia
28b Wing and keel blades at least ± 5 mm and 4,5 mm long respectively 259. A. setacea
27b Leaves sparsely to closely pubescent, short:
29a Calyx lobes subulate, subterete; keel blades less than 5 mm long 261. A. intermedia
29b Calyx lobes more or less triangular, rather flat; keel blades more than 5,5 mm long
259 .A. setacea
KEY 13
la Leaf bases of long-shoot leaves with distinct, woody spur (or spine):
2a Flowers small: less than 10 mm long (including pedicel) 77. A. calcarata
2b Flowers larger: at least 15 mm long (including pedicel):
3a Branches ending in strong straight thorns 80. A. rostrata
3b Branches not thorny; leaves usually not sericeous; spur rarely present 78. A. pinea
1 b Leaf bases not produced into a spur or spine:
4a Wing blades 6,5 mm long or more (i.e. flowers relatively large):
5a Leaflets rigid, somewhat S-curved, with slightly recurved apex (floriferous short-shoots largely confined
to distal 20 mm of stem) 274. A. shawii
5b Leaflets rigid or weak, not S-curved, but often slightly incurved, apices not recurved:
6a Flowers very large: standard ± 16 mm broad or more, wing blades ± 5,5 mm broad or more
27 1 . A . lamarckiana
6b Flowers somewhat smaller: standard ± 14,5 mm broad or less, wing blades ± 4,2 mm broad or less:
7a Keel more or less beak-like:
8a Most parts of back of standard glabrous 275. A . joubertiana
8b Most parts of back of standard pubescent 269. A. laricifolia
7b Keel lunate, rounded apically:
9a Leaflets rigid, pungent 270. A. hystrix
9b Leaflets not very rigid, not pungent:
10a Most leaflets less than 10 mm long:
3,6: 16
Crotalarieae
1 la Shrublets ± 0,5 m high or less; keel blades 6-8,5 mm long 269. A. laricifolia
1 lb Shrublets ± 1 m tall or more; keel blades usually ±11 mm long 272. A. bowieana
10b Most leaflets more than 10 mm long:
12a Calyx villous- velutinous; calyx lobes with a short mucronate or mucronulate point (standard
puberulous on apical-marginal parts of front) 272. A. bowieana
12b Calyx long-sericeous (-lanate); calyx lobes tapering, weak 273. A. argyrophanes
4b Wing blades less than 6,5 mm long:
13a Leaflets more than 15 mm long:
14a Calyx lobes very short: 0,5 mm or less; ovary and fruit long-woolly; leaflets up to 40 mm long
256 . A. longifolia
14b Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, 0,7-2, 8 mm long; ovary and fruit sericeous to villous; leaflets mostly
less than 35 mm long:
15a Leaflets, at least of older leaves, glabrous on distal parts; pedicels ± 1 mm long or less . . 255. A. glabrescens
15b Leaflets all silvery sericeous; pedicels mostly 1,5 mm long or more:
16a Standard blade more than 6,5 mm long; wing blades more than 5,5 mm long; bract emerging at base
of pedicel 254 .A.florifera
16b Standard blade less than 5,5 mm long; wing blades less than 5 mm long; bract emerging on the
pedicel at some distance from its base 155. A. cinerascens
13b Leaflets less than 15 mm long:
17a Leaflets succulent, 0,8—2 mm long, with short hairs (apparently directed towards the base), usually
leaving the leaflet apex glabrous 160. A . leucophylla
17b Leaflets non-succulent, usually more than 2 mm long:
18a Bract ± 1,2 mm long or more (back of standard almost completely pubescent):
19a Shrublets or shrubs erect (to more than 1 m high), sparingly branched; young branches with long
white hairs 247. A. gerrardii
19b Shrublets low, rather much branched; young branches short-villous (or glabrescent):
20a Calyx rather sparsely pubescent; fruit densely white-lanate 227. A. intricata
20b Calyx densely silvery sericeous; fruit short-pubescent 246. A. frankenioides
18b Bract ± 1 ,0 mm long or less (back of standard usually glabrous at least in basal half):
21a Standard densely white-villous on apical parts of back 154. A. candicans
21b Standard short-sericeous or puberulous on apical central parts of back, otherwise glabrous:
22a Keel blades at least 4,8 mm long and 2,7 mm broad; back of standard puberulous on more than
two-thirds 25 1 . A . candidula
22b Keel blades not more than 4,5 mm long and 2,1 mm broad or less; back of standard puberulous on
a third to a half:
23a Shrublets procumbent or prostrate; wing blades ± 3 mm long or less 156. A. incompta
23b Shrublets ascending (to decumbent); wing blades at least 2-4 mm long 158. A. pycnantha
KEY 14
la Pedicel glabrous (often rather more than 3 mm long) 219. A. rigidifolia
lb Pedicel, when distinct, pubescent (puberulous to tomentose):
2a Wing and keel claws adnate at base to staminal sheath 93. A. neglecta
2b Wing and keel claws free from staminal sheath:
3a Calyx tube glabrous or minutely puberulous:
4a Bracts and bracteoles acicular; back of standard sparsely sericeous only on midrib:
5a Branch ends white-pubescent; keel tapering, more or less beak-like (flowers normally grouped on branch
ends) 1 88 . A . astroites
5b Branch ends subglabrous or white-puberulous; keel angled, rather obtuse (rarely somewhat
beaked) 189. A. abietina
Crotalarieae
3,6: 17
4b Bracts and bracteoles oblong to lanceolate, when lanceolate then with acicular apex; back of standard
variously pubescent, but at least pubescent on marginal apical parts:
6a Bracts and bracteoles less than 1,3 mm long; petals becoming blackish (at least dark) when dried
150(c). A. pachyloba (subsp. rugulicarpa)
6b Bracts and bracteoles more than 1 ,5 mm long; petals usually persistently yellow (or partly reddish) when
dried 145. A. collina
3b Calyx tube densely pubescent:
7a Ovary pubescent only on upper part of base; fruit subglabrous 145. A. collina
7b Ovary and fruit (almost) entirely pubescent:
8a Leaflets S-curved or (apically) recurved; keel rather beak-like (standard back sometimes pubescent only
on apical parts) 274. A. shawii
8b Leaflets straight (or slightly incurved); keel not beak-like:
9a Calyx lobes 8-11 mm long 276 .A. acanthes
9b Calyx lobes ± 7 mm long or less:
10a Shrubs not or sparingly branched (erect, ‘rod-like’); flowers distributed along single branches for
long distances:
1 la Calyx short- velutinous, with ovate lobes 278. A. sceptrum-aureum
1 lb Calyx white-woolly, with narrowly triangular lobes 277 . A. verbasciformis
10b Shrubs more richly branched; flowers more scattered:
12a Flowers large: wing blades 13— 17 mm long; keel blades 13- 16 mm long 268. A. spectabilis
12b Flowers somewhat smaller: wing and keel blades less than 1 1 mm long 261. A. hirta
KEY 15
la Flowers small, less than 10 mm long (including pedicel); wing blades only ± 2,5 mm long or less 77. A. calcarata
lb Rowers larger, considerably more than 10 mm long; wing blades at least 6 mm long:
2a Shrubs low, decumbent to ascending; calyx lobes with green, somewhat thickened margins 74. A. rycroftii
2b Shrubs erect; calyx lobes not with green, thickened margins:
3a Inner side of standard blade base with disc-shaped callosities; anthers without basal pubescence:
4a Ovary with 14 or more ovules; fruit long, broadly linear IS.A.pinea
4b Ovary with 3-7 ovules; fruit broadly lanceolate or beaked:
5a Calyx tube and young branches sericeous; leaf base spines ultimately caducous (some forms with whitish
or rose flowers and beaked fruits) 75. A. willdenowiana
5b Calyx tube glabrous or with sparse appressed hairs; branches glabrescent; leaf base spines persistent
16. A. uniflora
3b Inner side of standard without disc-shaped callosities; anthers basally with some pubescence:
6a Shrubs strongly thorny 80. A. rostrata
6b Shrubs not thorny 79. A. macrocarpa
KEY 16
la Ovary and fruit completely glabrous:
2a Calyx sparsely villous on outer side; flowers small 151. A. granulata
2b Calyx tube glabrous on outer side; flowers medium-sized or large:
3a Wing blades with only 3-5 minute wrinkles on the base 143. A. arida
3b Wing blades with numerous wrinkles in 4-7 rows:
4a Calyx lobes basally widened and overlapping; flowers compressed from the sides; petals persistently
lemon-yellow 142. A. citrina
4b Calyx lobes not overlapping at base; flowers not laterally compressed; petals usually turning dark when
dried 150. A. pachyloba
lb Ovary and fruit pubescent at least on base of upper suture:
5a Margins of calyx lobes conspicuously thickened, fleshy 234. A. marginalis
3,6: 18
Crotalarieae
5b Margins not prominent; calyx lobes fleshy or not:
6a Bracts, bracteoles and pedicel lacking (keel blades shorter than keel claws); wing and keel claws attached to
staminal sheath 112 .A. parviflora
6b At least bracts normally present, though often small and tooth-like (keel blades longer than keel claws except
in A. incurvifolia — no. 257):
7a Style not or only slightly upcurved, almost straight; keel extended (standard narrow, acute; petals dark
yellow) 1 1 1 . A. rectistyla
7b Style upcurved; keel not particularly prolonged:
8a Shrublets prostrate, flat on ground, amply branched; bracts and bracteoles flat, ovate, 1, 3-2,0 x
0,8— 1,2mm 86 .A. prostrata
8b Shrublets or shrubs procumbent to erect, but not prostrate; bracts and bracteoles either not flat or, if so,
then not ovate:
9a Pedicel as long as calyx tube (calyx tube closely puberulous; branches thorny) 163. A.ferox
9b Pedicel much shorter than calyx tube:
10a Ovary pubescent at least on parts of base; fruit hard, rugose, black when ripe (leaflets succu-
lent) 150 , A. pachyloba
10b Ovary pubescent at least in upper half; fruit pubescent on most parts, not as above:
1 1 a Standard pubescent on distal half or less of back:
12a Standard narrowly ovate, pointed; its pubescence restricted to the very apex 159. A. acutiflora
12b Standard broadly ovate, obtuse or subacute, pubescent on variable portion of the back:
13a Leaves and branches weak, puberulous in juvenile stage; fruit short-sericeous, 6,5 mm long
or more:
14a Calyx lobes l,3-2mmlong 161 . A. petersonii
14b Calyx lobes ± 1 mm long or less 162. A. lactea
13b Leaves rather firm; branches firm to coarse; fruit either shorter than 5,5 mm, or when more
than 6,5 mm then densely villous or sericeous:
15a Fruits 6,5 mm long or more, densely villous or sericeous; calyx tube 3,5-4 mm long ....
257 . A. incurvifolia
15b Fruits less than 5,5 mm long, short-sericeous; calyx tube less than 2,5 mm long:
16a Standard blade (6,5-)7,0-8,0 mm long, puberulous on distal half of back
249 .A.aciloba
16b Standard blade (4,5 — )5 ,0—6, 2 mm long, puberulous on apical parts only 248. A. calcarea
1 lb Standard pubescent on two-thirds or more of back:
17a Calyx lobes broadly oblong or lanceolate, ovate or spathulate, upper ones more than 1,2 mm
broad near middle:
18a Calyx lobes triangular (2-4 mm long), apically subterete, camose and apically often
slightly incurved (shrublets procumbent or decumbent) 85. A. salteri
18b Calyx lobes oblong-lanceolate or narrowly ovate-spathulate, not nearly terete apically:
19a Petals cream-coloured; leaflets rather succulent, slightly incurved, subglabrous or finely,
sparsely and appressedly puberulous; foliage dull green (calcicolous species)
84 . A. pallescens
19b Petals light or bright yellow; leaflets hardly succulent, with scattered, rather spreading
hairs, or none; calyx lobes mostly spoon-shaped 89. A. cymbiformis
17b Calyx lobes tapering, linear, subulate or triangular or (and) narrower than 1,2 mm near
middle:
20a Keel blades usually more than 8 mm long; calyx lobes usually more than 6 mm long
88. A. linguiloba
20b Keel blades less than 7,5 mm long; calyx lobes 6 mm long or less:
21a Fruit entirely woolly (flowers medium-sized); calyx lobes triangular, tapering
269 . A. laricifolia
2 1 b Fruit short-sericeous or partly glabrous:
Crotalarieae
3,6: 19
22a Wing blades with l(-2) longitudinal row(s) of irregular folds, on basal parts and
usually firmly attached to the lateral bulges of the keel blades (flowers small):
23a Bracts and bracteoles similar to leaflets of foliar leaves but slightly narrower
108 (b). A. ericifolia (subsp. minuta)
23b Bracts (and bracteoles if present) very small and subulate, ± 0,2 mm broad or less
(petals pale yellowish) 107. A. hispida
22b Wing blades with (3)4-6 rows of minute folds, and not firmly attached to bulges of
keel:
24a Rowers relatively large: keel blades more than 6 mm long; wing and keel claws
usually attached at base to staminal sheath:
25a Leaflets on branch ends clearly flattened (and weak) 95. A. confusa
25b Leaflets not flattened:
26a Foliage bright green (leaves knotty from minute tubercles at hair bases)
92. A. spicata
26b Foliage greyish green (hair bases tubercular or not):
27a Wing and keel blades more than 6 mm and 7 mm long, respectively 92. A. spicata
27b Wing and keel blades less than 6 mm and 7 mm long, respectively 87. A. incurva
24b Flowers relatively small: keel blades ± 6 mm long or less; wing and keel claws
(except in forms of A.flexuosa) free from staminal sheath:
28a Calyx lobes, bracts and bracteoles filiform, less than 0,3 mm broad, with
minutely tuberculate hair bases (standard apex with cusp 1 -2 mm long)
83. A. asparagoides
28b Calyx lobes acicular, narrowly linear, subulate or lanceolate, not with tuberculate
hair bases (standard without prominent cusp):
29a Leaves with minute and spreading hairs (short-shoot leaves often glabrous);
keel blades broadest in basal half:
30a Ovary and fruit minutely puberulous all over; bracteoles, when present,
small and narrow, usually less than 1 mm long 104. A.flexuosa
30b Ovary and fruit glabrous on basal and lower parts; bracteoles broadly subu-
late, usually 2,5 mm long or more 81. A. campestris
29b Leaves glabrous or with sparse, appressed hairs; keel blades obtusely lunate,
broadest near middle:
31a Standard blade ± 4 mm long or less; keel blades less than 4 mm long (bracts
and bracteoles minute) 228. A.florulenta
31b Standard blade 4, 5-7, 5 mm long; keel blades 4-7 mm long:
32a Branches weak, not thorny even in old stage; petals bright yellow to
ferruginous 226. A. wittebergensis
32b Branches in old stage more or less thorn-like; petals mainly light or pale
yellow 227. A. intricata
KEY 17
la Leaflets 20—50 mm long, linear, somewhat Battened (flowers large, capitate) 126. A. stokoei
lb Leaflets shorter, subterete, angular or canaliculate:
2a Rowers in an elongate raceme (and relatively large):
3a Calyx lobes 3-4 mm long; ovary glabrous on most parts 132. A. erythrodes
3b Calyx lobes ± 1 ,5 mm long or less; ovary puberulous on most parts 205. A. corrudifolia
2b Rowers in compact groups, heads or umbels or solitary:
4a Bracteoles ± 4 mm broad or more; flowers very large and fleshy; branchlets with pale, glabrous segments
137 . A. cape ns is
4b Bracteoles ± 3 mm broad or less; flowers fleshy or not; branchlets glabrous or pubescent, but not with segments:
5a Leaflets sharply spine-tipped or mucronate:
6a Calyx tube pubescent:
7a Rowers solitary or in pairs
145. A. collina
20
Crotalarieae
7b Flowers usually 3 or more together
130. A. subulata
6b Calyx tube glabrous:
8a Standard apex obtuse-retuse, rarely acute; sides of back of standard not firmly incurved:
9a Bracts 1,5 mm broad or more; leaflets usually broadest in distal half (flowers usually 3— several
together) 131 .A.fusca
9b Bracts ±1,2 mm long or less; leaflets usually broadest in basal (proximal) half, tapering (flowers
usually solitary or in pairs) 145. A. collina
8b Standard ending in distinct tip or spine; sides of standard firmly incurved:
10a Leaflets glaucous (straight, 4-7 mm long; shrublets low) 240. A. potbergensis
10b Leaflets normal green:
11a Branches densely white-villous-woolly (shrublets procumbent or erect); bracteoles ± 2,5 mm
long or more) 242. A. batodes
lib Branches short-pubescent (shrublets decumbent); bracteoles less than 2,2 mm long
237. A. crassisepala
5b Leaflets not spiny, but obtuse, acute, acuminate or mucronulate:
12a Bracts 1 ,5-6 mm broad (flowers rather large or medium-sized and camose, in terminal groups or head-
like umbels):
13a Leaves sparsely pubescent (wing and rostrate keel petals ciliate along part of margins) .... 139. A. capitata
13b Leaves glabrous (petals not at all ciliate):
14a Pedicels 6- 10 mm long; bracts partly with lobate-dentate margins 138. A. excelsa
14b Pedicels less than 5 mm long; bracts entire (seldom with one lobe on each side) 136. A. carnosa
12b Bracts not more than 1 mm broad (flowers small or medium-sized):
15a Calyx lobes flat, triangular (and glabrous), not fleshy; pedicel ± 4 mm long; bracts 4—5 mm long,
partly fused with pedicel and emerging just below calyx base 1 35 . A . variegata
15b Calyx lobes not triangular or, if so, then fleshy, subterete, of variable shape: from ovoid to subulate
or linear-subulate; pedicels less than 2 mm long:
16a Upper margin of keel blades straight or only slightly curved (keel not particularly rigid-fleshy):
17a Flowers several together, in head-like clusters:
18a Ovules 4; shrubs procumbent; bracts oblanceolate-canaliculate 236. A. humilis
18b Ovules 2; shrubs erect and relatively large; bracts narrowly linear 172. A. simii
17b Flowers solitary or in pairs, on branchlet tips:
19a Calyx lobes more than 2 mm long:
20a Shrublets erect or ascending, up to ± 0,75 m tall; flowers yellow without violet shades;
some intemodes of branchlets often peduncle-like:
21a Leaflets succulent, 1-2 mm long; calyx lobes triangular-lanceolate, 1,5-2, 0 mm
long 233. A. oliveri
21b Leaflets linear, needle-like (but weak), mostly 3-5 mm long; calyx lobes broadly subu-
late, 2,5 -4,0 mm long 231. A. amoena
20b Shrublets procumbent or decumbent, rarely ascending to ± 0,3 m; flowers usually yellow
and partly violet or purple:
22a Standard blade less than 5,7 mm long; longest leaflets ± 2,5 mm long
232. A. empetrifolia
22b Standard blade more than 6 mm long; longest leaflets more than 3 mm long
230. A. retroflexa
19b Calyx lobes 1 ,5 mm long or less:
23a Flowers solitary or in pairs on branchlet tips, but also solitary on lateral short-shoots; calyx
spreadingly puberulous 171. A. katbergensis
23b Rowers solitary on tips of distinct branchlets or branches; calyx glabrous or with ap-
pressed, short pubescence:
24a Rowers on branchlets with one long, peduncle-like intemode; (fruit at least up to 15 mm
long, tapering at both ends); calyx lobes thickly subulate 225. A. lanceicarpa
24b Rowers on branches without prolonged intemode(s); calyx lobes narrowly linear, sub-
terete 222. A. ramosissima
Crotalarieae
3,6:21
16b Upper margin of keel blades strongly curved (keel more or less rigid and fleshy):
25a Calyx tube pubescent on outer side:
26a Standard blade more than 6 mm long; fruit 1 ,9 mm long or more 230. A . retroflexa (certain forms)
26b Standard blade less than 6 mm long; fruit ± 8 mm long or less:
27a Calyx lobes ± 1 mm long or less, fleshy, globose-ovoid 235. A. concava
27b Calyx lobes broadly or narrowly subulate:
28a Wing blades 4, 3 -5, 2 mm long; fruits thick, with long hairs on sides.... 232. A. empetrifolia
28b Wing blades 2,7 -4,0 mm long; fruits glabrous, compressed from the sides
237. A. crassisepala
25b Calyx tube glabrous on outer side:
29a Standard blade less than 7,5 mm long; wing blades less than 6 mm long:
30a Leaflets very slender, ± 0,2 mm thick (but 2-5 mm long); fruit ovate, glabrous,
glossy 239. A . hypnoides
30b Leaflets not so slender, 0,3 mm thick or more; fruit triangular-lanceolate or narrowly
triangular-ovate:
31a Calyx lobes ovoid, subterete (shrublets procumbent or prostrate, growing on calcareous
ground) 241 .A. repens
31b Calyx lobes subulate or linear (shrublets decumbent or prostrate):
32a Ovary sericeous at least on the upper edge 237. A. crassisepala
32b Ovary usually completely glabrous 243 . A . juniperina
29b Standard blade ± 7,5 mm long or more; wing blades 6,5 mm long or more:
33a Standard sides not firmly incurved (i.e. rather flat); back of standard with some scattered
appressed hairs on the midrib 245 . A . condensata
33b Standard sides firmly incurved; back of standard not ciliate on the midrib:
34a Wing blades usually wrinkled on about half or more of their length; bracts ± 3 mm long
or (usually) less 243(d). A. juniperina (subsp. grandis)
34b Wing blades with relatively few folds on basal parts; bracts 3, 5 -5,0 mm long
244. A. chrysantha
KEY 18
la Leaves densely grey-pubescent on most parts:
2a Flowers on branchlets with one or two long, peduncle-like intemodes:
3a Fruits lanceolate, 12 mm long or more; flowers solitary 230. A . retroflexa
3b Fruits ovate, ± 5 mm long or less; flowers generally in pairs (or threes) 252. A. longipes
2b Flowers on branchlets with intemodes not peduncle-like:
4a Standard puberulous on distal quarter or less of the back; fruit obliquely lanceolate, 10-12 mm long
221. A. digitifolia
4b Standard pubescent on about half or more of back; fruits rather small, ± 7 mm long or less:
5a Leaflets ± 0,7-0, 8 mm broad (slightly flattened); white-tomentose (-villous) 253. A. karrooensis
5b Leaflets ± 0,5 mm thick or less; sericeous or short-pubescent:
6a Calyx appressedly sericeous; shrublets prostrate or procumbent 250. A . grobleri
6b Calyx with spreading pubescence; shrublets decumbent to ascending 227. A. intricata
lb Leaves glabrous or rather sparsely hairy, green:
7a Pedicel glabrous (and often relatively long); fruits hard, slightly inflated:
8a Leaflets spine-tipped:
9a Calyx lobes usually less than 2,5 mm long, narrowly triangular; ovules usually 4-5 219. A. rigidifolia
9b Calyx lobes usually more than 2,5 mm long, subulate-acicular, with attenuated, often somewhat upcurved
apices; ovules 2 218. A. aristata
8b Leaflets not spine-tipped: acute-acuminate or apiculate:
10a Shrublets decumbent or procumbent (to prostrate), with weak, leafy branches 217. A. pedicellata
1 0b Shrublets erect , often with thorny branches 2 1 6 . A . acicularis
22
Crotalarieae
Pedicel pubescent:
llaOvary with 16-20 ovules; fruits narrow, linear 71. A.filicaulis
1 lb Ovary with fewer than 8 ovules; fruits not linear:
12a Standard base on the inner side with a pubescent, elongate callosity on each side of claw (large-flowered
shrub; ovules 4— 6) 72. A. macrantha
12b Standard base not with such callosities:
13a Leaf bases of long-shoot leaves with woody spur or spine 0,5- 1,5 mm long 73. A. desertorum
1 3b Leaf bases not with spurs or spines:
14a Leaves more or less sparsely pubescent (at least those on branch ends):
15a Shrubs tall (1,5-2. 5 m); pedicels 3, 5-5,0 mm long; fruits ± 15 mm long 127. A. decora
15b Shrubs or shrublets less than 1 m tall; pedicels ± 2 mm long or less; fruits less than 12 mm long:
16a Wing and keel claws adnate at base to staminal sheath:
17a Leaflets ending as very sharp spines; standard with spine-like cusp 101. A. acanthiloba
17b Leaflets not ending as sharp spines; without apical cusp or (A. keeromsbergensis ) with
non-spiny cusp:
18a Bract and bracteoles 4-6 mm long (slender, narrowly linear or filiform) 91. A. caespitosa
18b Bract and bracteoles usually less than 4 mm long (linear to ovate):
19a Bract and bracteoles flat, ovate, ± 1, 3-2,0 x 0,8- 1,2 mm; calyx lobes ± 2 mm long
or less 86. A. prostrata
19b Bracts and bracteoles linear, not flat; calyx lobes usually 3,6 mm long, spoon-shaped or
linear-subulate:
20a Calyx lobes more or less widened at middle, usually spoon-shaped; standard without
apical tip or cusp 89. A . cymbiformis
20b Calyx lobes linear-subulate (but obtuse), not widened; standard with an apical tip or
cusp 90. A . keeromsbergensis
16b Wing and keel claws free from staminal sheath:
2 la Calyx lobes fleshy, green, either cymbiform, triangular or linear and subterete
continue at contrast 19a
21b Calyx lobes not fleshy continue at KEY 16, contrast 32a
14b Leaves totally glabrous:
22a Pedicel 5- 10 mm long; bract rhombic-ovate, with slightly dentate margins 138. A. excelsa
22b Pedicel less than 4,5 mm long; bracts of different shape:
23a Standard with pubescence only on base and on midrib of back (or with only a few hairs):
24a Calyx lobes almost circular, at least the upper obtuse (to retuse) 136. A. carnosa
24b Calyx lobes acute, acuminate or spine-tipped:
25a Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, not spine-tipped; pedicel ± 4 mm long (bract emerging on
pedicel just below calyx) 135. A. variegata
25b Calyx lobes either linear or triangular and spine-tipped; pedicel less than 3 mm long:
26a Leaflets sharply spine-tipped:
27a Keel apically attenuate, almost beak-like, rigid and camose 188. A. astroites
27b Keel slightly upcurved but not nearly beak-like, not rigidly camose 145. A. collina
26b Leaflets acute to apiculate-mucronulate:
28a Ovules 4; flowers (small), in heads 236. A. humilis
28b Ovules 2; flowers mostly solitary or 2 or 3 together:
29a Shmblets prostrate, almost matted (calyx tube glabrous) 245. A. condensata
29b Shmblets procumbent, decumbent or ascending (calyx tube often puberulous or
with sparse spreading hairs):
30a Calyx lobes and leaflets ending in fine points (spinelets); leaflets rigid
189 .A.abietina
30b Calyx lobes and leaflets acuminate or apiculate; leaflets not rigid, not spinulose
230. A. retroflexa
Crotalarieae
3,6: 23
23b Standard pubescent on at least marginal distal parts of the back (also on the base):
31a Calyx lobes with prominent, green and thickened margins 234. A. marginalis
31b Calyx lobes not with thickened margins:
32a Fruit ± 5,5 mm broad or more; flowers relatively large, standard 9 mm broad or more;
calyx lobes acute, not spine-tipped (shrubs 1 m tall, erect) 140. A. dianthopora
32b Fruit less than 5 mm broad; flowers rather small and/or calyx lobes mucronulate to spine-
tipped (standard ±8,5 mm broad or less):
33a Fruit thick and thick-walled, hard, somewhat rugose, ovate; ovules 3-5 (usually 4)
145 .A.collina
33b Fruit rather compressed, not very thick, more or less smooth; ovules 2 (except in A.
biflora subsp. longicarpa, with lanceolate fruits):
34a Flowers situated on fine slender peduncles; calyx lobes camose but not spine-tipped or
mucronulate 229 . A. tenuissima
34b Rowers on peduncles or not, when on peduncles then always with spine-tipped calyx
lobes:
35a Calyx lobes camose, subterete (0,5- 1,0 mm broad), linear, acute to acuminate but
without apical mucro or spinelet 230. A . retroflexa
35b Calyx lobes either not camose or if so then either mucronulate or triangular or both:
36a Calyx lobes triangular or triangular-subulate, not spine-tipped or mucronulate
(keel blades lunate) continue at KEY 16, contrast 31a
36b Calyx lobes mucronulate to spine-tipped, generally triangular:
37a Leaflets on young long-shoots lightly pressed against the branches (the middle
leaflet often longer than the lateral leaflets):
38a Keel tapering, almost beak-like; fruit short, ovate 215. A. lenticula
38b Keel strongly upcurved, with truncate apex; fruit triangular-lanceolate
213. A. microphylla
37b Leaflets ascending or patent, not pressed against the branches:
39a Keel tapering towards apex, somewhat beak-like:
40a Wing blades ovate or elliptic, short 214. A. attenuata
40b Wing blades narrowly oblong or very narrowly elliptic
206. (forms of) A . divaricata
39b Keel apex narrow or broad, square or rounded, but not tapering or beak-like:
41a Calyx lobes narrowly triangular, ending in a spinelet (short in A. horizon-
talis and A. brevicarpa; these prostrate or procumbent):
42a Flowers solitary (seldom in pairs) on a long peduncle usually of one
intemode 210. A. serpens
42b Rowers solitary or several together on tips of branches with some
intemodes of about equal length (but sometimes gracile):
43a Fruit ovate, 4,0-6, 2 mm long (shrubs procumbent or prostrate;
montane species) 208. A . brevicarpa
43b Fruit triangular-lanceolate, 6,0-11,5 mm long (shrubs variable;
only A. horizontalis really prostrate; habitat variable):
44a Shrublets prostrate, forming large circular mats (lowland species
on clayey ground) 209. A . horizontalis
44b Shrublets decumbent to erect, not prostrate (montane):
45a Calyx tube glabrous or with sparse appressed hairs; wing blades
very narrowly elliptic 206. A. divaricata
45b Calyx tube with short, spreading hairs; wing blades short, ovate
207 . A . leptocoma
41b Calyx lobes deltoid, with short spinelet or mucro (shrublets not prostrate):
46a Standard up to 7 mm long and keel blades up to 5,2 mm long
212a. A. biflora subsp . biflora
46b Standard blade at least 7,2 mm long and keel blades at least 5,5 mm
long:
3,6: 24
Crotalarieae
47a Fruits 14,5 mm long or more, narrowly lanceolate
212b. A. biflora subsp. longicarpa
47b Fruits ± 12 mm long or less 211 .A. aurantiaca
KEY 19
la Flowers on lateral branchlets each consisting of one long peduncle-like intemode:
2a Leaflets ending in a prickle; calyx lobes ending in spinelets 201 . A. pulicifolia
2b Leaflets and calyx lobes acute to obtuse 185. A. acanthoclada
lb Flowers directly on the thorny branch ends (which represent inflorescence axes) below the thorn tips or on lateral,
non-peduncular branchlets:
3a Standard blade sericeous on central parts of the front (and on back as well) 204. A. secunda
3b Standard blade glabrous on the front:
4a Wing blades only half as long as keel blades or less 201 . A. pulicifolia
4b Wing blades normally considerably more than half as long as keel blades:
5a Wing blades ± 9 mm long or less; keel blades ± 8 mm long or less 202. A. acuminata
5b Wing blades ± 10 mm long or more; keel blades ± 9 mm long or more 203. A. tulbaghensis
KEY 20
la Foliage closely white-pubescent (see also A. albens — no. 187):
2a Flowers (solitary) on long peduncles, subtended at the pedicel base by the bract only (i.e. not by foliage leaves)
183 .A.nivea
2b Flowers not on peduncles or, if so, then subtended at the pedicel base by both bract and some foliage leaves:
3a Standard pubescent only on apical parts of the back; keel with only few hairs 221. A. digitifolia
3b Standard short-pubescent on most or all of the back; keel extensively pubescent on lower parts:
4a Shrub erect, 1 -2 m tall; upper margins of keel not much curved (hairs one-armed) 220. A. pedunculata
4b Shrub decumbent, less than 0,5 m tall; upper margin of keel somewhat convex (hairs two-armed) 224. A. rubens
lb Foliage green, glabrous or sparsely pubescent:
5a Keel extended into an apical, tongue-like process ± 1 ,5—2 mm long (leaflets apiculate) 197 . A. proboscidea
5b Keel without such a process:
6a Flowers mostly in elongate, sometimes few-flowered racemes 205. A. corrudifolia
6b Flowers solitary, in pairs, or in head-like groups:
7a Bracts and bracteoles ± 2 mm long 232. A. empetrifolia
7b Bracts and bracteoles small, ± 1 mm long or less:
8a Calyx lobes linear-subulate; keel blades with somewhat convex upper margins 224. A. rubens
8b Calyx lobes triangular; keel blades with straight or concave upper margins (i.e. upcurved):
9a Wing blades pubescent on most parts; keel with almost straight upper margins 186. A. vermiculata
9b Wing blades pubescent only on the lower parts; keel with distinctly concave (upcurved) upper margins
223. A. pilantha
KEY 21
la Flowers very small: standard blade 3, 2-4, 2 mm long; flowers 2-several in small spikes or head-like racemes
(leaflets green or sparsely grey-pubescent) 187. A. albens
lb Flowers considerably larger; when the standard is less than 5 mm long then flowers solitary:
2a Keel with a marked, tongue-like process from apex:
3a Shrublets erect or ascending; calyx tube glabrous on outer side 1 98 . A . glossoides
3b Shrublets decumbent or procumbent; calyx tube pubescent 197. A. proboscidea
2b Keel without such a process:
4a Calyx tube entirely glabrous on the outer side:
5a Inflorescence on lateral branchlets with one or two peduncle-like intemodes:
6a Leaflets glabrous; keel pubescent on lower parts only 195. A. spinosissima
Crotalarieae
3,6: 25
6b Leaflets (of at least the larger long-shoot leaves) with sparse, spreading hairs; keel pubescent on
most parts 194. A . ulicina
5b Inflorescence on branchlets with moderately long (not peduncle-like) intemodes:
7a Inflorescence with several flowers; keel blades more than 5 mm long; shrubs erect, 1—3 mm tall
190. A. vulnerans
7b Inflorescence with one (or two) flowers; keel blades less than 5 mm long; shrublets up to 0,5 m or less:
8a Wing blades more than 4,3 mm long; keel pubescent on less than half of outer side
195 (b). A. spinosissima (subsp. tenuiflora)
8b Wing blades less than 3,5 mm long; keel pubescent on more than half of outer side 193. A. acifera
4b Calyx tube more or less puberulous on the outer side:
9a Keel tapering, distinctly beak-like 199. A. rostripetala
9b Keel lunate-obtuse:
10a Fruit ovate, about 5,5 mm long or less; leaflets usually more or less incurved, not prickly; shrublets
mat-like 200 . A. leptoptera
10b Fruit differently shaped, more than 6,5 mm long; leaflets straight, patent, prickly; shrublets low, but not
normally prostrate:
11a Fruits rhombic-ovate, thick-walled, hard, slightly inflated, less than half as broad as long; keel
blades usually more than 5 mm long and 2,8 mm broad 144. A. laeta
1 lb Fruits triangular-lanceolate, not very hard, more than half as broad as long; keel blades less than 2,8
mm broad:
12a Branches densely villous and densely leafy; wing blades somewhat pubescent on lower parts
196 . A. aristifolia
12b Branches with rather sparse and short, appressed pubescence; leaflets rather sparsely distributed;
wing blades glabrous or almost glabrous:
13a Leaflets mostly 3-6 mm long; calyx appressedly puberulous 191 . A. cuspidata
13b Leaflets mostly 2,5 mm long or less; calyx tube with patent, short hairs 192. A. stricticlada
3,6: 26
Crotalarieae
Group 1 : Sericeae
Shrubs or shrublets of variable size, decumbent to (usually) erect. Leaves trifoliolate to
unifoliolate, always flat, weak, linear or oblanceolate to obovate or circular, in most species
clothed with white sericeous to puberulous pubescence, rarely (A. tridentata (no. 8), A. rugosa —
no. 14) glabrescent or glabrous. Leaf base rarely with spines or spurs present, then (A. tridentata )
often temate. Inflorescences many- or few-flowered, racemose or spicate to capitate on branch
tips, sometimes one- or few-flowered on peduncle-like branch ends or one-flowered on lateral
short-shoots. Pedicel rather short to obsolete. Bracts and bracteoles always present, well-devel-
oped (often rather large), simple, flat, linear or subfiliform to ovate-orbicular. Bract not accrete to
pedicel base. Calyx non-fleshy, sericeous; lobes flat, subequal, long or short, weak, not spine-
tipped. Petals non-fleshy, yellow, often light yellow or ± pale purple (mauve in A. argyrella — no.
3), not turning black when dry; all petals ± sericeous or tomentose (-villous), their claws free from
the staminal sheath. Standard lacking apical cusp and basal callosities. Wing blades with 3 or more
rows of lunulate folds. Keel blades lunate, not typically rostrate, obtuse, with a more or less
prominent basal pouch. Anthers not particularly long. Pistil with ovule and style base ± sericeous;
ovules 2 — 4( — 5); stigma regular, capitate. Pod usually lanceolate-ovate, not particularly hard,
1- or2-seeded. Chromosome number : 2n- 18.
1. Aspalathus lotoides Thunb., Prodr. 2:
126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 9 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 694 (1803): Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 575 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 107 (1862); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 476 (1950). The name
was used by E. Meyer (Comm. 1: 48, 1836),
Bentham (in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 602,
1848) and others for forms of A. quinquefolia.
Type: 'Aspalathus lotoides' in herbarium Thun-
berg (UPS, lecto. !).
Paraspalathus lotoides (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
130 (1845). Achyronia lotoides (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Aspalathus heterophylla L.f. subsp.
lotoides (Thunb.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 266
(1960); ibid. 9(1): 145 (1963).
Ononis lagopus Thunb., Prodr. 2: 130 (1800); Willd.,
Sp. PI. 3:1012 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 588 (1823).
Aspalathus heterophylla L.f. subsp. lagopus (Thunb.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 264 ( 1960); ibid. 9(1):
145 ( 1963). Type: ‘Ononis lagopus' in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, lecto.!).
Aspalathus procumbens E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 162
(1823); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202 (1836); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 604 (1848). Used by E. Meyer in
Comm. 1: 40 (1836) for A. heterophylla. Paraspalathus
procumbens (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845).
Type: Cape, Cape Flats at Tigerberg, Bellville Division,
Ecklon (S, lecto.!).
Paraspalathus humifusa Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129, 133
(1845). Type: Cape, northern slopes of Devil’s Peak (‘Duy-
velsberg’), Cape Town Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1384 (S,
lecto.!; SAM).
Decumbent to procumbent shrublets, not
rising more than 0,15 m above the ground;
branches usually not more than 0,3 m, rarely up
to 0,5 m long. Young branches with white,
half-spreading pubescence. Leaves trifoliolate,
with rather strong differentiation between long-
shoots and short-shoots. Leaflets of long-shoots
on an inconspicuous leaf base, oblanceolate,
4- 12 ( — 15) x 0,6-2 (-3,5) mm, pale green,
densely or sparsely sericeous; short-shoot
leaves smaller, sparsely sericeous. Inflores-
cence an ovate spike, usually not more than 1 ,5
(—2) times as long as broad, 10-40 (—80) mm
long, with (3 — )6 — 1 5( — 25) flowers, situated at
rather short intervals from each other. Bract
narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 3—8 x 0,8—2
(-2,5) mm, weak, sericeous, acute-acuminate.
Pedicel infinitely short. Bracteoles lanceolate,
(2-) 4-7 x 0,5-2, 5 mm. Calyx tube urceo-
late-campanulate, long-sericeous; lobes linear-
triangular, 1,5-3, 5 (-4,5) mm long, tapering,
weak, sericeous, not or only slightly recurved.
Petals pale yellow, the claws c. two-thirds the
length of the blades. Standard blade elliptic,
5- 8 (-10) x 4-6 (—7) mm, obtuse to acute,
sericeous on the back, often with some dark
streaks in the centre. Wing blades narrowly and
obliquely ovate or oblong, 4,5-6 (-7) x
2-3,2 (-3,5) mm, sericeous on the lower two-
thirds, basally with several rows of minute
folds. Keel lunate, 3,2-5 (-5,5) x 1,5-2, 7
Crotalarieae
3,6: 27
(-3) mm, with upper margin slightly S-curved,
sericeous on most parts. Pistil sericeous on
most parts of ovary and on style base; ovules
5-9 (usually 6).
Distributed on the sandy lowlands from the central
parts of the Cape Peninsula northwards along the coastal
parts beyond Langebaan (Hopefield Division). The species
is mainly restricted to marine sand deposits in the coastal
regions except on the Cape Peninsula where it seems to
grow also on sandy hills (Table Mountain Sandstone pro-
ducts?).
It is variable. The forms of the Saldanha Bay region
(Hopefield Division) have conspicuously larger flowers and
broader bracts. They include the type of Ononis lagopus
Thunb. and are here distinguished as a separate subspecies:
subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg.
Petals relatively small: standard blade 5-7 x 4-5,5
mm, wing blades 4-6 x 2—2,8 mm; bract
usually less than 2,5 mm broad la. subsp. lotoides
Petals larger: standard blade 7-10 X 6-8 mm, wing
blades 5,5-7 x 3-3,5 mm; bracts of lowest
flowers in the spike 2,5-4 mm broad
lb. subsp. lagopus
A. lotoides is closely allied to A. heterophylla (no. 2),
in which it was included by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 4: 255 (1960). It is possible to distinguish the species
rather easily, however.
la. subsp. lotoides.
Treated by Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 266
(1960) as A. heterophylla L.f. subsp. lotoides (Thunb.)
Dahlg. Other synonyms are those enumerated under A. lo-
toides except Ononis lagopus and A. heterophylla subsp.
lagopus (see above).
Follows the above description, but
branches usually less than 0,3 m long. Inflores-
cence generally less than 30 mm long, with
relatively small flowers. Bracts usually 3-7 x
0,8-2 mm. Bracteoles 2-6,5 x 0,5-1 mm.
Calyx lobes 1,5-3 mm long. Standard blade
5—7 x 4—5,5 mm, wing blades 4, 5-5, 5 x
2-2,8 mm, and keel blades 3, 2-4, 2 x
1,5— 2,5 mm. Ovules usually 6. Figure 1: 1 -5.
Comprises the southern and main part of the species,
and is distributed from the Cape Peninsula up to the Darling
region of the Malmesbury Division, occurring only in the
western parts of the Bellville-Malmesbury Division, on ma-
rine sand. Map I.
Vouchers: Bolus 2766, 12656; Compton 16372; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 759; Ecklon & Zeyher 1384, 1385; Galpin
3951; Salter 1756.
lb. subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg.,
comb. nov. Type: see above.
Ononis lagopus Thunb., Prodr. 2: 130(1800). A. hetero-
phylla L.f. subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 264 (I960).
Description as for the species, but corre-
sponding to the large measurements within the
variation range. Branches often 0,3-0, 5 m
long; leaflets of upper long-shoot leaves 5-15
x 1,5-3, 5 mm. Inflorescence in an ovate to
elongate spike 15— 30(— 80) mm long. Bracts
(of lowest flowers) 5-8 x (1,5 — )2 — 4 mm;
bracteoles 5-7 X 1-2,5 mm; calyx woolly-
sericeous with lobes 2,5— 4,5 mm. Petals larger
than in subsp. lotoides', standard blade 7— 10 x
5-7 mm; wing blades 5,5-7 x 3—3,5 mm;
keel blades 4-5,5 x2,5-3 mm. Ovules 6—9.
Figure 1:6.
Restricted to flats with marine sand in the Hopefield
Division, mainly the Saldanha Bay region; growing in
coastal fynbos. Map I.
Vouchers: Barker 8073; Dahlgren & Peterson 786;
Lewis 3939; Pillans 6701 ; Salter 3909.
2. Aspalathus heterophylla L.f., Suppl.
321 (1781); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 10 (1802); Willd. , Sp. PI.
3: 963 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 575
(1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825). The name
A. heterophylla was incorrectly used for A.
sericea by Meyer (1832, 1936); Ecklon &
Zeyher (1836); Walpers (1839); Bentham
(1848); it was even cited A. heterophylla E.
Mey. non Thunb. by Harvey (1862). See A.
sericea (no. 17). Type: the Aspalathus speci-
men no. 41 in LINN (lecto. !).
Paraspalathus heterophylla (L.f.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
129 (1845). Achyronia heterophylla (L.f.)Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 156(1891).
Aspalathus stachyera Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 481 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 605 (1848). Aspalathus lotoides Thunb.
var. (y) stachyera (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 108
(1862). Type: Cape, sand near Piketberg, Piketberg Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zeyher (S, lecto.!; SAM).
Aspalathus procumbens E. Mey. var. ( P) squarrosa
E. Mey., Comm. 1: 40 (1836). Type: Cape, Piketberg at
‘Groenvalei’, Drege (S, lecto.!; G; P).
Aspalathus lotoides Thunb. var. (P) sparsiflora Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 108 (1862). Type: the specimen called Aspala-
thus heterophylla in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
A decumbent or procumbent shrublet with
branches ascending only beneath the floral
spikes; branches up to 0,4 m long but not rising
3,6: 28
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 29
more than 0,15 (-0,2) m above the ground.
Young branches tomentose-sericeous. Leaves
trifoliolate, those of young long-shoots linear or
narrowly (ob-)lanceolate, 7-12 x 0,2-2 mm,
acute or obtuse, flexible, green, sparsely seri-
ceous or glabrescent. Leaves of short-shoots
much smaller, subglabrous, densely situated
(hence the name ‘ heterophylla ’). Inflorescence
a ± sparse spike 40-80 mm long or more, its
flowers at a distance of 5-10 mm. Bract lan-
ceolate, 3-10 x 0,5-3 mm, pointed, weak,
green, with sparse, half-spreading hairs. Pedi-
cel very short. Bracteoles linear or narrowly
lanceolate, as long as the bract but narrower.
Calyx with long, straight hairs (in old herbar-
ium specimens often brownish); lobes linear
(-triangular), (2-) 3,5-7 mm, green, ± re-
curved, with sparse long hairs. Petals light to
clear yellow. Standard blade ovate, 5-7 x
4, 5-5,5 mm, acute, tomentose on the back.
Wing blades oblong, 4—6 x 2-2,5 mm, seri-
ceous on lower-apical parts, with 2-3 rows of
minute folds on upper-basal parts. Keel blades
lunate, 3, 5-4, 5 x 2-2,5 mm, sericeous
(-tomentose), upper margin slightly S-curved.
Pistil pubescent on ovary and style base; ovules
5 or 6. Pod small, ovate, tomentose, slightly
more than 3 x 1,5 mm. Ripe pods not seen.
Figure 1: 7- 10.
Distributed on lowlands, in sandy ( + clay), often red-
dish, soil from the Du Toit’s Kloof region (Worcester Divi-
sion) in the south through the western divisions (Worcester,
Tulbagh, Piketberg, Clanwilliam, Vanrhynsdorp and Cal-
vinia Divisions) to the Nieuwoudtville region in the north,
but absent from the flats with marine sand [where A. lo-
toides (no. 1) occurs). It grows in fynbos vegetation.
Map 1.
Vouchers: Acocks 17489; Bolus 2765, 13541; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 341, 913, 920, 983, 1025, 1194; Ester-
huysen 14100, 14606; Schlechter 10624.
Related to A. lotoides (no. 1) but different in the non-
silvery leaves, the sparser and more elongate spikes, the
recurved calyx lobes and the more intensely yellow petals.
It is not quite clear to which other species these two are
most closely related, although a close affinity with A. tri-
dentata (no. 8) or/4, quinquefolia (no. 4) is possible.
3. Aspalathus argyrella MacOwan in J.
Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 387 (1890); H. Bolus &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
252 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape
Penins. 475 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 270 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 145
(1963). Type: Cape, Nieuwe Kloof near Tul-
bagh, Tulbagh Division, MacOwan, Herb.
Norm. Austr. Afr. 567 (BOL, holo.!; BM, K,
PRE, SAM).
A decumbent to prostrate shrublet, some-
times forming small, loose, mats on the ground.
Young branches silky sericeous. Leaves trifo-
liolate; those on branch ends without, those on
more basal parts with axillary short-shoots.
Leaflets of long-shoot leaves flat, linear to
oblanceolate, (3 — )5— 8 x 0,5- 1,5 mm, acute,
weak, silky sericeous but greenish (not as sil-
very as, e.g. A. villosa — no. 9). Inflorescences
capitate, with 3-10 flowers, terminally on
branches or branchlets. Bract flat, oblanceo-
late, 4,5-5 x 1-1,5 mm, flexible, sericeous
on both sides. Pedicel almost non-existent.
Bracteoles similar to the bract, c. 5,5 x 1-1 ,3
mm. Calyx campanulate, sericeous; lobes
triangular, 1 ,5—2,5 mm long, acute, sericeous.
Petals small in relation to calyx, pale scarlet
(‘mauve’), with claws almost as long as blades.
Standard blade obovate, only 2,5-4 x 3-3,5
mm, rounded apically, sparsely tomentose on
most of the back (subglabrous towards the mar-
gins). Wing blades, 3,5-4, 5 x 0,9- 1,2 mm,
linear-oblong, tapering rather than lobulate
above at the base, with c. 3 rows each with a
few minor folds on the basal upper part, gla-
brous or with a few hairs on outer side. Keel
blade lunate, 3-4 X 1,2— 1,5 mm, with
slightly concave upper margin, sericeous on
most of the outside. Pistil with elongate ovary;
this and the style base sericeous on most parts
(glabrous below); ovules 2. Pod partly hidden
in the calyx, narrowly ovate, c. 4,5 x 1 ,5 mm,
pointed, sericeous on most parts. Figure 1:
11-17.
Figure 1. Aspalathus lotoides subsp. lotoides (1-5); A. lotoides subsp. lagopus (6); A. heterophylla (7-10); A.
argyrella (11-17). — 1, 6, 7, 11: branches; 2, 9: bracts; 3, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 14: wing petals; 5, 15: keel petals;
8, 12: flowers, 8 with bract and prophylls removed; 13: standard; 16: pistil; 17: fruit, in calyx. — 1-5 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 768 ; 6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 786 ; 7-10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 341; 11-16 from Compton 17466 ; 17
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1229. — (1 x2;2-5 x6;6 X2;7 X 1,2; 8-10 x4;ll x3,2; 12x4; 13-17 x8.)
3,6: 30
Crotalarieae
Maps 1-4. — Map 1. Aspalathus lotoides subsp. lotoides (unbroken line); A. lotoides subsp. lagopus (squares);
A. heterophylla (dots); A. acocksii (triangles). — Map 2. A. quinquefolia subsp. virgata (dots). — Map 3. A. quinquefo-
lia subsp. quinquefolia (dots); A. quinquefolia subsp compacta (squares). — Map 4. A. dunsdoniana (dots); A. argy-
rella (squares); A. tridentata subsp. rotunda (triangles).
Crotalarieae
3,6:31
Distribution rather wide, but probably incompletely
known because of the inconspicuous size of the species. It is
common on the Cape Peninsula from the Cape Point Re-
serve to the Muizenberg Mountain and it is known also from
the Hermanus region, Caledon Division, from near Tul-
bagh, Tulbagh Division, the Gydo Pass region, Ceres Divi-
sion, and the southern ends of the Cederberg Mountains,
Clanwilliam Division. The species grows in sand weathered
from Table Mountain Sandstone, in low fynbos vegetation.
In the south it grows at low levels, in the mountains up to
c. 400 m. Map 4.
Vouchers: Bolus 4947; Dahlgren & Peterson 1229;
Hutchinson 1054; Leighton 658; Leipoldt 3207; MacOwan,
Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 567; Wolley-Dod 3264.
A very distinct species the closest relatives of which
are uncertain.
4. Aspalathus quinquefolia L., Amoen.
6: 92 (1760); Sp. PI. edn 2: 1002 (1763); Lam.,
Encycl. 1: 290 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126
(1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 10 (1802);
Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 963 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 575 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 503 (1839); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 235 (I960); ibid. 9 (1): 143
(1963). Type: ‘ Aspalathus quinquefolia’ in her-
barium Linnaeus (S, lecto.!).
Aspalathus virgata Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 10 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:966(1803);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 576 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142
(1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 203 (1836); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 41 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 482 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 603 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 106 (1862). Paraspalathus virgata (Thunb. )Presl,
Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845). Achyronia virgata (Thunb.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 158 (1891). Type: Aspalathus vir-
gata, in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Aspalathus elongata Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:481 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 603 (1848; as synonym of A. virgata );
Harv. , FI. Cap. 2: 107 ( 1862); L. Bol. in Ann. Bolus Herb.
1: 187 (1915); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 476
(1950). Paraspalathus elongata (Eckl. & Zeyh.)Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 129 (1845). Achyronia elongata (Eckl. &
Zeyh.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape, Tul-
bagh Valley near ‘Waterfall’, Ecklon & Zevher 1387 (S,
lecto. !;G, K, LD, P, SAM).
Aspalathus ascendens E. Mey., Comm. 1: 41 (1836).
Paraspalathus ascendens (E. Mey.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
129 ( i 845). Type: Cape, near Paarl, Paarl Division, Drege
(S, lecto. !; BM, BOL, G, K, P, PRE).
Aspalathus leucocephala E. Mey., Comm. 1: 41 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 482 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 602 (1848). Paraspalathus leucocephala (E.
Mey.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130 (1845). Aspalathus virgata
Thunb. var. (y) leucocephala (E. Mey.)Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
107 (1862). Achyronia virgata (Thunb. )Kuntze var. (y)
leucocephala (E. Mey.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1. 158 (1891).
Type: Cape, Giftberg, Vanrhynsdorp Division, Drege (S,
lecto.!; BM,G,K,P).
Aspalathus jacobaea E. Mey., Comm. 1: 41 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 481 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 603 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 107 (1862). Par-
aspalathus jacobaea (E. Mey.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129
(1845). Achyronia jacobaea (E. Mey.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape, near Paarl, Paarl Division,
Drege (S, lecto.!; BM, G, K, P).
Aspalathus meyeri Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 106 (1862). Achy-
ronia meyeri (Harv.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Type: Cape, Ezelsbank, Cedarberg Mountains, Clanwilliam
Division, Drege (S, lecto. !;G, K, P).
Aspalathus virgata Thunb. var. ((3) globosa Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 603 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 107
(1862). Type: ‘Aspalathus quinquefolia' in herbarium
Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Aspalathus elongata Eckl. & Zeyh. var. densa L. Bol. in
Ann. Bolus Herb. 1: 187 (1915). Type: Cape, Botteliers-
fontein, Albertinia, Riversdale Division, Muir 1142 (BOL,
holo.!; PRE, SAM).
? Aspalathus scholliatui Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 135 (1845).
Probably a synonym of A. quinquefolia or A. lotoides
Thunb. IParaspalathus scolliana (Presl) Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 129 (1845). Type: not seen.
? Aspalathus strictus Steud., Flora 13: 543 (1830). Type:
not seen.
An erect or sometimes decumbent shrub or
shrublet (0,1 — )0,2— 1,5 m tall, sparingly to
copiously branched, of very variable habit.
Branches generally weak, rarely stiff; young
branches densely short-sericeous or tomentose
(-puberulous). Leaves trifoliolate, on inconspi-
cuous, rarely prominent, pubescent leaf base
cushions. Leaflets flat, oblong or narrowly el-
liptic, (1-) 3-10 x 0,2-3 mm, obtuse to sub-
acute, weak, generally grey- or silvery seri-
ceous but rather often puberulous or glabres-
cent. Inflorescence a terminal spike varying
from dense and compact, nearly head-like, to
sparse and up to almost 100 mm long. Flowers
generally 8-25 (—35), but sometimes fewer or
more numerous. Bract lanceolate or ovate,
2— 11 x 1,5—5 mm, acute, sericeous. Pedicel
generally very short, shorter than 1 mm. Brac-
teoles obovate or oblanceolate to linear, 3-11
mm long. Calyx densely sericeous (pubescence
generally short); lobes 1-4 mm long, weak,
triangular to narrowly triangular, sericeous. Pe-
tals light to bright yellow. Standard blade
3,6: 32
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 33
ovate, 5, 5-8, 5 x 4, 5-7, 5 mm, obtuse-retuse,
short-sericeous on most of the back. Wing
blades narrowly ovate, 5-9 x 3-4 mm, seri-
ceous on lower basal parts, otherwise glabrous;
upper parts with several rows of minute folds.
Keel narrowly lunate, the blades (3,5 — )4 — 6 x
2-4 mm, upper margin slightly S-curved. Pis-
til sericeous on upper half to all the ovary and
on the style base; ovules 2. Pods not seen.
Distributed on sandy lowlands (rarely entering moun-
tains) through a great part of the Cape, including part of the
Cape Peninsula and the Bellville, Somerset West, Caledon,
Bredasdorp, Swellendam, Riversdale, Mossel Bay, Stellen-
bosch, Paarl, Malmesbury, Hopefield, Tulbagh, Worcester,
Piketberg, Clanwilliam and Vanrhynsdorp Divisions. Some
forms grow on marine sand, others on sand weathered from
the sandstone mountains. A. quinquefolia is very variable
and locally subdominant (with subsp. virgata). It is divisi-
ble into three subspecies according to the following key:
la Shrublets decumbent, low; flowers generally fewer
than 13 per spike; spike short, subglobose (leaf-
lets usually green, puberulous to glabrous)
4a. subsp. quinquefolia
lb Shrublets erect or ascending; flowers usually more
than 15 per inflorescence; spike ovate to elongate
(rarely head-like) (leaflets sericeous to glabres-
cent):
2a Leaflets usually green, very sparsely pubescent;
leaves densely arranged on long-shoots, with
prominent leaf base tubercles... 4c. subsp. compacta
2b Leaflets usually silvery sericeous; not so densely
arranged and with inconspicuous leaf base
tubercle 4b. subsp. virgata
4a. subsp. quinquefolia.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 238
(1960).
Aspalathus (Paraspalathus) jacobaea, see above.
Low, decumbent shrublet, usually less
than 0,2 m tall. Leaflets usually small, 1 —5 mm
long, those on young long-shoots pubescent,
those of long-shoots glabrescent or glabrous;
leaf bases not prominent. Spikes short, subglo-
bose, with 5-13 flowers. Bracts 2—4,5 x
1 ,5—3 mm; bracteoles 2—5 x 1 —2 mm. Calyx
rather long-sericeous; lobes usually 2-3,5 mm
long. Standard about 5, 5-6, 5 x 5, 5-6, 5 mm;
wing blades 5-6 x c. 3 mm; keel blades 4-4,5
x c. 3 mm. Figure 2: 1 .
Distributed mainly on the Cape and Malmesbury Rats
(Bellville, Somerset West, Stellenbosch and Malmesbury
Divisions, with outliers near Porterville, Piketberg Divi-
sion). The habitat is mainly sandy flats, although possibly
also, sometimes, clayey ground. Map 3.
Vouchers; Acocks & Hafstrom 635; Bolus 4266;
Parker 4 106, 4612; Salter 1237, 2690; Wilman 658.
The borderline between this subspecies and both of the
others is not altogether sharp, and some collections are
difficult to classify in either.
4b. subsp. virgata (Thunb.) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 240 (1960); ibid. 9(1):
143 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121:518 (1968).
Synonyms: all those enumerated for A. quinquefolia ex-
cept Aspalathus (Achyronia) quinquefolia and Aspalathus
(Paraspalathus) jacobaea; see above.
An erect densely (rarely sparsely)
branched shrub 0,35-1,5 m tall, with rather
short-sericeous or short-tomentose branch ends.
Leaflets of long-shoot leaves 2—5 (—9) x
0,3- 1,5 (-2) mm, leaves of short-shoots
smaller; all leaflets generally grey- or silvery
sericeous, rarely becoming almost glabrous.
Inflorescence ovate to elongate, rarely up to
more than 100 mm long, with (8 — ) 1 5 — 35
flowers, rarely compact and subglobose (but
plants then higher than 0,8 m and silvery seri-
ceous). Bract broadly oblanceolate to ovate or
circular, 5-8 x 4,5— 7,5 mm. Wing blades
6-9 x 3—4 mm. Keel blades 3,5—6 x 2-4
mm. Pod obliquely ovate, 3, 5-4, 5 x 1,5-2
mm, sericeous, one-seeded. Figure 2: 9-13.
Widely distributed, covering the whole of the distribu-
tion area except the Peninsula (substituted by subsp. com-
pacta) and part of the Paarl-Malmesbury Divisions (substi-
tuted by subsp. quinquefolia ), ranging to Gifberg (Van-
rhynsdorp Division) in the north and the Mossel Bay Divi-
sion in the east. The subspecies grows on marine sand both
in the western (Malmesbury-Hopefield) and the southern
Divisions (Swellendam, Riversdale, Mossel Bay) and in
sand in the Hex River Valley (indicating a recent connection
between the above regions) and the Olifants River Valley
Rgure 2. Aspalathus quinquefolia subsp. quinquefolia (1); A. quinquefolia subsp. compacta (2-8); A. quinque-
folia subsp. virgata (9-13); A. acocksii (14). — 1, 2, 9, 10, 13, 14: branch ends with inflorescences; 3; flower; 4, 11:
bracts; 5, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 6: wing petal; 7: keel petal; 8: ovary. — 1 from Parker 4106; 2-8 from Salter 1874 ; 9
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1128 ; 10-12 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1316 ; 13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1122 ; 14 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1038.— (I, 2, 10, 13 x2;3-8, 11, 12 X4;9 X 1,2; 14 X 1,6.)
3,6: 34
Crotalarieae
and sandy regions next to and in basins of the mountains. It
grows in coastal and other fynbos, and is regionally sub-
dominant. Map 2.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 123, 338, 776 , 783,
871, 889, 904, 1313, 1314, 1316, 1431; Ecklon & Zeyher
1387, 1388; Galpin 11091; Muir 65. 1142; Salter 5031;
Schlechter 9114.
Very variable in total size, length of the spike, floral
size, and length of leaves and calyx lobes. Forms with
elongate spikes up to 100 mm (‘A. elongata") occur in the
Breede River Valley (east of Bain’s Kloof), and in the Hex
River Valley but also on the western sand flats and on
marine sand in the Riversdale Division and thus are scat-
tered over the distribution area. Most of these regions are,
however, dominated by forms with ovate spikes with
15-25 flowers. Certain forms with rigid branches, glabres-
cent leaves and few-flowered, sparse and elongate spikes
have been collected in the Malmesbury Division. Forms
with relatively large flowers, sometimes in very compact
spikes (‘A. meyeri ’) slightly approach A. acocksii (no. 5);
they occur mainly in the Clanwilliam Division.
4c. subsp. compacta Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 247 (1960); ibid. 9(1): 143
(1963). Type: Cape, west of Smith’s Farm,
southern part of the Cape Peninsula, Salter
1874 (BOL, holo. !; K, NBG).
None of the synonyms enumerated under A. quinquefolia
refer to this subspecies.
A rather low, ascending shrublet, gene-
rally less than 0,25 m tall, with branches as-
cending from a short thick main stem. Leaves
situated on a relatively prominent leaf base
tubercle. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves oblong-
oblanceolate, ( 1 — )2 — 4 x 0,5- 1,5 mm, rather
thick, sparsely hairy, glabrescent, green. Inflo-
rescence an ovate spike, usually with 10—20
flowers. Bracts, bracteoles and calyx with seri-
ceous (-tomentose) pubescence longer than in
subsp. virgata. Bract narrowly ovate, 4—5 x
1,5-2, 5 mm; bracteoles oblanceolate, c. 5 x
0,5- 1 mm; calyx lobes 2-2,5 mm long. Petals
as for medium-sized subsp. virgata; standard
blade often glabrous on lower half of the back.
Figure 2: 2-8.
Concentrated mainly in the Cape Peninsula, where it
grows on sandy hills and plains, in fynbos vegetation. Some
collections in the Palmiet River area of the Caledon Divi-
sion and near Elim in the Bredasdorp Division are also
referred here. Map 3.
Vouchers: Bolus 4126, 5019, 9342; Bond 794; Galpin
12270; Sailer 1874, 2890, 4081, 6529.
5. Aspalathus acocksii (Dahlg.) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 270, 143
(1963). Type: Cape, Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam
Division, Acocks 15045 (PRE, holo.!; BOL, K,
LD).
A. quinquefolia L. subsp. acocksii Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 250 ( 1960).
A sparingly branched, erect, rigid shrub up
to c. 1 m tall. Young branches densely and
shortly tomentose. Leaves trifoliolate, on a con-
vex tomentose leaf base tubercle; soon with
axillary short-shoot. Leaflets flat, linear-oblong
(-oblanceolate), rather thick; those of long-
shoot leaves 6—9 x up to c. 1 mm, glabrous,
puberulous or short-sericeous; short-shoot
leaves with smaller, subglabrous leaflets. Inflo-
rescence a compact, ovate to subglobose spike
with about 15—25 flowers; flowers larger than
those of A. quinquefolia (no. 4). Bract obovate
or oblanceolate, 5-11 x (1 — ) 3— 5 mm, taper-
ing-acuminate at apex, sericeous. Pedicel ex-
tremely short. Bracteoles narrowly lanceolate
or linear, 7-10 x 0,5-1 mm, flexible, hairy.
Calyx densely long- and white-sericeous; lobes
linear-subulate, 5,5— 7,5 mm long, weak, seri-
ceous. Petals bright yellow. Standard blade
ovate, 11 — 13 x 11-13 mm, apically rounded,
short-sericeous on the back. Wing petals lunate-
oblong, 11-12,5 x 4-5 mm, subglabrous or
short-sericeous on lower basal fourth or less,
with several rows of minute folds on basal
third. Keel blades lunate, 7-8 x 3—3,5 mm,
with rather prominent basal pouch, sericeous
except along upper margins. Pistil short-seri-
ceous on ovary and style base; ovules 2; stigma
regular-capitate. Pods not seen. Figure 2: 14.
Restricted to mountainous parts in the Clanwilliam and
Vanrhynsdorp Division, growing on sandy or gravelly
ground at moderate altitudes, in fynbos vegetation. Map 1 .
Vouchers: Acocks 15045; Bolus 8980; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1038; Esterhuxsen 21157; Leipoldt 4466, BOL
9383.
Undoubtedly close to A. quinquefolia (no. 4), in which
it was originally included, but different in the larger flowers
and different habitat.
6. Aspalathus dunsdoniana Alston ex
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 184
(1960); ibid. 9 (1): 142 (1963). Type: sine loco
(from the British Empire Exhibition): 'Aspala-
thus dunsdoniana Alston ined.’ (K, holo.!).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 35
An erect, branched shrub, 1-2 m tall,
with white-lanate branch ends. Leaves trifolio-
late, those on long-shoots with axillary short-
shoots developed at an early stage. Leaflets (of
long-shoot leaves) very narrowly elliptic, lan-
ceolate or oblanceolate, tapering at both ends,
(10 — )15 — 20 x 3-7 mm, acute, weak, soft,
long- and white-sericeous. Inflorescence a ter-
minal head of 10—25 flowers. Bract flat, lin-
ear, 9- 1 1 mm (including the long hairs up to
15 mm) long, c. 1,5 mm broad or less, weak,
covered with very long, white hairs. Pedicel c.
1 mm long or less, long-sericeous. Bracteoles
linear or subfiliform, 8-9 mm long, 1 mm
broad, long-sericeous. Calyx very long-seri-
ceous all over; lobes linear, 3-5,5 mm long,
tapering, weak. Petals light yellow with rather
long claws. Standard blade elliptic, c. 8-8,5 x
6,5—7 mm, obtuse, densely long-sericeous on
the back. Wing blades oblong to very narrowly
elliptic, 8,5-9 x 3-3,5 mm, long-sericeous
on most parts; the base with some rows of indis-
tinct small folds. Keel blades lunate. 5-6 x c.
3 mm, with slightly concave upper margin,
long-sericeous on the lower apical parts. Pistil
long-sericeous on ovary and style base; ovules
2; style regular, capitate. Pod ovate, convex, c.
6x3 mm, sericeous, one-seeded. Figure 3:
1-5.
Distributed in the westernmost parts of the Caledon
Division, in the Hottentots Holland, Kogelberg and Palmiet
River Mountains as far east as Klein River. It grows in
moist kloofs at altitudes of c. 500-750 m. Map 4.
Vouchers: Esterhu\sen 13687: Stokoe 432. 1321.
7374. 8973. 9595.
This species and A. salicifolia (no. 7), which are
obviously closely related to each other, in spite of the differ-
ent habit, may be most closely allied to A. aspalathoides
(no. 35).
7. Aspalathus salicifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 187 (1960); ibid. 9(1):
142 (1963). Type: Cape, French Hoek Peak,
steep southern slopes at c. 1 000 m, Paarl Divi-
sion, Esterhuysen 22932 (BOL, holo.!).
An erect or ascending, branched shrub or
shrublet 0,4- 1 m tall. Young branches densely
white-woolly. Leaves trifoliolate; axillary
short-shoots soon developed in their axils. Leaf-
lets oblanceolate (4— )8,5 x (2— )3 — 5 mm,
soft, flexible, acute (-acuminate), grey-seri-
ceous or partly tomentose (pubescence shorter
than in A. dunsdoniana — no. 6). Inflorescence a
head of 4 - 15 (-20) flowers, partly surrounded
by the uppermost leaves. Bract linear, 6-7 x
0,5- 1,5 mm, weak, sericeous. Pedicel very
short. Bracteoles similar to the bract, 5— 6 x <
0,5 mm. Calyx tubular, with tube c. 5 mm long,
tomentose to sericeous; lobes narrowly triangu-
lar, 2-3 mm long, weak, sericeous. Petals
light yellow. Standard blade circular, 5,5—7 x
6, 5-7, 5 mm, obtuse, sericeous on the back.
Wing blades narrowly triangular-ovate, 5,5—7
x 3-3,5 mm, sericeous on most parts, with
some rows of minute folds on basal third. Keel
blades lunate, 4—4,5 x 2,5-3 mm, with al-
most straight upper margin, sericeous on lower
half. Pistil sericeous on ovary and basal parts of
style; ovules 3-5. Pods not seen. Figure 3:
6-12.
Restricted to mountains between Sir Lowry’s Pass
(Somerset West Division) and the French Hoek Valley
(Paarl Division), growing mainly on mountain slopes at
fairly high altitudes: 800- 1 000 m or more. Map 7.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 14367, 22932; Stokoe 7032,
SAM 61853. BOL 17847.
Obviously closely allied to A. dunsdoniana (no. 6) but
smaller in all parts and with shorter pubescence.
8. Aspalathus tridentata L., Sp. PI. edn
1: 712 (1753); Sp. PI. edn 2: 1002 (1763);
Lam., Encycl. 1: 292 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2:
126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 9 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 964 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 575 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825);
E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 162 (1832); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 606 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 108 (1862); Adamson & Salter, FI.
Cape Penins. 475 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 213 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 144
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 518 (1968). Type:
‘ Aspalathus tridentata’ in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, neo.!).
Achyronia tridentata (L.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus staurantha Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 503 ( 1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 607 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 109 (1862).
Type: Cape, ’Zwartland’, Malmesbury Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1383 (S, lecto. !; P, SAM).
3,6: 36
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 3. Aspalathus dunsdoniana (1-5); A. salicifolia (6—12). — 1, 6: branch ends with inflorescences; 2, 7:
flowers; 3, 8: bracts; 4, 9: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: fruit; 10: wing petal; 11: keel petal; 12: pistil. — 1-4 from Esterhuysen
13687,5 from Stokoe, SAM 52193\ 6-12 from Esterhuysen 22932. — (1 x2; 2-4 x3,2; 5 x6,5; 6 x2,5; 7-12 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 37
Aspalathus argentea L. var. (P) glabriuscula E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 43 (1836); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 70
(1843). Type: Cape, Giftberg, Vanrhynsdorp Division,
Drege (S, lecto. !; G, K, P).
? Aspalathus pilosa L., Mant. 262 ( 1767) and Par aspala-
thus pilosa (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845) are nomina
dubia, which possibly referred to A. tridentata L. There is
no specimen in any of the Linnaean collections with this
name; nor is there a general consensus on their identity.
An erect or ascending-spreading shrub or
shrublet of variable size and habit, generally
0, 3-0,9 m tall, moderately branched. Young
branches usually sericeous or tomentose, some-
times sparingly so to glabrescent. Leaves tri-
foliolate; those on long-shoots on an inconspi-
cuous leaf base or often at the base of an either
simple or temate woody, glabrous spur or spine
1-5 mm long. Leaflets linear or oblanceolate,
those of long-shoot leaves generally 3-25 x
0,5—5 mm, acute, acuminate or obtuse, weak
and flexible, from glabrous or sparsely seri-
ceous to densely silvery sericeous, with indis-
tinct veins. Inflorescence a terminal group or
head of 2-12 or more flowers, radiating from
± the same point, subtended by an involucre
formed by the bracts of the flowers. Bract lan-
ceolate to ovate, very variable in size, 4-11 x
(1,8—) 2,5—7 mm, acute-acuminate, weak, ±
sericeous, pale on basal and central parts,
sometimes recurved. Pedicel lacking. Brac-
teoles linear or lanceolate, 4—12 x 0,2— 1,5.
Calyx narrowly campanulate, pale, sericeous;
lobes very narrowly triangular to linear, 3-9
mm long, weak, ± sericeous, sometimes re-
curved. Petals pale or light yellow, sometimes
with dark streaks on standard centre, ± seri-
ceous on back (or outer side), the claws c. half
as long as the blades or less. Standard blade
ovate, acute, 9—13 x 3,5— 6,5 mm, sericeous
on most of the back and in some forms also on
the marginal parts of the front. Wing blades
elongate, 9-13 x 2, 5-3, 5 mm, with straight
or slightly concave upper margin, sericeous on
most parts. Pistil sericeous on ovary and style
base; ovules (4—) 6. Ripe pods not seen.
Distributed in the western divisions of the Cape from
the Bredasdorp and Caledon Divisions and the Cape Penin-
sula in the south northwards both on the lowlands and on
mountains to the Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia Divisions in
the north, but not far beyond Swellendam in the south-east
and not beyond the Calvinia region in the north-east.
The species occurs in a variety of habitats such as
clayey lowlands and sandy and rocky slopes (Table Moun-
tain Sandstone) in the mountains, etc. and is so variable that
a division into at least four subspecies is justified,
la Shrublets with weak, slender branches ascending
from a low, decumbent stem; bracts narrowly
lanceolate to linear (leaves always silky seri-
ceous; leaf base spines always missing; ovules
3-4) 8d. subsp .fragilis
lb Shrubs or shrublets with rigid, straight (though
often slender) branches, ± erect; bracts of peri-
pheral flowers lanceolate to ovate:
2a Bracts generally shorter than 4,5 mm; outer
bracts ovate (often ± recurved); inflorescences
with 5 flowers or less; ovules always 6 (leaf
base spines present) 8b. subsp. staurantha
2b Bracts generally longer than 5 mm; outer bracts
lanceolate to ovate; inflorescences usually
with 5 flowers or more; ovules 5-6:
3a Ovary usually 5-ovuled; leaves silvery seri-
ceous; front of standard pale yellow with
dark streaks, often ± puberulous (leaf base
spines always lacking) 8c. subsp. rotunda
3b Ovary 6-ovuled; leaves green, or rarely grey-
sericeous; front of standard light to bright
yellow, glabrous also near the margins (leaf
base spines common) 8a. subsp. tridentata
8a. subsp. tridentata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 217
(1960); in Bot. Notiser 121: 518 (1968).
Variable, generally comprising erect
shrublets or shrubs up to c. 0,7 m tall. Simple
or temate leaf base spines often present and up
to 4 mm long. Leaflets linear or lanceolate, up
to 10 mm long or more, long-shoot leaves often
sericeous, rarely glabrous. Inflorescences
usually with 5-15 flowers. Bracts of peripheral
flowers usually 7-12 x 2—6 mm, lanceolate to
ovate. Calyx lobes usually 4-10 mm long.
Petals light to clear yellow, usually somewhat
larger than in subsp. staurantha. Standard vari-
able in size, glabrous on front. Ovules normally
6. Figure 4: 1-7.
The subspecies includes a series of populations ranging
from near Elim and Potberg in the Bredasdorp Division and
on the Cape Peninsula through the whole range of the
species in the western divisions but not beyond the Rivier-
sonderend Mountains in the east. Generally, at least, this
subspecies grows on sandy ground weathered from Table
Mountain Sandstone, in a sclerophyll community, at alti-
tudes of 800 m or less. It approaches subsp. rotunda in
appearance in populations in the Clanwilliam Division and a
distinction between the two subspecies may be arbitrary in
some regions (e.g. in the Algeria Valley, Cederberg Moun-
tains). Map 5.
3,6: 38
Crotalarieae
Maps 5—8. — Map 5. Aspalathus tridentata subsp. tridentata (dots). — Map 6. A. tridentata subsp. staurantha
(dots); A. tridentata subsp. fragilis (squares). — Map 7. A. villosa (dots); A. salicifolia (squares); A. comptonii (trian-
gles).— Map 8. A. bodkinii (squares); A. bidouwensis (rhomboid); A. linearifolia (dots).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 39
Vouchers: Acocks 15046; Bodkin, BOL 7521 ; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 946, 956, 995, 999, 1017; Galpin 11133;
Leipoldt 3756; Salter 2891 ; Wolley-Dod 470.
Variation is great and may justify further subdivision.
The variation concerns size, pubescence, presence or ab-
sence of leaf base spur(s), number and size of flowers, size
and shape of bracts, colour of petals, etc. The local forms
are sometimes so characteristic that their provenience can
be seen without a label.
8b. subsp. staurantha ( Eckl . & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 225
(1960). Based on Aspalathus staurantha Eckl.
& Zeyh.; see above.
Erect, branched shrub, with rigid, spread-
ing branches. Leaf bases generally with a
simple or temate spur or spine. Leaflets gener-
ally small, c. 3 mm long or more, green and
glabrescent to grey and sericeous. Inflorescence
generally with 2—5 (—6) flowers. Bract (of
outer flowers) narrowly ovate or broadly lan-
ceolate, 3-4 (—5) x 1-2,5 mm. Calyx lobes
generally only 3—5 mm long, ± recurved.
Petals pale yellow. Standard blade narrowly
ovate, 9—11 x 4-6 mm, sericeous on the back
only. Wing blades 8-10 x c. 3 mm; keel
blades 5,5— 6,5 x c. 3 mm. Ovules 6. Figure 4:
8 & 9.
Concentrated mainly on lowlands and lower mountain
slopes in the divisions between Somerset West and Tulbagh
(including the Bellville, Somerset West, Stellenbosch,
Caledon, Swellendam, Paarl, Worcester, Malmesbury,
Piketberg, Tulbagh and Ceres Divisions). This subspecies
at least quite often grows on clayey soils of the Malmesbury
Beds or weathered from shales of Bokkeveld Series rocks.
It occurs in a mixed renosterbos-fynbos scrub community.
Map 6.
Vouchers: Barker 4849; Dahlgren & Peterson 674,
931; Dahlgren & Strid 2377, 3949, 4969; Esterhuysen
16206; Parker 4 142; Schlechter 10637; Smith 4861 .
8c. subsp. rotunda Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 228 (1960). Type: Cape,
Grey’s Pass, Olifants River Mountains, Clan-
william Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 925
(LD, holo.!).
Erect or spreading, sparingly branched
shrub up to nearly 1 m tall, with straight
branches. Young branches sericeous. Leaf base
spurs lacking. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves ob-
lanceolate, 6—10 mm long or longer, more or
less silvery sericeous. Inflorescence a globose
head of 8-25 flowers. Bracts usually c. 10 mm
long and 1,5—4 mm broad, sericeous. Calyx
lobes up to c. 5 mm long. Petals pale yellow,
relatively large, the front of the standard often
with dark streaks on the centre and often with
short adpressed hairs at least on marginal parts
of the front. Wing blades 11 — 13 x 3,5-4 mm
and keel blades 8-9 x c. 4 mm. Ovules usually
5. Figure 4: 10.
Restricted to mountains in the Clanwilliam Division:
Olifants River and Cederberg Mountains, where it grows on
rocky and gravelly slopes (Table Mountain Sandstone
rock). Map 4.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 925 , 932, 937; Ester-
hu\sen 17925; Leipoldt 3212, 3393; Pillans 9053; Thode
A 1989, A 2152.
This subspecies is not quite distinct (see under subsp.
tridentata).
8d. subsp. fragilis Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 232 (1960); in Bot. Notiser 121:
518 (1968). Type: Cape, mountain pass in the
Cederberg Mountains east of Citrusdal, Clan-
william Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 1008
(LD, holo.!).
With decumbent to spreading, low, weak
and slender branches; not ascending more than
c. 0,2 m above ground. Leaf base spurs lack-
ing. Leaflets linear-oblanceolate, those of
leaves on young long-shoots generally 4 — 10 x
0,6— 1,2 mm, silky sericeous. Inflorescence
consisting of 3-5 (-7) flowers. Bracts small,
5-8 x 1-2 mm. Calyx lobes narrowly triangu-
lar, tapering, 3—4 mm long. Petals light (to
pale) yellow. Standard blade narrowly ovate,
9-11 x c. 6 mm, acute, front often with some
dark streaks, and marginal parts often sparsely
puberulous (as in subsp. rotunda .) Wing blades
c. 11 x 2,7 mm and keel blades 8-9 x c. 4
mm. Ovules (3)4. Figure 4: 11-13.
Restricted to the southern parts of the Cederberg
Range, in the Elandskloof region, growing at moderate alti-
tude in sandy and rocky habitats (Table Mountain
Sandstone rock) in mountain fynbos. Map 6.
Vouchers: Bond 621; Dahlgren <6 Peterson 1008;
Esterhuysen 3411, 13119; Leipoldt 3213.
This is obviously closely allied to subsp. rotunda but
smaller and more slender, appearing in some respects to
approach A. villosa (no. 9).
9. Aspalathus villosa Thunb., Prodr. 2:
125(1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 8 (1802);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 574 (1823); Walp. in
3,6: 40
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6:41
Linnaea 13: 483 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 601 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
106 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
4: 301 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 144 (1963); Willde-
now in Sp. PI. 3: 964 (1803) and De Candolle
in Prodr. 2: 142 (1825) treated the species as a
synonym of A. pilosa L. nom. dub. (the identity
of this is uncertain). Type of A. villosa: in her-
barium Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Paraspalathus villosa (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129
(1845). Achyronia villosa (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
158(1891).
A slender, small shrublet with decumbent
or procumbent (rarely half-ascending) branches
0,1 -0,4 m long; inflorescences only a little
above the ground. Young branches sparsely to
densely sericeous. Leaves trifoliolate, on an
inconspicuous leaf base, soon with axillary
short-shoots. Leaflets oblanceolate or broadly
linear, 3—8 x 0,5-1 mm, weak, acute (or sub-
obtuse), silvery sericeous. Inflorescence of
1—4 sessile flowers in a terminal group. Bract
oblanceolate, 2—3,5 x c. 1 mm, convex, sil-
very sericeous. Bracteoles linear, c. 4,5 x 0,5
mm, sericeous. Calyx tube narrow, sericeous,
lobes oblong-oblanceolate, 2-3 mm long
(longer than the tube), obtuse or subacute, sil-
very sericeous. Petals light (lemon) yellow,
later partly reddish. Standard blade narrowly
ovate, c. 8 x 4,5 mm, sericeous on the back.
Wing blades oblong, broadest in apical half,
5-6 x 1,5—2 mm, sericeous on lower third,
with several rows of minute folds on basal up-
per third. Keel narrowly lunate, c. 6 x 2-2,5
mm, hairy on lower half. Pistil sericeous on
ovary and basal half of style; ovules 2. Pod
triangular to obliquely lanceolate, c. 7 x 2,5
mm, smooth, sericeous. Figure 5: 1—9.
Distributed in the mountains from the Ceres region to
the Clanwilliam region, in the Ceres, Tulbagh, Piketberg
and Clanwilliam Divisions. The habitat is white sand
or sandstone gravel weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone in sand basins, ‘vlakte’ or on mountain slopes at
altitudes usually less than 1 000 m. The association is fyn-
bos with restionaceous elements. Map 7.
Vouchers: Bolus 1041; Dahlgren & Peterson 897,
1112; Esterhuysen 7463, 13450, 16223; Schlechter 9977,
10062.
Closely allied to A. bodkinii (no. 10), but possibly also
to A. tridentata subsp .fragilis (no. 8d).
10. Aspalathus bodkinii H. Bol. in J.
Bot., Lond. 34: 19 (1896); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 304 (1960); ibid. 9(1): 144
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 519 (1968). Type:
Cape, Skurftebergen near Gydouw, Ceres Divi-
sion, Bodkin, BOL 7574 (BOL, holo.!).
A prostrate little shrublet, densely
branched, and more or less matted on the
(sandy) ground. Basal main branches occasion-
ally up to more than 10 mm thick, but finest
branches slender and sometimes with some
long, peduncle-like internodes, covered with
white-sericeous pubescence. Leaves trifolio-
late, those on long-shoots soon with axillary
short-shoot, and leaflets therefore appearing in
fascicles. Leaflets elliptic-oblong (-circular),
(0,5—) 1 — 2( — 5,5) x 0,2-2, 2 mm, usually
densely silvery sericeous, rarely green and spar-
sely hairy. Inflorescence generally unifloral,
consisting of a single flower situated in the axil
of its bract. A lateral quick-growing branchlet
often developed in the axil of the uppermost
(trifoliolate) leaf forming a sympodium. Bract
ovate (-circular), 2-3,5 x 1—3,5 mm, acute,
sericeous. Pedicel very short. Bracteoles oblan-
ceolate, 1,5-3 x less than 1 mm, sericeous.
Calyx campanulate, sericeous; lobes shorter
than the tube, broadly ovate-rounded, 1,5-3 x
1— 2,5 mm, obtuse or subacute, sericeous. Pe-
tals light yellow. Standard blade elliptic, 5—8
x 3,5-6 mm, obtuse, short-sericeous on the
back. Wing blade linear-oblong, 5, 5-7, 5 x
2— 3 mm, sericeous on lower half or less, with
some rows of minute folds on the basal third.
Keel blades lunate, 4-5,5 x 2—2,5 mm, al-
most completely sericeous. Pistil sericeous on
ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod ± enclosed
in the calyx, triangular-ovate, c. 5 x 2,5 mm,
silvery sericeous, probably indehiscent. Figure
5: 10-20.
Figure 4. Aspalathus tridentata subsp. tridentata (1-7); A. tridentata subsp. staurantha (8, 9); A. tridentata
subsp. rotunda (10); A. tridentata subsp. fragilis (11-13). — 1, 7, 8, 10, 11: branch ends with inflorescences; 2, 9, 12:
bracts; 3, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard; 5: wing; 6: keel. — 1-6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 960 ; 7 from Dahlgren
& Peterson 995; 8, 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1193; 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 925; 11-13 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1008. — (1, 7, 10, 11 X2; 2-6, 9 x3,2; 8, 12, 13 x2,4.)
3,6:42
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 43
A mountain summit species distributed over a com-
paratively large area in the Worcester, Ceres, Tulbagh,
Piketberg and Clanwilliam Divisions, but almost restricted
to the uppermost slopes of the mountains, at (800- )
1 100- 1 550 m. It grows in sand (? or in clay) on wind-
swept summit slopes. Map 8.
Vouchers: Compton 16726; Dahlgren & Strid 4486;
Esterhuysen 1511, 7503, 8310, 9828, 9919, 14900, 15112,
16154, 18116, 18193, 20956, 22583; Marloth 2278, 2373;
Stokoe 7309.
Closely allied to both A. villosa (no. 9) and A. comp-
tonii (no. 1 1).
11. Aspalathus comptonii Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 309 (1960); ibid. 9(1):
144 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 519 (1968).
Type: Cape, Middleberg Plateau, Cederberg
Mountains, Clanwilliam Division, Esterhuysen
7240 (BOL, holo. !; K).
A prostrate or procumbent shrublet, almost
mat-like in the centre; main stem up to 5 mm
thick; distal parts of branches rather slender,
with spreading hairs; intemodes below the in-
florescences peduncular, up to 10 mm long or
more. Leaves trifoliolate, those of young
branches rather large; soon with lateral short-
shoots. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves oblanceo-
late, 5—10 x 1—2 mm, obtuse, green, weak,
without distinct veins, in young stage tomen-
tose but glabrescent, and ultimately yellowish
green. Short-shoot leaves smaller, smaller than
5 x 1 mm, tomentose. Inflorescence a pedun-
culate terminal spike (see above) with 2-4
flowers; the lowest flowers separated by an in-
temode of c. 5 mm (flowering stage). Bract
narrowly ovate or obovate, 3-4 x 1-1,5 mm,
acuminate, pubescent on both sides. Pedicel
extremely short. Bracteoles oblanceolate, c. 3
x 0,8-1 mm, acuminate, pubescent. Calyx
openly campanulate, sericeous; lobes longer
than the tube, narrowly ovate, 2,5—3 x c. 1,2
mm, acute, green, sericeous. Petals light yel-
low. Standard blade obovate, c. 8 x 6,5 mm,
sericeous on the back. Wing blades oblanceo-
late, c. 7 x 2 mm, apically rounded; basally
with 1 (—2) longitudinal row(s) of minute folds;
sericeous on lower and apical parts. Keel blades
narrowly lunate, c.6 x 2,5 mm, with slightly S-
curved upper margin, almost totally sericeous.
Pistil pubescent on ovary and style base; ovules
2. Pods not seen. Figure 5: 21 —23.
Restricted to the Middleberg, most collections being
from the ‘Middleberg Plateau’. The soil and vegetation con-
ditions are incompletely recorded. Map 7.
Vouchers: Compton 12586; Dahlgren & Strid 4285;
Esterhuysen 7240; Stokoe SAM 55920.
Distinct by the green foliage, larger petals and spicate
inflorescence. The shoot system and inflorescence agree
with that of A. lanata (no. 55) and A. latifolia (no. 56), but
the habit and floral details with A. bodkinii (no. 10).
12. Aspalathus bidouwensis Garab. ex
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 176
(1960); ibid. 9 (1): 151 (1963). Type: Cape,
Bidouw, Clanwilliam Division, Compton 4750
(NBG, holo.!).
An erect or ascending shrub or shrublet,
0,3— 0,6 (?) m tall, fairly densely branched.
Young branches with spreading, white woolly
pubescence. Leaves trifoliolate; those on branch
ends with short-shoots not yet developed. Leaf-
lets flat, oblanceolate or linear, 10-20 x
2,5— 4,5 mm, acute, soft and flexible, com-
pletely and densely covered with white, lanate
pubescence; with 1—3 distinguishable veins.
Inflorescence a terminal, 2-5-flowered head.
Bract lanceolate, 8-10 x 2,5—3 mm, flat,
weak, with long, tapering apex, densely white-
hairy. Pedicel c. 1 — 1,5 mm, white-hairy.
Bracteoles similar to the bract, 6-8 x 1-2
mm. Calyx densely and completely white-
woolly or silky; lobes linear, 10—13 x 2,5—
3,2 mm, weak, acute. Petals light yellow.
Standard blade orbicular, broader than long,
12-14 x 14— 16 mm, rounded, densely white-
tomentose(-sericeous) on the back. Wing blades
oblong or narrowly obovate, c. 9 x 4,5 mm,
widened and rounded apically, white-hairy on
FIGURE 5. Aspalathus villosa (1-9); A. bodkinii (10-20); A. comptonii (21-23). — 1, 10, 19, 21: branchlets with
inflorescences; 20: part of branch with lateral branchlets; 2: flower; 11: flower and lateral shoot (in axil of uppermost
trifoliolate leaf); 3, 12: bracts; 4, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 14: standard petals, front view; 6, 15, 22: wing petals; 7, 16,
23: keels; 8, 17: pistils; 9, 18: fruits. — 1—9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 897; 10—17 from Esterhuysen 18193; 18 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1270; 19, 20 from Esterhuysen 7503; 21-23 from Esterhuysen 7240. — (1, 10, 19, 20 X 2; 21 x2,4;
2-9,11-18,22,23 x 4.)
3,6:44
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 45
the apical lower third or less; the base with 3-4
rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate, 8-9
x c. 5 mm, slightly upcurved, glabrous on
most parts but apically white-puberulous. Pistil
densely pubescent on ovary and basal half of the
style; ovules 4. Pods not seen. Figure 6: 1 & 2.
A regionally very restricted species, hitherto known
only from near Bidouw, which is a rather dry mountain east
of the northern end of the Cederberg range. The habitat is
not adequately known. Map 8.
Vouchers: Compton 4750; Salter 5057.
Obviously closely related to A. linearifolia (no. 13)
and possibly to A . incana (no. 15).
13. Aspalathus linearifolia (Burnt, f.)
DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 162 [1832; as a synonym of Aspalathus lini-
folius (L.) E. Mey.]; Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2:
199 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 2: 40 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 481 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 599 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 105(1862). Type: ‘Aster linarifolius’ in
herbarium Burman (G, lecto.).
Aster lin(e)arifolius Burm. f.. Prodr. FI. Cap. 27 (1768).
Trineuria lin(e)arifolia (Burm.f.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 131
(1845). Achyronia lin(e)arifolia (Burm f.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Aspalathus rugosa Thunb. subsp.
lin(e)arifolia (Burm. f.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
4: 165, 172 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 151 (1963). Notes: the
original spelling Tinarifolia’ could be interpreted either as
linariifolia (i.e. leaves like Linaria ) or (wrongly spelled) as
linearifolia (i.e. with linear leaves). The latter spelling,
adopted by De Candolle (1825) has been generally used
since. De Candolle is generally cited as the author of the
species without mention of Burman, but he cited Burman
explicitly, and, like Meyer (1836), mentioned Aster linari-
folius as a synonym.
? Anthyllis linifolia L., Mant. 265 (1767), nomen du-
bium. See Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 165 ( 1960),
and Aspalathus linifolius (L.) E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 162
(1832), based on Anthyllis linifolia, might prove to be con-
specific with this species, but the latter epithet cannot be
used, since A. linifolia Steud. (1830) would be an earlier
homonym of it.
An erect shrub 0,9—2 m tall, much
branched and sometimes with wide circum-
ference. Young branches covered with white
villous-tomentose pubescence. Leaves trifo-
liolate. Leaflets (of long-shoot leaves) linear or
linear-oblanceolate, 15-40 x 2-5 mm, weak
and soft, acute-acuminate, short and white-seri-
ceous when young, becoming ± glabrous and
green. Inflorescence a terminal group or head
(not a raceme) with 3-10 flowers radiating
from almost one point. Bract lanceolate,
(4 — )8 — 15 x 1—3 mm (those of peripheral
flowers largest), weak, acuminate, ± white-
sericeous. Pedicel 1-2 mm long, white-seri-
ceous. Bracteoles lanceolate, 4- 10 x 0,5 — 1 ,5
mm. Calyx covered with dense, white silky
sericeous pubescence longer than in A. rugosa
(no. 14); lobes linear, 5,5-10 x 1,5-2 mm,
acuminate, weak and soft. Petals light yellow.
Standard blade orbicular, 9,5—12 x 9,5-13
mm, sericeous on most of the back (glabrous on
basal marginal parts). Wing blades oblong,
8-11 x 2, 5-4, 5 mm, sericeous on lower
parts, basally with c. 4 rows of minute folds.
Keel blade lunate, 7, 5-9, 5 x 3, 2-4, 8 mm,
with ± straight upper margin, sericeous on the
lower half. Pistil sericeous on the ovary and
basal half of style; ovules 4. Pod narrowly and
obliquely ovate, c. 12 x 4,5 mm, densely seri-
ceous. Figure 6: 3-5.
Distribution concentrated mainly in the region in and
around the French Hoek Valley and the region in and west
of the Tulbagh Kloof, in the Paarl, Tulbagh and Malmes-
bury Divisions. It is restricted to flats and low hillsides,
growing on sandy soils in fynbos vegetation, at present
often on ground disturbed by plantation and introduced
plants. The species is in severe need of protection. Map 8.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 793. 1065, 1073,
1078, 1187; Ecklon & Zeyher 1370; Salter 1797, 5004;
Schlechter 9030.
The species is closely related to A. rugosa (no. 14),
with which it intergrades and probably hybridizes. It is also
very similar to A. bidouwensis ( no. 12).
14. Aspalathus rugosa Thunb., Prodr. 2:
125 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 7 (1802);
Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 967 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 574 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 600 (1848);
Figure 6. Aspalathus bidouwensis (1, 2); A. linearifolia (3-5); A. rugosa (6-13); A. incana (14-16). — 1, 3, 6:
branch ends with inflorescences; 2, 5, 7: flowers; 4, 8: bracts; 9, 15: bracteoles (prophylls); 10: wing petal; 11: keel; 12:
pistil; 13, 16: fruits enclosed in calyx; 14: branchlet tip. — 1,2 from Compton 4750 ; 3-5 from Dahlgren & Peterson 793;
6-12 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1253; 13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1732; 14-16 from Esterhuysen 18532. — (1,3, 14
X2;2 x3;4-6, 13, 15, 16 x3,2;7-12 x4.)
3,6: 46
Crotalarieae
Maps 9-13. — Map 9. Aspalathus sericea (unbroken line); A. aemula (triangles; deviating forms: asterisks);
A. radiata subsp. radiata (squares). — Map 10. A. ramulosa (rhomboids); A. altissima (triangles). — Map 11. A. inter-
vallaris (triangles); A. singuliflora (square). — Map 12. A. rugosa (unbroken line); A. incana (square); A. radiata subsp.
pseudosericea (triangles). — Map 13. A. oblongifolia (dots); A. quadrata (squares).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 47
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 105 (1862); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 165 (1960); ibid. 9 (1):
151 (1963). Type: in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, lecto. !).
Achyronia rugosa (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus plukenetiana Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 200
( 1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 482 ( 1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 600 (1848); included into A. rugosa by
Harvey in FI. Cap. 2: 105 (1862). Paraspalathus plukenel-
iana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845).
Type: Cape, Tulbagh region at ‘Waterfall’, Tulbagh Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zevher 1371 (S, lecto.!; G, K, LD, P,
SAM).
Aspalathus lin(e)arifolia DC. var. (P) discreta Drege
(nom. nud.).
An erect, rather much branched shrub (or
small tree) usually (0,5 — )1 — 2 m tall. Young
branches with short, white puberulous to veluti-
nous pubescence. Leaves trifoliolate, those on
the young branches not (yet) with short-shoot
developed. Leaflets (on long-shoot leaves) flat,
oblanceolate or linear, 6-20 x 1,5-5 mm,
weak to slightly coriaceous, acute-acuminate,
partly short- sericeous when young, glabrescent,
rather smooth or in some forms distinctly
veined. Inflorescence a terminal raceme with
4-10 flowers at different levels. Bract lanceo-
late or linear, 2-6 x 0,5—1 mm, weak,
densely short- and white-pubescent. Pedicel
1-3 mm long, short-sericeous. Bracteoles lin-
ear-lanceolate, 1—4 x 0,2-0, 5 mm, short-
hairy. Calyx campanulate, densely white-pu-
berulous; lobes triangular (or linear-triangular),
1,5-3, 5 (-4,5) mm long, acute, weak, pu-
berulous. Petals bright or light yellow. Stand-
ard blade ovate, 9-9,5 x 6,5— 10 mm, obtuse,
densely short-sericeous on the back. Wing
blades oblong, 5,5-8 x 2-3 mm, short-seri-
ceous on the lower half or third of the outer
side; with some rows of minute folds on the
basal third. Keel blades lunate, 5-7,5 x 3—4,5
mm, with nearly straight upper margin, seri-
ceous on at least the lower half. Pistil pubescent
on ovary, style base and upper side of the basal
two-thirds of the style; ovules 4 or 5. Pod
broadly lanceolate, 9-11 x c. 4 mm, smooth,
sparsely sericeous, grey to black when dark,
one-seeded. Figure 6: 6- 13.
A common species in the mountains on both sides of
the Breede River Valley, in the Tulbagh, Ceres and Wor-
cester Divisions, and reaching, barely, into the Robertson
and Montagu Divisions; an eastern outpost in the Ladismith
region has rather long, triangular-linear calyx lobes and
approaches A. linearifolia (no. 13). A. rugosa grows in
sand weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone on moun-
tain slopes and in sandy or more rarely clayey soil. In parts
of the Breede and Hex River Valleys it may be locally
subdominant, associated with high fynbos or, sometimes,
renosterbos. Map 12.
Vouchers: Acocks 15272 ; Bolus 8334, 13095; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 477 , 1131, 1134; Ecklon & Zeyher 1371 ;
Thode A 2234.
The variation in the species is considerable. Forms
with rather long calyx lobes and leaves are found in the
Montagu ( Thorne , SAM 53127) and Ladismith (Dahlgren
& Peterson 1362) Divisions. These, to some extent,
approach A. linearifolia (no. 13). The other extremes, viz.
forms with short, deltoid calyx lobes and broad subglabrous
leaflets, occur in the Gydo Pass region of the Ceres Divi-
sion. A few suspected hybrids between A. rugosa and A.
linearifolia are known from the region of Saron, Tulbagh
Division, and also from Stettynskloof and Du Toit’s Kloof,
Worcester Division.
This species was united with Aspalathus linearifolia
DC. (see above) by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
165 (1960), and this may be justified on the basis of some
intermediates (Ladismith Division) and some possible hy-
brids (e.g. in Tulbagh Division). However, considering the
distinctness in most of the distribution area the species are
here treated as separate.
15. Aspalathus incana Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 179 (1960); ibid. 9(1): 150
(1963). Type: Cape, Swartberge: upper slopes
below Toorkop [Toverkop], Ladismith Divi-
sion, Esterhuysen 18532 (BOL, holo.!).
A procumbent or decumbent low shrub-
let with slender yellowish branches, fairly
much branched basally, otherwise sparingly
branched. Young branches tomentose, densely
so towards the tips. Leaves trifoliolate, those on
the youngest long-shoots without axillary short-
shoots, older branches with lateral short-shoots
(with rather small leaves). Leaflets (of young
long-shoot leaves) flat, oblanceolate, 6—12 x
3-4,5 mm, weak and soft, acute, clothed on
both sides with white or grey, tomentose pubes-
cence (not silvery sericeous). Inflorescences
and flowers not available (flowers probably in
terminal groups). Bracts caducous, not seen.
Pedicel c. 1-2 mm long, villous, merging into
the calyx. Bracteoles subfiliform, shorter than
2,5 mm, weak, with spreading hairs. Calyx
densely woolly or tomentose (spreading hairs);
lobes linear-oblong, 4-5 mm long, 1,5-2 mm
broad, acute, woolly. Petals not seen. Pistil:
3,6: 48
Crotalarieae
14
Crotalarieae
3,6: 49
ovary pubescent; ovules 2. Pod c. 8 mm long,
obliquely lanceolate, densely white-woolly,
one-seeded. Figure 6: 14- 16.
Known only from the type collection, on shaly upper,
southern slopes below Toorkop (Swartberg Mountains) at
1 250 m altitude. Map 12.
Voucher: Esterhuysen 18532.
Because of the insufficient information on flower and
inflorescence this species is difficult to place. Possibly the
closest relatives ate A. bidouwensis (no. 12) and A. rugosa
(no. 14), or possibly A. salicifolia (no. 7) and A. dunsdon-
iana (no. 6), of which the last two species are found far
from the Ladismith Division.
Incompletely known, but so isolated that its distinct-
ness cannot be questioned.
16. Aspalathus radiata Garab. ex Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 194 (1960); ibid.
9 (1): 142 (1963). Type: Cape, mountains near
French Hoek, c. 600 m, Paarl Division, H.
Bolus 2958, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 1134
(BOL, holo.!; G, K, P, SAM).
An erect to decumbent shrublet, low or up
to 0,5 m tall, often ± branched at the base,
otherwise not or sparingly branched. Young
branches with white pubescence. Leaves trifo-
liolate, with inconspicuous leaf base; short-
shoots not developed in the axils of the upper
leaves at flowering stage. Leaflets (of long-
shoot leaves) equally large, linear, lanceolate or
oblanceolate, 7- 14 x 1—3 mm, acute (to sub-
obtuse), green, flexible, with sparse (to rather
dense) straight half-spreading hairs, glabres-
cent; leaflets on short-shoot leaves smaller,
green, glabrous or subglabrous. Inflorescence a
terminal, pyramidal to ovate or subglobose
spike 160-300 mm long, usually, with 15-30
flowers. Bract flat, lanceolate, 7-12 x 0,5-3
mm (broadest on lowest flowers), acute, weak,
with half-spreading hairs. Pedicel almost lack-
ing. Bracteoles linear, 6-12 x 0,2-0, 8 mm.
Calyx campanulate, long-sericeous (-lanate);
lobes linear, tapering, 3-5,5 mm long, flexi-
ble, sericeous. Petals yellow (to red-brown).
Standard blade elliptic, 5, 5-6,5 x 4-5,5 mm.
apically rounded-obtuse, densely sericeous (-to-
mentose) on the back. Wing blades oblong or
very narrowly ovate, 5-6,5 x 1,6-3, 5 mm,
sericeous or tomentose on lower and apical
parts, with several rows of minute folds on ba-
sal half. Keel blades lunate, 3, 2-4, 5 x 2-3,2
mm, with nearly straight upper margin, seri-
ceous or tomentose on lower two-thirds. Pistil
sericeous on ovary and the basal half of the
style; ovules 4. Pod lanceolate, c. 10-12 x
3-3,5 mm, densely hairy.
Distributed mainly on the mountains surrounding the
French Hoek Valley with outposts on the Swartberg Moun-
tain near Caledon and the Waaihoek Mountain north of
Worcester (Caledon, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester
Divisions).
The species is very variable and is best subdivided into
two subspecies according to the following key:
Decumbent; spikes short, semi-globose; flowers re-
latively small: calyx lobes c. 4 mm long or less,
wing blades only 1,6-3 mm broad; wings and
keel with sericeous pubescence ... 16a. subsp. radiata
Main stem erect, lateral branches ascending (or de-
cumbent); spikes pyramidal ovate; calyx lobes
c. 5 mm long or more; wing blades 3-3,5 mm
broad; wings and keel tomentose
16b. subsp . pseudosericea
16a. subsp. radiata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 196
(1960).
With decumbent branches radiating from a
centre. Inflorescence consisting of short, sub-
globose, erect spikes of 10-20 flowers. Flow-
ers rather small; calyx lobes 3-4 mm long;
standard blade 5,5 x 6,5 mm; wing blades
5-6,5 x 1,6-3 mm, and keel blades 3, 2-4, 5
x 2-3,2 mm. Petal pubescence mainly seri-
ceous. Figure 7: 1-7.
Subsp. radiata is widely distributed and covers largely
the area of the species. It grows on sandy and stony slopes
of 500- 1 250 m altitude in rocky or sandy soil (Table
Mountain Sandstone) in mountain fynbos. Map 9.
Vouchers: Bolus 2958, 9175; Esterhuysen 8333, 9710,
12317. 14898. 16801. 19220. 23926; Stokoe 525. 2492.
Figure 7. Aspalathus radiata subsp. radiata (1-7); A. radiata subsp. pseudosericea (8); A. sericea (9-11); A.
aemula (12-14). — 1, 8, 9, 12: branch ends with inflorescences; 2: junction of older branch with lateral short-shoots and
young long-shoot; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5, 11: flowers; 6, 13: wing petals; 7: keel; 10: leaf (lateral leaflets
reduced); 14: pistil. — 1-7 from Thorne, SAM 52523A; 8 from Thorne, SAM 52523B ; 9-11 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1196; 12-14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1051. — (1, 2, 9 x 1 ,6; 3-7, 10, 13, 14 x4; 8, 12 X 2; 11 x 3, 2.)
3,6: 50
Crotalarieae
16b. subsp. pseudosericea Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. Bot. Lund 4: 198 (1960). Type: Cape,
French Hoek Pass, Villiersdorp side, Paarl-Ca-
ledon Division border, Thorne, SAM 52523
(SAM, holo.!).
With erect main stem 0,15—0,5 m tall and
with ascending or decumbent laterals from near
the base. Inflorescence a pyramidal or ovate
(-elongate) spike, usually with 15—30 flowers.
Flowers larger than in subsp. radiata : calyx
lobes 5—5,5 mm long; standard blade 6-6,5 x
4,5— 5,5 mm; wing blades 5-6 x 2,8— 3,5
mm; keel blades 4-4,5 x 2,5-3 mm. Petal
pubescence tomentose rather than sericeous.
Figure 7: 8.
Subsp. pseudosericea is concentrated mainly on the
mountains east and north of the French Hoek Valley, in the
Paarl Division, with outliers in the Stellenbosch (Haal-
sneeukop) and Worcester (Louwshoek Mountains) Divi-
sions. It seems to grow at a lower altitude than does subsp.
radiata : c. 250-600 m, on rocky slopes. Map 12.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 9113, 11274; Pillans 8443;
Salter 4973; Schlechter 9265; Stokoe, SAM 56319, SAM
61797.
17. Aspalathus sericea Berg., Descr. PI.
Cap. 212 (1767); L.f., Suppl. 321 (1781);
Lam., Encycl. 1: 321 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2:
125 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 9 (1802);
Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 965 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 574 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142 (1825);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 601; Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 106 (1862). The name was used for
other species, e.g. in Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2:
202 (1836) (for A. heterophylla ) and E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 42 (1836) (for A. altissima). Type: in
herbarium Bergius (SBT, holo. !).
Paraspalathus sericea (Berg.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130
(1845). Achyronia sericea (Berg.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891). ’
? Aspalathus linifolius Steud. in Flora 13: 543 (1830).
Type not seen. The name was used in this sense in, e.g.,
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 476 (1950).
An erect, straight, rather slender, little or
unbranched shrublet up to 0,8 (-1) m tall.
Stem rod-like, clothed on the young parts with
sericeous-tomentose pubescence. Leaves of
young long-shoots with one large leaflet and no
or only rudimentary lateral leaflets; axillary
short-shoots developed in the leaf axils (but still
small during flowering); the (middle) leaflets
lanceolate, 6-14 x 2—5 mm, acute-acumi-
nate, silvery sericeous on both sides (not
glabrescent as in A. aemula — no. 18). Inflores-
cence a pyramidal to elongate spike with
20-30 (-35) flowers. Bract lanceolate, 6-11
x 0,7—3 mm, soft, sericeous. Pedicel c. 1 mm
long or less, sericeous. Bracteoles subfiliform,
6-11 mm long, sericeous. Calyx tubular, seri-
ceous; lobes narrowly triangular, 2, 5-4, 5 mm
long, pointed. Petals light yellow, with seri-
ceous pubescence. Standard blade ovate,
9—10,5 x 6—7 mm, obtuse-acute, sericeous on
the back. Wing blade very narrowly obovate-
oblong, 9-9,5 x 3, 7-4, 5 mm, sericeous on
most parts, but glabrous on upper basal parts;
these with several rows of minute folds. Keel
blade lunate, 6,5-8 x 3,5-4 mm, with nearly
straight upper margin, sericeous on the lower
two-thirds. Pistil sericeous on ovary and basal
third of style; ovules 4. Pods lanceolate, 6-8 x
2,0— 2,5 mm, smooth, sericeous. Figure 7:
9-11.
Distributed on sandy lowlands from near Cape Agul-
has (Bredasdorp Division) through the costal regions of the
Caledon and Somerset West Divisions, the Peninsula and
Cape Flats (Cape Town and Bellville Divisions) to the cen-
tral part of the Malmesbury Division in the north-west. The
habitat is flats on marine sand or sandy plains at the foot of
the mountains, rarely in sand on sandstone hills, e.g. on top
of the Muizenberg Mountain. It grows in fynbos, and is
locally a striking element therein. Map 9.
Vouchers: Bolus 3839, 4658; Dahlgren & Peterson
425, 528, 558, 602; Ecklon & Zeyher 1389; Pillans 3053;
Smith 5049; Wolley-Dod 1997.
Differs from A. aemula (no. 18) in the more slender
habit, more slender flowers and more sericeous pubescence.
The two species are otherwise obviously very closely re-
lated.
This species was probably included into the concept of
the heterogenous Aspalathus argentea L. and corresponds
to one of the elements cited by Linnaeus for this species in
Sp. PI. 713 (1753), viz. the Plukenet plate of Cytisus afri-
canus angustifolius, sericea lanugine argenteus, spica La-
gopidiae (Pluk., Mant. 63, 1700). This has been regarded
as a nomen confusum, as it is also based on elements of A.
caledonensis (no. 22) and A. altissima (no. 19).
18. Aspalathus aemula E. Mey., Comm.
1: 42 (1836). [Used by various other authors,
e.g. Walpers (1839), Bentham (1848) and Har-
vey (1862), for A. caledonensis Dahlg. (no.
Crotalarieae
3,6:51
22)J. Type: Cape, Hex River, Worcester
Division, Drege (P, lecto. !).
Paraspalathus aemula (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
130 (1845). Achyronia aemula (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Aspalalhus sericea Berg, subsp.
aemula (E. Mey.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 206
(1960); ibid. 9 (1): 142 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 518
(1968).
Ononis spicata Thunb., Prodr. 2. 129 (1800); FI. Cap.
edn 2: 584 (1823). Achyronia spicata (Thunb.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, lecto.!). The name, if combined under Aspalathus,
would become a later homonym of A. spicata Thunb.,
which is a different species.
An erect, sparingly branched shrub (0,6-)
1-2,5 m tall, with straight rod-like branches.
Young branches white-tomentose. Leaves of
long-shoots with one large (middle) leaflet, the
lateral ones rudimentary or lacking, rarely as
large as the middle one. Axillary short-shoots
developed early in axils of long-shoot leaves,
their leaves with much shorter leaflets. Long-
shoot leaves with central leaflet lanceolate or
narrowly elliptic, tapering at both ends, 6-12
X 2-5 mm, acute, weak and flexible, with
only midvein distinct, silvery sericeous becom-
ing partly glabrous and green. Inflorescence py-
ramidal to ovate, with 20—40 flowers. Bract
flat, linear- lanceolate, 4,5-9 x 0,3-1 mm,
weak, sericeous. Pedicel c. 1 mm long or less,
white-sericeous. Bracteoles filiform, 4-8 mm
long, sericeous. Calyx lanate; lobes linear,
3,5— 6,5 mm long, flexible. Petals light yel-
low, partly turning brownish, with lanate or
villous, rather than sericeous pubescence.
Standard blade ovate, 7,5—9 x 6,5 mm, to-
mentose on the back. Wing blades oblong or
very narrowly elliptic, c. 7 x 2,7 mm, with
several rows of minute folds on basal half; vil-
lous to tomentose on lower-apical two-thirds.
Keel blades lunate, 5,5-7 x 3-4,5 mm, with
slightly concave upper margin, villous on lower
two-thirds. Pistil long-pubescent on ovary and
basal third of style; ovules 3. Pods not seen.
Figure 7: 12-14.
Distributed in mountains of the Clanwilliam, Ceres,
Piketberg (Twentyfour River Mountains), Worcester, Mon-
tagu and Laingsburg Divisions. The distribution ranges
from the Cederberg Mountains southwards through the
mountains bordering on the Hex River Valley to the Witte -
berg ranges and mountains near Montagu in the east. The
habitat is rocky and stony mountain slopes (Table Mountain
Sandstone) at moderate altitudes (400-1 250 m) in moun-
tain fynbos. Map 9.
Vouchers: Bolus 8362; Compton 3037, 5368; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 1021, 1051, 1139; Schlechter 10192;
Tyson 739.
The eastern forms have shorter, more compact spikes
than the western ones, and in the forms of the Montagu
region the long-shoot leaves have three subequal leaflets (in
other forms the lateral leaflets are smaller than the middle
one or lacking).
A. aemula is similar to A. sericea (no. 17) (with which
it was united by Dahlgren, 1960) but is distinct in floral
details, and it is also ecologically and geographically dis-
tinct. These two species are allied to A. altissima (no. 19)
and A. radiata (no. 16), but are obviously advanced in the
reduction of the lateral leaflets.
19. Aspalathus altissima Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 209 (1960); ibid. 9 (1):
142 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 518 (1968).
Type: Cape, summit of head south of Zebrakop,
Piketberg Mountain, Piketberg Division,
Pillans 7505 (BOL, holo.!; K).
'Aspalathus sericea' auct. non Berg, in E. Mey., Comm.
1: 42 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 485 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 601 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 106
(1862); ‘ Paraspalathus sericea' (Asp. sericea Berg.)’ was
used by Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130 ( 1845) in the same sense.
A sparingly branched, somewhat lanky
shrub usually 1—2 m tall, with straight, rigid
branches terminating in inflorescences. Young
branches densely short-tomentose or short-
sericeous. Leaves trifoliolate; the long-shoot
leaves situated on a tubercular leaf base and
provided with one large middle leaflet up to 8 x
2,5 mm and two smaller, lateral leaflets about
half as long but nearly as broad. Leaflets linear-
oblong or oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, soft,
flexible, densely silvery sericeous. Axillary
short-shoots with a few leaves soon developed
in the axils of the long-shoot leaves, the leaflets
appearing clustered. Inflorescence a spike up to
c. 50 mm long, with 10-35 flowers. Bract
oblong or oblanceolate, 2-4 x 0,5-0, 8 mm,
acute, tomentose-sericeous. Pedicel c. 0,5 mm
long, sericeous. Bracteoles similar to the bract,
c. 1,2-3 x 0,2-0, 5 mm. Calyx tubular-
campanulate, densely short-tomentose, pale;
lobes deltoid-triangular, only 0,5— 1,5 mm
long, acute, tomentose. Petals light yellow.
Standard blade circular, 8-9 x 8-9 mm,
rounded apically, densely sericeous on the
back. Wing blades oblong, 8,5—9 x c. 3,5
3,6: 52
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 8. Aspalathus altissima (1-7); A. ramulosa (8-15). — 1,8: branches with inflorescences; 2, 11: flowers; 3,
9: bracts; 4, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13: wing petals; 6, 13: keel petals; 7, 15: pistils; 12: calyx, split open along dorsal
median line. — 1-7 from Compton 4408; 8-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 496. — (1, 8 x 1,6; 2—6 x 3, 6; 7 X4,8; 9—14
x2; 15 x4.)
mm, densely sericeous on most of the outer
side; with several rows of minute folds on basal
third. Keel blades 7— 8 x c. 4 mm, lunate, with
± straight upper margin, sericeous on most
parts (except along upper margin). Pistil seri-
ceous on ovary and the basal three-quarters of
the style; ovules 4. Pod obliquely lanceolate, c.
10—14 x 3—3,5 mm, densely white pubescent
(quite ripe pods not seen). Figure 8: 1-7.
Distributed in mountains in the Piketberg, Ceres, Clan-
william, Calvinia and Vanrhynsdorp Divisions, between
Ceres Mountain in the south and Nieuwoudtville in the
north, and between Piketberg Mountain in the west and
Swart Ruggens in the east. A. altissima grows in sand,
generally on rocky slopes or in association with rocky out-
crops (Table Mountain Sandstone), often with lanky stems
reclining over the boulders. Map 10.
Vouchers: Acocks 14884; Bolus 8433; Dahlgren &
Peterson 975. 978. 1105; Dahlgren & Strid 2547; Leipoldt
3117; Leistner425; Pillans 9132; Schlechter 8887 .
The species approaches both A. ramulosa (no. 20),
with three equally large leaflets, and/f . aemula (no. 18) and
A. sericea (no. 17) with one large central and two reduced
to absent lateral leaflets per long-shoot leaf.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 53
20. Aspalathus ramulosa E. Mey. in Lin-
naea 7: 163 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2:
202 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 503 (1839);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 190
(1960); ibid. 9 (1): 142 (1963); in Bot. Notiser
121: 517 (1968). Type: Cape, Zwarteberg, Ca-
ledon Division, Ecklon, according to the proto-
logue. This probably coincides with Ecklon &
Zeyher 1380 from the same locality (S; SAM).
A. aemula E. Mey. var. (p) ramulosa (E. Mey.) Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 110 (1862). A. ramulosa E. Mey. is quite dis-
tinct from and antedates A . aemula E. Mey. (1836).
An erect, stiff, sparingly branched shrub
up to 0,7 m tall. Branches thick, stout, knotty
from old short-shoots; young branches densely
puberulous-velutinous. Leaves trifoliolate, with
small leaflets, and soon with axillary brachy-
blast (with several leaves) developed. Leaflets
flat, elliptic, or ovate to (ob-) lanceolate, small,
usually 0,5—4 x 0,3—2 mm, weak, acute,
densely silvery sericeous. Inflorescence a head
or cluster of (2— )4— 8 flowers (or flowers
rarely solitary), on the tips of branches or (often
short) lateral branchlets. Bract oblanceolate -
obovate, 2-4 X 1-1,5 mm, sericeous. Pedicel
c. 0,5 mm long, sericeous. Bracteoles oblan-
ceolate, 2—4 x 0,5 mm, sericeous. Calyx
campanulate, densely silky sericeous; lobes tri-
angular, only 2-3 mm long, acute, often dark
pigmented, sericeous. Petals light lemon-yel-
low. Standard blade circular or broadly ovate,
8-9,5 x 9-13 mm, densely sericeous on the
back, the sides often ± recurved. Wing blades
obliquely ovate or lunate, 8-9, 5x4, 5 -7 mm,
sericeous to tomentose on most parts, with a
main longitudinal fold and basally with some
rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate,
6,5-8 x 4—4,5 mm, sericeous to tomentose
on most parts. Pistil densely white-pubescent
on ovary and style base; ovules 4. Pod triangu-
lar-lanceolate, 4—4,5 x c. 2,5 mm, silky
pubescent, one-seeded. Figure 8: 8- 15.
Restricted to mountains and hills in the Caledon Divi-
sion from Houwhoek in the west to Riviersonderend in the
east, and from the Donkerhoek Mountain in the north to the
Hermanus region in the south. It grows in grey to white
sand or sandstone gravel weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone rock in low fynbos scrub. Map 10.
Vouchers: Bolus 9877; Dahlgren & Peterson 496;
Dahlgren <5 Strid 3554 , 3659, 3884, 3924; Stokoe 7373.
Distinct by the strong, knotty branches, the very small
clustered leaflets, and the floral heads. Partly confused with
A. sericea (no. 17), A. aemula (no. 18), A. altissima (no.
19) and A. caledonensis ( no. 22).
21. Aspalathus oblongifolia Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 289 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 140 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 517
(1968). Type: Cape, Kogelberg, c. 400 m,
Caledon Division, Compton 19394 (NBG,
holo.!).
An erect, sparingly branched shrub, often
rather rod-like up to c. 1 m tall. Young
branches minutely puberulous, glabrescent.
Leaves trifoliolate; long-shoot leaves on rather
prominent leaf base tubercles which may be up
to c. 1 mm long (and nearly spur-like). Axillary
short-shoots, with or without a flower, soon
developed. Leaflets (of long-shoot leaves) sub-
equal, oblong or oblanceolate, 2-6 x 1-2
mm, rounded-obtuse, pale green, puberulous,
glabrescent (not silvery sericeous). Inflores-
cences unifloral (or bifloral), on lateral short-
shoots, distributed along the branches, but
usually fewer than in A. caledonensis (no. 22).
Bract broadly oblanceolate, c. 2,5 x 1 mm,
obtuse, puberulous. Pedicel shorter than 1 mm.
Bracteoles similar to the bract in shape and
size. Calyx campanulate, silky puberulous-seri-
ceous; lobes ovate-triangular, 2,5-3 mm long,
puberulous or subglabrous, greenish. Petals
light yellow, short-sericeous on most of the
back or outer sides; claws c. half as long as
blades or less. Standard blade ovate, 7—8 x
7-8 mm. Wing blades oblong-elliptic, c. 8x4
mm, with a main longitudinal fold and 1—2
rows of minor folds on basal half. Keel blades
triangular-lunate, c. 8 x 4 mm, contrary to
other species of the group without distinct basal
puckering. Pistil sericeous on the ovary and
style base; ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceolate, c.
10 mm long, silky sericeous. Figure 9: 1 -5.
Restricted to low mountain slopes and hillsides at low
altitudes in the Caledon Division and the Elim region of the
Bredasdorp Division. Growing in sand or sandstone gravel
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone rock, in fynbos
vegetation. Map 13.
Vouchers: Compton 6094; Dahlgren & Strid 3936,
3939; Esterhuysen 13689, 14107; Schlechter 7419, 9668.
Similar to A. caledonensis (no. 22) but with puberu-
lous pubescence, ovate calyx lobes and smaller, somewhat
3,6: 54
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 55
different petals. Probably most closely related to A. qua-
drata (no. 23).
22. Aspalathus caledonensis Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 273 (1963); in
Bot. Notiser 121: 517 (1968). Type: Cape,
Houwhoek, Caledon Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 244 (LD, holo. !).
[‘Aspalathus argentea’ L., sensu Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 284 (1960). A. argentea L., Sp. PI. 1713
(1753), regarded as a nomen confusum, was based on seve-
ral discordant elements, perhaps including the present spe-
cies (though the Tulbagh specimen in herbarium Linnaeus
dates from later than 1753), and the species here called A.
sericea Berg, and A. altissima Dahlg. A later combination
of this is Achyronia argentea (L.) Kuntze in Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).]
An erect, not or very sparingly branched,
rod-like shrublet, 0,2-0,7(-l,2) m tall, con-
sisting quite often of a single stem covered by
floriferous short-shoots [Dahlgren in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 286-287 (I960)]. Branch
end sericeous. Leaves of long-shoot consisting
of one larger (middle) and two smaller (lateral)
flat leaflets situated on an inconspicuous leaf
base. Short-shoots, with or without a flower,
developed in the axil of these leaves. Central
leaflet of long-shoot leaves lanceolate, 4-7 x
1,5—2 mm, acute or obtuse, weak, silvery seri-
ceous, without distinct veins; lateral leaflets
half as long or less. Inflorescences unifloral on
lateral short-shoots, dispersed on the (often
single) stem in a spike-like fashion along up to
0,2— 0,3 m length. Bract flat, narrowly lanceo-
late, c. 3 mm long, sericeous. Pedicel very
short. Bracteoles narrowly linear or subfili-
form, 3,5—4 mm long, sericeous. Calyx seri-
ceous, with lobes narrowly triangular, 3,5—4
mm long, flexible, sericeous. Petals light yel-
low, the blades sericeous on most of the back or
outer side, wing and keel claws c. two-thirds
the length of the blades. Standard blade ovate,
9-11 x 9-11 mm, obtuse. Wing blades
obliquely ovate, c. 10 x 4,5 mm, with a main
longitudinal fold and with several rows of mi-
nute folds on basal upper parts. Keel blades
lunate, c. 7 x 3,5 mm, slightly upcurved. Pistil
sericeous on ovary and style base; ovules 2.
Pod triangular-lanceolate, c. 10 mm long, seri-
ceous. Figure 9: 12-17.
Distributed on mountains and hills in the Caledon and
Bredasdorp Divisions from Houwhoek in the west to the
Potberg Mountain in the east, and from near Riviersonder-
end in the north to Agulhas in the south. A. caledonensis is
restricted to (often white or grey) sand or gravel weathered
from Table Mountain Sandstone in rather low fynbos vege-
tation. Map 14.
Vouchers: Dahlgren <6 Peterson 244, 417, 466, 835;
Dahlgren & Strid 2129, 2138, 3345, 3388, 3683 , 3897;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1390; MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr.
Afr. 925.
A rather uniform and typical species, similar to A.
oblongifolia (no. 21) from which it differs in the more sil-
very sericeous pubescence and tapering calyx lobes, and,
especially in the unequal size of the leaflets of the long-
shoot leaves.
23. Aspalathus quadrata L. Bol. in Ann.
Bolus Herb. 1: 186 (1915); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 294 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 140
(1963). Type: Cape, Albertinia Commonage,
Riversdale Division, Muir 1328 (BOL, holo.!;
PRE, SAM).
A low, sparingly branched, spreading
shrublet with up to 0,6 m long branches emerg-
ing from a short vertical common rootstock (up
to 10 mm thick). Young branches puberulous.
Leaves trifoliolate, with subequal leaflets; those
on long-shoots with a rather prominent but not
spur-like leaf base, soon with axillary short-
shoots. Leaflets ± flat, oblong or lanceolate,
1,5-5 X 0,5-1 mm, obtuse, short- sericeous,
margins often involute. Inflorescence unifloral,
on lateral short-shoots, several distributed along
the branch ends. Bract flat, oblong, c. 2,5 x
0,5-1 mm, similar to the leaflets of the vegeta-
tive leaves. Pedicel very short. Bracteoles lin-
ear, c. 2 x 0,3 mm long, puberulous. Calyx
cylindrical-campanulate, short-sericeous (-to-
mentulose); lobes rounded-ovate to almost
quadrangular, obtuse or retuse, 1-2 mm long,
sericeous. Petals light yellow, with claws about
as long as the blades. Standard blade rectangu-
FlGURE 9. Aspalathus oblongifolia (1-5); A. quadrata (6-11); A. caledonensis (12-17); A. intervallaris
(18-25). — 1, 6, 12, 18: branches with floriferous short-shoots; 2, 7, 14: flowers; 3, 19: bracts; 13, 20: bracteoles
(prophylls); 4, 9, 15, 21: wing petals; 5, 10, 16, 22: keel petals; 8: standard; 11, 17, 23: pistils; 24: fruit (partly enclosed in
calyx); 25: leaves. — 1-5 from Compton 19394; 6-11 from Muir 1328; 12-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 244; 18-25
from Stokoe, SAM 61795. — (1-5, 13-17, 19 - 25 x 3,2;6, 12 x2;7-ll x4; 18 x 1,6.)
3,6: 56
Crotalarieae
Map 14. — Aspalathus ternata (unbroken line); A. dasyantha (triangles); A. caledonensis (squares); A. diffusa
(asterisks).
lar-elliptic, c. 5,5 x 4,5 mm, obtuse or retuse,
sericeous on the back. Wing blades oblong, c. 5
x 2 mm, with 0-5 rows of minute folds on
basal half, sericeous on most of the outer side.
Keel blades lunate, c. 4,5 x 2,5 mm, with
slightly convex upper margin, sericeous on
most parts. Pistil sericeous on ovary and style
base; ovules 2; style slender. Pods ± hidden in
the calyx, triangular-ovate, c. 3,5 x 2 mm,
sericeous, one-seeded. Figure 9: 6 - 1 1 .
Probably restricted to the Albertinia region. Map 13.
Voucher: Muir 1328.
Obviously most closely related to A. oblongifolia (no.
2 1 ) and A . caledonensis (no. 22).
24. Aspalathus intervallaris H. Bol. in
Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 24: 456 (1897); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 292 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 140 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 515
(1968). Type: Cape, Houw Hoek, Caledon
Division, Schlechter 7355 (BOL, lecto. ! ; BM,
G, K, P, PRE, S, SAM).
A very sparingly branched, gracile,
decumbent or low, spreading shrublet with
branches, 0,3-1 m long or more. Young
branches slender, straight, tomentose-seri-
ceous. Leaves trifoliolate, with inconspicuous
leaf base; long-shoot leaves soon with axillary
short-shoots. Leaflets small, ovate or broadly
lanceolate, 1 -3,5 x 0,5— 1 ,5 mm, obtuse-sub-
acute, weak, silky sericeous. Inflorescence
unifloral or bifloral, on branch ends, but seem-
ingly lateral as a rapidly growing branch is de-
veloped in the axil of the uppermost leaf. Bract
flat, circular or ovate, 2-3 x 2—3 mm, acute,
silky sericeous. Pedicel very short. Bracteoles
ovate, 3—4 x 1,2-2 mm, acute, sericeous.
Crotalarieae
Calyx infundibular-campanulate, short-seri-
ceous; lobes rounded-triangular, c. 2,5 mm
long, acute, sericeous. Petals light yellow, in
later stages often ± purplish, the claws less
than half as long as the blades. Standard ob-
ovate, 9-10 X 7-8 mm, apically retuse, seri-
ceous on the back. Wing blades oblong, broad-
est in the apical half, with a main longitudinal
fold, and 1—2 rows of minute folds basally,
sericeous on the lower half. Keel blades lunate,
5-6 x c. 3 mm, sericeous on most parts. Pistil
sericeous on the ovary and style base; ovules 2.
Pod triangular-ovate, 7—8 mm long, densely
sericeous. Figure 9: 18-25.
Restricted to the western parts of the Caledon Divi-
sion, between Hangklip and Houwhoek in the west and the
Hermanus region in the east. Growing in sand at the foot of
the mountains or on mountain slopes up to c. 750 m alti-
tude, in low fynbos vegetation. Map 1 1 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strict 4318; Galpin 12904;
Schlechter 7355; Stokoe, SAM 61795, SAM 66722.
Related to A. oblongifolia (no. 21) and, perhaps, A.
ternata (no. 26) and A. dasyantha (no. 27).
25. Aspalathus singuliflora Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 290, 144 (1963).
Type: Cape, Simonsbos, Worcester Division,
Compton 22259 (LD, holo. ! ; NBG).
A small, suberect shrublet only c. 0,2 m
tall, with straight, rigid, spreading, almost
thorn-like branches; young branches sericeous.
Leaflets trifoliolate; long-shoot leaves soon
with axillary leafy short-shoots and leaflets
therefore, except on the youngest branches, in
fascicles, several together. Leaflets flat, small,
obovate or oblanceolate, 0,8- 1,8 x 0,7- 1,2
mm, obtuse, soft, silvery sericeous. Inflores-
cences unifloral, on tips of the branches; the
branch intemode below the flower 6—10 mm
long. Bract lanceolate-ovate, 1,5-2 x
0,7-0,9 mm, silvery sericeous. Pedicel shorter
than 1 mm, sericeous. Bracteoles linear-lanceo-
late, 2-2,3 x c. 0,5 mm, sericeous. Calyx tube
tomentose to sericeous; lobes narrowly triangu-
lar-ovate, 1,8-2, 2 mm long, acute, silvery se-
riceous. Petals pale yellow. Standard broadly
ovate, c. 6,5 x 5,8 mm, acute, sericeous on the
back. Wing blades ± arched, oblong, 5,8 x 2,2
mm long, sericeous on most parts, basally with
a few rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate,
upcurved, c. 5,5 x 2,8 mm, sericeous on most
3,6: 57
parts. Pistil with sericeous ovary; ovules 2.
Ripe pods not seen. Figure 10: 1—7.
Known only from the type collection collected in the
Breede River valley; probably on sand. Map 1 1 .
Voucher: Compton 22259.
Very distinct through the erect habit, the straight,
spreading, rigid (almost thorny) branches, and the flowers
which resemble, perhaps, most closely A. villosa (no. 9)
and A. intervallaris (no. 24), being most similar to the latter
but having much shorter standard and wings.
26. Aspalathus ternata ( Thunb .) Druce in
Rep. botl Soc. Exch. Club Br. Isl. 1916: 606
(1917); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins.
476 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
4: 274 (1960); ibid. 9 (1) : 146 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 519 (1968). Type: Galega ternata
in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto. !).
Galega ternata Thunb., Prodr. 2: 134 (1800); FI. Cap.
edn 2: 601 (1823). Cited by Harvey in FI. Cap. 2: 109
(1862) as synonym of A. ferruginea (see below). Achyronia
ternata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus purpurea Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 201
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 608 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 109 (1862). Achyronia purpurea (Eckl.
& Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape,
prope Bergvalley, ? Clanwilliam Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1379 (S, lecto.!; P, SAM).
Aspalathus purpurascens E. Mey., Comm. 1: 44 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 486 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 608 (1848) (as synonym of A. purpurea). Paras-
palathus purpurascens (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129
(1845). Type: Cape, ‘Zwartbartkraal’ between Berg Valley
and Lange Valley, Piketberg Division, Drege (S, lecto.!;
BM, G, K, P).
Aspalathus ferruginea Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
607(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 109 (1862). Type: 'A. ferru-
ginea' in herbarium Banks (BM, lecto.!).
An erect shrub fairly much branched,
0,4—1 m tall, with ascending or spreading,
sometimes rather slender branches. Young
branches short-sericeous. Leaves trifoliolate;
those on long shoots on a tubercular or spur-
like, woody leaf base, which is inconspicuous
or up to 4 mm long, if spur-like then yellowish
and glabrous. Short-shoots are soon developing
in axils of long-shoot leaves. Leaflets linear or
oblanceolate, 4-20 x 0,5 -4,5 mm, obtuse to
acute, flexible, completely silvery sericeous.
Flowers solitary or in pairs, (i.e. a reduced
head) terminating the branches, but appearing
lateral because of strong growth of a branch in
the axil of the uppermost leaf. Bract linear,
3,6:58
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 59
2,5-10 x 0,4- 1,2 mm, flexible, sericeous.
Pedicel absent or very short. Bracteoles similar
to the bract, 4- 12 x 0,4— 0,8 mm. Calyx tube
urceolate to campanulate, pale yellow, villous
to sericeous; lobes varying from deltoid-triang-
ular and only c. 1 mm long to long and linear,
up to 11 mm long, sericeous, greyish green.
Petals light yellow, turning purple or brownish
purple, with rather long claws and more or less
sericeous pubescence on back or outer side.
Standard blade ovate-circular, 9—12 x 9—11
mm, with rounded apex and cordate base. Wing
blades obliquely ovate, 8—10 x 5—6,5 mm,
sericeous on most parts (including part of the
claw), with prominent longitudinal fold and se-
veral rows of minute folds on basal upper parts.
Keel blades lunate, 6—8 x 4,5— 5,2 mm, with
nearly straight upper margin, sericeous on
lower half (and part of the claw). Pistil seri-
ceous on the ovary; ovules 4-8; style ± gla-
brous except on the base. Pods not seen. Figure
10:8-19.
Distributed on the sandy lowlands from near Muizen-
berg (Cape Peninsula) northwards on the Cape Flats through
the flats of the coastal parts of the Malmesbury and Hope-
field Divisions and continuing on sandy lowlands in the
Piketberg and Clanwilliam Divisions. The species grows
mainly on marine sand in coastal fynbos. Map 14.
Vouchers: Acocks 14508', Dahlgren & Peterson 777 ,
880, 903, 919, 998; Ecklon & Zeyher 1378, 1379;
MacOwan 2951; Salter 4009; Zeyher 421 .
The species shows an interesting variation in the form
of a geographical cline, the southern forms having short,
deltoid calyx lobes 1-2 mm long, and rather short bracts
and calyx lobes; all these become successively longer to-
wards the north, the forms of the Clanwilliam and Piketberg
Divisions having linear calyx lobes c. 10 mm long, and long
slender leaves. The branches of the northern forms also
have longer, more spreading branches. Leaf base spurs oc-
cur only in the southern forms.
A. ternata and A. dasyantha (no. 27) are closely allied.
Their connection with other species with fiat leaflets is un-
certain, but they are possibly closest to A. intervallaris (no.
24) or A. tridentata (no. 8).
27. Aspalathus dasyantha Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 201 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 503 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 608 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 110
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
279 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 146 (1963). Type:
Cape, near ‘Plettenbergsbay’, Swellendam or
George Divisions, Ecklon & Zeyher 1377 (S,
lecto.!; SAM).
Achyronia dasyantha (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
PI. 1: 157(1891).
An erect, rigid shrub, with stiff, often
knotty branches, sometimes almost thorn-like.
Branch ends and very young branches tomen-
tose, glabrescent, yellowish. Leaves trifolio-
late; those on long-shoots situated at the base of
a spur- or spine-like, yellowish, glabrous leaf
base 1-3 mm long. Short-shoots soon devel-
oping in the axils of these leaves. Leaflets ob-
lanceolate, oblong or obovate, 2-6 (—8) x
1-2,5 mm, obtuse (to acute), green, weak,
with sparse scattered hairs or glabrous. Flowers
situated as in A. ternata (no. 26). Bract nar-
rowly elliptic or oblanceolate, 2-4 x 0,5—1
mm, tomentose. Bracteoles linear or oblanceo-
late, 2,5— 4,5 mm long, tomentose. Calyx ur-
ceolate, pale, yellowish, villous-tomentose (not
sericeous as in A. ternata)-, lobes deltoid to nar-
rowly triangular, 1,5— 3,5 mm long, acute,
slightly green or pigmented. Petals light yellow
(to purplish in late stage), shape similar to those
of A. ternata but with more tomentose type of
pubescence. Standard blade 8,5-9 x 8,5—9
mm. Wing blades 7,5— 8,5 x 4—4,5 mm. Keel
blades 6-6,5 x 4-4,5 mm. Pistil pubescent
on ovary and basal third of style; ovules 4 or 5.
Pods not seen. Figure 10: 20-26.
Known mainly from coastal flats in the Riversdale
Division, but probably occurring also into the Swellendam
and perhaps the George Division. The species grows on
marine sand fiats, in coastal fynbos. Map 14.
Vouchers: Barker 8221; Dahlgren & Peterson 738,
1329, 1432; Ecklon & Zeyher 1377; Muir 1258.
Distinct by the shorter, green, sparsely hairy or gla-
brous leaves and the woolly calyx. The species is also more
rigid and knotty than A. ternata (no. 26).
FIGURE 10. Aspalathus singuliflora (1-7); A. ternata (8-19); A. dasyantha (20 - 26). — 1, 8, 14, 20: branches
with flowers; 2, 9, 15, 21: bracts; 3, 10, 16, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, front view; 5, 11, 24: wing petals; 6,
12, 25: keel petals; 7, 13, 26: pistils; 17: flower; 18: standard, side view; 19: wings and keel with claws basally attached to
staminal sheath; 23: standard, back. — 1-7 from Compton 22259; 8-13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 756; 14—19 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 998; 20- 26 from Dahlgren & Peterson 738. — (1, 8, 18, 19 x2; 2-7 x4; 9-13, 15, 16, 21-26
x3,2; 14x1,6; 17,20x2,4.)
3,6: 60
Crotalarieae
Group 2: Diffusae
Diffuse or decumbent subshrubs with ± herbaceous branch ends but with distinctly woody
branch bases; young branches sericeous. Leaves trifoliolate, when young without, but later with
axillary short-shoots. Leaflets flat, linear to narrowly elliptic, puberulous below and densely
villous above, with incurved margins (thus becoming truly ericoid), obtuse or subacute, soft.
Inflorescences consisting of single flowers inserted directly on the branches halfway between two
successive vegetative leaves (the nature of this is yet unclear). Flowers minute, inconspicuous.
Bract simple, linear-oblanceolate, pubescent, much smaller than leaflets of vegetative leaves.
Pedicel short, pubescent. Bracteoles smaller, but similar to the bract. Calyx tube campanulate,
tomentose; lobes linear-subulate, ± flat, acute, pubescent, weak. Petals small, pale or light
yellow, wing and keel claws not adnate to the staminal sheath. Standard blade broadly ovate,
pubescent on the back, glabrous on the front, without apical cusp. Wing blades narrowly ovate,
glabrous, with few minute folds in c. 3 rows at the base. Keel blades elongate, lunate, obtuse,
pubescent, with distinct basal pouches. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary and style partly long-hairy;
ovules 2; style only slightly curved; stigma regular, capitate. Pod ovate, small, one-seeded. Chro-
mosome number: 2n = ± 1 8 .
28. Aspalathus diffusa Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 208 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 495
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 619
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 116 (1862); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. Bot. Lund 4: 343 (1960); ibid.
9 (1): 213 (1963). Type: Cape, mountains near
‘Plettenbergsbay’, Swellendam Division, Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1420 (S, lecto. !; SAM).
Achyronia diffusa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
A small, low subshrub with decumbent or
prostrate branches up to c. 0,15 m, basally
much branched. Branches silky pubescent.
Leaves of branch ends without short- shoots;
leaflets 2—10 x 0,5— 1,5 mm (broader when
unfolded), the sides incurved, partly enclosing
the upper villous side. Inflorescence (see
above) unique in the genus, the minute flower
emerging directly on the branch between two
successive vegetative leaves. Bract linear-ob-
FlGURE 1 1 . Aspalathus diffusa. — 1: branch; 2: leaf, lower (left) and upper sides; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5:
flower; 6: calyx; 7: standard, back; 8: wing; 9: keel petal; 10: pistil; 11: fruit. — 1—10 from Dahlgren <6 Peterson 142 ; 11
from Ecklon & Zeyher 1420. — (1 X2; 2 x4;3-ll x8.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:61
lanceolate, c. 2 x 0,3-0, 5 mm, weak, obtuse,
more densely hairy on upper than on lower sur-
face. Bracteoles linear, c. 1,5 x 0,2— 0,3 mm.
Calyx lobes linear, 3-4 mm long, weak, sub-
acute, tomentose. Petals small, pale. Standard
blade c. 3 x 3 mm, tomentose on the back,
glabrous on the front. Wing blades c. 2,5 x
1 — 1,2 mm. Keel blades c. 2,5 x 1 mm, tomen-
tose except on basal part. Pod 3-4 X c. 2 mm,
tomentose on upper and apical parts, largely
filled up by the single seed. Figure 1 1 .
Distributed from the Riviersonderend Mountains
(Caledon Division) and along the Langeberg Mountains as
far east as the Garcia’s Pass region; it is also recorded by
Fourcade (Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 49, 1941) from the
Knysna Division, which is not verified by vouchers. The
habitat is sandy, burnt ground at altitudes of c. 500 m.
Map 14.
Vouchers: Burchell 6941, 7192; Dahlgren & Peterson
142; Ecklon & Zeyher 1420; Schlechter 2081 ; Stokoe, SAM
61365.
The species is obviously phylogenetically isolated and
so aberrant in the position of as well as in the small size of
the flowers, that it has been placed in a separate subgenus
Ecklonella Dahlg. [in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 212
(1963)].
Group 3: Cephalanthae
Small or medium-sized shrublets or shrubs, decumbent to erect. Leaves trifoliolate, leaflets
flat, soft to (and usually) coriaceous, linear or narrowly lanceolate to rhombic or orbicular, gla-
brous or sparsely hairy, rarely (A. cytisoides (no. 29), A. polycephala — no. 46) sericeous, smooth
or distinctly venous, often pointed and in some species spine-tipped (sharply so in A. acidota (no.
39) and A. borboniifolia — no. 40). Leaf base with spine or spurs lacking. Inflorescences racemose
or usually capitate (hence the name Cephalanthae) to sub-umbellate; flowers only in exceptional
cases solitary and then usually not on short-shoots. Pedicel short to some mm long (longest in A.
securifolia — no. 30). Bracts and bracteoles present (but often caducous), simple, small or rather
large, linear-terete to broad, flat and ovate; bract not accreted to pedicel base. Calyx campanulate,
generally not very fleshy, glabrous or pubescent; lobes flat to subterete, weak or rigid, sometimes
spine-tipped, the lowest lobe in several species larger than the upper 4, veiny, oblanceolate-con-
vex. Petals yellow or often ± reddish or purplish, not turning black when dried, especially the
standard; standard generally hairy on the back; wing and keel blades pubescent or glabrous; claws
free from the staminal sheath. Standard lacking apical cusp and basal callosities. Wing blades
nearly always with 3 or more rows of small lunulate folds. Keel blades lunate, not typically
rostrate, obtuse, with a prominent basal pouch. Basifixed anthers not particularly long. Pistil:
ovary (and sometimes style base) ± hairy, in some species only on upper side; ovules 2-6 (-8);
stigma regular, capitate. Pod lanceolate or ovate, not particularly hard, 1-4-seeded. Chromosome
number: 2n=\6 (in the few species counted).
29. Aspalathus cytisoides Lam., Encycl.
1: 292 (1783); DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825); Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 199 (1836); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 39 (1836); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 2: 70 (1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 600 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 105
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
160 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 151 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 520 (1968). Treated as a synonym
of A. cinerea Thunb. by Walpers in Linnaea 13:
483 (1839). Type: in herbarium Lamarck (P,
lecto. !).
Paraspalathus cytisoides (Lam.) PresI, Bot. Bemerk.
129 (1845). Achyronia cytisoides (Lam.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus cinerea Thunb., Prodr. 2: 125 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 9 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 965 (1803);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 575 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142
(1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 198 (1836); Walp. in
3,6: 62
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 63
Linnaea 13: 483 (1839); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
70 (1843; as synonym of A. cytisoides Lam.). Paraspala-
thus cinerea (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845).
Type: in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto. !).
Cliffortia concavifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 268
(1836); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 300 (1862). Aspalathus concavi-
folia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
140 (1960). Type: Cape, Zwarteberg, Caledon Division,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1739 (S, lecto.!; SAM).
Aspalathus cytisoides Lam. var. (P) decumbens Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 601 (1848). Type: sine loco,
Bowie ( K, lecto.!).
Asphalathus cinerea Thunb. var. (p) spicata Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 199 (1836). Type: Cape, River Sonder
Ende, Caledon Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1366 pro parte
(S, lecto. !;G, P).
An erect, rather rigid, branched shrub or
shrublet 0,2-0, 6 m tall. Young branches short-
tomentose. Leaves : those on long-shoots ulti-
mately with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets (of
long-shoot leaves) generally oblanceolate or
very narrowly elliptic to linear, most of them
4-15 x 1,5—5 mm, those on young branches
with spreading pubescence or locally (at Tul-
bagh) grey-hairy, glabrescent, apiculate-mucro-
nate, often S-curved with recurved apex, with
distinct midvein beneath. Inflorescence a termi-
nal group or ‘head’ of 2-12 flowers; branches
often with a number of adjacent branchlets,
each with a few-flowered inflorescence. Bract
linear-filiform, 2,5-3 mm long, pubescent.
Pedicel 2-3 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
filiform, 2,5-3 mm long. Calyx short-tomen-
tose; lobes narrowly triangular, 2,5-4 (—5)
mm long, ± pubescent, tapering, acuminate,
non-pungent. Petals light to bright yellow.
Standard blade ovate to circular, 5,5-8 x
5,5-8 mm, rounded at apex, short-tomentose
on the back. Wing petals oblong, 6—7 x 2—2,5
mm, with short ± spreading pubescence on
lower and front half. Keel blades 5-6 x c. 2,5
mm, with ± straight upper margin. Pistil pu-
bescent on upper half of ovary and upper side of
style base (c.M); ovules 4. Pod broadly and
obliquely lanceolate, c. 8-9 x 2,8 mm,
smooth, tomentose. Figure 12: 1—6.
Distributed from the Hottentots Holland Mountains
(Caledon Division), French Hoek Valley (Paarl Division)
and Tulbagh region (Tulbagh Division) eastwards to the
eastern end of the Riviersonderend Mountains. It is locally
common especially in the French Hoek Valley. The species
grows on slopes with sandstone rock (Table Mountain
Sandstone) or in sand associated with rocky outcrops at
rather low altitudes (generally below 800 m). It grows in
fynbos communities. Map 16.
Vouchers: Bolus 5017, 8435; Dahlgren & Peterson
669, 823; Dahlgren & Strid 2153, 3782; Salter 1818;
Schlechter 9172.
There has been some confusion concerning this species
because of the superficial difference between the common,
green-leaved, short-tomentose forms in the Caledon, Stel-
lenbosch, Paarl and Worcester Divisions, and a population
in the Tulbagh region (described as A. cinerea ) with quite
grey leaves on the younger branches. A very small-leaved
form, described as A. concavifolia, undoubtedly also
belongs to A. cytisoides.
30. Aspalathus securifolia Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 198 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 484 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 596 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 102
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
154 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 150 (1963). Type:
Cape, Sonderend River, between ‘Linde’ and
‘Ecksteen’, Swellendam Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1363 (S, lecto.!; K, SAM).
Achyronia securifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus spathulata Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 198
(1836). Aspalathus securifolia Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (P) spa-
thulata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp. in Linnaea 13: 484 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 596 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 102 (1862). Paraspalathus spathulata (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1844). Type: Cape, Baby-
Ions Toorensberg at Zwart-et-Marias, Caledon Division,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1364 (S, lecto.!; K, P, SAM).
Aspalathus exigua Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 198 (1836);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 102 (1862). Applied by Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 597 (1848) on A. marginata.
Type: Cape, Sonderend River near 'Knoblauch', Swellen-
dam Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1365 (S, lecto.!; SAM).
Aspalathus conferta Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
956 (1848). Treated as synonym of A. exigua by Harv. in
FI. Cap. 2: 103 ( 1862). Type: Cape, near Caledon, Caledon
Division, Mund (SAM, lecto.!).
FIGURE 12. Aspalathus cytisoides (1-6); A. securifolia (7-16); A. myrtillifolia (17-20). — 1, 7: branch ends with
inflorescences; 2, 10, 13, 18: flowers; 3, 11: wing petals; 4, 12, 19: keels; 5, 16, 20: pistils; 6: fruit; 8, 14: bracts; 9, 15:
bracteoles (prophylls); 17: part of leafy branch. — 1-5 from Dahlgren (6 Peterson 823 ; 6 from Stokoe, SAM 61830 ; 7-12
from Esterhuysen 17226; 13—16 from Stokoe, SAM 61842; 17-20 from Bowie, sine loco. — (1, 8-12 X3,2; 2-6, 13—20
X4; 7 X2.)
3,6:64
Crotalarieae
Maps 15- 18. — Map 15. Aspalathus psoraleoides (unbroken line); A. marginata (dots); A. orbiculata (square). —
Map 16. A. cytisoides (dots); A. securifolia (squares). — Map 17. A. aspalathoides (unbroken line). — Map 18.
A. stenophylla (dots); A. inops (squares); A. taylorii (rhomboid); A. fasciculata (triangles); A. suaveolens (asterisk).
A fairly robust, ascending or erect shrub,
(0,2-) 0,5— 1,2 m tall, relatively much
branched. Young branches densely short -
tomentose. Leaves on young long-shoots with-
out axillary brachyblasts; their leaflets broadly
oblanceolate or spathulate (-obovate), 5—20
(often c. 10) x 3-4 (—7) mm, carnose or
coriaceous, rather smooth (indistinctly veined),
mucronulate or apiculate, fresh green, glabrous
except on the tapering base. Inflorescence a
head-like umbel of (6—) 10— 16 rather long-
pedicellate flowers. Bract linear or subfiliform,
3-7 mm long, puberulous (situated at the base
of the pedicel). Pedicel rather slender,
(1,5 — )3 — 5 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles
subulate-linear, usually 2-3 mm long. Calyx
infundibular-campanulate, tomentulose; lobes
subulate, (or very narrowly triangular), 2-5
Crotalarieae
3,6: 65
mm long, subglabrous, green or often reddish
or purplish. Petals light yellow. Standard blade
circular, 5-6 x 5—6 mm, obtuse, short-seri-
ceous on the back. Wing blades very narrowly
elliptic, 7-8 x c. 2,5 mm, short-sericeous on
the lower third or less. Keel blades 6-7 x c. 3
mm, short- sericeous on most parts. Pistil seri-
ceous on the ovary and upper parts of style
base; ovules (3)4(5). Pods not seen. Figure 12:
7-16.
Distributed in the southern divisions of western Cape
between the Onrus and Caledon region in the Caledon
Division, and the Langeberg Mountains above Albertinia,
Riversdale Division, through the Robertson and Swellen-
dam Divisions with an outlier at Bain’s Kloof, Worcester
Division. The species grows on the lower rocky or gravelly
mountain slopes up to c. 600 m, in fynbos (largely Erica )
scrub. Map 16.
Vouchers: Burchell 6956, 7397; Esterhuysen 14446,
17226; Leipoldt 3171; Marloth 12164; Muir 869, 2512;
Stokoe, SAM 61842.
The outpost at Bain’s Kloof, Worcester Division, has
much shorter pedicels (1-2 mm) than have the other forms
(4—5 mm), and also has a broader oblong (rather than lin-
ear) bract. It was described by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 159 (1960) as subsp. crassa Dahlg. and may
deserve recognition, although this is not yet quite clear.
31. Aspalathus myrtillifolia Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 597 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 106 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 153 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 150
(1963). Type: sine loco, Bowie (K, lecto. !).
Achyronia myrtillifolia (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
A small, branched shrub which vegetative-
ly agrees well with forms of A. marginata (no.
34), having flat, obovate, coriaceous, glabrous
leaflets 3—6 x 2—3,5 mm, which are glabrous,
mucronate-acuminate, and have a distinct mid-
vein on the lower side. Inflorescence a terminal
group or small head of 3—5 or more flowers.
Bract c. 1 mm long, oblong-subulate. Pedicel
c. 1 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles c. 0,5
mm long, conical-subulate, 3-4,5 mm longer
than the others. Petals yellow. Standard blade
c. 4,5 X 5 mm, obtuse, sericeous on the back.
Wing blades oblong, c. 6,2 x 2 mm, glabrous.
Keel blades c. 5,5 x 3 mm, sericeous on lower
third or less. Pistil hairy only on the upper part
of the ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pods not
seen. Figure 12: 17-20.
The distribution is not known and no other material can
be referred to this species than the type. It may be an aber-
rant form of A. marginata (no. 34) in which pubescence is
lacking on calyx and part of the petals, but the somewhat
enlarged lowest calyx lobe and the more triangular shape of
the calyx lobes suggest connection with A. esterhuyseniae
(no. 42). It could represent an isolated distinct taxon.
32. Aspalathus orbiculata Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 595 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 102 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 149 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 150
(1963). Type: sine loco, Scholl 469 (K, holo.!;
W).
Achyronia orbiculata (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
A robust, rigid shrub probably 0,5-1 m
tall, fairly densely branched. Young branches
tomentose and densely leafy. Leaves: upper
long-shoot leaves not (yet) with axillary short-
shoots. Leaflets of young long-shoots flat,
broad, orbicular, obovate (or those of the up-
permost leaves broadly oblanceolate), 7-10 x
3,5—12 mm, somewhat convex, camose-
coriaceous, glabrous (those of uppermost leaves
slightly ciliate), dark green, with distinct mid-
vein and lateral veins below, pointed. Inflores-
cence a terminal head of 6-12 flowers. Bract
caducous, oblong, obovate or orbicular, c. 4,5
x 1-4,5 mm, pale, convex, pubescent. Pedi-
cel c. 2 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
caducous, linear-oblong, narrower than bract.
Calyx campanulate, densely tomentose-villous;
lobes triangular, 2,5-3 mm long, acute, pubes-
cent. Petals bright yellow, turning reddish.
Standard blade circular, 6-7 x 6-7 mm, ob-
tuse or retuse, densely tomentose on the back.
Wing blades very narrowly elliptic, 6-7 x c. 2
mm, glabrous. Keel blades 6,5-7 x 3,5-4
mm, with ± straight upper margin, glabrous
except for some pubescence on lower apical
parts. Pistil tomentose on ovary and style base;
ovules 6-8. Pod narrowly ovate, tomentose
(ripe material not seen). Figure 13: 1-7.
Probably restricted to the upper slopes of the Matroos-
berg Mountain, Worcester Division, where it grows on a
shale band (i.e. in clayey soil) at an altitude of c. 1 250 m.
Map 15.
Voucher: Esterhuysen 14194.
Very distinct by its broad, cupped, glabrous leaflets,
and its tomentose or nearly villous calyx. The species is
probably most closely related to A. securifolia (no. 30).
3,6: 66
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 67
33. Aspalathus psoraleoides ( Presl )
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 598 (1848);
Walp., Ann. Bot. Syst. 1: 212 (1849-49);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 104 (1862); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 475 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 137 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 149 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 519
(1968). Type: Cape, Table Mountain, Cape
Town Division, Ecklon & Zeyher (M, lecto.!;
S,W).
Paraspalathus psoraleoides Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129,
134 (1844). Achyronia psoraleoides (Presl) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
A low, erect or ascending shrublet,
(0,05 — )0, 1 — 0,2 m tall, densely branched.
Young branches densely white-puberulous.
Leaves: the upper short-shoot leaves with axil-
lary short-shoots not yet developed. Leaflets
flat, ovate, or narrowly obovate, (3 — )5 — 12 x
2-4 mm, thick, camose, apiculate-mucronu-
late (not pungent), midvein margins and a few
lateral veins ± distinct, sparsely puberulous,
glabrescent. Inflorescence a terminal head-like
umbel of 6—12 flowers. Bract accreted to the
1 ,5 mm long, densely hairy pedicel at the base
and emerging at calyx base, circular or ovate, c.
2x2 mm, short-sericeous, acute, cupped
around the base of the calyx. Bracteoles linear-
spathulate, c. 2 x 0,3-0, 5 mm, short-seri-
ceous. Calyx campanulate, densely short-seri-
ceous on the back. Wing blades very narrowly
elliptic, c. 7,5 x 2,5 mm, sericeous on lower
half, almost without minute basal folds. Keel
blades c. 6 x 2,5 mm, slightly upcurved, short-
sericeous at least on lower half. Pistil pubescent
on upper parts of ovary and upper side of basal
half of style; ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure
13:8-12.
Restricted to the Cape Peninsula from the Muizenberg
southwards, and the Babylons Tower Mountain near
Hawston in Caledon Division [Dahlgren in Bot. Notiser
121: 519 (1968)]. The species grows in ± whitish sand
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone, in low fynbos.
Map 15.
Vouchers: Bolus 4621; Dahlgren & Peterson 1227;
Dahlgren & Strid 3576; Galpin 12272; Salter 1848.
Similar to A. marginata (no. 34) but easily dis-
tinguished by the ovate bracts and deltoid calyx lobes.
34. Aspalathus marginata Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 103 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 133 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 149
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 519 (1968). Type:
Cape, Hottentots Holland, Babylons’ Tower
and Zwarteberg, Zeyher 2346 pro parte in her-
barium Harvey (TCD, lecto.!; K, P, PRE, S,
SAM).
Achyronia marginata (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An erect, rather compact and fairly
densely branched shrublet usually only
0,1 -0,3 m high. Young branches short-tomen-
tose (nearly velutinous). Leaves of young long-
shoots with or (the younger) without axillary
short-shoots. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves
broadly elliptic or ovate to narrowly rhomboid-
ovate, tapering at both ends, (2-)4-9 x
( 1 — )2,5— 7 mm, flat, sometimes basally
shortly petiolate, camose or coriaceous, mucro-
nate or spine-tipped with distinct midveins and
margins and sometimes with distinct lateral
veins, glabrous or with sparse hairs. Inflores-
cence terminal, with 2-3(-4) densely set
flowers. Bract small, subulate, 0,5-2 mm
long, ciliated. Pedicel 0,5—2 mm long, tomen-
tulose. Bracteoles subulate, 0,3- 1,5 mm long.
Calyx tube short, densely tomentulose-veluti-
nous; lobes subulate, 2—3 mm long, weak, pu-
berulous. Petals bright yellow turning bright or
dark red, with short claws. Standard blade
ovate, 6—9 x 4—8 mm, densely short-tomen-
tose on the back. Wing blades linear-oblong,
5,5— 8,5 x 2,2— 3,3 mm, hairy on lower third
or half, with one or two longitudinal row(s) of
minute folds on the basal half. Keel blades
4-5,5 x 2, 5-4, 5 mm, totally pubescent. Pis-
til: ovary and basal half of style short-sericeous;
ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure 13: 13-20.
FIGURE 13. Aspalathus orbiculata (1-7); A. psoraleoides (8-12); A. marginata (13-20). — 1, 8, 13: branch tips
with inflorescences; 2: leaf; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5, 9, 14: flowers (5 with bract and bracteoles removed); 6, 10,
15: wing petals; 7, 11, 16: keels; 12: pistil; 17-20: variation in leaflet shape. — 1-7 from Esterhuysen 14194 ; 8-12 from
Dahlgren (6 Peterson 1227; 13-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1305; 18 from Esterhuysen 13671; 19 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 860; 20 from Bolus 8540; 13-20 ranging largely from the western part of the Caledon district to the Bredasdorp
district.— (1,2 xl, 6; 3-7 x3;8 x2;9-12, 14-20 x4; 13 x3,2.)
3,6: 68
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 69
Distributed in the southern parts of the Caledon Divi-
sion and the western parts of the Bredasdorp Division,
growing on low sandstone hills in sand, gravel or among
rocks, in fynbos vegetation. Map 15.
Vouchers: Bodkin, BOL 6929; Bolus 8540; Dahlgren
& Peterson 860, 1305, 1306; Dahlgren & Strid 3678,
4213, 4233; Galpin 10462.
Breadth and shape of the leaflets are variable: from
suborbicular to narrowly ovate or rhombic, the latter often
petiolate and more sharply spine-tipped [Dahlgren in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 136 (I960)]; the forms with broadest
leaflets are from the Elim region, Bredasdorp Division.
The species is similar to A . psoraleoides (no. 33), from
which it differs in the small, narrow bracts, and to A. steno-
phylla (no. 36) and A. inops (no. 37), from which it differs
in the broader leaflets, the shorter bracts and bracteoles, and
more velutinous pubescence on branchlets and calyx.
35. Aspalathus aspalathoides (L.)
Rothm. in Feddes Reprium 50: 75 (1941);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 114
(1960); in Bot. Notiser 114: 319 (1961); in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 149 (1963). Type:
‘Aspalathus anthylloides lotoides’ in herb.
Linnaeus (LINN, lecto.!), both specific names
deleted with a line.
Anthyllis lotoides L., Cent. PI. 27 (1756) illeg. , non
Anthyllis lotoides L., Sp. PL: 720 (1753). Type of Anthyllis
lotoides L. 1756, as for the preceding.
Anthyllis aspalathoides L., Syst. Nat. 2 (edn 10): 1160
(May-June 1759) called Anthyllis asphaltoides in L.,
Amoen. 4: 326 (Nov. 1759). Type: as for the preceding.
Aspalathus anthylloides L., Sp. PI. 2 (edn 2): 1002
(1763); Lam., Encycl. 1: 292 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 125
(1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 8 (1802); FI. Cap. edn 2:
574 (1823); Willd., Sp. PI. 1803: 965 (1803); DC., Prodr.
2: 162 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 196 (1836); E.
Mey., Comm. 1: 39 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 483
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 599 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 105 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod,
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 252 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 475 (1950). Achyronia anthyl-
lo(i)des (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 3: 48 (1893). Type as for
the preceding.
Aspalathus kraussiana Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
2: 69 (1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 599
(1848). Aspalathus anthylloides L. var. ((3) kraussiana
(Meisn.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 105 (1862). Type: Cape, near
Klein River, Caledon Division, Krauss 821 (K, lecto. !).
Aspalathus stellaris Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 197
(1836). Paraspalathus stellaris (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 129 (1844). Type: Cape, near Gaurizriver, Swel-
lendam Division (?), Ecklon & Zeyher 1360 (S, lecto.!; G,
K, P, SAM).
A moderately or sparingly branched, erect
or ascending shrublet or shrub, 0,15-0,4 m
tall. Young branches woolly tomentose. Leaves
of the young branches generally not (yet) with
axillary short-shoots. Leaflets flat, linear or lan-
ceolate, (5 — )10— 20 x 2-6 mm, weak, coria-
ceous or rigid, acute or subobtuse, green, veiny
or almost smooth (midvein distinct) and subgla-
brous or with sparse rather long hairs. Inflores-
cence a terminal head of 6— 20 subsessile flow-
ers, subtended by one or two of the uppermost
leaves (which may look like an involucre).
Bract linear or subfiliform, weak, 3-8 mm
long, sparsely long-pubescent. Bracteoles simi-
lar to the bract or short, 1-6 mm long. Calyx
tube covered with long, ± white-sericeous to
somewhat spreading pubescence; lobes linear-
subulate, 3,5-6 mm long, weak, tapering,
sometimes with distinct midvein, with sparse
long hairs. Petals bright yellow, often partly
reddish on standard. Standard blade elliptic,
8—13 x 5,5-13 mm, obtuse-retuse, densely
sericeous on the back. Wing blades elongate,
oblong or broadest on apical half, 7-12 X
2, 2-2, 8 mm, pubescent on lower basal half or
less. Keel blades 5,5-8 x 2,5-4 mm, with
straight or slightly upcurved upper margin,
hairy on most parts. Pistil : ovary sericeous on
most parts; ovules 2; style glabrous. Pods not
seen. Chromosome number. 2n=l6. Figure 14:
1-10.
Distributed on the Cape Peninsula and in the Somerset
West, Caledon, Bredasdorp and Swellendam Divisions as
far as Gouritz River, with an outpost in Robertson Division
(Keur Kloof). The species grows on stony and rocky hill
slopes (Table Mountain Sandstone) in low fynbos vegeta-
tion. Map 17.
Vouchers: Bolus 9336; Compton 5819; Dahlgren &
Peterson 506; Schlechter 9424; Wolley-Dod 2162.
Variable in leaf texture, pubescence, and floral details.
The Cape Peninsula forms have long-pubescent branches
and smooth leaflets and slender bracts and calyx lobes. In
the Caledon and, even more the Bredasdorp Divisions, the
leaflets tend to be more veiny (with distinct midvein and
FIGURE 14. Aspalathus aspalathoides (1-10); A. stenophylla (11-17). — 1, 11, 17: branch tips with inflores-
cences; 2, 6, 13: flowers; 3, 7, 12: bract; 4, 8, 14: wing petals; 5, 9, 15: keel petals; 10, 16: pistils. — 1-5, 10 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 854\ 6-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 579 ; 11, 13-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 721 ; 12 from
Esterhuysen 23790; 16, 17 from Esterhuysen 2855. — (1 x 1,6; 2, 6, 8, 9, 17 x 3, 2; 3-5, 7, 10, 12—16 x4; 11 x2,4.)
3,6: 70
Crotalarieae
Figure 15. Aspalathus inops (1 — 10); A. taylorii (11 — 19). — 1, 3, 11: parts of branches with inflorescences; 2:
branchlet; 4, 13: flowers; 5, 14: bracts; 6: calyx; 7: standard, front view; 8, 17: wing petals; 9, 18: keel petals; 10, 19:
pistils; 12: leaflet; 15: bracteole (prophyll); 16: standard, side view. — 1, 2 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1362 ; 3—10 from Bolus
11256', 11 — 19 from Taylor 4484. — (1, 2, 4-10, 12-19 x 4;3, 11 x2.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:71
laterals), subglabrous, and often ± rigid, shiny and acute,
and the bracts subulate rather than filiform. The easternmost
forms are rather small-flowered.
A. aspalathoides is obviously most closely allied to
A. stenophylla (no. 36), A. psoraleoides (no. 33) and
A. marginata (no. 34).
Linnaeus called the species Anthyllis aspalathoides at
first, then changed the name to Aspalathus anthylloides.
Rothmaler (1941) made the combination Aspalathus ‘as-
phaltoides’ , based on Anthyllis asphaltoides L., Amoen. 4
(1759) which is here considered an orthographic variant.
36. Aspalathus stenophylla Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 197 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 485 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 598 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 104
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
120 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 149 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 519 (1968). Type: Cape, Sonder-
end River at Linde, Swellendam Division, Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1361 (S, lecto.!; SAM).
Paraspalathus stenophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 129 (1844). Achyronia stenophylla (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus canaliculata E. Mey., Comm. 1: 44 (1836).
Type: Cape, nearGenadendal, Caledon Division, Drege (S,
lecto.!, G,K,P).
An ascending or, more rarely, decumbent
shrublet 0,05—0,35 m tall, sparingly to rather
freely branched. Young branches short-tomen-
tose. Leaves of young long-shoots without, on
older branches with lateral short-shoots. Leaf-
lets from narrowly oblanceolate to linear-spa-
thulate, (2 — )5 — 10( — 14) x 0,6— 1,5 mm, flat,
coriaceous-camose, acute to apiculate, with
distinct midvein and sometimes with distinct
laterals, green, the upper sparingly puberulous,
glabrescent. Inflorescence a terminal group or
head of (1 — ) 2-4 (—5) flowers. Bract linear,
1-3 mm long or less, puberulous. Pedicel less
than 1 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles similar
to bract or lacking, up to c. 1 mm long. Calyx
tube campanulate, tomentose; lobes subulate-
subfiliform, (1 — )3 — 5 mm long, weak, sparsely
hairy. Petals bright yellow or partly reddish
brown. Standard blade circular, 7-10,2 x
5,5— 1 1 ,2 mm, obtuse to retuse, short-sericeous
on the back. Wing blades very narrowly elliptic,
(5,5-) 6-8 X (1,8-) 2-3,4 mm, sericeous on
lower third. Keel blades (5,5-) 6-7,3 x 2-3
mm, slightly upcurved, short-sericeous on most
parts. Pistil sericeous on ovary and upper side
of the basal half of the style; ovules 2. Pods not
seen. Chromosome number. 2n=±16. Figure
14: 11-17.
Distributed from the western part of the Caledon Divi-
sion (Houwhoek) in the west through part of Bredasdorp
Division to the Robertson, Montagu and Swellendam Divi-
sions. The species grows on (often white) sand or in gravel
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone, in low fynbos
vegetation. Map 18.
Vouchers: Bolus 1132 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 561,
721, 833; Dahlgren & Strid 3903, 3918, 4362; Esterhuysen
23790; Schlechter 5437.
A. stenophylla is rather variable in floral size and
breadth of the leaflets. On the basis of this it may be subdi-
vided into subsp. stenophylla, comprising the eastern
forms, which are more decumbent and have narrower leaf-
lets and somewhat smaller flowers, and subsp. colorata
Dahlg. [in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 122 (I960)] which
comprises the western, ascending forms with leaflets of
long-shoot leaves 1,5-2 mm long and rather large flowers
(standard blade c. 8,5 mm, wing blades 7-7,5 mm). The
differences between these subspecies are rather subtle, how-
ever, and it may not be necessary to separate them.
The species is closely allied to A. inops (no. 37) and
the delimitation between these species is doubtful (note that
A. stenophylla subsp. garciana has here been transferred to
A. inops). These species are allied to A. aspalathoides (no.
35), A. marginata (no. 34), A. psoraleoides (no. 33) and
A. cytisoides (no. 29).
37. Aspalathus inops Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 197 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 597 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 103
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
131 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 149 (1963). Type:
Cape, in mountains near Swellendam, Mund
sub Ecklon Zeyher 1362 (S, lecto. !; K).
Aspalathus capitella Burch, ex Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 597 (1848). Achyronia capitella (Benth.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape, walk from Mountain
Station to Lombards, Riversdale Division, Burchell 7148
(K, lecto.!).
Aspalathus stenophylla Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. garciana
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 128 (1960). Type:
Cape, between Garcia’s Pass and Muis Kraal, Riversdale
Division, Bolus 11256 (BOL, holo.!; K, PRE).
Ascending, decumbent or procumbent low
shrublet, with branches up to 0,3 m long,
densely to sparsely branched. Young branches
densely short-tomentose. Leaves on the young-
est parts of the branches often without axillary
short-shoot. Leaflets flat, oblanceolate, spathu-
late or linear, (2— )4— 9 x 1-1,5 mm, thick,
3,6: 72
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 73
apiculate or mucronulate (not pungent), with
distinct midvein, green, glabrous or with short
sparse hairs. Inflorescence a terminal group or
head of (2 — )4 — 10 (— 12) flowers. Bract linear-
subulate, 1,5-3, 5 mm long, canaliculate,
weak, sparsely hairy. Pedicel shorter than 1
mm, short-tomentose. Bracteoles not seen in
the material (caducous). Calyx campanulate,
short-tomentose; lobes subulate, 2-3,5 mm
long, weak, pubescent. Petals yellow (-red-
dish). Standard blade circular or ovate, 5-6,5
x 4-6,5 mm, obtuse, short tomentose on the
back. Wing blades oblong, 4-5 x 1,5-2 mm,
± pubescent on the lower half of the outside.
Keel blades 4-5 x c. 2,5 mm, lunate, pubes-
cent on most parts. Pistil short- sericeous on
ovary and upper side of style base; ovules 2.
Pods not seen. Figure 15: 1-10.
Distributed in the Swellendam, Montagu and
Riversdale Divisions, along the Langeberg Mountain range.
Probably growing in sandy habitats and recorded from fairly
low altitudes (less than 450 m). Map 18.
Vouchers: Bolus 11256; Burchell 7148; Dahlgren &
Strid 2583, 3970; Ecklon & Zeyher 1362; Esterhuysen
24559; Galpin 3745; Thorne, SAM 38837.
The species is incompletely known. It is with some
hesitation that A. stenophylla subsp. garciana is united with
A. inops. The former is somewhat larger, has longer leaves,
several-flowered heads and slightly larger flowers than has
the type of A. inops. Because of strong similarities in floral
details they are here treated together.
38. Aspalathus taylorii Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 120: 27 (1967). Type: Cape, Tygerhoek
in the Riviersonderend region, Caledon Divi-
sion, Taylor 4484 (STE, holo.!; PRE).
A decumbent low shrublet with
0,25-0,45 m long, slender branches. Young
branches very slender, with sometimes up to 40
mm long intemodes, covered with variably
dense, tomentose pubescence. Leaves on young
long-shoots without axillary short-shoots, alter-
nate or near branch tips almost opposite. Leaf-
lets linear, broadest on distal half, 6—11 x
0,4-1 mm, partly flat or canaliculate (keeled),
basally subfiliform, apically subulate-acumi-
nate, puberulous on basal third, otherwise with
sparse, rather long, spreading hairs. Inflores-
cence in terminal capitula of 1 —5 flowers; these
small, situated close together and surrounded
by the uppermost two leaves. Bract filiform,
0,5- 1,5 mm long, very narrow, with scattered
spreading hairs. Pedicel slender, 3,5-4 mm
long but only c. 0,2— 0,3 mm thick, reddish,
densely puberulous. Bracteoles minute, visible
as a minute wart with a few hairs near the mid-
dle of the pedicel. Calyx tube infundibular, c.
1,2 mm long; short tomentose; lobes subfili-
form, 3—3,5 mm long and less than 0,2 mm
broad, weak, sparsely hairy. Petals pale to
bright yellow (turning red). Standard blade
elliptic, c. 4,5-5 X 2, 9-3, 4 mm, acute, short-
sericeous on the back. Wing blades very nar-
rowly elliptic or linear, c. 4,3 x c. 1,3 mm,
glabrous. Keel blades c. 3,5- 1,7 mm, upper
side slightly concave at middle, most parts
short-sericeous. Pistil pubescent on the upper
half of ovary and upper side of the basal half of
the style; ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure 15:
11-18.
Known only from the type collection, from Tyger-
hoek, on the lower slopes of Spitzkop, a tributary of Rivier-
sonderend, growing in coarse sand (from Table Mountain
Sandstone) at c. 200 m altitude in low fynbos vegetation.
Map 18.
Voucher: Taylor 4484.
Distinct by its slender, peduncle-like branchlets, with
subopposite leaves near the tip, and the cluster of tiny, long
and slender-pedicelled flowers.
Probably allied to A. inops (no. 37).
39. Aspalathus acidota Garab. ex Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 104 (1960); ibid.
9 (1): 147 (1963). Type: Cape, hills north-west
of Mouton’s Vlei, Piketberg Mountains, Pillans
7442 (BOL, holo.!).
A rigid, much branched shrub up to
more than 1 m tall; young branches rigid,
tomentose- villous. Leaflets flat or somewhat
keeled, narrowly lanceolate, (4— )8 — 14 x
(0,5 — )1 ,5 — 2,5 mm, rigid, slightly recurved,
FIGURE 16. Aspalathus acidota (1—9); A. borboniifolia (10—16). — 1, 10: branch ends with inflorescences; 2:
bract; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4, 11: flowers (bracts and bracteoles removed); 5, 12: standard petals, back view; 6, 13: wing
petals; 7, 14: keel petals; 8, 15: pistils; 9, 16: fruits. — 1-9 from Esterhuysen 16184 ; 10-15 from Esterhuysen 26567; 16
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1249. — (I x2,4;2-9, 11-16 x4; 10 x2.)
3,6: 74
Crotalarieae
Maps 19 & 20. — Map 19. Aspalathus rupestris (triangles); A. venosa (rhomboids); A. polycephala subsp. rigida
(squares).— Map 20. A. polycephala subsp. polycephala (inverted triangles); A. polycephala subsp. lanatifolia (dots);
A. esterhuyseniae (squares); A. acidota (triangles); A. borboniifolia (asterisk); A. corniculata (rhomboid).
somewhat veiny, ciliate and with sparse spread-
ing hairs, tapering into a long, sharp spine. In-
florescence a terminal head of (4 — )7 — 12 flow-
ers. Bract narrowly lanceolate, 8-18 x 1-2
mm, similar to but more pubescent than the
leaflets of the vegetative leaves. Pedicel c. 1
mm long or less, pubescent. Bracteoles linear,
7-14 mm long, spine-tipped. Calyx tube
white- woolly or sericeous, the lobes linear,
7-10 mm long, linear-subulate, ciliate, each
ending as a sharp, glabrous spine. Petals bright
yellow, partly becoming reddish. Standard
blade obovate or circular, 8-10 x 9-10 mm,
obtuse or retuse, white-tomentose (or sericeous)
on most of the back. Wing blades oblong, 7-8
x c. 3 mm, broadest on apical half, glabrous or
with a few apical hairs. Keel blades 6-7 x c.
3,5 mm, sericeous on most of apical half. Pistil
pubescent on the whole ovary and on the style
base; ovules 5 or 6. Pod obliquely ovate, c. 7 x
3,7 mm, pubescent. Figure 16: 1-9.
Distributed on the Piketberg Mountain and the
Twentyfour River Mountains (Piketberg Division) and the
southernmost parts of the Olifants River Mountains
(Keerom area) in the Clanwilliam Division. It is recorded
from altitudes of 500-600 m in fissures of sandstone rocks,
in fynbos scrub. Map 20.
Vouchers: Compton 3644; Dahlgren & Strid 3213,
3219; Esterhuysen 16184; 17915; Pillans 7442, 8679; Ste-
phens, Percy Sladen Mem. Exp. 6890.
A distinct species, similar to A. borboniifolia (no. 40),
but with broader petals, totally pubescent ovary and smaller
pods. Both of these resemble, to some extent, A.cordata
(no. 67) and A. barbata (no. 68), which have simple (unifo-
liolate) leaves, but whether there is a close relationship
between these species groups is not quite clear.
40. Aspalathus borboniifolia Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 109 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 147 (1963). Type: Cape, north-eastern
slopes of Table Mountain at Newlands Ravine,
Cape Town Division, Esterhuysen 26567
(BOL, holo. !; LD).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 75
Erect or ascending shrub, 0,2-0, 6 m tall,
with rigid branches; young branches white-
tomentose or woolly. Short-shoots soon
developed in axils of long-shoot leaves. Leaf-
lets lanceolate, (4-) 7-13 x (0,5-) 1,2-2, 5
mm, flat, more or less keeled, rigid, sparsely
ciliate but otherwise subglabrous, veiny, each
tapering into a long, sharp spine. Inflorescence
a head of 4 - 14 flowers. Bract narrowly lanceo-
late, 8-15 x 1-2 mm, spine-tipped. Pedicel
c. 1 mm long or less, pubescent. Bracteoles
similar to the bract, 7—11 mm long. Calyx with
sparse spreading hairs; the lobes linear-subu-
late, 7-9 mm long, tapering into a long, sharp
spine. Petals yellow to ± reddish. Standard
blade elliptic or ovate, 7, 5 -8, 5 x 5-7 mm,
retuse, pubescent on apical two-thirds of back.
Wing blades oblong, 6,5— 7,5 x 2,5-3 mm,
subglabrous (few hairs on lower apical half).
Keel blades 6-6,5 x 2,5—3 mm, pubescent on
apical half. Pistil and basal half of style
pubescent only along the upper edge, otherwise
glabrous; ovules 6 or 7. Pod obliquely and nar-
rowly ovate, c. 10 x 4,5 mm, glabrous except
along upper suture, smooth. Figure 16: 10-16.
Restricted to the slopes of Table Mountain facing Dev-
il’s Peak (i.e. above the ‘Knife Edge’) near Cape Town,
growing between rocks (Table Mountain Sandstone) in fyn-
bos vegetation. Map 20.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1249 ; Esterhuysen
26567 , 26689; Jacobsen, SAM 50675.
Long overlooked, and apart from Jacobsen’s find (in
1932) first collected by Esterhuysen in 1956.
Closely similar to A. acidota (no. 39) (see under that
species).
41. Aspalathus corniculata Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 101 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 147 (1963). Type: Cape, Neethlingsberg,
Witzenberg, Ceres Division, Esterhuysen
22520 (BOL, holo.!).
Small, ascending shrublet, rather freely
branched, with rigid, rather slender branches
puberulous on the young parts. Short-shoots
soon developed in axils of long-shoot leaves.
Leaflets (of long-shoot leaves) flat, lanceolate,
3-6 x 1 — 1,5 mm, keeled-canaliculate, rigid,
recurved, glabrous (or subglabrous), tapering
into a sharp spinelet c. 1 mm long or more.
Inflorescence consisting of a terminal group of
2—3 small flowers attached at nearly the same
point. Bract subulate-lanceolate, 2—4 mm
long, half consisting of an apical spine, ciliate.
Pedicel c. 0,5 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
subulate, c. 2 mm long. Calyx tube short -
tomentose; lobes linear-subulate, 4-5 mm
long, subglabrous, tapering into a sharp, ± re-
curved spine; lowest lobe somewhat longer than
the others. Petals yellow or ± red. Standard
blade ovate, c. 6 x 5,3 mm, obtuse, short-hairy
on the back. Wing blades oblong, c. 4,7 x 1,7
mm, glabrous. Keel blades 5—5,5 x c. 2,5
mm, pubescent on the lower parts of the apical
half, with convex upper margin. Pistil pubes-
cent on ovary and style base; ovules 4 or 5. Pod
lanceolate-fusiform, c. 9 x 2,7 mm, smooth,
sparsely hairy. Figure 17: 1-9.
Known only from the type collection, on the low rocky
slopes of the Neethlingsberg, Witzenberg in Ceres Divi-
sion. Map 20.
The similarity in petal shape with A. esterhuyseniae
(no. 42) suggests a close relationship.
42. Aspalathus esterhuyseniae Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 99 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 147 (1963). Type: Cape, slopes above
Sneeugat, Great Winterhoek Mountain, Tul-
bagh Division, Esterhuysen 27025 (BOL,
holo.!; LD).
A. pumila Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 95
(I960); ibid. 9 (1): 147 (1963). Type: Cape, Olifants River
Mountains at northern end of Great Winterhoek Mountain,
S of Groen, Ceres Division, Esterhuysen 13450 (BOL,
holo.!).
Procumbent, decumbent or ascending
shrublets, densely to sparingly branched with
small leaves and flowers. Young branches
tomentose. Leaflets oblanceolate or linear,
broadest in distal half, 2-7 x 0,7-2 mm, flat,
apiculate, with distinct midvein, glabrous or
with sparse spreading hairs. Inflorescence con-
sisting of 1-3 flowers emerging at the same
point at the branch tips. Bracts subulate or lan-
ceolate, 0,5-3 mm long, pointed, ciliate. Pedi-
cel up to c. 1 mm long. Bracteoles subulate, up
to c. 3 mm long, usually much less. Calyx tube
short-pubescent; lowest lobe distinctly larger
than the others; lobes linear-spathulate, the low-
est 3-5 mm long, others 2, 8-4, 5 mm long,
pointed, subglabrous, rigid. Petals yellow or
3,6: 76
Crotalarieae
Figure 17. Aspalathus corniculata (1-9); A. esterhuyseniae (10-19). — 1, 10, 12: branches with inflorescences;
2, 11, 13: flowers; 3, 14: bracts; 4, 15: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 16: standard petals, back view; 6, 17: wing petals; 7, 18:
keel petals; 8, 19: pistils; 9: fruit. — 1-9 from Esterhuysen 22520\ 10, 11 from Esterhuysen 19824', 12-19 from
Esterhuysen 13450.— (I x3,6; 2-9, 12, 13, 16-18 x4; 10 x3,2; 11 X4,8; 14, 15, 19 x8.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 77
partly purplish, ± rubescent. Standard blade
ovate, 5—6 x 5—6 mm, obtuse, short-hairy on
the back. Wing blades elongate, 3,5-4 x c.
1,5 mm, apically rounded, glabrous. Keel
blades 4-5 x 1,5—3 mm, often with slightly
convex upper margin, glabrous except along the
lower margin. Pistil pubescent on upper half of
ovary and on style base; ovules 2. Ripe pods not
seen. Figure 17: 10—19.
Known from the Great Winterhoek Mountain, Tulbagh
Division, northwards to the southern parts of Cederberg
Mountains (at Elands Kloof) in the Clanwilliam Division,
growing at altitudes of 1 000 to 1 400 m on rocky moun-
tains in fynbos. Map 20.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 13450, 19824, 27025; Schlech-
ler 10037; Stokoe SAM 55974.
Some forms growing at c. 300 m on the Great Winter-
hoek Mountain, are rather slender and procumbent with
larger flowers and longer leaves and bracts than the other
forms which may be from higher levels. Very small bracts
and bracteoles occur in forms from the Ceres Division (Cold
Bokkeveld).
Much smaller in all parts than A. rupestris (no. 43),
and similar also to A. corniculata (no. 41), which has taper-
ing, more spiny leaflets and calyx lobes.
43. Aspalathus rupestris Dahlg. in. Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 89 (I960); ibid. 9(1):
148 (1963). Type: Cape, mountains 4 miles E
of Waterfall, east of Citrusdal, Clanwilliam Di-
vision, Dahlgren & Peterson 1007 (LD, holo.!;
BOL).
An erect or ascending shrublet, 0,2— 0,4
(-0,8) m tall, rather branched; branches rigid,
the young ones densely short-tomentose. Short-
shoots soon developed in axils of long-shoot
leaves. Leaflets oblanceolate, 4—10 x 1 — 1,5
mm, stiff, leathery, apically spine-tipped, gla-
brous, ± veiny. Inflorescence a terminal head
of 3-9 subsessile flowers. Bract ovate-lanceo-
late (-linear), 4-9 x 0,5-3 mm, stiff, apically
spine-tipped, rigid, veiny, often ± recurved,
glabrous except for marginal ciliation. Pedicel
shorter than 1 mm, tomentose. Bracteoles sub-
ulate, 3—8 mm long, spine-tipped. Calyx tube
densely tomentose; lowest lobe 5— 6( — 7) mm
long, ± oblanceolate, ± veiny, partly glabrous,
green, mucronate, other lobes 3-5 mm long,
triangular-subulate, spine-tipped. Petals bright
yellow. Standard blade ovate, 6, 5-8, 5 x
6, 5-8, 5 mm, obtuse, short-sericeous on the
back. Wing blades oblong, 5-6,5 x 3-3,5
mm, glabrous. Keel blades 5, 5-6, 5 x 3—3,5
mm, glabrous. Pistil pubescent on upper side of
ovary and style base; ovules (2— )4(5). Pod nar-
rowly and obliquely ovate, 5-6 X 2,5-3 mm,
smooth, dark when ripe. Figure 18: 10-19.
Distributed on mountains from the Matroosberg, Wor-
cester Division, through the Ceres and Tulbagh Divisions
(Great Winterhoek) to the southern part of the Clanwilliam
Division at altitudes of up to 1 500 m (sometimes on moun-
tain summits). The species grows in rock fissures and sand
weathered from rocks of Table Mountain Sandstone, in
fynbos vegetation. Map 19.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1007, 1009; Ester-
huysen 9847, 13458, 19823, 22574, 24084, 27026.
Strongly reminiscent of, but with less enlarged median
calyx lobe than A. suaveolens (no. 44) and A. fasciculata
(no. 45) on the Great Winterhoek Mountain.
44. Aspalathus suaveolens Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 199 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 481 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 594 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 101
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 87
(1960); ibid. 9 (1): 148 (1963). Type: Cape,
Winterhoekberg, Tulbagh Division, Ecklon <£
Zeyher 1369 (SAM, lecto. !; G, K, P, S).
Heterolathus suaveolens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Be-
merk. 132 (1844). Achyronia suaveolens (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
A decumbent shrublet with much weaker
and more slender branches than in A. fascicu-
lata (no. 45), reaching only c. 0,2 m above the
ground. Young branches tomentose. Upper
leaves without axillary short-shoots. Leaflets
flat, linear-(ob)lanceolate, those of long-shoot
leaves 10—14 x 1—2,5 mm, acute, weak,
green, subglabrous but with long, spreading
hairs on the margins. Inflorescence a terminal
head of 4-10 shortly pedicellate flowers.
Bracts elliptic or lanceolate, tapering at each
end, 10-13 x 4-5 mm, partly pale, veiny,
subglabrous but marginally ciliate, pointed.
Pedicel 1-2 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
linear, 9-11 x 0,5-1 mm, ciliate. Calyx
clothed with sparse, rather spreading hairs; low-
est lobe larger than the others, oblanceolate -
linear, ‘boat-shaped’, 9-10 x 3-3,5 mm,
subglabrous but marginally ciliate; other lobes
linear, 7-8 x 1 — 1,5 mm, ciliate. Petals yel-
low. Standard ovate, c. 8-9 x 8-9 mm, api-
cally retuse, sericeous on the back. Wing blades
3,6: 78
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 79
oblong, 7-8 X 3-3,5 mm, glabrous. Keel
5-6 x c. 4 mm, with straight upper margin,
glabrous. Pistil puberulous on the base and up-
per edge of ovary; ovules 7 or 8. Pods not seen.
Figure 18: 6-9.
Like A. fasciculata (no. 45) this species is probably
restricted to the Great Winterhoek Mountain, Tulbagh Divi-
sion. It is recorded from altitudes of 700 to 1 250 m, the
latter on a high plateau. Map 18.
Vouchers: Bolus 5015; Ecklon & Zeyher 1369; Ester-
huysen 27018; Phillips 1720.
Obviously close to A. fasciculata (no. 45), A. rupestris
(no. 43), A. venosa (no. 47) and A. polycephala (no. 46),
all with the lowest calyx lobe enlarged and with many other
shared features.
45. Aspalathus fasciculata ( Thunb .)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 83 (1960);
ibid. 9 (1): 148 (1963). Type: Ononis fascicu-
lata in herb. Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Achyronia fasciculata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 (1891). Ononis fasciculata Thunb., Prodr. 2: 130
(1800); FI. Cap. edn 2: 589 (1823).
Aspalathus undulata Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 199
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 484 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 594(1839); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 101 (1862).
Type: Cape, Winterhoekberg, Tulbagh Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1368 (S, lecto.!; BOL, G, K, P).
Aspalathus involucrata E. Mey., Comm. 1: 38 (1836).
Heterolathus involucrata (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
132 (1844). Type: Cape, Winterhoekberg, Drege (S,
lecto. !;BM,G,K,P,PRE).
An erect, rigid shrub 0,5-1 m tall, rather
much branched; young branches tomentose.
Short-shoots soon developed in axils of long-
shoot leaves. Leaflets flat, oblanceolate (or
obovate), 5-10 x 2-3 mm, stiff, somewhat
keeled, veiny (distinct midvein and more vague
laterals), glabrous or those on long-shoots
ciliate on margins, apically pointed to mucro-
nate. Inflorescence a dense head of 6—8 (—10)
flowers in the axils of ± wide bracts forming an
‘involucre’. Bracts obovate, the largest up to 12
x 10 mm, subglabrous, partly pale but distally
green, glabrous except for the puberulous base
and ciliate margins, with numerous ± distinct
veins, apically retuse to acute. Pedicel c. 1 mm
long. Bracteoles linear, up to c. 9 x 2 mm,
veiny, partly pubescent. Calyx tube pubescent;
lowest lobe enlarged, oblanceolate (‘boat-
shaped’), 9-10 mm long, green, veiny, partly
glabrous (but ciliate); other lobes c. 7 mm long,
linear-triangular, pubescent. Petals bright yel-
low. Standard ovate, c. 11 x 9,5 mm, seri-
ceous on most of back; the sides ± recurved.
Wing blades oblong, c. 7 x 2,2 mm, glabrous.
Keel blades c. 6,2 x 3 mm, glabrous. Pistil
pubescent only on the short stipe and ovary
base, otherwise glabrous; ovules usually 5. Pod
obliquely and narrowly triangular-ovate, 8-9
x c. 4 mm, glabrous or subglabrous. Figure 18:
1-5.
Probably restricted to the lower slopes of the Great
Winterhoek Mountain, Tulbagh Division, at levels of c.
200-450 m, in fynbos scrub. Map 18.
Vouchers: Bolus 5012; Dahlgren & Peterson 1115,
1118; Drege, Winterhoek; Ecklon & Zeyher 1368.
Obviously close to A. suaveolens (no. 44), A. rupestris
(no. 43), A. venosa (no. 47) and A. polycephala (no. 46).
46. Aspalathus polycephala E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 39 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 438
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 595
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 102 (1862); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 67 (1960); ibid. 9
(1): 149 (1963). Type: Cape, Cederbergen, be-
tween Honig Vlei and Boskloof, Clanwilliam
Division, Drege (S, lecto.!; BOL, K, P, PRE).
Heterolathus polycephala (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
132 (1844). Achyronia polycephala (E. Mey.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. PI. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus rigida Schltr., Bot. Jb. 27: 145 (1900). Type:
Cape, Pakhuis Berg, Clanwilliam Division, Schlechter (K,
lecto.!; BOL). See subsp. rigida, below.
An erect, or ascending, rarely decumbent,
moderately branched shrub or shrublet (0,2-)
0,7- 1,5 m tall. Young branches densely to-
mentose. Leaves trifoliolate, the upper often
FIGURE 18. Aspalathus fasciculata (1-5); A. suaveolens (6-9); A. rupestris (10-19). — 1, 6, 10, 11: branches
with inflorescences; 2, 8, 12, 13, 14: bracts (12 from peripheral, 13 from intermediately placed, and 14 from central flower
in head); 3: calyx, middle lobe = the median; 4, 9, 19: pistils; 5: fruit; 7, 16: flowers; 15: bracteoles (prophylls) of
peripheral, middle and central flowers, respectively; 17: wing petal; 18: keel petal. — 1-5 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1155', 6—9 from Bolus 5015 ; 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1007; 11 — 19 from Esterhuysen 13458. — (1,6, 10, 11 x2; 7
x3,2; 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12-19 x4.)
3,6: 80
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 81
without, the lower with axillary short-shoots.
Leaflets flat, those of long-shoot leaves lanceo-
late (-ovate), 2-9 x 1—3 mm, apically re-
curved, with a mucro or spinelet, grey-seri-
ceous or ± greenish and with spreading pu-
bescence. Inflorescence an apical group or head
of 2-12 flowers emerging at nearly the same
point. Bract broadly lanceolate (-ovate), 3-9
x 1 ,5-3,5 mm, flat, apically recurved and api-
culate. Pedicel short, tomentose. Bracteoles
lanceolate or linear, 2,5-10 x 0,3— 1,5 mm,
flat, hairy. Calyx lanate or sericeous; the lowest
lobe enlarged, 3,5-9 x 1-4 mm, oblanceo-
late, spine-tipped, the other lobes narrowly
triangular, shorter, acuminate-spine-tipped. Pe-
tals light yellow or yellow or standard ± violet.
Standard blade ovate, 5-9 x 5-7 mm, ob-
tuse, sericeous (or partly tomentose) on back.
Wing blades rather small, narrowly triangular,
3,5-4,5 x c. 2 mm, glabrous or with few hairs
distally. Keel blades 4, 5-6,5 x 2, 5-3, 5 mm,
sericeous on most parts. Pistil: ovary sericeous;
style glabrous except at the base; ovules 2. Pod
narrowly and obliquely ovate, 5-8 x 2, 5-3, 5
mm, smooth, sericeous.
Restricted to the mountains in the northern and central
parts of the Clanwilliam Division with the centre in the
Cederberg Mountains. The habitat is rocky slopes (Table
Mountain Sandstone) in fynbos vegetation.
The species is variable and divisible into three subspe-
cies according to the following key:
la Leaflets of young branches grey-sericeous
46c. subsp. rigida
lb Leaflets of young branches with spreading, to-
mentose pubescence:
2a Standard blade more than 7,5 mm long; lowest
calyx lobe ± 7 mm long or more; bracts ± 8
mm long or more 46a. subsp. polycephala
2b Standard blade less than 7,5 mm long; lowest
calyx lobe ± 5 mm long or less; bracts ± 5
mm long or less 46b. subsp. lanatifolia
46a. subsp. polycephala.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 71
(1960). Corresponds to the type of the species.
Shrub rigid, the young branches tomentose
or woolly. Leaflets 5—8 x 1,5— 2,5 mm, with
spreading pubescence. Flower heads with up to
at least 6 flowers. Flowers larger than in the
other subspecies. Bracts 5-9 x 1,5-3, 5 mm;
bracteoles 8-10 x c. 1,5 mm. Lowest calyx
lobe 7—9 x c. 4 mm long; standard 8—9 x c.
7 mm; wing blades 3,5-4, 5 x c. 2 mm; keel
blades 6-6,5 x 3-3,5 mm. Figure 19:
15-19.
Known only from the type collection in northern Ce-
derberg, between Honig Vlei and Bos Kloof south-east of
Clanwilliam, at an altitude of 700 to 1 000 m. The collec-
tion has extreme measurements within the species but ap-
proaches subsp. lanatifolia in pubescence and the largest
forms of subsp. rigida in floral size. Map 20.
46b. subsp. lanatifolia Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 4: 77 (1960). Type: Cape,
Middleberg, Cederberg range, Clanwilliam Di-
vision, Esterhuysen 7224 (BOL, holo.!).
Ascending or erect shrubs (shrublets),
rather densely branched, with rigid branches;
young branches woolly-pubescent. Leaflets
generally 3-7 x 1, 5-2,5 mm, greenish, with
spreading pubescence. Flowers in heads, 4-12
together, smaller than in subsp. polycephala.
Bract 3-4 x c. 2,5 mm; bracteoles 3-4 mm
long. Lowest calyx lobe 4,5-5 mm long;
standard blade 6-7 x 6-7 mm; wing blades
3,5-4 x 2 mm; keel blades c. 5 x 2,7 mm.
Figure 19: 1-6.
Distributed in the central parts of the Cederberg
Range, Clanwilliam Division at altitudes of 800- 1 150 m.
Map 20.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 7224; Compton 6206, 12688;
Drege, Ezelsbank.
Occurring for the most part south of subsp. rigida and
subsp. polycephala.
46c. subsp. rigida ( Schltr .) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 73 (1960). Type: as for
Aspalathus rigida Schltr. on which it is based,
see above.
FIGURE 19. Aspalathus polycephala subsp. lanatifolia (1-6); A. polycephala subsp. rigida (7-14); A. polyce-
phala subsp. polycephala (15-19); A. venosa (20- 26). — 1, 7, 20: branches with inflorescences; 2, 8, 15, 21: bracts; 3,
9, 16, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 10, 17, 23: flowers (bracts and bracteoles removed except for bracteole in 4); 5, 11, 18,
24: wing petals; 6, 12, 19, 25: keel petals; 13, 26: pistils; 14: fruit. — 1-6 from Esterhuysen 7224 ; 7-13 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 340 ; 14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 888 ; 15- 19 from Drige : Cederbergen; 20— 26 from Esterhuysen 22088. — (1,
7, 20 x2; 2-6, 8-19, 21-26 x4.)
3,6:82
Crotalarieae
Shrubs or shrublets 0,2-1 ,5 m tall, some-
times rather lanky, young branches short-to-
mentose. Leaflets (2—) 4-9 x 1-3 mm, grey-
sericeous, often appearing silvery (to blueish
grey). Flowers in terminal groups, 2-5 to-
gether; flowers variable in size, generally smal-
ler than in subsp. polycephala and with more
sericeous pubescence. Bract 3-6 x 1, 5-2,5
mm; bracteoles 2,5— 5,5 mm long. Lowest ca-
lyx lobe 3,5-7 (often c. 5) mm long; standard
blade 5,5— 8,5 x 5,5 — 7,5 mm; wing blades
3,3— 4,8 x 1,7— 2,5 mm, and keel blades
4.5— 6,5 x 2,5— 3,5 mm. Pods 5—8 x
2. 5- 3, 5 mm. Figure 19: 7- 14.
Distributed mainly in the northern parts of the Ceder-
berg Mountains, but also on Lambert’s Hoek and Nardouw
Mountains, all in Clanwilliam Division. It occurs at various
altitudes, on the Sneeuwberg Mountain up to 1 250 m, but
usually at much lower levels. Map 19.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 340, 888, 890; Ester-
huysen 3408, 18047, 21141, 23755; Leipoldt 4468;
Schlechter 10830.
Very variable in floral size, the smallest-flowered
specimens being from Honig Vlei near the type locality of
subsp. polycephala.
47. Aspalathus venosa E. Mey., Comm.
1: 39 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 575 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 101 (1862);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 80 (1960);
ibid. 9 (1): 149 (1963). Cited as a synonym of
A. suaveolens Eckl. & Zeyh. by Walpers in
Linnaea 13: 481 (1839). Type: Cape, Giftberg,
Vanrhynsdorp Division, Drege (S, lecto. !; G,
K, P).
Achyronia venosa (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen 1: 158
(1891).
Small, dense shrub with rigid, rather thick
branches woolly-tomentose on the young parts.
Short-shoots usually not developed in axils of
leaves on young branches. Leaflets flat, oblan-
ceolate or narrowly obovate, 4—8 x 2-4 mm,
leathery, shiny, glabrous, at least ± veiny, api-
cally with a slightly recurved spinelet. Inflo-
rescence an apical head of 2-8 subsessile flow-
ers. Bract obovate to broadly obovate, 3, 5 -4, 5
x 2-4,5 mm, retuse but with apical mucro,
subglabrous but marginally ciliate and pu-
bescent on the base. Bracteoles linear-oblan-
ceolate, 3-4,5 x 2-4,5 mm, retuse but with
apical mucro, subglabrous but marginally ci-
liate and pubescent on the base. Calyx tube
woolly-tomentose on most parts; lowest lobe
enlarged, c. 4 mm long, partly glabrous, api-
cally recurved and pointed; other lobes c. 2 mm
long, triangular, hairy, spine-tipped. Petals yel-
low or turning reddish, their shape and pubes-
cence as in A. polycephala (no. 46). Standard
blade c. 7 x 6,5 mm. Wing blades c. 5 x 2,4
mm. Keel blades c. 6 x 2,8 mm. Pistil: ovary
and upper part of style base hairy; ovules 4 or 5.
Pods not seen. Figure 19: 20-26.
Perhaps restricted to the Gifberg Mountain in the Van-
rhynsdorp Division, where the species occurs at altitudes of
400 - 500 m on sandy ground among rocks, in fynbos vege-
tation. Map 19.
Vouchers: Drege, Giftberg; Esterhuysen 22088.
This species is obviously most closely related to A.
polycephala (no. 46), from which it differs in the glabrous
leaves and bracts, and the more numerous ovules.
Group 4: Crotalariiformes
Erect, not or sparingly branched shrublet. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets flat, coriaceous, lanceo-
late, subglabrous or glabrous except for marginal ciliation, veined, not spine-tipped. Leaf base
with spines or spurs lacking. Leaflets in threes, short-shoots, where developed, consisting of
flower only. Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, dispersed along the branch for nearly
all its length. Bract not accreted to base of pedicel, small, simple. Pedicel long, pubescent.
Bracteoles small, simple. Calyx not fleshy, puberulous; lobes triangular, flat, short, not fleshy;
lateral lobes on each side turned against each other. Petals yellow or partly reddish, not turning
black when dried. Standard short-hairy on the back. Wing blades apically rounded, partly seri-
ceous, with several rows of minute folds on the basal upper parts. Keel rostrate, tapering, partly
sericeous, without basal pouches. Anthers very unequal. Pistil basal ly hairy above; ovules 2;
stigma regular, capitate. Chromosome number: 2 n = 18.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 83
Figure 20. Aspalathus vulpina. — 1: part of branch with unifloral short-shoots; 2: flower, notice bract and bracteole;
3: wing petal; 4: keel petal; 5: pistil; 6: staminal sheath with pistil enclosed. — From Muir 3746. — (1 x2,4; 2-6 x4.)
48. Aspalathus vulpina Garab. ex Dahl g.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 297 (1960); ibid.
9 (1): 142 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 517
(1968). Type: Cape, Garcia’s Pass, Riversdale
Division, Phillips 374 (SAM, holo.!).
An erect, rigid, rod-like shrublet, not or
very sparingly branched. Young branches with
long, spreading pubescence. Leaflets subequal,
7-16 (often c. 10) x 1,5-5 mm, pointed,
1-3-veined, marginally long-ciliate; young
ones with sparse long hairs on the surface.
Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral leafless
short-shoots: these dispersed along (nearly) the
whole of the stem. Bract subulate-oblong,
shorter than 1 mm, puberulous, reddish. Pedi-
cel c. 3 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles, on
distal half of the pedicel, shorter than 1 mm.
Calyx tube campanulate, sparsely puberulous;
lobes only c. 1 mm long, acute, greenish, pu-
berulous. Standard broadly ovate, c. 7 x 7
mm, obtuse, short-sericeous on the back. Wing
Map 2 1 . — Aspalathus vulpina (dots).
3,6: 84
CROTALARffiAE
blades very narrowly obovate, 7—7,2 x 3-3,5
mm, sericeous on lower and distal parts. Keel
camose, strongly rostrate, apically tapering, the
blades c. 7 mm long and c. 2,5 mm broad at the
base, without basal puckering, sericeous on the
lower third. Anthers of very unequal size, the
basifixed ones linear and long. Pistil pubescent
on upper half of ovary and on upper side of
style base; style long, curved. Pods not seen.
Figure 20.
Distributed over a limited section of the (northern side
of the) Langeberg Mountains in the Swellendam and
Riversdale Division (Barrydale to Garcia’s Pass). A. vul-
pina grows on a thin layer of sand mixed with gravel on
horizontal sandstone rocks, in fynbos vegetation [Dahlgren
inBot. Notiser 121: 517(1968)]. Map 21.
Vouchers: Barnard, SAM 32717; Dahlgren & Strid
2582, 3970; Glover, BOL 15516; Muir 3746; Phillips 374,
392; Thorne, SAM 38985.
A morphologically isolated species with a peculiar
combination of characters: rod-like stem (like A. caledonen-
sis — no. 22), lanceolate leaves (like those of A. aspala-
thoides — no. 35) and flowers with a rostrate calyx (as in A.
willdenowiana — no. 75). The closest relationships are not
clear.
Group 5: Lebeckiiformes
Shrublets, shrubs or small trees [A. pendula — no. 52), decumbent to erect; branches glabrous
or short-pubescent. Leaves unifoliolate (‘single’), linear or very narrowly lanceolate, subterete or
sometimes distinctly flat, rigid but never pungent, glabrous or minutely puberulous, not distinctly
veined, non-spiny; leaf base without spine or spur, but a pulvinar section sometimes present at the
leaflet) base; a couple of very short lateral (?stipular) teeth rarely present below this. Inflorescence
terminal, one- to few-flowered, racemose or umbellate; only rarely on a peduncle ( A . pendula).
Lateral branch sometimes developed in uppermost leaf axil and superceding inflorescence (in A.
nudiflora — no. 49). Flowers rather similar in details to those in the Pedunculares (group 6). Bract
simple, minute, tooth-like, not accreted to the pedicel base. Pedicel distinct, often rather long,
puberulous to glabrous. Bracteoles minute, tooth-like. Calyx non-fleshy, funnel-shaped to cam-
panulate, puberulous; lobes flat to terete, shorter than the tube, non-spiny, the upper broader than
the lower. Petals yellow or standard and/or keel partly purple. Standard obovate-orbicular, pubes-
cent on the back, without apical cusp. Wing blades elongate, glabrous, with 3-5 rows of minute
folds on basal upper parts. Keel blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous or ± puberulous, with distinct
basal pouch. Pistil: ovary sericeous; ovules 2-4; stigma regular, capitate or (A. nudiflora)
elongate and forwardly directed. Pod obliquely lanceolate, compressed, smooth, not particularly
hard- walled. Chromosome number: 2 n = 18.
49. Aspalathus nudiflora Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 140 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 215-217 (1963); ibid. 22: 103-
106 (1968). Type: Cape, foot of Klein Houw-
hoek, Zeyher 2362 (S, lecto.!; K, LD, P, PRE,
SAM, W,Z).
Achyronia nudiflora (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:157
(1891).
Aspalathus alternifolia Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 141 (1862),
non Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 187 (1826); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 22: 103 ( 1968), as syn. of A. nudiflora. The
earlier homonym Aspalathus alternifolia Spreng. has not
been identified, and must be considered a nomen dubium.
Achyronia alterniflora (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). Type: Cape, Waterfall, Tulbagh, Pappe (K, lecto.!;
SAM).
A procumbent (or decumbent) shrublet;
main branches up to 1 m long, laterals ascend-
ing from these. Young branches ± reddish or
yellow, sulcate, sparsely puberulous, glabres-
cent. Leaves ± flat, linear or narrowly lanceo-
late, (5-) 8-30 x 0,5-3 mm, acute-acumi-
nate, glabrous or sparsely puberulous. Inflores-
cence of 1 or 2(3) flowers, if 2 or 3 then at some
distance on a short inflorescence axis. Lateral
branch often developed in axil of the uppermost
leaf and flower(s) then appearing ‘leaf-oppo-
site’. Bracts and bracteoles subulate, less than
1 mm long, subglabrous. Pedicel 3-6 mm
long, subglabrous. Calyx infundibular-cam-
panulate, with sparse hairs; lobes triangular-su-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 85
bulate, 1 —2,4 mm long. Petals yellow or partly
with red shades, with short claws. Standard
orbicular, 5, 1-7,5 x 7, 5-9,0 (-9,5) mm,
emarginate or obtuse, short-sericeous on most
of back. Wing blades (3,6-) 4,3-6, 1 x
2,3— 3,1 mm, twisted. Keel blades 5—5,6 x
2,9— 3,5 mm, glabrous, obtuse. Pistil with
ovary sericeous on upper parts; stigma elong-
ate, forwardly directed; ovules 2. Pod lanceo-
late, c. 10—12 x 4,5—5 mm, smooth. Chro-
mosome number: 2n = 20. Figure 21:9—15.
Distributed in mountains from the Houwhoek region,
Caledon Division, in the south through the Tulbagh, Ceres
and Clanwilliam Divisions as far as the northern end of the
Cederberg range, and known also from Naudesberg, Koo,
in Montagu Division. The species grows in clayey soil
weathered from shales, in fynbos, sometimes mixed with
renosterbos. Map 23.
Vouchers: Bolus 5036 pro parte; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1163; Dahlgren & Strid 4127, 4414, 4468, 4943; Es-
ter huy sen 14986; Schlechter 9381 , 9907, 10060.
There is variation in the leaves, also on the same plant,
the leaves of axillary short-shoots are smaller and especially
narrower than those of long-shoots.
50. Aspalathus lebeckioides Dahlg.,
nom. nov.
A. linearis (Burm. f.) Dahlg. subsp. latipetala Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 283 (1963) with Latin de-
scription; Dahlg. in Bot. Notiser 121: 187 (1968). Type:
Cape, (Old) Bontebok Park, Bredasdorp Div., Compton
22625 (NBG, holo.!; BOL).
Shrublets, decumbent, with branches
0,3-0, 7 m long. Young branches usually
purple or ferruginous, faintly sulcate, sparsely
short-sericeous. Leaves piniform, 25-45 mm
long, subterete (or slightly flattened), apically
acute-acuminate and often slightly curved, gla-
brous or with sparse adpressed hairs, the basal,
c. 1 mm long, pulvinar part puberulous, leaf
base without lateral teeth. Flowers solitary, or
few, rarely up to 5, on branch ends, often soli-
tary or in pairs on short branchlets, when seve-
ral, then at short intervals in corymb-like ra-
ceme. Bract and bracteoles triangular or subu-
late, 0,2-1 (—1,3) mm. Pedicel 1,5-5 (-6,5)
mm, subglabrous or adpressed-puberulous. Ca-
lyx infundibular-campanulate, sparsely puberu-
lous, with triangular, 0,5- 1,2 mm long, acute
lobes. Petals yellow or standard often with vio-
let or purple shades. Standard blade 5-7
(-7,5) x 5-7 (-8) mm, short-sericeous on
the back. Wing blades 3, 8-5, 3 x 1,4—2 mm,
not twisted. Keel 4, 8-5, 8 x 2, 7-3, 6 mm,
with convex upper margin, glabrous. Pistil
short-hairy on ovary and style base; ovules 2
(3); stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely lan-
ceolate, 15,5-16,5 x 3, 2-3, 6 mm. Figure 21:
1-8.
Distributed in lowlands from the northern part of the
Cape Peninsula and the Mamre Flats (Malmesbury Divi-
sion) through the Stellenbosch, Caledon and Bredasdorp
Divisions as far as near Swellendam in the east. The species
grows on clayey soil, in fynbos or sometimes associated
with renosterbos. Map 23.
Vouchers: Compton 22625; Dahlgren & Strid 4563,
4980; Guthrie 2244; Rycroft 2014; Salter 7907; Zevher
440.
This species has turned out to be more distinct from A.
linearis (no. 51) than originally thought. In the regions
where the two species overlap, they are different and dis-
tinct. The eastern forms are rather small-flowered.
51. Aspalathus linearis ( Burm.f .) Dahlg.
in Bot. Notiser 117: 190 (1964): in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (2): 213, 283 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 172 (1968). Type: 1 Psoralea lin-
earis' in Herb. Burman (G, lecto.!).
Psoralea linearis Burm. f. , Prodr. FI. Cap. 22 (1768).
Lebeckia linearis (Burm. f.) DC., Prodr. 2: 137 (1825).
‘Aspalathus contaminata (Thunb.) Druce' sensu Druce in
Rep. botl Soc. Exch. Club Br. 1st. , suppl. 2: 606(1917) —
non Spartium contaminatum L., Mant. Alt. 268 (1771).
Lebeckia contaminata (L.) Thunb., based on Spartium con-
taminatum L., was applied by Thunberg to A. linearis.
Achyronia contaminata (L.) Kuntze in Rev. Gen. 1: 157
( 1891) also refers to this species.
Aspalathus tenuifolia DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825). This
name was applied to A. pendula in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 65
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 653 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 139 (1862) and Kies in Bothalia 6: 170
(1951). Achyronia tenuifolia (EXT.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 ( 1891). Type: Lambert 1816 in Herb. DC. (G, lecto.!).
Aspalathus corymbosa E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 159 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 204 (1836); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 653 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 139(1862);
H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254
(1903); Marl., FI. S. Afr. 2 (1); 77 (1925). Type: Cape,
‘aufdem Tafelberge' , Ecklon (S, lecto.!).
Aspalathus cognata Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 556 (1845).
Type: ‘A. corymbosa c’, 'Cederbergen', Drege (K, L, P; no
lectotype chosen).
Aspalathus pinifolia Marloth in Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr. 2
(3): 288 (1912). Type: Cape, ‘Cedar Mts.’, Marloth 4728
(SAM, lecto.!). This is not distinguished as a subspecies
here.
3,6: 86
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 87
An erect, ascending or decumbent shrub or
shrublet, from quite low to c. 2 m tall. Young
branches often reddish, subterete or slightly sul-
cate, glabrous or, especially the youngest part,
shortly white-tomentulose. Leaves linear-pini-
form, 15-60 mm long, 0,4 to more than 1 mm
thick, subterete or very slightly flattened, gla-
brous or sparsely appressed-puberulous, acute
or acuminate, straight, in some forms turning
red or ferruginous and aromatic when dried;
basal pulvinate part 0,4- 1 ,2 mm; leaf base be-
low this rarely with lateral teeth less than 0,5
mm long. Flowers solitary or up to 10 in cor-
ymbs (racemes) on branch tips, rarely solitary
or in pairs on axillary short-shoots. Bract trian-
gular or subulate, 0,3- 1,5 mm long. Pedicel
1.5— 4 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles
0,2-0, 8 mm long. Calyx glabrous or puberu-
lous; lobes triangular-subulate, 1-2,5 mm
long, acute. Petals pale to bright yellow or
partly purple or violet. Standard blade ovate,
4. 5- 6, 5 (-7,5) x 4,0-5, 5 mm, acute or ob-
tuse, short-sericeous on at least half of back.
Wing blades usually 3-5 x 1,2-2 mm. Keel
blades 4-5,5 x 2,5 — 3,3 mm, apex obtuse
(rarely with a tooth-like point); some pubes-
cence at least present on leaf parts. Pistil seri-
ceous on ovary and style base; ovules 2 (-4);
stigma regular, capitate. Pod lanceolate,
12-17 x 3, 3 -4, 2 mm. Figures 22 & 23.
FIGURE 21. Aspalathus lebeckioides (1-8); A. nudiflora (9-15); A. pendula (16-26). — 1, 9: branches with
inflorescences; 2: flower; 3, 20: bracts; 4, 21: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 11, 12, 23: wing petals; 6, 13, 24: keel petals; 7, 14,
25: pistils; 8, 15, 26: fruits; 10: standard, front view; 16: branchlet; 17: leaf base and base of axillary unifoliolate leaf; 18:
pedicel with bracteoles (bract shed); 19: inflorescence; 22: calyx, upper two lobes to the right. — 1-8 from Compton
22625', 9—14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1163\ 15 from Guthrie 2146', 16-26 from Dahlgren & Peterson 930. — (1, 9, 19
x2; 2- 8, 10-15, 20 - 26 x4; 16 x0,8; 17, 18 x8.)
3,6: 88
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 89
FIGURE 23. Aspalathus linearis, variation of flowers.
— 1 from Stokoe, SAM 5600\ 2 from Dahlgren & Strid
3255 ; 3 from Dahlgren <6 Peterson 892 ; 4 from Dahlgren
& Peterson 901. — (All X4.)
A very variable species distributed in the western divi-
sions of the Cape Province, from the Cape Peninsula (Cape
Point) and northern part of the Caledon Division through the
Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Tulbagh,
Piketberg, Ceres and Clanwilliam Divisions to the Giftberg
(Vanrhynsdorp Division) and the Nieuwoudtville region
(Calvinia Division). The species grows on mountain slopes
on sandy (rarely clayey) soils weathered from Table Moun-
tain Sandstone rocks, in fynbos scrub. Map 22.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 936; Ecklon &
Zeyher 1396; MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 59; Mar-
loth 4728; Schlechter 308, 10065.
The extraordinary variation of this species is described
by Dahlgren in Bot. Notiser 121: 165-208 (1968).
Forms on the Cape Peninsula and on the Hottentots
Holland Mountains (Somerset West Division) and adjacent
regions are generally low, and have puberulous leaves and
white pubescent branch ends. When dried or fermented they
do not turn ferruginous and do not become aromatic to the
degree of the forms of the divisions from Worcester and
northwards. Perhaps a future separation of these southern
forms is possible.
Further, the variation in size and habit in the forms
from the mountains of especially the Clanwilliam Division
is great, and only some populations are suitable to the rooi-
bos tea made from this species. Some forms are decumbent,
others spreading, the colour and coarseness of the leaves,
both when fresh and fermented, are highly variable and
there is great variation in floral size, flower colour, flow-
ering time, etc.
Rooibos tea is made from selected forms, mainly those
from parts of the Cederberg Mountains, which are culti-
vated on sandy soils in the Olifants River Valley, Breede
River Valley, Hex River Valley, etc. These forms have
been selected for a long time but still show great variation.
52. Aspalathus pendula Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 285 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 190 (1968). Type: Cape, Nie-
woudt Pass near Kriedowkrans, Clanwilliam
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 930 (LD,
holo.!; BOL, NBG, PRE, S).
‘Aspalathus tenuifolia' auct. non DC. in E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 65 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
653 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 139 (1862); Kies in Bothalia
6: 170 (1951), etc.
A large shrub or a small tree, 1 ,5-3 (-5)
m tall, generally with an unbranched trunk up to
30—70 mm thick at the base. Branches grey or
reddish, slender, lax, pendulous, slightly sul-
cate, with sparse, short, adpressed hairs on
youngest parts. Leaves linear, piniform,
straight, (25-) 40-70 mm long and 0,4-0, 7
mm thick, subterete, acuminate, glabrous (or
when young with short, appressed hairs),
sombre green, basally with a constricted portion
(pulvinus). Leaf base below this often with
short, lateral, subulate teeth. Inflorescence a
sparse, lax, 3-7-flowered raceme on a slender
peduncle terminating the branch. Bracts subu-
late, caducous, 1 ,5-3 mm long. Pedicel 4,5-6
mm long, adpressed-puberulous. Bracteoles
Figure 22. Aspalathus linearis. — 1—5 from cultivated ‘rooibos tea’ form; 6—13 from forms growing wild on the
Cape Peninsula; 14—18 from forms growing wild in the Cederberg Mountains; 19—26 from the Ceres district. — 1, 6, 14,
19: branches with inflorescences; 2, 26: leaf bases; 3, 10, 16, 23: wing petals; 4, 11, 17, 24: keel petals; 5, 12, 18: pistils; 7,
20: flowers; 8, 21: bracts; 9, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 13, 25: fruits; 15: standard, back view. — 1—5 from Dahlgren <&
Peterson 1778 ; 6—12 from Dahlgren & Peterson 606; 13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1744 ; 14—18 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 892; 19-26 from Thorne, SAM 52774. —( 1,6, 14, 19 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 90
Crotalarieae
0,8- 1,2 mm long. Calyx obliquely campanu-
late, minutely sericeous or subglabrous; lobes
broadly triangular, short, 0,8- 1,2 mm. Petals
light yellow or partly with violet shade. Stand-
ard blade 8,5— 9,5 x 8,5—9 mm, short-seri-
ceous on most of the back. Wing blades 7,5-9
x c. 3 mm. Keel blades 6,5-7 x c. 4 mm,
short-sericeous on lower front parts, slightly
upcurved towards the apex. Pistil sericeous on
ovary and style base; ovules 2-4; stigma regu-
lar, capitate. Pod 20-22 x 4, 7-5, 5 mm. Fig-
ure 21: 16-26.
Restricted in its distribution to the Piketberg Mountain
(Piketberg Division) and the Kriedouwkrans region of the
Cederberg Mountains (Clanwilliam Division). The species
grows on Table Mountain Sandstone sand on rocky slopes
at altitudes of c. 250-600 m, sometimes forming small
‘woods’. Map 23.
Vouchers: Bolus 7526; Dahlgren & Peterson 930,
986; Dahlgren & Strid 3855, 4256; Drege 1425; Edwards
221 ; Esterhuysen 14348; Marloth 5361 .
Very distinctive by its tree-like habit, pendulous
branches and larger flowers. Should be protected!
Group 6: Pedunculares
Shrublets or small to medium-sized shrubs, decumbent to erect. Leaves trifoliolate or unifo-
liolate (‘simple’), terete to flat, when flat then linear to lanceolate (rarely ovate), glabrous or
sparsely to densely pubescent; hairs sometimes on hair base tubercles, leaf apex obtuse, acute,
acuminate or sometimes spine-tipped; venation indistinct to very distinct; texture weak to hard and
sclerophyllous. Leaf base without spines or spurs. Inflorescence a terminal one-flowered to seve-
ral-flowered raceme on a distinct, often rather long peduncle; lateral branch in axil of uppermost
leaf eventually superceding the inflorescence and giving rise to a sympodium. Bract simple, linear-
filiform or very narrowly lanceolate to short-subulate or tooth-like, not accreted to base of pedicel.
Pedicel distinct to rather long. Bracteoles similar to bract. Calyx campanulate, non-fleshy (rigid in
A. alpestris — no. 59), of about equal length. Petals yellow or standard partly reddish. Standard
generally broadly obovate (-obcordate), sericeous on at least distal parts of the back, with a short
claw. Wing blades glabrous, apically rounded, basally with c. 3-4 rows of minute folds. Keel
blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous, generally with almost straight to slightly concave upper margins,
basally with a distinct pouch. Pistil usually with elongate ovary, pubescent all over or on upper part
only, or glabrous; ovules 2-12; stigma regular, capitate. Pod from ovate or fusiform to broadly
linear-lanceolate. Chromosome number: 2n = 18 (several species).
53. Aspalathus bracteata Thunb., Prodr.
2: 128 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 2: 20
(1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 960 (1802); Thunb.,
FI. Cap. edn 2, 581 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 144
(1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 654
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 140 (1862); H. Bol.
& Wolley-Dod, Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape
Penins. 484 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 313 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 203
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 520 (1968). Type:
‘Aspalathus bracteata’ in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, lecto.!).
Psilolepus bracteatus (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129
(1845). Achyronia bracteata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
1: 157(1891').
Aspalathus pedunculata L’Herit., Sert. Angl. 21 (1788)
non Aspalathus pedunculata Houtt., Nat. hist. 2 (5): 475
(1775); in Curtis’s bot. Mag. 10: tab. 344 (1796); Willd.,
Sp. PI. 3: 960 (1802; as synonym of A. bracteata ); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 143 ( 1825); Steud. , Flora 13: 546 ( 1830); E. Mey.
in Linnaea 7: 162 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 205
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 162 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 502 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 654
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 140 (1862). The name is a later
homonym of A. pedunculata Houtt. Psilolepus peduncula-
tus (L’Herit.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129 (1845). Achyronia
pedunculata (L’Herit.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Crotalarieae
3,6:91
Type: herbarium specimen probably not existent; but
L’Herit., Sert. Angl. tab. 26 (1788) can serve as type.
Aspalathus squarrosa (often written 'squamosa')
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 2: 19
(1802); FI. Cap., edn 2, 581 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 140
(1825); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 140 (as synonym of A. peduncu-
lata L’Herit.). Type: ‘A. squarrosa' in herbarium Thunberg
(UPS, lecto. !).
Ononis capillaris Thunb., Prodr. 2: 129 (1800); Willd.,
Sp. PI. 3: 1001 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2, 585 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 166 (1825). Aspalathus capillaris (Thunb.)
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 653 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 139 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod, Trans. S. Afr.
phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape
Penins. 484 (1950; as synonym of A. bracteata). Achyronia
capillaris (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
'Ononis capillaris' in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
A procumbent (or rarely prostrate) or
scrambling, diffusely branched shrublet, with
slender, weak branches up to longer than 1 m
(rarely up to longer than 1,5 m), but often
shorter. Young branches usually pale, short -
and appressed hairy or glabrous. Leaves trifo-
liolate; long-shoots ultimately with axillary
leafy short-shoots; leaflets therefore 3 together
on young, several on older branches. Leaflets
linear, ( 1 — )2 — 50 mm long, less than 1 mm
broad, terete or ± flat, weak, green, glabrous
or ± pubescent, acute-acuminate or subobtuse.
Inflorescence terminal, unifloral, rarely 2- or 3-
floral (with flowers at some distance), always
on the end of a leafless peduncle (3 — ) 1 0 — 40
(-60) mm long, slender, sparsely appressed-
puberulous or glabrous. Bract linear (-lanceo-
late), flat or subterete, from shorter than 1 to
longer than 4 mm, acute-acuminate, green,
usually subglabrous. Pedicel 1-2 mm long,
pubescent. Bracteoles approximately of same
size as the bract. Calyx tube campanulate-infun-
dibuliform, usually sparsely appressed-puberu-
lous; lobes generally broadly subulate, 1-4
mm long. Petals light or bright yellow or the
standard back ± violet, claws relatively short.
Standard blade broadly obtriangular-obovate,
5-9 x 6-10 mm, obcordate or retuse, densely
sericeous on most or all of the back. Wing
blades narrowly elliptic or obovate, 4,5-8 x
2-3 mm. Keel blades 4-7,5 x 2,7-4 mm,
with ± straight or slightly S-curved upper mar-
gin. Pistil with linear, elongate ovary; pubes-
cent both on ovary and basal half of the style,
rarely pubescent only on upper and lower mar-
gins; ovules 2-10. Pod oblong, elliptic, lan-
ceolate or oblanceolate, compressed, 13—16 x
c. 4 mm, smooth, sparsely puberulous or rare-
ly largely glabrous. Chromosome number :
2n=18. Figures 24&25: 1—9.
A highly complex species probably in need of detailed
population studies, with rich local/regional differentiation.
It is distributed from the northern part of the Cape Penin-
sula, the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the Swartberg
(Caledon Division) in the south up to the northernmost parts
of the Cederberg Mountains (Clanwilliam Division) in the
north, but not beyond the mountains east of the Hex River
Valley in the east. The habitat is highly variable; quite often
on sandy substrate (Table Mountain Sandstone), but for
some forms on clay, and usually in fynbos communities.
The altitude varies greatly, and is often moderate; alpine
populations were found in the Tulbagh Division approach-
ing A. patens (no. 54), with a more easterly distribution.
Map 24.
The following brief description of the regional varia-
tion includes voucher specimens:
(1) An extremely long-leaved form, with glabrous leaf-
lets 40-50 mm long, weak, but ± straight, with inflores-
cences often with more than 1 flower on a glabrous pedun-
cle and bracts 3—4 mm long; ovary pubescent.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 992; Esterhuysen
14482; Pillans 7149, 7170, 7513.
(2) Other rather large-flowered forms with shorter,
10-20 mm long leaflets, occur in the south-western divi-
sions; also these may have 2 or 3 flowers per inflorescence.
The type of A. squarrosa belongs here.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 4270 (exemplifies a quite large-
flowered form from the Malmesbury Division), 5564;
Parker 3644.
(3) Approaching these are forms from the Stellen-
bosch, Malmesbury, Worcester, Tulbagh and Clanwilliam
Divisions. These have relatively large flowers, c. 3 mm
long bracts and leaflets somewhat flattened and 10-20 mm
long. Thunberg’s type of A. bracteata is among these
forms.
Vouchers: Barker 7462; Dahlgren & Peterson 666,
1159; Esterhuysen 14185, 18494, 19646; Pillans 6810;
Schlechter 9052 .
The forms of the Clanwilliam Division have grey-seri-
ceous leaves ( Dahlgren & Peterson 1010; Esterhuysen
17938).
(4) Similar forms, but with medium-sized flowers and
leaflets c. 10 mm long, slightly flattened and glabrous or
subglabrous, occur in the Worcester, Ceres, Tulbagh and
Clanwilliam Divisions. They grow on mountains at alti-
tudes of up to 1 300 m.
Vouchers: Compton 6193, 6199; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1137; Esterhuysen 13414, 27019; Stokoe, SAM 55967.
(5) A high-mountain population in the mountains of
the Worcester (-Ceres) Division, from c. 1 000- 1 500 m.
3,6: 92
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 93
has rather large flowers on 40-70 mm long peduncles. The
leaflets are clearly flat, but less than 1 mm broad. These
forms have a dense, prostrate, nearly mat-like habit.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 3926, 9922, 15127, 22635;
Wasserfall 819.
(6) Similar, but even more densely matted shrubs
occur on the Winterhoek Mountains, Tulbagh Division, at
altitudes of 1 200-1 500 m. These are also matted and
have flat, only c. 3-10 mm long and 0,5-1 mm broad
leaflets.
Vouchers: A. Bolus, BOL 8067; Esterhuysen 19753,
27020; Marloth 2342, 2432.
These two last form series approach A. patens (no.
54) rather closely and may deserve separate status.
(7) Other forms, in the Stellenbosch and Paarl Divi-
sions, have considerably smaller flowers than the pre-
ceding. They may have rather flat, but less than 0,8 mm
broad leaflets which are longer than in the previous, high-
montane forms. They grow at altitudes of 1 000 m or less.
The type of Ononis capillaris belongs here. Similar, gracile
forms but with somewhat larger petals, occur on the Cape
Peninsula and in the western parts of the Caledon Division.
The peduncles are slender and up to 40 mm long.
Vouchers: Bond 1543; Dahlgren & Peterson 690,
1811; Esterhuysen 2626, 16647, 16729, 21184.
(8) Other, quite different forms occur on the Cape
Peninsula. They have quite terete, c. 10 mm long leaflets
and small flowers.
Vouchers: Compton 19380; Leighton 2917; Wolley-
Dod 912.
(9) Forms similar to these, with small flowers, terete
leaflets and fairly loose growth, but with a long-stipitate
(more than 1,5 mm long), partly hairy stipe, occur on the
Waaihoek Mountain (Worcester Division) and the Helder-
berg (Stellenbosch Division).
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 14633, 15132, 22235.
(10) Other forms similar to the preceding ones, with
thin, 10-30 mm long, terete leaflets and small flowers
occur in mountains in the Ceres and Paarl Divisions.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 14770, 22742; Stokoe, SAM
56001, SAM 66379.
(11) There are also other forms in the Clanwilliam
Division than the ones with grey-pubescent or glabrous
leaves and rather large to medium-sized flowers previously
mentioned. They are small-flowered, and have bracts and
bracteoles only c. 1 mm long or less, and their peduncles
are short (4- 15 mm). They are concentrated on the central
Cederberg Mountains, growing on shale bands (clay) at
1 000 to 1 300 m.
Vouchers: Bond 1363; Compton 6198; Esterhuysen
4180, 7262, 13788, 13838.
(12) Finally, a peculiar form series needs be com-
mented on, which may prove to deserve formal recognition
in the future. It is an ascending shrublet with densely white-
puberulous branches and subterete, fairly short, acute, dark
green leaflets. The peduncles are also basally puberulous,
otherwise glabrescent, the flowers are medium-sized to
rather large, with an ovary pubescent only above and below
(sides glabrous); the ovules are c. 10 in number. This form
series is known from clayey ground in the Breede River
Valley in the region near Wellington and Hermon, Worces-
ter Division.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 663; Dahlgren &
Strid 3126, 3826,4113.
These form series are described, and several of them
illustrated, by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4:
313-331 (1960). Their gradual variation makes a formal
recognition of them difficult, but as indicated above, after
more careful population studies, some of them may turn out
to deserve subspecies (or even species?) rank. Some high-
montane forms may prove to be better treated under A.
patens (no. 54).
54. Aspalathus patens Garab. ex Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 331 (1960); ibid.
9 (1): 202 (1963); ibid. 22: 11 (1968); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 520 (1968). Type: Cape, summit
of Meiring’s Poort, Prince Albert Division,
Thorne, SAM 50181 (SAM, holo.!).
A small, prostrate, mat-like shrublet more
or less closely pressed against the ground; main
stem basally up to more than 10 mm thick,
branchlets slender, adpressedly puberulous,
sparsely leafy. Leaves trifoliolate; those of
young long-shoots with leaflets flat, oblanceo-
late (-narrowly obovate), 3-7 x 0,5- 1,5
mm, obtuse or acute, green, subglabrous (pube-
rulous on basal parts); leaflets of short-shoots
much smaller: 1-3 x 0,5- 1,5 mm. Inflores-
cence terminal, unifloral, or rarely with 2-3
flowers, on a peduncle-like (10-)30-60 mm
long, puberulous intemode. Bract oblong-subu-
late, 1,5-2 x 0,5 mm, ciliate. Pedicel 1-2
mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles similar to the
bract. Calyx infundibular-campanulate, sparse-
ly puberulous; lobes narrowly triangular,
1,2-2, 4 mm long, acute, subglabrous. Petals
yellow, with rather short claws. Standard blade
Figure 24. Aspalathus bracteata coll. , variation. — 1, 7, 11, 15, 17: branches with terminal inflorescences; 2: bract;
3: bracteole; 4, 8, 12: wing petals; 5, 9, 13: keel petals; 6, 10, 14, 16, 18: pistils. — 1-6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 663
(Worcester Distr. ); 7—10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1010 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 11—14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 717
(Caledon Distr.); 15, 16 from Esterhuysen 22235(Worcester Distr.); 17, 18 from Dahlgren & Peterson 992 (Piketberg
Distr.). — (1, 7, 17, x2; 2-6, 16 x5; 8-15, 18 x 4.)
3,6: 94
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 25. Aspalathus bracteata, high-montane form from Great Winterhoek, near Tulbagh (1-9); A. patens in
Prince Albert-Uniondale Districts (10—19). — 1, 10: branchlets with terminal pedunculate inflorescences; 2, 13: bracts; 3,
14: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: calyx, slit open; 5: standard, back view; 6, 15: wing petals; 7, 16, 18: keel petals; 8, 17: pistils;
9, 19: fruits; 11, 12: flowers. — 1-8 from Esterhuysen 19753 ; 9 from Esterhuysen 27020 ; 10-17, 19 from Esterhuysen
18398; 18 from Esterhuysen 4551. —(1-9, 13-18 X4; 10 x 1,6; 11, 12, 19 x2,4.)
broadly obovate or orbicular, apically refuse,
with a ‘tip’, short-sericeous on the back. Wing
blades oblong-obovate, 4,5-6 x 2-3 mm.
Keel blades 6-7 x 2,5-3 mm, with upper
margin concave, sometimes apically with a
small tooth-like lobe. Pistil pubescent only on
upper side of the ovary and style base; ovary
elongate; ovules 4—7. Pod lanceolate, c. 12,5
x 4 mm, subglabrous, smooth. Figure 25:
10-19.
Found on mountain summits of the Swartberg and
Kamanassie ranges, Prince Albert and Uniondale Divisions,
growing on rocks or in shallow soil at or above 1 500 m
altitude. Map 24.
Vouchers: Bond 932; Dahlgren & Strid 4866; Ester-
huysen 4551, 4717, 18398; Primos 34; Stokoe, SAM
52330; Thorne, SAM 59181.
Undoubtedly closely related to A. bracteata (no. 53)
but with small, flat, relatively broad leaflets. Certain forms
of A. bracteata growing on mountain summits approach A.
patens, and the distinctness of the latter is not wholly cer-
tain.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 95
55. Aspalathus lanata E. Mey., Comm.
1: 64 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 502 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 655 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 141 (1862); Dahlg. in. Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 336 (1960); ibid. 9 (1):
204 (1963); ibid. 22: 10 (1968); in Bot. Notiser
121: 521 (1968). Type: Cape, Piketberg, Piket-
berg Division, Drege 1371 (P, lecto. ! ; BM, G,
K).
Psilolepus lanatus (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 129
(1845). Achyronia lanata (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
Aspalathus falcata Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
655 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 141 (1862). Achyronia fal-
cata (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
Cape, Twentyfour-River Mountains, Piketberg Division,
Zeyher 436 (K, lecto.!; G, K, P, S, SAM).
A rather large, erect or spreading shrublet
growing entangled in other vegetation or in irre-
gular ‘heaps’, with sprawling or trailing
branches, often red and with sparse spreading
pubescence on the young parts. Leaves trifo-
liolate, with subequal leaflets, those on long-
shoots with flat large leaflets on an incon-
spicuous leaf base, soon with axillary short-
shoot (or lateral branch with long intemodes).
Leaflets of long-shoot leaves lanceolate, the lat-
eral sometimes ± falcate, 10—25 x 1—3 mm,
pointed, green, subglabrous to minutely pu-
berulous, with 1—3 distinct longitudinal main
veins. Leaflets of short-shoot leaves smaller,
glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, 1— 4-flow-
ered spikes (or racemes) with lowest flower
subtended by a peduncle-like intemode of
6-40 mm; the lowest two flowers separated by
an intemode 0,6— 1,5 mm long. Bract linear-
subulate, 2,5-10 (-14) mm long, green,
sparsely ciliate. Pedicel 1,5-2, 8 mm long,
densely puberulous. Bracteoles, on distal part
of pedicel, 2-10 mm long. Calyx openly cam-
panulate, the tube puberulous; lobes narrowly
triangular or subulate, 1,5-7 mm long, subgla-
brous or sparsely puberulous. Petals clear yel-
low (or partly purplish). Standard blade obo-
vate-obdeltoid, 7-9 x 8-10 mm, rounded to
retuse but with a little ‘tip’, cuneate at base,
sericeous on the back. Wing blades obiong-ob-
lanceolate, 6—7,5 x 3—4 mm. Keel blades
broadly lunate, c. 6 x 3,5— 4,5 mm, with
nearly straight upper margin. Pistil with short
stipe and elongate ovary; pubescent on the up-
per side of the ovary and style base; ovules
6-10 ( — 12). Pod linear-lanceolate, 20—30 x
4-5 mm, rather smooth, with 2 or 3 seeds.
Chromosome number: 2n = 18. Figure 26:
1-10.
Distributed on the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg
Division) and from the Twentyfour-River Mountains
through the Olifants River Mountains and Cederberg Moun-
tains (Clanwilliam Division) to the Lokenburg area (Van-
rhynsdorp Division) in the north. A. lanata probably prefers
clayey soils on shale bands, and grows at rather low alti-
tudes (below 600 m), in fynbos vegetation. Map 26.
Vouchers: Acocks 17480; Dahlgren & Peterson 938,
945, 984, 1040; Dahlgren & Strid4469, 4473; Esterhuysen
2501, 2521, 7288, 15320; Zeyher 436.
The forms of the Piketberg Mountain have longer
bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes than some forms in the
Clanwilliam Division, but intermediates occur, e.g. at Uit-
kyk Pass (Cederberg Mountains), in the latter division. An
outpost from the Lokenburg region (Vanrhynsdorp Divi-
sion) has white-puberulous branches, its leaflets are excep-
tionally narrow (less than 1 mm); and its bracts, bracteoles
and calyx lobes are very short. In these features it
approaches forms of A. bracteata (no. 53).
A. lanata is closely similar to A. latifolia (no. 56), but
also to A. lanifera (no. 57) (with unifoliolate leaves), A.
bracteata (no. 53) (with trifoliolate leaves having linear,
subterete leaflets) and A. nudiflora (no. 49) (with unifo-
liolate, narrow leaves), and thus has a central position. It is
also possible that A. lanata and A. latifolia are related to A.
filicaulis (no. 71) (note similarity in petal details and the
long, several-seeded legumes).
56. Aspalathus latifolia H. Bol. in J. Bot.
Lond. 4: 21 (1896); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 4: 340 (1960); ibid. 9 (1): 204
(1963); ibid. 22: 10, 13 (1968). Type: Cape,
Piketberg Mountain, Piketberg Division, H.
Bolus 7523 (BOL, holo.!; BM, K, LD, PRE,
SAM).
A half-erect, straggling shrub with long
branches entangled in other shrubs, up to 1 m
long, fairly much branched. Young branches
with sparse, long, spreading hairs. Leaves trifo-
liolate, on inconspicuous leaf base; those on
long-shoots with leaflets broadly lanceolate,
10-22 x 3-7 mm, attenuate-acuminate, clear
green, with sparse, spreading hairs especially
along the margins (which are slightly warty)
and with 3 ± distinct longitudinal veins. Inflo-
rescence and branching mode as in A. lanata
(no. 55), but inflorescence usually consisting of
only one flower; peduncle (intemode below
3,6: 96
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 97
flower) 15-40 mm long, straight, with sparse,
spreading long hairs. Bract linear, 5-12 x 0,5
mm, flexible, with spreading hairs. Pedicel
1-2 mm long (longer in fruit), subglabrous.
Bracteoles linear-lanceolate, 4-10 X 0,5—1
mm. Calyx tube openly campanulate, with
sparse, spreading hairs; lobes linear-subulate,
7-10 mm long, weak, with sparse long hairs.
Petals similar in shape to, but larger than those
of A. lanata. Standard blade 10—13 x 12—18
mm. Wing blades narrowly obovate, 8-11 x c.
5 mm. Keel blades 7—9 x 4—6 mm, slightly
more rostrate than in A. lanata and with less
distinct basal pouch. Ovary elongate, with
9—12 ovules. Pod linear-lanceolate, 23-30 x
c. 5 mm, somewhat veined, with long, sparse
spreading hairs. Figure 26: 11-17.
Endemic to the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg Divi-
sion), where it grows on sandy slopes in fairly dense fyn-
bos. The flowers are rather conspicuous [Dahlgren in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 342, Fig. 121 (I960)]. Map 27.
Vouchers: Bolus 7523; Dahlgren & Peterson 987;
Guthrie 2594; Pillans 745.
Related to A. lanata (no. 55), which occurs in the same
region. Similar in many respects to A. lanata but with
broader, often slightly undulate leaflets and generally with
longer bracts and calyx lobes.
57. Aspalathus lanifera Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 114: 190 (1963); in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 205 (1963); ibid. 22: 33 (1968).
Type: Cape, Sneeuwgat, slopes at and below
the peak, 1 300 m, Esterhuysen 19826 (LD,
holo.!; BOL, NBG).
Borbonia villosa Harv., non Thunb.; Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
28 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 400 (1920). Type:
Cape, flats between Witzenberg and Schurfdeberg, Zeyher
437 (K, lecto. ! ; GRA, S, SAM).
A procumbent or prostrate shrublet with
branches up to more than 0,5 m long, rather
slender, sparingly or closely ramified. Young
branches with long, white, spreading, woolly
pubescence. Leaves flat, simple (unifoliolate),
often rather closely set, lanceolate to narrowly
ovate, 7-18 X 1,5 — 8( — 10) mm, rather weak
and soft, acuminate (to spine-tipped), sparsely
or, especially on adaxial side, with densely
woolly pubescence (sometimes almost glabrous
below); lower side with 3( — 5) distinct veins
running from the base. Inflorescence unifloral
or a raceme with 2—3 flowers, situated on a
peduncle-like axis 5— 20(— 30) mm above the
uppermost leaf. Bract linear or subulate, rarely
minute and tooth-like, 0,3 -5, 5 mm long,
weak, ciliate. Pedicel 2-7 mm long, short-vil-
lous to woolly. Bracteoles 0,2-4, 5 mm long.
Calyx tube infundibular, with sparse, long,
spreading hairs; lobes linear-subulate, 3-5,5
(-6,3) mm long, attenuate, weak, with scat-
tered hairs. Petals light yellow or ± violet on
the standard. Standard blade obovate, 6—10 X
(6,5-) 7,5- 1 1 mm, tomentose to sericeous on
the back, apically rounded but with a ‘tip’.
Wing blades narrowly obovate or elliptic,
(4,6-) 5, 3-7, 3 (-8) x 2, 1-3, 2 (-3,6) mm.
Keel blades slightly rostrate, (5-) 6-7 x
3, 1-4,3 mm, with distinctly concave upper
margin. Pistil: ovary elongate, lunate; ovules
2—8; style glabrous, upcurved. Pod lanceolate
to linear-falcate, 10-15 x c. 4 mm, with
sparse, long pubescence. Chromosome number.
2 n = 18. Figure 27: 1-14.
Restricted to mountains in the Tulbagh, Ceres and
Clanwilliam Divisions, where it grows on shales or in
clayey soil weathered from shales. The vegetation is a mix-
ture of fynbos and renosterbos. Map 27.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3994 , 3995, 4126 , 4129,
4387; Esterhuysen 19826 , 31441; Phillips 1738; Pillans
9588; Schlechter 10197; Zeyher 437.
The variation of the species is considerable. Strongly
deviating forms in the Cederberg Mountains (vouchers:
Dahlgren & Strid 4487, Esterhuysen 18048) have small,
soft and elliptic leaves and small flowers (the lowest values
above), 2-ovulate pistils and short pods. They may deserve
recognition as a separate subspecies (or species).
A. lanifera approaches in appearance A. lanata (no.
55) and A. latifolia (no. 56), with trifoliolate leaves, and A.
compacta (no. 58) and A. alpestris (no. 59) with unifolio-
late leaves, the latter having glabrous leaves much more
rigid than those in A. lanifera.
Figure 26. Aspalathus lanata (1-10); A. latifolia (11-17). — 1, 11: parts of branches with terminal (pseudolateral)
inflorescences; 2: leaflet; 3, 13: bracts; 4, 14: bracteoles; 5: flower; 6, 15: wing petals; 7, 16: keel petals; 8, 17: pistils; 9,
12: pods; 10: fruit walls after seeds have been released. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 984 ; 9 from Compton 6205; 10
from Esterhuysen 2521; 11-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 987. — (1, 9-14 x 2; 2-8, 15-17 x 4.)
3,6:98
Crotalarieae
Figure 27. Aspalathus lanifera (1-14); A. compacta (15-20). — 1, 8: branches with (terminal) inflorescences; 2,
10. 16: bracts; 3, 11, 17: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 12, 18: wing petals; 5. 13, 19: keel petals; 6, 14, 20: pistils; 7: fruit; 9,
15: flowers. — 1-7 from Esterhuysen 19826', 8-14 from Dahlgren & Strid 4145b\ 15-20 from Dahlgren & Strid 3987.
— (1,8 x2;2-7, 9-20 x 4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 99
58. Aspalathus compacta Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 22: 37 (1968). Type: Cape,
upper part of Gydo Pass, near the summit,
Ceres Division, Dahlgren & Strid 3987 (NBG,
holo.!;LD).
A low, prostrate shrub forming circular
mats on the ground, with slack branches, up to
more than 0,8 m long, radiating from a com-
mon centre. Young branches rather slender,
slightly angular, greenish, with sparse but long,
spreading hairs (cf. the woolly pubescence of
A. lanifera — no. 57). Leaves simple, flat, lan-
ceolate, 1 5 — 22( — 27) x 2—3,8 mm, sharply
spine-tipped, glabrous, light green, with
smooth margins; the lower side with 3 promi-
nent veins beside the marginal ones; area be-
tween veins rugulose. Inflorescence a terminal,
unifloral or a bifloral racemule; the inflores-
cence axis rather short, less than 10 mm long.
Bract linear-subulate, 3,6—8 x 0,5-0, 8 mm,
spine-tipped, ± flat, green, with sparse, long,
patent hairs. Pedicel 3,5—6 mm long, with few
patent hairs. Bracteoles (2— )3— 5,5 mm long.
Calyx tube infundibular-campanulate, with
sparse, long and spreading hairs; lobes very
narrowly triangular, 2,7-4 mm long, subgla-
brous, tapering into pointed apices. Petals light
yellow or standard back partly purplish. Stand-
ard blade obovate, 7, 8-9, 2 x 8, 5-9, 6 mm,
rounded-obtuse but with a ‘tip’, sericeous or
partly tomentose on the back. Wing blades ob-
long, 6, 3-7,4 x 2, 5-3, 8 mm. Keel blades
5, 2-5, 6 x 3-3,5 mm, almost pointed, with
slightly concave upper margin. Pistil glabrous
except for some pubescence on upper basal
parts of the ovary; ovules 6 or 7. Pods not seen.
Chromosome number : 2«=18. Figure 27:
15-20.
So far only known from the mountains north of Ceres,
where it occurs on clay at c. 1 000 m altitude, in a vege-
tation of renosterbos mixed with fynbos. Map 25.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3987, 4232.
Appearing somewhat intermediate between A. lanifera
(no. 57), which occurs in the same area, and A. alpestris
(no. 59), which is not known in this region.
59. Aspalathus alpestris (Benth.) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 270, 210
(1963); ibid. 22: 40 ( 1968). Type: Cape, Kogh-
man’s Kloof, Montagu Division, Mund 79
(K, lecto. ! ).
Borbonia alpestris Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. bot. 2:
461 (1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 29 ( 1862); Phill. inS. Afr. J.
Sci. 16:407(1920).
Borbonia pungetts Mund ex Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 2: 461 (1843). Type: 'Borbonia monosperma' , sine
loco, Drege (K, lecto.!; S). The name 'Borbonia mono-
sperma Cand.’ was incorrectly used for this specimen in E.
Mey.,Comm. 1: 15 (1836).
‘Borbonia trinervia' auct. non L. in Thunb., Prodr. 2:
122 (1800); Diss. Bot. Borbonia: 4(1811); Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 164 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 468 (1839);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 28 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16:
401 (1920). Linnaeus (Sp. PL, 707, 1753) based this on a
name in Hort. Cliff.: 494 (1739), which refers to a speci-
men of Cliffortia ruscifolia L. (herbarium Clifford, BM).
An (erect-) ascending or decumbent to
prostrate shrublet with spreading branches up to
0,5 (— 1) m long, slender or weak to strong and
rigid. Young branches ferruginous, glabrous,
subterete or ± compressed. Leaves flat, simple
(unifoliolate), linear-lanceolate (ovate), 10-
20( — 32) x 1 ,2— 5,5( — 8) mm, rigid, hard,
sharply spine-tipped, glabrous, (yellowish-)
green to glaucous, with 3-9 prominent longitu-
dinal veins (beside marginal ones). Inflores-
cence unifloral or a sparse raceme with up to 6
flowers on a glabrous inflorescence axis which
is the continuation of a ± peduncle-like inter-
node 3-35 mm long. Bract subulate-acicular,
(0,6—) 3, 5-6, 5 x 0,3-0, 9 mm, rigid, ±
spine-like, glabrous. Pedicel 1,2-2, 5 (-3)
mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles 1— 5,5(— 6,5)
mm long. Calyx tube infundibular-campanu-
late, glabrous; lobes triangular-subulate,
1 .4- 3,5(-4,5) mm long, sharply spine-tipped,
glabrous. Petals light or bright yellow. Stand-
ard blade broadly obovate or almost circular,
6,2 — 7,5( — 8) x 6-8,5 mm, rounded to retuse
(often with a short ‘tip’), short-sericeous on the
back. Wing blades narrowly ovate-elliptic,
5— 6,5(— 7) x 2,4-3, 5 mm. Keel blades
4.5- 6 x 2, 5-3, 5 mm, apically slightly up-
curved, with concave upper margin. Pistil gla-
brous; ovary elongate, with 6- 10 ovules; style
upcurved. Pod lanceolate or linear, 18-27 x
3.5- 4,5 mm, glabrous, smooth. Chromosome
number. 2n= 18. Figure 28: 1 — 15.
A. alpestris has a surprisingly scattered distribution
and has been collected in the Caledon, Bredasdorp,
Worcester, Robertson, Swellendam, Montagu, Ceres,
Laingsburg, Riversdale, Mossel Bay and Uniondale Divi-
sions, without being common in any region. The type was
recorded from ‘subalpine bushy places near Koghman's
3,6: 100
Crotalarieae
Maps 24-29. — Map 24. Aspalathus bracteata (unbroken line); A. patens (triangles). — Map 25. A. alpestris
(triangles); A. compacta (rhomboid); A. monosperma (squares). — Map 26. A. lanata (dots). — Map 27. A. latifolia
(squares); A. lanifera (dots). — Map 28. A. commutata (unbroken line). — Map 29. A. perfoliata subsp. phillipsii (unbro-
ken line); A. perfoliata subsp. perfoliata (dots).
Crotalarieae 3,6: 101
FIGURE 28. Aspalathus alpestris (1-15); A. monosperma (16-22). — 1: leaf (unifoliolate); 2, 9, 16: flowers; 3, 10,
17: bracts; 4, 11, 18: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12, 19: wing petals; 6, 13, 20: keel petals; 7, 14, 21: pistils; 8: branch end
showing sympodial branching; 15, 22: fruits. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Strid 4673 ; 8-14 from Compton 12207; 15 from
Compton 10241- 16-21 from Stokoe 3178; 22 from Stokoe BOL 17655. — (1-7, 9-16, 19-22 x 4; 8 x2; 17, 18 x8.)
Kloof, which is the reason for its specific name, but this is
misleading: the species occurs mainly on shaley, clayey
ground, the rocks being frequently of the Bokkeveld Series.
It is often associated with renosterbos but also with general
fynbos elements. Map 25.
Vouchers: Acocks 19891; Burchell 6368, 6378; Dahl-
gren & Strid 2669, 2978, 3381, 3615, 4177, 4547, 4766,
4779, 4870; MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 721 ; Mar-
loth 10004; Schlechter 9779.
The species is very variable in habit, floral size and
length of bracts, calyx lobes and pods. Forms in the Mon-
tagu-Robertson-Worcester Divisions may become suberect,
with stiff, coarse branches, and broad leaves with 7-11
veins. Most other forms are lower and have narrower.
3,6: 102
Crotalarieae
fewer-veined leaves, the easternmost forms being decum-
bent and weak and having slender branches. Very small-
flowered is a form in Kruisvallei in the Uniondale Division
VBorbonia trinervia).
60. Aspalathus monosperma (DC.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 283,
210 (1963); ibid. 22: 46 (1968). Type: ‘ Borbo -
nia monosperma' in herbarium De Candolle (G,
lecto.!).
Borbonia monosperma DC., Prodr. 2: 120 (1825);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 461 (1843); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 28 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 401 (1920).
In E. Mey.,Comm. 1: 15 ( 1836), the name B. monosperma
is referred to A . alpeslris (no. 59).
A shrub or shrublet of unknown size with
some similarity to A. alpestris but with much
weaker and thinner (rather grass-like) leaves
and much smaller flowers. Decumbent or pro-
cumbent, spreading, with young branches fur-
nished with long, sparse, spreading hairs, often
completely covered with closely leafy short-
shoots. Leaves flat, simple (unifoliolate),
narrowly lanceolate, 25-45 x 1,5-6 mm,
rather thin and weak, tapering, greyish green,
glabrous or ciliate with long hairs on the mar-
gins, young leaves sparsely pubescent on lower
side, with 3 ± distinct longitudinal veins. Inflo-
rescences unifloral (or bifloral), on rather
slender, 3-10 mm long, sparsely ciliate pedun-
cles representing tips of branchlets. Flowers
quite small. Bract triangular-subulate, 0, 1 -0,4
mm long, with a few long hairs. Pedicel up to
c. 1 mm long, with few spreading hairs. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract. Calyx tube campanu-
late-cylindrical, c. 3 mm long, with scattered,
long hairs; lobes triangular-subulate, 1,3-2, 4
mm long, tapering, acuminate (not spiny).
Petals yellow, with relatively long claws.
Standard blade very broadly obovate, 4, 5-5, 8
x 5,4— 6,6 mm, apically rounded but with a
short, incurved ‘tip’, sparsely tomentose on
apical third, otherwise glabrous. Wing blades
linear-oblong, (4,1 — )4,5 — 5, 1 x 1,2- 1,7
mm. Keel blades lunate-upcurved, 3, 2-3, 5 x
1 ,4—2 mm, apically upcurved and rounded; up-
per margin S-curved. Pistil glabrous; ovules 2.
Pod obliquely ovate, 7-8,5 x 3-4 mm, api-
cally very slightly upcurved, glabrous, smooth,
dark. Figure 28: 16-22.
Probably limited to the Hottentots Holland Mountains,
Kogelberg and Palmiet River Mountains in the western part
of the Caledon Division. The species has been recorded
from moist slopes and stream sides. It may become
seriously threatened by a dam project in the Palmiet River
Valley. Map 25.
Vouchers: Stokoe 865, 896 , 947, 3178, 4034 , 6150,
6180, 7033.
All locality statements derived from Stokoe. The spe-
cies is very distinct and most closely related to A. alpestris
(no. 59).
Group 7: Borboniae
Small to rather large shrubs, decumbent to erect; branches pubescent or glabrous. Leaves
simple throughout, flat, weak to rigid and coriaceous, sometimes hard; narrowly linear to ovate,
cordate or elliptic, glabrous or more rarely ciliate on margins, with few to numerous conspicuous
parallel or arching-converging veins from the base; margins smooth or distinctly to prominently
denticulate-dentate; leaflet apex pointed, generally ending in a rigid spine. Inflorescence terminal,
of ( I - ) few to numerous flowers in head- or umbel-like clusters. Lateral branch in uppermost leaf
axil strongly developed (e.g. in A. lanceifolia — no. 65) or not. Bract simple, linear-filiform or
small and tooth-like (lacking in A. cordata — no. 67), not accreted to pedicel base. Pedicel distinct,
often rather long, short in A. cordata and A. barbata (no. 68), pubescent or glabrous. Bracteoles
similar to bract, usually shorter. Calyx generally not very fleshy (coriaceous at least in A. angusti-
folia — no. 66), glabrous or pubescent; lobes flat, narrowly triangular to lanceolate, pointed, often
spine-tipped, and of about equal length. Petals yellow or standard ± reddish. Standard elliptic to
obovate (obcordate), pubescent on the back (at least along the midline). Wing blades oblong-linear.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 103
glabrous or ± sericeous or tomentose, with 2 — 7 rows of minute folds on upper basal parts. Keel
blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous or pubescent, with a basal pouch. Pistil with ovary merging into
style base; ovary glabrous or with some pubescence on upper (and sometimes lower) part of base;
ovules 2-24. Pod lanceolate to linear, generally glabrous. Chromosome number. 2 n = 18.
Within this group A. cordata (no. 67) and A. barbata (no. 68) are distinct in having short bracts and bracteoles or none,
short pedicels, pubescent wings and keel, and 2 ovules per ovary. Perhaps only they should comprise the Borboniae, and
A. commutata (no. 61), A. perfoliata (no. 62). A. perforata (no. 63), A. lanceifolia (no. 65) and A. angustifolia (no. 66)
should be placed under the Pedunculares (group 6), and A. crenata (no. 69) and A. elliptica (no. 70) should form a separate
unit.
61. Aspalathus commutata (Vogel)
Dahlg. in Bot. Notiser 116: 191 (1963); in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund. 9(1); 205 (1963); ibid. 22:
50 (1968). Type: 'Borbonia commutata Vogel,
C. b. sp., M. & M.’ (K, neo.!).
Borbonia commutata Vogel in Linnaea 10: 596 (1836);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 463 ( 1843) (as a syno-
nym of Borbonia undulata Thunb. ).
B. undulata Thunb., Prodr. 2; 122 (1800); Willd. , Sp.
PI. 3: 924 (1802); Thunb. , Diss. Bot. Borbonia: 6 (1811);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 462 (1843); Harv. FI.
Cap. 2: 30 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16; 405 ( 1920);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 463 (1950). Type:
Borbonia undulata' in herbarium Thunberg (UPS, lecto. !).
This name, although older than B. commutata. if combined
under Aspalathus would become a later homonym of
A. undulata Eckl. & Zeyh., a synonym of A. fasciculata
(Thunb.) Dahlg.
B. undulata Thunb. var. ciliata Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci.
16: 405 ( 1920). Type: Cape, Witzenberg Mountains, Ceres
Division, Zexher 363 (SAM, lecto.!; BOL, LD).
A decumbent-procumbent or prostrate,
low shrub with branches up to more than 0,5 m
long, radiating from a common centre and
forming mats or ‘clusters’, generally not reach-
ing 0,3 m above the ground. Young branches
with long, sparse, spreading hairs. Leaves ovate
or elliptic, 11-28 x 7-18 mm, subglabrous,
apex acuminate or spine-tipped, ± recurved;
lower side with c. 9 prominent longitudinal
veins, and with distinct reticulate veins between
these; margins followed by the peripheral veins,
generally ± undulate, with sparse minute tuber-
cles supporting long, patent hairs. Inflorescence
unifloral or racemose with 2 — 4( — 6) flowers
dispersed on an inflorescence axis; below the
lowest flower a ± peduncle-like internode up to
c. 30 mm long. A rapidly developing branch in
uppermost leaf axil soon pushing the inflores-
cence-bearing peduncle aside to a pseudo-lat-
eral position. Bract linear-subfiliform, 4-9 x
0,3-0, 5 (-0,8) mm, weak, with sparse hairs
from wart-like base. Pedicel 2,5—4 mm long,
glabrous or with sparse hairs. Bracteoles 3-7
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, 3,5-4 mm
long, almost glabrous; lobes linear, tapering,
3-7 mm long, weak, with sparse spreading
hairs on the margins. Petals light yellow or
standard partly darkish. Standard blade broadly
elliptic-obovate, 7—10,5 x 7—12 mm,
rounded-retuse (but often with a short ‘tip’),
sericeous on most of the back. Wing blades nar-
rowly elliptic-obovate, (5 — )5 ,5 — 8 x (2,3-)
2, 6-3, 9 mm, glabrous, with 6-7 rows of mi-
nute folds on basal half. Keel blades 6, 5-8, 5 x
(3,3—) 4-5 mm, obtuse (-subacute), gla-
brous; upper margins usually slightly concave.
Pistil with elongate ovary hairy on upper and
lower sutures; ovules 6-16; style upcurved.
Pod broadly linear, 17-30 x 4,5— 7,7 mm,
ciliate above and below, smooth, several-
seeded.
Found in mountains of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wor-
cester, Tulbagh and Ceres Divisions, and known from
single collections from Table Mountain (Cape Peninsula)
and the Caledon Division (Louwshoek near Villiersdorp).
The species generally grows at altitudes of 1 000 to 1 700
m, at lower altitude on the Peninsula, growing on rocky
slopes, mainly among restionaceous tufts, rarely along
streams. Map 28.
Vouchers: Esterhuxsen 4092 , 8288. 9889, 11128,
13544. 13776, 15161 17637, 17748, 18186, 18450,
19894, 24271; Lamb 444.
A. commutata is variable in leaf size and rigidity and
the stature of the branches. Small-leaved forms occur in the
Witzenberg Mountains and the mountains around Du Toit's
Kloof. Weak leaves up to 30 x 25 mm, occur on Haalhoek
Spitzkop. Paarl Division, and Banhoek Kloof, Stellenbosch
Division, growing at the fairly low altitude of 850- 1 000 m.
A. commutata is most closely allied to A. perfoliata
(no. 62).
62. Aspalathus perfoliata (Lam.) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 285, 205
(1963); ibid. 22: 53 (1968). Type: ‘ Borbonia
perfoliata’ in herbarium Jussieu (P, neo.!).
■Az/.
3,6: 104
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 105
Borbonia perfoliata Lam., Encycl. I: 437 (1783). (This
name was later used by Thunberg and Willdenow for a
species of Rafnia.)
'Borbonia crenata' auct. non L., Sp. PI. edn 1: 708
(1753); in L., Sp. PI. edn 2: 994 (1763); in Curtis’s bot.
Mag. 7: plate 274 (1794); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 122 (1800);
Diss. Bot. Borbonia 6 (1811); DC., Prodr. 2: 120 (1825);
E. Mey. Comm. 1: 16 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 466
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 462 (1843);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 30 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16:
404 (1920). See under A. crenata (no. 69). Synonym of
subsp. perfoliata.
‘Borbonia undulata' auct. non Thunb.; in Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 163 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 466 (1839).
Synonym of subsp. perfoliata.
B. undulata Thunb. var. (P) multiflora Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
30 (1862). Synonym of subsp. phillipsii. B. multiflora
(Harv.) Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 405 ( 1920). Synonym of
subsp. phillipsii. Type: Cape, mountains near Brackfontein,
Clanwilliam Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1203 (S, lecto. ! ;
B, GRA, LD, PRE, SAM).
An erect, rigid, sparingly branched shrub
0,5- 1,8 m tall with strong, spreading
branches. Young branches subterete, ferrugi-
nous, glabrous or provided with sparse, long,
spreading hairs. Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic
to orbicular, 15-50 x 12-45 mm, stiff, hard,
glabrous, with a rigid, apical, slightly recurved
spine, cordate, semi-amplexicaul, with 9-15
longitudinal veins, between these reticulate
venation; margins prominently veined, with up
to 1 (-1,5) mm long, peg- or tooth-like projec-
tions. Inflorescence a terminal, sparse or com-
pact raceme with (4 — )7 — 1 5( — 25) flowers.
Bract linear to subfiliform, 3 — 8( — 10) x
0,2—1 mm, ± flat, weak, with few spreading
hairs. Pedicel 2, 5-4, 5 (-6) mm long, gla-
brous or subglabrous. Bracteoles 0,8-5 mm
long. Calyx tube campanulate, smooth with
sparse or very sparse, long, spreading hairs;
lobes broadly to narrowly triangular, 1-6,5
mm long, subglabrous, tapering into a ± subu-
late, pointed apex. Petals light (lemon) yellow
or the standard ± purplish or violet. Standard
blade very broadly obovate or almost circular,
7,5 — 11 x 9-14,5 mm, obtuse-retuse, closely
tomentose-sericeous on the back. Wing blades
spathulate or oblanceolate, 7-10,5 x 3-4,5
mm, glabrous with 5-6 rows of minute folds
on basal half. Keel blades 6-7,5 x 3,5—5 mm,
glabrous, with nearly straight upper margin.
Pistil glabrous except on the upper and lower
side of apical half of the ovary; ovules 8-21.
Pod linear or narrowly lanceolate, 17-37 x
4, 7-6, 8 mm, glabrous or slightly hairy above
and below, smooth, with several seeds.
Distributed in the mountains from the Somerset West
Division up to the Clanwilliam Division, lacking on the
Cape Peninsula but found on the Piketberg Mountain (Piket-
berg Division), not reaching further east than the mountains
north of Worcester and those north of Ceres. The species
grows on rocky slopes at moderate up to rather high alti-
tudes (up to 1 700 m).
The northern populations differ considerably from the
southern ones and are distinguished as a separate subspecies
according to the following key:
Calyx lobes usually 1—3 mm long, the upper with a
broadly triangular base; calyx tube with very
sparse hairs 62a. subsp. perfoliata
Calyx lobes 3, 5-6, 8 mm long, triangular-linear; calyx
tube with moderately sparse pubescence
62b. subsp. phillipsii
62a. subsp. perfoliata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
205 (1963); ibid. 22: 56(1968).
For synonymy see above.
Shrubs 0,8- 1,8 m tall, with very sparse,
spreading hairs on young parts. Leaves closely
set on the upper parts of the branches, often
imbricate, 18— 35( — 50) x 15 — 30( — 45) mm.
Inflorescences with 7— 20( — 25) flowers in a
rather short, compact (rarely elongate) raceme,
commonly sheltered by the uppermost leaves.
Bract 3—5,5 x 0,2— 0,3 mm and bracteoles
1-3,5 x c. 0,2 mm. Calyx with very sparse
spreading hairs; lobes broadly triangular, 1—3
mm long, with broad base and narrow, tapering
apex. Standard blade 7,5-10,5 x 9,5-14
mm; wing blades 7-10 X 3-4,5 mm, and
keel blades 6-7,5 x 3,5— 4,5 mm. Pods
(17 — )20— 26 x (4,7 — )5 — 6 (-6,7) mm. Fig-
ure 29: 15-20.
Figure 29. Aspalathus perforata (1-7); A. perfoliata subsp. phillipsii (8-14); A. perfoliata subsp. perfoliata
(15-20). — 1, 8: branches with inflorescences; 2, 15: flowers; 3: standard, front view; 4, 11, 18: wing petals; 5, 12, 19:
keel petals; 6, 13, 20: pistils; 7, 14: fruits; 9, 16: bracts; 10, 17: bracteoles (prophylls). — 1-7 from Esterhuysen 21080 ;
8-13 from Compton 6500', 14 from Compton 19448', 15-20 from Hafstrom (year: 1934). — (1, 7, 8, 14 x2; 2-6, 9-13,
15-20x4.)
3,6: 106
Crotalarieae
Distributed in mountains from Hottentots Holland
Mountains (Somerset West Division) in the south, through
the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Ceres and Tulbagh Di-
visions to the Porterville region (Piketberg Division) in the
north. Growing mainly at altitudes below 1 000 m in tall,
dense fynbos communities. Map 29.
Vouchers: Acocks 15264; Dahlgren & Strid 4080;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1204; Esterhuysen 15263, 19852; Parker
4010.
62b. subsp. phillipsii Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 285, 205 (1963); ibid. 22:
59 (1968). Type: see under the species above.
Synonyms: see under the species above.
A sparingly branched shrub 0,5- 1 ,2(— 1 ,7
m tall, less densely leafy than in subsp. perfo-
liata. Leaves 15 — 35( — 50) x 12— 30(— 40)
mm, lateral peg- or tooth-like projections up to
1(— 1 ,5) mm long. Inflorescence a sparse (rare-
ly dense) raceme of 4— 10(— 15) flowers, often
subtended by a long intemode (and thus not
enclosed by the uppermost leaves). Bract
4,5 — 8( — 10) X 0,4 — 1 ( — 1 ,5) mm; bracteoles
3,5— 5(— 6) x 0,3 — 0,5( — 1 ) mm. Calyx tube
with moderately sparse, long, spreading hairs;
lobes (3— )3,5— 6,8 mm long. Standard blade
(7— )8— 11 x (9 — ) 10 — 1 3 ,5( — 14,5) mm; wing
blades (7— )7,5— 10(— 10,5) x 3-4,8 mm; keel
blades (5,5 — )6— 7 X (3,5 — )3,8— 5 mm. Pods
28— 35(— 37) X (4,8— )5— 6,3(— 6,8) mm. Fig-
ure 29: 8-14.
Distributed mainly north of subsp. perfoliata, from the
Riebeek-Kasteel and Piketberg Mountains in the south to
the northern end of the Cederberg Mountains in the north,
with the main occurrence in the Ceres and Clanwilliam
Divisions. Map 29.
Vouchers: Acocks 19814; Bolus 7516; Dahlgren &
Strid 2514 , 2526, 3207, 4452; Ecklon & Zeyher 1203;
Esterhuysen 16090; Marloth 11471 .
The forms of the Riebeek-Kasteel Mountain (Malmes-
bury) and those on the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg Divi-
sion) are intermediate between subsp. perfoliata and subsp.
phillipsii.
63. Aspalathus perforata ( Thunb .)
Dahlg. in Bot. Notiser 1 14: 191 (1963); in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 204 (1963); ibid. 22:
28 (1968). Type: 'Borbonia perforata ’ in her-
barium Thunberg (UPS, lecto. !).
Borbonia perforata Thunb., Prodr. 2: 122 (1800);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 923 (1802; as synonym of B. ciliata );
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 463 (1843); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 30 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr.
phil. Soc. 14: 251 (1903); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 403
(1920).
B. ciliata Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 923 (1802); Thunb., Diss.
Bot. Borbonia: 6 (181 1); DC., Prodr. 2: 120 (1825); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839; as synonym of B. perforata);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum., 2: 163 (1836). Type: 'Borbonia
ciliata' in herbarium Willdenow, no. 13117 (B, lecto.!).
B. candolleana Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 (1836). B.
perforata Thunb. var. ((3) breviflora Walp. in Linnaea 13:
467 (1839). Type: Cape, Tulbagh Valley near Waterfalls,
Tulbagh Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1207 (S, lecto.!; B,
GRA, K, LD, PRE, SAM).
B. perforata Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 (1836). This
species was described as new without reference to Thun-
berg. Type: Cape, mountains above Grootvadersbosch,
Swellendam Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1205 (S, lecto.!; P,
SAM).
B. perforata Thunb. var. (a) pluriflora Harv. , FI. Cap. 2:
30 (1862). Type: Cape, Winterhoek Mountains, Tulbagh
Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1206 (S, lecto.!).
B. perforata Thunb. var. ((3) pauciflora Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 30 (1862). Type: Cape, 'Camp’s Bay', Cape Peninsula,
Harvey (K. lecto.!).
A decumbent to prostrate shrublet, ascend-
ing when young, then developing to more than
1 m long, horizontal, spreading branches.
Branches terete or ± compressed, greenish to
ferruginous, young branches with sparse,
spreading long hairs and fresh green leaves,
older ones with persistent brown-red or black,
dead leaves. Leaves elliptic (-oval or even cir-
cular), 10-30 (-40) x 8-25 (—35) mm,
subglabrous, amplexicaul (the base enclosing
the stem), with closest part of leaf margin 2-5
(—11) mm from the stem; lower leaf surface
with prominent midvein and several main,
curved veins radiating from the leaf base, dif-
fusely to distinctly reticulate between these
veins; margins and midvein with sparse hairs,
each from a distinct tubercle; apex obtuse-re -
tuse but with a recurved ‘tip'. Inflorescence a
racemule of 2-12 flowers on a short axis, or
with a solitary flower. A lateral branch soon
developing in the axil of the uppermost leaf,
pushing the inflorescence aside to a pseudo-la-
teral position. Bract subfiliform, 0,8-4 X
0,1 -0,3 mm, flexible, glabrous or with few
hairs. Pedicel 1,5-2, 5 mm long, glabrous.
Bracteoles varying from very minute to subfili-
form, up to 2(— 3) mm long. Calyx tube cam-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 107
panulate, 2,2—3 mm long, glabrous or with a
few long spreading hairs; lobes triangular to
subulate, 1,2-3 mm long, acuminate, weak,
ciliate with sparse long hairs. Petals light
yellow or standard and keel partly violet.
Standard blade circular, 3,5— 5,5(— 6) X
4,5— 6,5(— 7) mm, retuse or obtuse, silky seri-
ceous on most of the back. Wing blades oblong
or narrowly elliptic, 3,2 — 4,9( — 6) x 1,5 -2, 5
mm, glabrous, with c. 3 longitudinal rows of
minute folds on basal half. Keel blades broadly
lunate, 2,6— 3,8 x 1,8— 2,6 mm, glabrous,
with ± straight upper margin. Pistil glabrous,
with elongate ovary; ovules (2-) 4-7. Pod
linear-lanceolate, 16— 21,5 x 4, 3-5, 3 mm,
smooth, glabrous, rather turgid. Figure 29:
1-7.
Distributed in mountains of the Cape Town, Caledon,
Swellendam, Robertson, Wellington, Worcester, Tulbagh
and Piketberg (Kardouw Pass area) Divisions; growing on
rather moist mountain slopes, often on somewhat clayey
soil, often in luxuriant fynbos. Often proliferating some
years after burning. Map 32.
Vouchers; Bolus 4134; Burchell 418, 8114; Dahlgren
& Strid 3176, 3188, 4220; Esterhuysen 21080, 22638; Ma-
guire 1223; Schlechter 2137, 7456.
The southern forms tend to have unifloral inflores-
cences, whereas the northern forms generally have race-
mules with 4- 12 flowers.
The closest relatives are, perhaps, A. commutata (no.
61) and A. perfoliata (no. 62).
64. Aspalathus complicata ( Benth .)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 275,
205 (1963); ibid. 22: 62 (1968). Type: Cape,
Piketberg, by streamlet, Piketberg Division,
Drege (K, lecto. ! ; LD, PRE, S).
Borbonia complicata Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
462 (1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 29 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J.
Sci. 16:408(1920).
'Borbonia parviflora auct. non Lam. in E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 16 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839), pro
parte.
An erect shrub up to 1,5 m tall (usually
smaller), branched. Young branches smooth,
with sparse, long, spreading hairs. Leaves
ovate-cordate, sessile (‘semi-amplexicaul’),
10-18 (-24) x 8-16 (-20) mm; apex sharp-
ly spine-tipped (spine up to more than 2 mm
long); base cordate; surface with 7-9 main
longitudinal veins, minor reticulate venation
present between these; margins very minutely
serrulate-denticulate, followed by the periphe-
ral veins. Inflorescences terminal, dense, ovate
racemes with 10-20 closely set flowers, the
lowest partly surrounded by the uppermost
leaves. Bract acicular, 4—5 x 0,2-0, 3 mm,
with a few spreading hairs. Pedicel 1,2— 1,8
mm long, subglabrous. Bracteoles acicular,
0,7-2 mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, c.
2,5(— 3) mm long, glabrous; lobes narrowly
triangular, 1,2-2 mm long, acuminate (-weakly
spine-tipped), glabrous. Petals cream-white to
pale yellow, thin, fragile. Standard blade ob-
ovate, 5,1-6 x 3, 8-4, 4 mm, sparsely pubes-
cent on apical third of the back, apically
rounded but with a short, acute ‘tip'; sides ±
recurved. Wing blades linear-oblong, 5-6 x
1,3— 1,5 mm, glabrous, with 1-2 longitudinal
rows with faint minute folds covering
most of the outer side. Keel blades 4, 1-4,6 x
2,2— 2,4 mm, glabrous, with slightly convex
upper margin. Pistil: ovary elongate, ciliate on
lower and upper sutures; ovules 4 or 5; style
only slightly upcurved. Ripe pods not seen.
Known only from the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg
Division), where it was recorded by Pillans (label) on a
‘slope near a streamlet’ at the base of Versfeld's Pass.
Map 32.
Vouchers: Drege, Piketberg, 550 m; Pillans 7142.
Appears, in some respects, intermediate between A.
commutata (no. 61) and A. crenata (no. 69), the latter of
which is not known from the Piketberg Division.
65. Aspalathus lanceifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 282, 210 (1963); in
FI. PI. S. Afr. 40: t. 1570 (1969-70); in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 22: 64 (1968). Type: Cape,
south-eastern side of French Hoek Mountains,
Caledon Division, Stokoe in SAM 61368
(SAM).
? Borbonia lanceolata L. var. ((3) gracilis Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 28 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 402 (1920),
pro parte. Type: Cape, Tulbagh Waterfall, Tulbagh Divi-
sion, Pappe (TCD, lecto., not seen).
Decumbent to ascending shrublet up to 0,2
m tall with branches up to more than 0,5 m
long, slender, slightly angular, glabrous, green-
ish on youngest parts. Leaves linear or narrowly
lanceolate, 7—20 x 0,8-3 mm, apically spine-
tipped, glabrous (or with few spreading hairs).
3,6: 108
Crotalarieae
Maps 30-34. — Map 30. Aspalathus angustifolia subsp. angustifolia (unbroken line); A. lanceifolia (squares). —
Map 31. A. cordata (unbroken line). — Map 32. A. perforata (dots); A. complicata (asterisk). — Map 33. A. barbata
(unbroken line). — Map 34. A. crenata (unbroken line); A. elliptica (squares).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 109
smooth above, with 3 ± distinct veins below
(apart from margins). Inflorescence usually
consisting of one rather long-pedicellate flower,
terminating the shoot, on a ± short, not pedun-
cle-like branch. A lateral branch developing
rapidly in the uppermost leaf axil pushing the
inflorescence (flower) aside to a lateral posi-
tion. Bract present as a less than 0,4 mm long
triangular ‘tip’ at pedicel base (or lacking). Pe-
dicel generally 4 — 10( — >12) mm long (de-
pending on age), glabrous, merging into calyx
base. Bracteoles sometimes visible as minute
teeth or scars on the pedicel. Calyx campanu-
late-tubular, glabrous, smooth; lobes very nar-
rowly triangular (—subulate), 2,4-4, 2 mm
long, acuminate, glabrous. Petals yellow, turn-
ing reddish. Standard blade obovate, 6—8,5 x
5-8,2 mm, rounded-retuse, without apical
‘tip’, puberulous-tomentose or partly sericeous
on most of the back (base partly glabrous).
Wing blades narrowly obovate or elliptic,
5-7,5 x 2-3 mm, glabrous or with some pu-
bescence on lower parts near middle, with c. 6
rows of minute folds on the upper basal half.
Keel blades 4, 8-6, 2 x 2, 4-3, 5 mm, tomen-
tose on lower apical half, with ± straight upper
margin. Pistil glabrous; ovary elongate; ovules
10-16. Pod linear, 20-28 x 3, 3-4, 3 mm,
glabrous, smooth, often slightly upcurved.
Chromosome number: 2n=18. Figure 30: 1—7.
Ranging from the Caledon Division in the south
through the Wellington and Tulbagh Divisions to central
Cederberg Mountains, in the Clanwilliam Division in the
north, growing in half-moist, sometimes grassy patches on
sandy soil; recorded, for example, from ‘vlei ground near
stream’ in the Cederberg Mountains. Map 30.
Vouchers: Compton 12706; Dahlgren & Strid 3810,
4225; Esterhuysen 12037; Schlechter 9061; Wall, Bain’s
Kloof.
Quite distinct from A. angustifolia (no. 66), which
always has stiffer, more veiny leaves and larger flowers.
66. Aspalathus angustifolia (Lam.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 270,
210 (1963); ibid. 22: 67 (1968). Type: ‘2 Bor-
bonia angustifolia la marck encycl. — Sonnerat’
in herbarium Jussieu (P, neo.!).
Borbonia angustifolia Lam., Encycl. 1: 436 (1783);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 164 (1836); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 2: 460 (1843; as a synonym of B. lanceolata).
B. lanceolata L. var. (3 angustifolia (Lam.) Walp. in Lin-
naea 13:468(1839).
B. lanceolata L., Sp. PI. edn 1: 707 (1753); Sp. PI. edn
2: 994 (1763); Jacq.,Hort. Schoenbr. 2: 48 ( 1 797); Thunb. ,
Prodr. 2: 122 (1800); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 923 ( 1 802); Thunb. ,
Diss. Bot. Borbonia 4 (1811); DC., Prodr. 2: 120 (1825);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1:
16 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 460 (1843); H. Bol. & Wolley-
Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 251 (1903); Phill. in S.
Afr. J. Sci. 16: 401 (1920); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape
Penins. 463 (1950). Type: Plate 297: 4 in Pluk., Phytogr.
PI. (1691-96). The name, if combined under Aspalathus,
would become a later homonym of A. lanceolata E. Mey.,
which is now transferred to Lotononis : L. lanceolata (E.
Mey.) Benth.
B. decipiens E. Mey., Comm. 1: 15 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 468 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
460 (1843; as a synonym of B. lanceolata). Type: Cape,
between Constantia and Steenberg, Cape Peninsula, Drege
(P, lecto.!; K, S).
B. lanceolata L. var. villosa Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16:
402 (1920). Type: Cape, Koude Rivier, Bredasdorp Divi-
sion, Schlechter 9732 (GRA, lecto.!; K, P, PRE, S).
B. lanceolata L. var. robusta Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci 16:
402 (1920). Type: Cape, Middle Khamiesberg plateau
north-east of Leliefontein, Pearson, P. Sladen Mem. Exp.
6346 (K, iso. or holo. !).
An ascending, erect, or decumbent shrub
or shrublet, 0,15—0,5 m (subsp. robusta up to
c. 1 m) tall, sparingly branched or virtually un-
branched, branches often radiating from a short
basal stem. Young branches usually slender,
straight or ascending, weak (-rigid), glabrous
or occasionally with sparse (—close) long,
spreading hairs. Leaves sparsely or closely dis-
tributed, linear to broadly lanceolate, 10-35 x
1— 6 mm, rigid, sharply spine-tipped, straight,
green, glabrous (or occasionally with scattered
long hairs on margins), lower side with 3-5
prominent veins beside the marginal veins, up-
per side ± smooth; margins smooth. Inflores-
cence unifloral or a terminal raceme or umbel of
2— 6 flowers; flowers attached nearly on one
point or at a short distance from each other on a
common, non-pedunculate or rarely peduncle-
like axis. This sometimes pushed aside by a
rapidly growing branch in the axil of the upper-
most leaf. Bract small, weak, subulate or acicu-
lar, less than 3 mm long, narrow, glabrous (or
ciliate). Pedicel 2,5-10 mm long, usually gla-
brous, rarely white-woolly. Bracteoles less than
1,5 mm long. Calyx tube narrowly campanu-
late-cylindrical, 5—6 mm long, glabrous (rarely
sparsely long-hairy), veiny; lobes lanceolate or
very narrowly triangular, 3,5-8 (—11,5) mm
long, acuminate or spine-tipped, green with 3
distinct veins, glabrous; tne uppermost two
lobes united (dorsally) further than the others.
Petals bright yellow (-partly reddish), wing and
keel claws c. 50 % and 66 % of the blade
3,6: 110
CROTALARffiAE
21
Crotalarieae
3,6: 111
length, respectively. Standard blade narrowly
obtriangular-obovate, 9-17 x (6,5— )7,5—
14, 5(— 16) mm, apically refuse or emarginate,
tapering towards the base; back densely white-
tomentose or sericeous. Wing blades linear-spa-
thulate, (8,5-) 9,5-13 (-14) x (2,5-) 3-5
(—6,5) mm, sericeous or tomentose on lower
half or less of outer side; upper basal parts with
about 4 rows of minute folds. Keel blades
6,5— 9,4 x 3,5— 4,5 mm, tomentose on most
parts except base; upper margin straight or
slightly concave. Pistil glabrous or ciliate on
lower side of ovary; ovules (12—) 15—24. Pod
linear, 28-42 x 3,2—5 mm, straight (slightly
upcurved), smooth, glabrous.
Widely distributed through the southern divisions be-
tween the Cape Peninsula and Port Elizabeth, also on the
western lowlands as far as Piketberg (Piketberg Division)
and with occurrences in the mountains around Hex River
Valley (Worcester-Ceres Divisions), also recorded from an
isolated population near Nieuwoudtville in the Calvinia Di-
vision in the north-west. An aberrant population in the Little
Namaqualand Division represents subsp. robusta.
Shrublets decumbent or ascending, generally less
than 0,4 m tall; legumes more than 35 mm long . . .
66a. subsp. angustifolia
Shrubs erect, up to 1 m tall; legumes less than 32 mm
long 66b. subsp. robusta
66a. subsp. angustifolia.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
210(1963); ibid. 22:68(1968).
All synonyms above, except those with the epithet ‘ro-
busta’ , refer to this subspecies.
Description largely as for the species,
above, but with the following differences:
Shrublets generally shorter than 0,4 m, decum-
bent or ascending, rarely erect. Branches gener-
ally ascending in a bow, not robust and spread-
ing. Pods usually longer than 30 mm and
broader than 3,5 mm. Chromosome number: 2 n
= 18. Figure 30: 15-21.
Distributed as described above except that it does not
reach further than the Vanrhynsdorp Division in the north-
west. The subspecies generally grows on sandy ground at
low altitudes and is generally associated with fynbos or, in
the eastern divisions, grass. However, in the Swellendam-
Riversdale Division subsp. angustifolia may grow in soil
with a high clay content, and is then ± associated with
renosterbos. Map 30.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 610: Dahlgren &
Strid 2600, 3031, 3795, 4219, 4304 , 4541, 4661, 4834;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1213; Keet 1148; Long 284; Rogers
26717; Schlechter 9732; Smith 4805; Story 3653; Tyson
742.
The north-western forms, in the Calvinia, Ceres,
Piketberg and Worcester Divisions, tend to have relatively
small leaves, small and often solitary flowers with glabrous
pedicel and calyx. Calyx lobes and legumes are also rather
short. Thus, they approach to some extent subsp. robusta to
which they are geographically closest. Slender forms with
slender leaves also occur in the Caledon and Bredasdorp
Divisions. Other southern forms usually have larger leaves,
flowers and legumes. A regionally restricted population in
the Bredasdorp Division (Zondagskloof-Cape Agulhas) is
peculiar in having long, sparse, spreading hairs on the calyx
and marginally ciliate leaves (‘ Borbonia lanceolata var.
villosa Phill. ’), but in other respects it does not deviate from
other southern forms; sparse hairs on calyx and pedicel also
occur in forms in the Humansdorp Division.
66b. subsp. robusta (Phill.) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 271, 210 (1963);
ibid. 22: 76 (1968). Based on Borbonia lanceo-
lata L. var. robusta Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16:
402 (1920). See under the species above.
An erect shrub up to c. 1 m or more, with
straight, spreading, rigid branches; young
branches pale yellow, angular-sulcate, gla-
brous. Leaves stiff, 8-14 x 0,7- 1 ,5 mm, pale
green, with 3 prominent veins. Flowers usually
solitary, relatively small. Pedicel up to 8 mm
long. Calyx lobes 4-4,5 mm long. Standard
blade 9—11 x 6,5-8 mm; wing blades 9-9,5
x c. 2,5 mm, and keel blades 7-8 x c. 3,5
mm. Pods 27 — 32 x 3,2— 3,8 mm. Figure 30:
8-14.
Restricted to the Khamiesberg region in the Little
Namaqualand Division. Growing in marginal fynbos on
rocky ridges (Acocks 14212), at altitudes of 1 000-2 000
m. Map 55.
Vouchers: Acocks 142 12 ; Adamson 1490; Pearson, P.
Sladen Mem. Exp. 5764, 5873, 6346; Salter 1515.
67. Aspalathus cordata (L.) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 275 (1963); ibid.
22: 78 (1968). Type: ‘ Borbonia cordata ’ in her-
barium Clifford (BM, lecto. !).
Figure 30. Aspalathus lanceifolia (1—7); A. angustifolia subsp. robusta (8-14); A. angustifolia subsp angustifo-
lia (15—21). — 1, 8, 15: branches with inflorescences; 2, 17: bracts; 3, 18: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 10, 11, 19: wing
petals; 5, 12, 20: keel petals; 6, 13, 21: pistils; 7, 14: fruits; 9: standard, side view; 16: leaf (unifoliolate). — 1—7 from
Dahlgren & Strid 3810 ; 8 from Acocks 14212 ; 9—13 from Adamson 1490 ; 14 from Pearson, Percy Sladen Mem. Exp.
5764 ; 15-21 from Oldevig-Roberts, Knysna. — (1,7,8, 14, 15 x2; 2, 3 x 8; 4-6, 9— 13, 16—21 x4.)
3,6: 112
Crotalarieae
Figure 31 . Aspalathus barbata (1-6); A. cordata (7-12). — 1, 8: flowers; 2: bract; 3, 9: wing petals; 4, 10: keel
petals; 5, 11: pistils; 6, 12: fruits; 7: branch end with inflorescence. — 1-5 from Hafstrom & Acocks 2153', 6 from
Compton 14155', 7-11 from Hafstrom, Kloof Nek (year: 1934); 12 from Thorne, SAM 51380. — (1-6, 8-12x4; 7x2.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 113
Borbonia cordata L., Sp. PI. edn 1: 707 (1753); Sp. PI.
edn 2: 994 (1763); Jacq., Hort. Schoenbr. 2: 48 (1797);
Thunb. , Prodr. 2: 122 (1800); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 924 (1802);
Thunb., Diss. Bot. Borbonia 5 (181 1 ); DC., Prodr. 2: 120
(1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 (1836); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 16 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13; 467 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 461 (1843); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 27 ( 1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr.
phil. Soc. 14: 251 (1903); Phil), in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 408
( 1920); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 463 ( 1950).
B. cordifolia Lam., Encycl. I: 436 (1783); DC., Prodr.
2; 120 (1825). Type: ‘3, Borbonia cordifolia la marck
encycl.', in herbarium Jussieu (P, neo.!).
An erect or ascending shrub usually
0,4-0, 8 (- 1) m tall, strong, rigid, rather freely
branched, up to more than 10 mm thick at the
base. Young branches rather strong, white-
woolly, densely leafy. Leaves lanceolate to
broadly ovate, 12-22 (-30) x 5-13 (-17)
mm, stiff, rigid, sharply spine-tipped, glabrous
(not marginally ciliate), truncate to cordate and
semi-amplexicaul at the base; both sides with
11—21 distinct, parallel veins, every second
one being thinner than the other; margins pro-
minent, smooth. Inflorescence a terminal head-
like cluster with 4—8 flowers emerging from
nearly the same point, surrounded by the upper-
most leaves. One or more lateral branches often
developing rapidly in the axil of some of the
uppermost leaves, causing a sympodial branch-
ing system. Bracts and bract eoles lacking. Pe-
dicel very short. Calyx tube campanulate, 5-7
mm long, covered with long, sparse, white
hairs; lobes lanceolate, 5,5-11 mm long, gla-
brous on outer (hairy on inner) side, stiff, with
3-7 prominent, parallel veins, ending in a
sharp spine more than 2 mm long. Petals bright
yellow, turning bright red, partly covered with
long, white pubescence; wing and keel claws
about equal and 60% the length of the blades,
respectively. Standard blade obtriangular-ob-
ovate, 10,5-14 x 7-10,5 mm, apically re-
fuse, with long sericeous to tomentose pubes-
cence on the back. Wing blades linear-spathu-
late, (8,5-) 9,5- 12 x 2, 5-3, 6 mm, broadest
apically, rounded, with 3-4 longitudinal rows
of minute folds on the upper part of the basal,
narrow half. Keel blades (5,5 — ) 6—7,2 x (3-)
3, 3-3, 8 mm, sericeous-tomentose on most
parts, with nearly straight upper margin. Pistil
with elongate ovary, pubescent only basally on
upper and lower sides; ovules 2. Pods lanceo-
late, 13—17,5 x 3, 5-4, 5 mm, sometimes
slightly falcate, subglabrous, rather smooth.
Chromosome number. 2 n = 18. Figure 31:
7-12.
Distributed in the western divisions, from the central
parts of the Cape Peninsula and Cape Hangklip (Caledon
Division) in the south, through the Bellville, Somerset
West, Stellenbosch, Wellington, Worcester and Malmes-
bury Divisions to the Piketberg and Tulbagh Divisions in
the north. A. cordata grows on sandy slopes and foothills
(Table Mountain Sandstone products), in fynbos vegeta-
tion. Map 31.
Vouchers: Burchell 285; Dahlgren & Strid 3362.
3435, 4927; Ecklon & Zeyher 1210; Galpin 10606; Mac-
Owan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 536; Marloth 7236.
Related to A. barbata (no. 68) and A. angustifolia (no.
66), in some respects transitional between the two.
68. Aspalathus barbata {Lam.) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9( 1 ): 272, 210 (1963);
ibid. 22: 82 (1968). Type: ‘ Borbonia barbata
Lmk. Encycl., Cap de b. Esp., Sonnerat' (P,
neo.!).
Borbonia barbata Lam., Encycl. 1: 436 (1783); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 120 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 148 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 (1836); ? E. Mey., Comm. 1:
15 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker. Lond. J. Bot. 2: 460(1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 27
(1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc.
14: 251 (1903); Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 403 (1920);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 463 ( 1950).
An ascending or erect shrub 0,4- 1 m tall
or more, with strong, virgate, rigid branches.
Young branches covered with white, lanate pu-
bescence, very densely and imbricately leafy.
Leaves lanceolate, 10 — 20( — 25) x 2, 2-4, 5
(-6,5) mm, with a broad, semi-amplexicaul
base, then gradually tapering towards the spine-
tipped apex; upper and lower sides with 7-15
prominent longitudinal veins; margins ciliate
with rather long white hairs. Inflorescence ter-
minal on densely leafy branches, consisting of
2-5 flowers emerging from almost one point,
surrounded by the uppermost leaves. Bract
(hardly distinguishable at the long-hairy calyx
base) narrowly subulate-subfiliform, 0,5- 1,5
x less than 0,15 mm, provided with some long,
spreading hairs. Pedicel very short. Bract eoles
at least occasionally present, then similar to the
bract, less than 0,8 mm long. Calyx tube cam-
panulate, c. 4,5 mm long, clothed with straight,
half-spreading, long, white hairs; lobes linear-
3,6: 114
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 115
lanceolate, 6,3-10 mm long, 3-5-veined,
ending in long spines, closely long-ciliate on
the margins, otherwise subglabrous. Petals yel-
low, very closely tomentose on most parts;
wing and keel claws c. 55% and 66% the length
of the blades, respectively. Standard blade nar-
rowly obtriangular-obovate, 10 — 12( — 14,5) x
7-9 mm, rounded or refuse apically, closely
tomentose on the back. Wing blades linear-spa-
thulate, 8,7—10,3 x 2,5— 3,5 mm, broadest in
the apical rounded parts, closely sericeous-to-
mentose on lower and apical parts, with c. 3
longitudinal rows of minute folds on upper parts
of basal half. Keel blades 7,5 — 8,5( — 9,2) x
(2,6 — )3 — 4 mm, sericeous (-tomentose) on
most parts; upper margin slightly concave. Pis-
til pubescent only on upper basal parts of the
ovary; ovules 2(— 4). Pod lanceolate, 12-17 x
3, 2-4, 5 mm, broadest near the base and taper-
ing towards the ± upcurved apex, glabrous,
rather smooth. Figure 31: 1-6.
Restricted to the Cape Peninsula, where the species
occurs on mountain slopes in the northerly parts, from
Chapman’s Peak to Table Mountain. Map 33.
Vouchers: Bolus 3361; Compton 15155, 15425; Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1211; MacOwan, Herb, Norm. Austr. Afr.
535; Marloth 7911; Salter 7952.
Similar to A. cordata (no. 67) but differing in the hairy
leaf margins and smaller flowers.
69. Aspalathus crenata ( L .) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 276, 207 (1963);
ibid. 22: 86 (1968). Type: Breyne, Exotic, pi.
Cent. prim. 69, plate 28 (1678).
Borbonia crenata L., Sp. PI. edn 1: 708 (1753); Lam.,
Encycl. 1: 437 (1783); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:924(1802).
B. parviflora Lam., Encycl. 1: 437 (1783); DC., Prodr.
2: 120 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 163 ( 1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
2: 462 (1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 29 (1862); H. Bol. &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 251 (1903);
Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 406 ( 1920); Adamson & Salter.
FI. Cape Penins. 463 (1950). Type: not selected; type mate-
rial of Lamarck's species of Borbonia is largely missing.
B. serrulata Thunb., Diss. Bot. Borbonia 6 (1811);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 29 (1862; as synonym of B. parviflora).
Type: ‘Borbonia serrulata' in herbarium Thunberg (UPS.
lecto. !).
B. ruscifolia Sims in Curtis's bot. Mag. 47: plate 2128
(1820); DC., Prodr. 2: 120 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh.. Enum.
2: 163 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 16 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 467 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
462 (1843; as synonym of A. parviflora). Type: Plate 2128
in Curtis’s bot. Mag. 47 (1820).
B. alata Willd. ex Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 185 (1826):
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 467 (1839; as synonym of B. ruscifo-
iia); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 462 (1843; as
synonym of B. parviflora). Type: Borbonia alata ' in her-
barium Willdenow, no. 131 14 (B, holo.l).
B. leiantha Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 407 (1920). A.
leiantha (Phill.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
282, 207 (1963); ibid. 22: 99 (1968). Type: Cape, Zwarte-
berg near Caledon, Caledon Division, MacOwan (SAM,
lecto.!; K).
A decumbent, ascending or erect shrub
0,2- 1,5 m tall, sparingly to closely branched
(some forms have a single, erect stem up to 1 m
high and spreading branches). Young branches
glabrous, angular or compressed, sparsely to
very closely leafy; intemodes with ridges or
narrow wings. Leaves ovate or nearly elliptic,
(6—) 12-28 (—40) x (3-) 4-18 mm, stiff,
bright green to glaucous, glabrous; base
rounded to subcordate; apex mucronate to
sharply spine-tipped; longitudinal veins 7-11,
surface between these rugose or transversely
veined; margin followed by a distinct vein, tu-
berculate-denticulate (but not with teeth or pegs
as in A. perfoliata — no. 62). Inflorescence a
short umbel (or ‘head’), rarely a raceme, of
3 — 15( — 25) flowers, ± enveloped by the up-
permost leaves. Bract filiform, (0,2-) 2,5-9
mm long, 0, 1 —0,2 mm broad, weak or slightly
rigid, glabrous or with few hairs. Pedicel
(1,2— )1, 5 — 3,5 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles
(0,2— )2— 6 x c. 0,1 mm. Calv.x campanulate,
glabrous, smooth; lobes narrowly triangular-
lanceolate, (3—) 3,5-8 (-11) mm long,
smooth, tapering, acuminate-cuspidate, not
prickly. Petals yellow or (standard) partly
purplish, turning red or brown. Standard blade
obovate, (6,5 — )8 — 13 x (5 — )7 — 14,5 mm, re-
fuse or emarginate, closely sericeous on at least
FIGURE 32. Aspalathus crenata (1-16); A. elliptica (17-23). — 1: branch end with inflorescence; 2, 9, 13, 17:
flowers; 3, 18: bracts; 4, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 10, 14, 20: wing petals; 6, 11, 15, 21: keel petals; 7, 12, 16, 22:
pistils; 8, 23: fruits. — 1—7 from Barker 5958', 8 from Barker 285; 9-12 from Esterhuysen 17632 ; 13—16 from Dahlgren
& Strid 3160; 17-22 from Stokoe 1302; 23 from Esterhuysen 15233. — (1,8 x2; 2-7, 9— 23 X4.)
3,6: 116
Crotalarieae
apical half of the back, rarely almost gla-
brous (see below). Wing blades oblong,
(6,3 — )7 — 10( — 11) x (2,3 — )3 — 4,5( — 5,8)
mm, broadest on apical half, glabrous, with c.
6-7 rows of minute folds on basal half or
more. Keel blades (4-) 4,5— 6,5 x (2,3-)
3-4 (-4,7) mm, glabrous, with ± straight up-
per margin. Pistil glabrous; ovules (2-) 3-5
(—9). Pod lanceolate, (15-) 22-32 x (4,2-)
5-6,5 (-7) mm, glabrous, smooth, grey or
brown when ripe. Chromosome number.
2«= 18. Figure 32: 1-16.
A regionally common, western species occurring on
the Cape Peninsula and in the mountainous regions between
Cape Hangklip (Caledon Division) and the Olifants River
Mountains (Clanwilliam Division) through the Somerset
West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Malmesbury, Wellington,
Worcester, Tulbagh, Piketberg (excluding the Piketberg
Mountain) and Ceres Divisions. The species generally
grows on sand substrate weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone, but the tail-grown forms often seem to grow
mainly on clayey soil associated with granite outcrops. The
vegetation is largely fynbos. Map 34.
Vouchers: Ecklon & Zeyher 1208; Esterhuysen 11365,
13513, 16659, 17660, 17691; Leipoldt 3124; MacOwan,
Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 720; Marloth 10013; Schlechter
7293; Strey 684.
A variable species of disputable homogeneity.
A form series, previously called Borbonia ( Aspala -
thus) leiantha has extremely small flowers, usually 3—8 per
inflorescence; only 0,2-0, 8 mm long bracts and less than
0,4 mm long bracteoles; calyx lobes 3-5,8 mm long; stand-
ard blades 6, 5-9, 5 x 5—7,3 mm; wing blades 6,3-8 x
2, 3-2, 8 mm, and keel blades 4-5 x 2,3-3 mm. The
standard blade in these forms is nearly glabrous, having
only scattered hairs along the midrib of the back. The pods
are 15-20 mm long. Such forms occur on the Cape Penin-
sula, on the Swartberg Mountain (Caledon Division) and on
the mountains around Du Toit’s Kloof (Worcester Divi-
sion).
Low, decumbent, rather small-flowered forms, ap-
proaching and including ‘A. leiantha' , but sometimes with
more pubescent standard occur, for example, in the moun-
tains around Du Toit’s Kloof and on the Keeromsberg
(Worcester Division) and south of Mitchell’s Pass (Ceres
Division). Most other forms are larger in total size as well
as floral size. The largest shrubs are found in the Hottentots
Holland Mountains (Caledon and Somerset West Divi-
sions); their leaves are also larger, thicker and sometimes
glaucous, and the flowers more numerous per inflorescence
and larger. Similar forms occur on the Riebeek-Kasteei
Mountain (Malmesbury Division) and in the Gydo and Kar-
douw Passes (Ceres and Piketberg Divisions, respectively).
Large-sized shrubs up to 2 m tall occur in the mountains
from the Tulbagh Division through the mountains around
Du Toit’s Kloof as far east as Genadendal (Caledon Divi-
sion). In the Du Toit’s Kloof these differ from the low
forms first mentioned, and grow in more clayey soil.
Though connected by intermediates (in other regions) they
may deserve distinction here.
70. Aspalathuselliptica(PM/.)DaWg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 277, 207 (1963);
ibid. 22: 96 (1968). Type: Cape, Vogelgat, Ca-
ledon Division, Schlechter 9547 (K, P, PR, S,
isotypes; holotype?).
Borbonia elliptica Phill. in S. Afr. J. Sci. 16: 409 (1920).
B. latifolia Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 462
(1843); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 29 (1862); Phill. in S. Afr. J.
Sci. 16: 406 (1920). Type: Cape, Nieuwe Kloof, Houw
Hoek Mountains, Caledon Division, Burchell 8087 (K,
lecto. !; P). Although older, this epithet cannot be combined
under Aspalathus ; it would become a later homonym of A.
latifolia H. Bol., a different species with trifoliolate leaves.
An erect shrub 0,8-2 m tall, rather similar
to A. crenata (no. 69). Mainly the distinguish-
ing characters are mentioned here. Wings of
branches prominent, up to more than 1 mm
broad. Leaves elliptic or circular, 20-40 x
8- 30 (-38) mm, semi-amplexicaul, obtuse to
acute, rarely mucronulate (but not with a sharp
apical spinelet), relatively thin and weak (i.e.
less stiff and rigid than in A. crenata ), with
9- 11 prominent longitudinal veins. Inflores-
cences dense, umbel-like racemes with 8-35
rather small flowers. Bract subulate, 0,2-1
mm long (rarely filiform and up to 3,5 mm
long), with sparse hairs. Pedicel 3,5-7 mm
long. Bracteoles 0,l-0,6( — 1,1) mm long. Ca-
lyx campanulate, glabrous; lobes narrowly
triangular, 2,5 —4( —4,8) mm long, acute-acu-
minate. Petals yellow. Standard blade 7, 3-9, 2
x 6-9 mm, short-sericeous on distal half of the
back. Wing blades 6,5-8 x 2-3,2 mm. Keel
blades 4, 6-5, 4 X 2, 5-3, 5 mm. Ovules 2-4.
Pod rhombic-lanceolate, 15-25 x 5-7 mm.
Figure 32: 17—23.
Distributed on mountains of the Stellenbosch, Paarl
and Somerset West Divisions and in the westernmost parts
of the Caledon Division. The habitat is steep, often rocky
and moist slopes in fynbos vegetation. According to Ester-
huysen (labels), it grows on clayey ground associated with
granite rocks. Map 34.
Vouchers: Barnard 108; Burchell 8087; Esterhuysen
11960, 12518, 14358, 15233, 17660; Marloth 8887;
Schlechter 9547: Stokoe 1301, 1382.
Differing from A. crenata (no. 69), especially in the
elliptic or oval, softer, apically less pointed leaves.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 117
Group 8: Filicaules
Shrublets, ascending-erect, rarely decumbent, sparingly branched. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets
subterete to slightly flattened, weak, acute, non-pungent, puberulous, glabrescent or subglabrous.
Leaf base tubercle distinct to prominent, but not developed as spur or spine. Inflorescence system
variable: either one terminal group (head) of 1 -3 flowers, or several to numerous, 1-flowered, on
lateral short-shoots, and then a leafy branch end, or a combination of these, with both terminal
flower(s) and lateral unifloral short-shoots. Flowers similar in details to those in the Pedunculares
(group 6) and Lebeckiiformes (group 5). Bract simple, rather minute, subulate or tooth-like,
situated on the leaf base, not accreted to pedicel base. Pedicel distinct, sometimes rather long (to
3,5 mm). Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx non-fleshy, campanulate, pubescent; lobes triangu-
lar-subulate, non-spiny, upper slightly broader than lower. Petals yellow or standard partly pur-
plish. Standard obovate-circular, pubescent on the back; base of front without callosities; apical
cusp lacking. Wing blades elongate, glabrous, with some rows of minute folds on basal parts. Keel
blades lunate to slightly rostrate, obtuse to nearly pointed, glabrous, with distinct basal pouch.
Pistil with elongate, linear ovary pubescent on upper side; ovules 16—20; stigma regular, capitate.
Pod linear, 8—10 times as long as broad, with 4—8 seeds. Chromosome number : 2 n = 18.
71. Aspalathus filicaulis Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 204 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 619 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 123
(1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 481 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 129 (1963); ibid.
10 (1): 102 (1965). Type: Cape, ‘Tulbagh prope
Waterfall’, Ecklon & Zexher 1395 (S, lecto.!;
G, K,L,M, SAM, W).
Paraspalathus filicaulis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl. Bot. Be-
merk. 560 (1845). Aclnronia filicaulis (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 ( 1891) and 3 (2): 48 (1898).
Aspalathus angustissima E. Mey., Comm. 1: 44 (1836);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 598 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2; 104 (1862). Achyronia angustissima (E. Mey.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape, Draaken-
steensbergen’, Drege (P, lecto. !).
Shrublet 0,2— 0,4 (—0,7) m tall, with slen-
der branches. Young branches sericeous or pu-
berulous. Leaflets linear, 5—10 (—15) mm
long, straight or slightly curved. Flowers either
1—3 close together on branch ends, or solitary
in centre of short-shoots developed in leaf axils,
or rarely a combination thereof, often several
along the branchlets, each on a short-shoot.
Bract and bracteoles 0,5 -2,5 mm and 0,2- 1 ,3
mm long, respectively. Pedicel 1,5-3, 5 mm
long, sericeous. Calyx short-sericeous; lobes
subulate, 2-4 mm long, weak. Petals yellow,
or standard back ± purplish. Standard blade
5,7-8 x 5, 5-7, 5 mm, short-sericeous on the
back. Wing blades 6-8 x 2, 3-3, 3 mm. Keel
blades 6-7 X 3, 3-4, 2 mm. Pod 23-30 X
2, 6-3, 2 mm, sparsely hairy on upper parts.
Figure 33.
Distributed from the Cape Peninsula through the west-
ern Divisions (Caledon, Paarl, Worcester, Tulbagh, Ceres,
Piketberg and Clanwilliam) as far north as the northern end
of the Cederberg Mountains. The species grows on sand,
usually weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone, in low
fynbos communities, often where there is a rich water sup-
ply. Map 35.
Vouchers: Bolus 7903, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 1131;
Compton 6202; Dahlgren & Peterson, 1111, 1115;
Esterhuysen 19774; Schlechter 10704.
There is great variation in the distribution of the flow-
ers: sometimes they are restricted, 1-3 on the branch ends,
but more often they are solitary on lateral brachyblasts,
situated in a spike-like way on the slender branches, with or
without a leafy end.
The appearance of the flowers resembles that of A.
bracteata (no. 53) and related species, that of subgenus
Nortieria and of other species groups and may be basic in
the genus. The species is quite distinct by the numerous
ovules and linear pods.
3,6: 118
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 33. Aspalathus filicaulis. — 1, 8-10, 11: branches with floriferous short-shoots and/or terminal flowers; 2,
12: bracts; 3, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, front and side views; 5, 14: wing petals; 6, 15: keel petals; 7, 16:
pistils; 8: fruit. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1751 (Cape Flats); 9, 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1115 (Worcester
Distr. ): 11-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1111 (Ceres Distr. ). — (1, 8-11 x2; 2-7, 12-16 X4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 119
Maps 35-38. — Map 35. Aspalathus filicaulis (unbroken line). — Map 36. A. macrantha (unbroken line; 3 regions);
A. desertorum (rhomboids); A. rycroftii (triangle); A. calcarata (squares). — Map 37. A. uniflora (unbroken line);
A. willdenowiana (dots and squares; eastern forms with white -rose-coloured flowers: squares). — Map 38. A. pinea
subsp. pinea (rhomboids); A. pinea subsp. caudata (squares); A. macrocarpa (asterisk); A. rostrata (triangle).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 120
FIGURE 34. Aspalathus macrantha (1-7); A. calcarata (8-18). — 1: branch end with inflorescence; 2, 17: fruits; 3:
bracteole (prophyll); 4: base of standard, front view; 5, 14: wing petals; 6, IS: keel petals; 7, 16: pistils; 8: branch with
unifloral short-shoots; 9: long-shoot leaf with prominent leaf base spur; 10: short-shoot; 11: bract; 12: calyx; 13: standard,
front view; 18: flower (bract removed). — 1, 3-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 627 \ 2 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1206\
8—16, 18 from Salter 4 14 /; 17 from Pappe 244. — (1,2, 5-8 x2;3,4,9-18 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 121
Group 9: Rostratae
Generally medium-sized or tall, rarely rather small shrubs, often with spreading branches
which may end as thorns (e.g. A. rostrata (no. 80) and A. desertorum — no. 73); young branches
pubescent, in some species glabrescent. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets subterete or somewhat angular
or flat, linear to subulate or subfiliform, glabrous or puberulous to grey-sericeous, usually acute to
acuminate or apiculate, but not spine-tipped. Leaf base often produced into a (simple) woody spur
or spine, but in some species merely tubercular. Inflorescences generally unifloral and situated on
lateral short-shoots; thus distributed along sometimes long distances of the branches; only in
A. macrantha (no. 72) terminal and (1 -) 2-3 (-4), radiating from the branch apex. Flowers large
or medium-sized, small in A. calcarata (no. 77). Bract situated at the pedicel base, simple, linear
or subulate. Bracteoles similar to the bract, minute in A. calcarata. Pedicel distinct to a few mm
long. Calyx campanulate, usually pubescent, glabrous in A. uniflora (no. 76); lobes triangular to
subulate or linear, not spine-tipped. Petals yellow or white and partly rose-coloured (forms of
A. willdenowiana — no. 75) or dark red (A. calcarata); wing and keel claws free from the staminal
sheath. Standard circular, pubescent on the back, often provided with disc-shaped or elongate,
glabrous or pubescent callosities at the base of the front side. Wing blades obovate-oblong, gla-
brous or rarely partly pubescent, with several rows of minute folds on the basal half. Keel rostrate,
stiff, glabrous, obtuse or subacute, with indistinct basal puckering or none. Anthers often very
unequal in size. Pistil short- stipitate; ovary elongate, at least partly pubescent; ovules 2-20; style
S-curved; stigma regular or forwardly directed. Pod very variable in size and shape. Chromosome
number: In = 14 or 16 (counted for several species), but 2n= 18 in A. macrocarpa (no. 79).
72. Aspalathus macrantha Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 124 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 478
(1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10
(1): 76 (1965); in Flower. PI. Afr. 38: t. 1481
(1967). Type: Cape, ‘Hottentotshollandsberge’,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1483 (K, lecto.!; SAM, S).
Achyronia macrantha (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
The name Aspalathus pinea Thunb. was incorrectly ap-
plied to this species by Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
631 (1848), and, perhaps, also by E. Mey., Comm. 1: 50
(1836) and Walp. in Linnaea 13: 487 (1839).
An erect, much branched shrub or a small
tree, 2-4 m tall or more. Young branches
slender, tomentose-sericeous. Leaflets linear-
filiform, slender, subterete, 7-16 mm long,
acute, with sparse, spreading short hairs. Leaf
bases of long-shoot leaves developed as a blunt
spur less than 1 mm long. Flowers solitary or 2
or 3(4), situated close together on branch tips;
large. Bract and bracteoles filiform-subulate, c.
5-6 mm long. Pedicel 2—3 mm long, white-
sericeous. Calyx tube sericeous, lobes triangu-
lar with subulate tip, 3-4 mm long, green and
subglabrous on apical parts. Petals bright yel-
low or with reddish shades. Standard ovate,
17-18 x 15-16 mm, pointed, short-sericeous
on the back, the inner margins basally thick-
ened and densely pubescent. Wing blades ellip-
tic, 12-13 x c. 7 mm, glabrous. Keel blades c.
17 mm long and 6,5-7 mm broad at broadest
part, nearly pointed. Pistil: ovary sericeous;
ovules 4-6; style slender, glabrous; stigma
slightly forwardly directed. Pod lanceolate, c.
20 x 5,5 mm, slightly upcurved near apex,
black. Chromosome number: 2n=l6. Figure
34: 1-7.
Reported only from the northern parts of the Cape
Peninsula and the Hottentots Holland Mountains (Somerset
West Division). A. macrantha grows in sandy soil covered
with humus in a tall fynbos community. It is becoming rare
in the Wynberg Hill area, and is probably extinct in most of
the other localities. Needs to be protected, but is favoured
by burning in unstable communities. Map 36.
Vouchers: Bolus 3816; Compton 23674; Dahlgren &
Peterson 627 , 639; Salter 2826A; Wolley-Dod 3417.
A very distinct species obviously related to A. unijlora
(no. 76), A. pinea (no. 78) and A. desertorum (no. 73).
73. Aspalathus desertorum H. Bol. in J.
Bot. 34: 210 (1896); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (2): 110 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 73
(1965). Type: Cape, Karroo Poort, Ceres Divi-
sion, Bolus 2608 (BOL, holo. !; K).
3,6: 122
Crotalarieae
Figure 35. Aspalathus rycroftii (1-11); A. desertorum (12-22). — 1, 12: branchlets with inflorescences; 2: leaf of
long-shoot; 3: leaf of short-shoot; 4: flower; 5, 14, 15: bracts; 6, 16: bracteoles (prophylls); 7: standard, front view; 8, 18:
wing petals; 9, 19: keel petals; 10, 20: pistils; 11, 22: fruits; 13: long-shoot leaf with axillary short-shoot; 17: calyx, upper
two lobes to the right; 21: staminal sheath. — 1-11 from Dahlgren & Strid 5005 ; 12-14 from Leipoldl 3208', 15-17 from
Esterhuysen 3932: 18 - 21 from Acocks 19895,22 from Dahlgren & Strid4125. — (1, 12 x2; 2-11, 14-22 x4; 13 x8.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 123
A shrublet 0,7-1 m tall with spreading,
rigid, pale, frequently thorn-like branches.
Young branches short-tomentose. Long-shoot
leaves with a 0,5- 1,5 mm long, slightly re-
curved, woody spur or spine at the base. Leaf-
lets subfiliform, 1-3,5 mm long, weak, subte-
rete, obtuse-subacute, pale green, glabrous or
with few hairs. Inflorescence of 1-3 flower(s)
situated rather close together on the branch
ends. Bract similar to a leaflet of a foliar leaf,
filiform-subulate, 3, 5-4, 5 mm long, some-
times supported by a woody spur less than
1 mm long. Pedicel 1,5-2 mm long, tomen-
tose. Bracteoles subulate, 4-5 mm long. Calyx
campanulate, tomentose; lobes triangular or
narrowly triangular, 1,5-2 mm long, green,
often ± recurved, upper deltoid, broader than
the lower. Petals light or pale yellow, standard
back sometimes ± purplish. Standard blade el-
liptic-ovate, 7,8 — 9( — 10) x 6,2— 8(— 8,5) mm,
tomentose on the back. Wing blades 6-8 x
2, 5-3, 5 mm, glabrous. Keel blades subros-
trate, 8, 2-9, 5 x 3-3,6 mm. Pistil: ovary
tomentose; ovules 4-6; style glabrous; stigma
regular, capitate. Pods not seen. Figure 35:
12-22.
Restricted to mountains in the Ceres Division, where it
grows near Gydo Pass, on the Bokkeveld Tafelberg and at
Karoo Poort, etc. The species grows on compact clay
weathered from shales, in a fynbos-renosterbos community.
Map 36.
Vouchers: Bolus 2608; Compton 10076; Dahlgren &
Strid 3985, 3993, 4125; Esterhuysen 3906, 3932; Leipoldt
3208.
A very distinctive species. In the leaf base spurs it
resembles A. rycroftii (no. 74), which is distinct by its
marginate calyx lobes, its small bracts and bracteoles, the
absence of upper-basal lobes of the keel petals, and its
forwardly directed stigma.
74. Aspalathus rycroftii Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 120: 32 (1967); in Flower. PI. Afr. 40:
t. 1571 (1969-70). Type: Cape, south-west of
Malmesbury, Malmesbury Division, Dahlgren
& Strid 4973 (NBG, holo. !; BOL, LD, PRE,
STE).
A low shrublet with decumbent, stiff,
rigid, up to 0,6 m long branches. Young
branches with sparse, short, appressed pubes-
cence. Long-shoot leaves subtended by a
woody base extended into a more than 2 mm
long, glabrous, recurved, woody spur or spine.
Leaflets linear-subulate, 1-3 mm long and c.
0,5 mm thick, subterete, acute, glabrous.
Flowers solitary at the ends of short lateral
branches. Bract and bracteoles oblong or lin-
ear- subulate, 1-2,5 mm long, partly puberu-
lous. Pedicel 1,5-2, 5 mm long, short-seri-
ceous. Calyx infundibular-campanulate, sparse-
ly short-sericeous; lobes narrowly triangular,
2, 3-3, 5 mm long, acute, with green, thickened
margins. Petals yellow or partly purple- shaded.
Standard blade elliptic, 11-12,3 x 8-9,5
mm, with acute, slightly incurved apex, seri-
ceous on the back. Wing blades oblong-elliptic,
7-8,7 x 3-4,2 mm, glabrous. Keel blades
somewhat rostrate, 9,2-10,2 x 3,2-4 mm.
Pistil: ovary sericeous on most parts; ovules
6-8; style glabrous, slender; stigma elongate,
forwardly directed. Pod broadly lanceolate,
11 — 13 x 4-5 mm, rather terete, brown when
ripe. Figure 35: 1 — 11.
Restricted to patches of fynbos-renosterbos transitional
vegetation in the clayey, mostly cultivated regions near
Malmesbury, Malmesbury Division. Rare and threatened
by plantations, but probably overlooked owing to the
unusual flowering time (February-March). Map 36.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4973, 5005, 5006.
The affinities of this species are somewhat uncertain,
but lie perhaps closest to A. desertorum (no. 73), A.
macrantha (no. 72) and A. uniflora (no. 76).
75. Aspalathus willdenowiana Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 630 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 124 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 478 (1950;
as syn. under A. leptophylla Eckl. & Zeyh.).
Type: Cape, ‘Puspasvalley’, Caledon Division,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1481 (K, lecto. ! ; G, L, M, S,
SAM).
Achyronia willdenowiana (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
158 (1891). Aspalathus uniflora L. subsp. willdenowiana
(Benth.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 293
(1963); ibid. 10 (1): 88 (1965). Reconsideration of the
population structure indicates that A. uniflora (no. 76) and
A. willdenowiana are distinct enough for specific distinc-
tion. [Thunberg (1800, etc.) treated the latter under the
name A. uniflora.]
'Aspalathus verrucosa' auct. non L. in Willd. , Sp. PI. 3
(2): 953 (1802); DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1925); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 50 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 486 (1839); etc.
‘A. hystri.x' auct. non L. f., in Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219
(1836). This explains why Presl in Bot. Bemerk. 558
( 1 845), treated this as Streptosema hystri.x (L. f. ) Presl.
3,6: 124
Crotalarieae
R3 S2SS-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 125
Erect shrub 1 ,5— 3(— 3,5) m tall, much
branched, with weak, ascending, sericeous
branches, not thorny. Leaflets linear- filiform,
pinoid, 6—20 mm long, slender, non-pungent,
straight or almost so, pointed, weak, the young
pubescent, glabrescent. Leaf bases shield-like,
protracted into a 2— 4 mm long, woody spur or
spine. Flowers solitary on lateral short-shoots,
distributed several together along the branches.
Bract and bracteoles subulate, 6-8 and 4-6
mm long, respectively. Pedicel 3-5 mm long,
sericeous. Calyx sericeous, with linear-
subulate, weak lobes 4-6 mm long. Petals
either light yellow or white to rose-coloured.
Stan dar d blade 11,5 — 15,5 x 12-15 mm, seri-
ceous or tomentose on the back; front basally
with two disc-shaped, glabrous callosities.
Wing blades obovate-elliptic, 7-9 X 3, 3-5,4
mm, glabrous. Keel blades 9-11,5 mm long,
3, 5-4, 5 mm broad, subacute. Pistil : ovary and
style base sericeous; ovules 3-7; style curved;
stigma elongate, forwardly directed. Pod
narrowly ovate, in some forms rostrate, 11-15
x 4—6,5 mm, often dark, pubescent. Chromo-
some number: 2n=\6. Figure 36: 9— 19.
Distribution southern, from the Cape Peninsula to the
Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions through the Stellen-
bosch, Paarl, Caledon, Robertson and Swellendam Divi-
sions. They grow on sandy soil, often on steep, semi-shaded
slopes with fairly rich water supply, in fynbos. Map 37.
There is great variation in this species. The forms in
the western and central parts of the distribution area are
rather dense, with ascending branches, yellow flowers, and
narrowly ovate pods. These include the type collection.
Vouchers: Bolus 1133; Dahlgren & Peterson 1210,
1211; Galpin 9949; Parker 4436; Salter 7039.
The eastern forms, in the Swellendam and Riversdale
Divisions (e.g. the Tradouw and Garcia Passes), are rather
distinct. They form up to 4 m tall trees, sometimes with
slender, pendulous branches, white and partly pink petals,
and rostrate, apically upcurved, rather narrow pods.
Vouchers: Bolus 11254; F. Bolus, BOL 7363; Dahl-
gren & Strid 2572, 2663, 3952; Muir 79, 2933.
This species is closest to A. uniflora (no. 76) and A.
pinea (no. 78).
76. Aspalathus uniflora L., Sp. PI. 712
(1753); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
125 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 84 (1965). Type: 'A.
uniflora', Dahl scripsit, Herb. Linnaeus (S,
lecto. !).
The species has generally not been known under this
name but ‘Aspalathus uniflora L.’ has usually incorrectly
been used for Aspalathus cymbiformis DC. (no. 89).
Achyronia uniflora (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus leptophylla Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 631 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 124 (1862); Schlechter in Zahlbruckner,
Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20 (1905); Adams. & Salter,
FI. Cape Penins. 478 (1950). Achyronia leptophylla (Eckl.
& Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape,
‘Tulbaghskloof , Ecklon & Zevher 1482 (S, lecto.!; G, L,
M, P, SAM, W).
Erect, spreading shrubs 1-2 (-2,5) m
tall, with rigid, straight branches. Young
branches yellowish or reddish, glabrous or (on
apical parts) sparsely sericeous; branch ends
sometimes almost thorn-like. Leaflets 6-20
mm long, shorter and less hairy than in A.
willdenowiana (no. 75), but leaf bases similar
to those in that species. Bracts and bracteoles
subulate, 5-7 mm and 4—5 mm long, respec-
tively. Pedicel 1,5-3 mm long. Calyx tube
glabrous or with few hairs; lobes narrowly
triangular (apices almost subulate), 3-4,5 mm
long, glabrous. Petals bright yellow or standard
back ± red. Standard blade 12,5 — 14 x
12,5-14 mm, short-sericeous on the back; the
front as in A. willdenowiana basally with disc-
shaped callosities. Wing blades 10—11 x
4-5,5 mm, glabrous. Keel similar to that in A.
willdenowiana, 9,5-10,5 mm long, 3,5-4
mm broad. Pistil as in A. willdenowiana ; ovules
4. Pod lanceolate-ovate, 15-18 x c. 6 mm,
almost straight (not upcurved apically). Chro-
mosome number: 2/7= 14. Figure 36: 1 — 8.
Distributed in the lowlands from the Cape Peninsula
(Lion’s Rump) through the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester,
Malmesbury, Tulbagh, Ceres and Piketberg Divisions up to
the Clanwilliam Division. It grows on ± clayey flats or on
low mountain slopes and is locally dominant. Map 37.
FIGURE 36. Aspalathus uniflora (1-8); A. willdenowiana (9-19). — 1, 12: parts of branches with unifloral short-
shoots; 2: bract; 3, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, front view; 5, 14: wing petals; 6, 15: keel petals; 7, 16: pistils; 8,
17-19: fruits; 9: short-shoot showing leaf base of long-shoot leaf (lslb) and leaves of short-shoot, each with ± prominent
leaf base (sslb); 10: younger stage showing same; 11: leaf of short-shoot. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1738 ; 8 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 662 ; 9-11 from Dahlgren & Peterson 621 ; 12-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 623; 17 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1211 (Cape Peninsula); 18 from Esterhuysen 22700 (Robertson Distr.); 19 from Muir 2933
(Riversdale Distr.). — (1 x 1,6; 2, 3 x4; 4-8, 12-19 x 2; 9-11 x4.)
3,6: 126
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 127
Vouchers: Bolus 2769; Compton 14193; Esterhuysen
22234; Salter 1777, 6408; Schlechter 7456.
In most regions A. uniflora seems distinct from A.
willdenowiana (no. 75), but forms in the Clanwilliam Divi-
sion deviate in having a sericeous calyx and sericeous pu-
bescence on young leaves and branch ends and thus resem-
ble A. willdenowiana. As they occur far from the area of
this species they are not likely to be the result of hybridiza-
tion or introgression.
77. Aspalathus calcarata Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 116 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 123 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 70 (1965).
Type: Cape, Swellendam, Pappe (TCD,
lecto.!; BM, GRA, K, S, SAM).
Achyronia calcarata (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An ascending or decumbent shrublet,
0,15-0,4 m tall, with spreading branches, red-
dish and short-sericeous on the young parts.
Leaves of long-shoots with a woody, tubercular
leaf base produced into a spreading spur or
spine up to 1 mm long or more. Leaflets linear,
terete, 2—9 mm long, very slightly curved,
acute, non-pungent, dull green, with sparse ad-
pressed hairs. Flowers small, solitary on short-
shoots, distributed in spike-like fashion on the
branch ends. Bracts and bracteoles small,
triangular-subulate, 0,3— 0,6 mm and 0,2-0, 3
mm long respectively. Pedicel 0,8- 1,3 mm
long, sericeous. Calyx sericeous; lobes linear-
subulate, 1,7— 2,7 mm long, acute, with scat-
tered adpressed hairs. Petals from yellow to
ferruginous or deep red; with short claws. Stand-
ard broadly ovate, 5,2-6 x 5,5-6 mm, short-
sericeous on the back; base of inside densely
tomentose. Wing blades rhombic-ovate, short,
1 ,4-2,2 x 1 ,2- 1 ,9 mm; glabrous except some
marginal pubescence on the base. Keel blades
rostrate, c. 4,5— 5,5 x 2,5—3 mm, glabrous
except basally on the margins and claw; with ±
distinct lateral puckering. Pistil: ovary seri-
ceous above and laterally, glabrous below;
ovules 2; stigma subcapitate or slightly for-
wardly directed. Pod triangular-lanceolate.
8-8,5 x 3, 2-3, 8 mm, with slightly upcurved
(beak-like) apex. Chromosome number:
2n=\6. Figure 34: 8-18.
Restricted to clayey flats and southern slopes in the
Riviersonderend and Langeberg Mountains in the Bredas-
•dorp, Caledon, Swellendam and Riversdale Divisions;
growing in fragments of fynbos-renosterbos transition.
Map 36.
Vouchers: Burchell 7274; Dahlgren & Strid 4560;
Hafstrom & Acocks 2150; Pappe 244; Salter 4141 ; Stokoe,
SAM 6 1762.
In spite of its small size, this species seems to approach
A. willdenowiana (no. 75) and other species of taller size. It
is quite distinctive.
78. Aspalathus pinea Thunb., Prodr. 2:
128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 21 (1802);
FI. Cap. edn 2: 582 (1823); Willd., Sp. PI. 961
(1802); DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 123 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 125 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 92
(1965). Type: Cape, ‘Cap. b. spei . ’ Thunberg
(UPS, lecto.!).
Plagiostigma pinea (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557
(1845). Achyronia pinea (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891). '
The name Aspalathus pinea has been used on A. macran-
tha in works of Benth., and probably also by E. Mey. and
Walp. (see p. 3,6: 121).
Erect or ascending, sparingly branched,
tail- or rod-like shrubs (0,2 — )0,4 — 1( — 2) m
tall, most laterals developed as short-shoots.
Young branches densely woolly-sericeous.
Leaflets linear-subulate, 4— 10( — 12) mm long,
straight, greyish green, acute, non-pungent,
sparsely sericeous. Leaf bases tubercle-like but
not produced into a spur or spine. Flowers soli-
tary on each short-shoot, distributed (in a spike-
like fashion) on branch ends below leafy branch
ends. Bracts and bracteoles subulate-filiform,
3,5-6 mm long. Pedicel 3-5 mm long. Calyx
sparsely sericeous or tomentose; lobes linear
(-filiform), 4-7 mm long, weak. Petals light
(lemon) yellow. Standard obovate, 7—10 x
8-11 mm, sericeous or partly woolly on the
back, provided with disc-like, glabrous callus
Figure 37. Aspalathus pinea subsp. pinea (1-7); A. pinea subsp. caudata (8-15). — 1, 15: branch end with
unifloral short-shoots; 2, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 3, 11: standard petals; front view; 4, 12: wing petals; 5, 13: keel petals;
6, 14: pistils; 7: legume; 8: flower; 9: bract. — 1—6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1141 ; 7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1786\
8-14 from Esterhuysen 9604 ; 15 from Stokoe, SAM 61878. — (1,7, 15 X 2; 2-6, 8-14 x4.)
3,6: 128
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
on the base of the front. Wing blades elliptic,
7-9 x 3, 3 -5, 5 mm, glabrous or pubescent on
apical parts. Keel pointed, 7,2-9 mm long,
3,2-4 mm broad, pointed. Pistil : ovary and
style base pubescent; ovules 14-18; stigma
elongate, forwardly directed. Pod linear,
16-40 x 2,2-4 mm long, sparsely hairy;
seeds up to 10.
Distributed from the Stellenbosch region (Stellen-
boschberg, Jonkershoek) through the Paarl (Haalhoek
Sneeuwkop), Worcester (Haalhoek Sneeuwkop), Tulbagh
(Great Winterhoek) and Ceres Divisions to the Cederberg
Mountains, Clanwilliam Division. Growing in sand and
gravel of Table Mountain Sandstone, in fynbos scrub. Con-
spicuous by the erect, tail-like habit.
A. pinea is most similar to A. willdenowiana (no. 75)
and A. uniflora (no. 76), but also approaches A. macro-
carpa (no. 79).
Divisible into two subspecies according to
the following key:
Shrub 0,6-2 m; standard blade c. 9 mm long or more;
pod 30—40 mm long 78a. subsp. pinea
Shrublet less than 0,4 m; standard blade less than 9
mm long; pod c. 20 mm long or less
78b. subsp. caudata
78a. subsp. pinea.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10 (1):
94(1965).
Erect shrub, 0,6—2 m tall, with greyish
foliage. Flowers relatively large within the
measurements given above; standard 9-10 x
9-11 mm; wing blades glabrous. Pod 30-40
mm long. Figure 37: 1-7.
Distributed on sandy and rocky slopes at 800- 1 000 m
altitude in the Tulbagh, Ceres and Clanwilliam Divisions
from Witzenberg and neighbouring mountains (e.g. the
Gydo Pass) through Great Winterhoek to the Cederberg
Mountains (east of Grey's Pass). Map 38.
Vouchers: Compton 12490 ; Dahlgren & Peterson
1141, 1181, 1786; Dahlgren & Strid 3238, 4450 ; Phillips
1179.
78b. subsp. caudata Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 286 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
95 (1965). Type: Cape, Haalhoek Sneeuwkop,
3,6: 129
Paarl Division, Esterhuysen 9602 (BOL,
holo.!).
Erect or ascending shrublet, 0,2-0, 4 m
tall, habit approaching forms of A. fdicaulis
(no. 71). Foliage somewhat greener than in
subsp. pinea. Bracts and bracteoles 3,5-6 mm
long. Calyx lobes 4-5,5 (-7) mm long. Stand-
ard blade 7,5—9 x 7,5-11 mm; wing blades
7—8,5 x 3, 5-5, 5 mm, sometimes pubescent
on apical part; keel blades 7-9 mm long. Pod
c. 20 mm long. Figure 37: 8-15.
Restricted to mountains in the Stellenbosch, Paarl and
Worcester Divisions, growing at moderate or rather high
altitudes, up to 1 200 m. Map 38.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4089; Esterhuysen 9602;
Rehm, Stellenboschberg; Stokoe, SAM 61878.
Approaching A. filicaulis (no. 71) in size and habit,
but a close relationship to this is doubtful.
79. Aspalathus macrocarpa Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 203; Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 630 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 123
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
96 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 120: 34 (1967).
Type: Cape, ‘Wagenmakersbosch’, Swellen-
dam, Ecklon & Zeyher 1392 (S, lecto. ! ; K,
SAM).
An erect, lanky, up to 2 m tall, sparingly
branched shrub with few lateral branches or
none; upper parts of branches long-tomentose
to sericeous. Leaves of long-shoots subtended
by a woody, yellow, obtuse, glabrous leaf base
spur 1 -2 mm long. Leaflets linear, 5— 12(— 16)
mm long, slender, weak, bright green, acute,
glabrous or usually sparsely and patently pu-
berulous. Flowers solitary, on lateral short-
shoots, distributed along long distances of the
shrub. Bract linear, 2-4,5 mm long, and c. 0,4
mm broad, weak, sericeous. Pedicel 2,3-3
mm long, sericeous. Bracteoles 2-4,5 mm
long. Calyx tube sparsely sericeous; lobes nar-
rowly triangular (-subulate), upper 1,5-2, 7
FIGURE 38. Aspalathus macrocarpa (1-9); A. rostrata (10-19). — 1, 10: parts of branches with unifloral short-
shoots; 2: flower; 3: standard, front view; 4, 16: wing petals; 5, 17: keel petals; 6: long anther; 7: short anther; 8, 19: pistils;
9: fruit; 11: short lateral branch (leaf bases bluntly spurred); 12: bract; 13: bracteole; 14: calyx; 15: standard, back view; 18:
staminal sheath with pistil enclosed. — 1-8 from Dahlgren <4 Strid 3462; 9 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1392 ; 10, 11, 14-19
from Compton 18410; 12-13 from Walgate BOL 23851. — (1, 9, 14-17 x2; 2-5, 8, 11-13, 18, 19 x4; 6. 7 x8; 10
XI, 2.)
3,6: 130
CROTALARffiAE
mm long, lowest 1,8-3, 3 mm long, acumi-
nate, weak, sparsely sericeous. Petals yellow.
Standard blade elliptic, 12-14 x 8-11 mm,
sericeous on the back, apically acute-acuminate
and incurved, basally without distinct cal-
losities. Wing blades 9,5—10,5 x 3,2— 4,8
mm, glabrous. Keel blades distinctly rostrate,
10,2-12,7 x 5-5,5 mm, pale yellow, mutu-
ally connate also along upper sides near the
apex (to form an apical tube). Anthers basally
hairy, the long ones 2-3 mm, the short ones
0,5-0, 7 mm long. Pistil subsessile; ovary
linear; long-sericeous apically and on upper
half; ovules 14-16; style slender; stigma sub-
capitate (only slightly forwardly directed). Pod
linear-lanceolate, 22-33 x 4,3-5 mm, smooth,
often 4-seeded. Chromosome number : 2«=18.
Figure 38: 1-9.
Apart from the type collection from the not clearly
localized ‘Wagenmakersbosch’, the species has only been
collected on the foothills (altitude c. 400 m) of the Lange -
berg Mountains near ‘De Hoop’ Farm, Robertson Division,
where it grows in slightly clayey soil on steep fynbos
slopes. Map 38.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3462 , 4402; Ecklon &
Zeyher 1392.
As fully described by Dahlgren [in Bot. Notiser 120:
34-38 (1967)] the species obviously approaches most
closely A. rostrata (no. 80), though superficially more re-
sembling A. pinea (no. 78) and A. willdenowiana (no. 75).
80. Aspalathus rostrata Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 631 (1848); Harvey,
FI. Cap. 2: 124 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 10 (1): 99 (1965). Type: Cape,
‘C.B.S.’, Scholl (K, lecto. ! ; W).
Achyronia rostrata (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An erect shrub, probably more than 1 m
tall, with pale, rigid, spreading branches ending
as thorns. Young branches ± sulcate, minutely
puberulous, thorn-like; short, non-thomy lateral
branchlets developed in axils of long-shoot
leaves. Leaflets linear- filiform, 3-10 (-12)
mm long, almost straight, greyish, non-pun-
gent, short-sericeous. Leaf base tubercle-like,
continuing into a blunt, less than 1 mm long,
apically subglabrous woody spur. Flowers soli-
tary, each on a leafy short-shoot. Bract and
bracteoles linear-filiform, c. 2—2,5 mm long,
short sericeous, caducous. Pedicel 2—3 mm
long, sericeous. Calyx tube short-sericeous;
lobes narrowly triangular, 2-3 mm long, seri-
ceous. Petals pale or light yellow. Standard
blade ovate, 13-14 x 10-12 mm, short seri-
ceous on the back; without basal callosities.
Wing blades 10-12 x 4—4,5 mm, glabrous.
Keel narrowly rostrate, apically prolonged,
with the blades fused both below and above,
next to but not at the apex, forming a tube
around style and anthers; keel blades 13,5-15
mm long, 4, 5 -5, 2 mm broad at broadest part.
Anthers: basifixed anthers linear, much longer
than the dorsifixed ones. Pistil: ovary elongate,
hairy above; ovules 10-14; style glabrous;
stigma slightly forwardly directed. Pods not
seen. Figure 38: 10-19.
Restricted to a minor region near Eendracht in the
Montagu Division, at an altitude of c. 1 000 m. The region
is dry; the species probably grows in dry fynbos (or renos-
terbos-fynbos transition). Map 38.
Vouchers: Compton 18410; Lewis 4858; Walgate,
BOL 23851.
A very distinctive species, obviously most closely re-
lated to A. macrocarpa (no. 79) which has similar flowers,
a rostrate, apically tubular keel, very long basifixed anthers
and an ovary with numerous ovules.
Group 10: Rubescentes
Shrublets, decumbent to erect, sparingly or moderately densely branched. Young branches
pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets subterete or terete, linear to subulate or subfiliform, straight
or ± incurved, weak or stiff but not hard or prickly, acute, acuminate or apiculate, glabrous or
sparsely, often spreadingly hairy and with hair bases sometimes (A. asparagoides — no. 83) dis-
tinctly tubercular, when dried often ferruginous (latter two characters agreeing with members of
the Adnates Group— no. 1 1). Leaf base rarely (A. opaca subsp. pappeana — no. 82c) produced into
a woody spur up to 1 mm). Inflorescences unifloral on lateral short-shoots, dispersed along the
Crotalarieae
3,6: 131
branches, few to numerous, below leafy branch tips. Flowers small. Bract and bracteoles simple
(unifoliolate), rather similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves. Pedicel short, up to 1 mm. Calyx non-
fleshy; tube tomentose; lobes triangular or lanceolate to subulate or subfiliform, acute to acuminate
or apiculate, non-spiny, when short sometimes with very prominent midvein. Petals yellow or
ferruginous to dark red (often dark when dried, hence the group name), with claws free from
staminal sheath. Standard obovate-orbicular, pubescent on the back, with or without apical cusp
(this is prominent in forms of A. asparagoides). Wing blades glabrous, obliquely ovate or elliptic,
with c. 4-5 rows of minute folds on the upper basal parts. Keel blades glabrous or short-sericeous
on lower apical parts, lunate and obtuse or (A. campestris-no. 81) slightly rostrate and subacute,
with nearly straight to slightly concave upper margin and with distinct basal pouch. Pistil short-
stipitate; ovary pubescent, at least above; ovules 2; style often basally slightly hairy above; stigma
regular, capitate. Pod ovate, ± tomentose, small. Chromosome number: 2n=\$.
81. Aspalathus campesfris Dahlg. in
Bot. Notiser 115: 471 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 8 (1): 145 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 115
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 509 (1968). Type:
Cape, flats 14 miles west of Mossel Bay, Mos-
sel Bay Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 1426
(LD, holo.l).
A low, spreading, erect or ascending
shrublet c. 0,15-0,35 m tall, with straight, rig-
id (but not thorny) branchlet. Young branches
densely short-tomentose. Leaflets 3—9 (-15)
together, ± spreading, linear-subulate, 1 — 3,5
mm long, ± angular (— subterete), straight,
acute or apiculate, pale green, glabrous or with
sparse, short, spreading hairs. Bract subulate
(or narrowly lanceolate), 2, 5-3, 5 x 0,4-0, 6
mm, pointed, sparsely puberulous. Pedicel c.
0,5 mm long or less, tomentose. Bracteoles
similar to the bract, 2,7— 4 mm long. Calyx
lobes narrowly lanceolate or subulate, 3, 2-4, 5
mm long, green, subglabrous, with distinct
mid vein, acute or acuminate. Petals pale yel-
low becoming brownish purple. Standard blade
ovate, 5,5-7 x 4,5— 5,5 mm, acute but
without cusp. Wing blades obliquely ovate,
3, 2-4, 5 X 1,5—3 mm. Keel triangular-lunate,
subrostrate, 4, 8-5, 8 x 2,3-3 mm, with some-
what tapering subacute apex, glabrous. Pistil:
ovary pubescent on apical upper parts; style
slender, glabrous; stigma regular, capitate. Pod
ovate, 4,5-5 x c. 3 mm, tomentose on apical
and middle parts. Figure 39: 1-8.
Distributed on clayey hills and flats in the Caledon,
Montagu, Swellendam, Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divi-
sions, from Riviersonderend and Kogman’s Kloof in the
west to near Mossel Bay in the east. The fragmentary natu-
ral vegetation in which it grows, is a fynbos scrub with a
great proportion of renosterbos. Map 40.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1419, 1424, 1425,
1426; Dahlgren & Strid 4602A, 4778, 4781, 4789, 4911;
De Wet, BOL 26175; Pappe, SAM 70060.
Perhaps closely related to A. cymbiformis (no. 89), A.
asparagoides (no. 83) and A. opaca (no. 82), but also
showing some resemblance to A. ericifolia (no. 108) and A.
varians ( no. 110).
82. Aspalathus opaca Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 213 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 503
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 656
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 19 (1862); Schonl.,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 61 (1919); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 166 (1963); ibid.
9 (1): 117 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 510
(1968). Type: Cape, hills at Adow, Uitenhage
Division, Ecklon <& Zeyher 1468 (S, lecto.l;
SAM).
Achyronia opaca (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
lAspalathus elongata E. Mey., Comm. 1: 63 (1836), pro
parte — non A. elongata Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 202
(1836). Aspalathus elongata E. Mey. var. ((3) ramosissima
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 612 ( 1848). Type: Cape,
‘Drakensteen?’, Drege (probably incorrect statement).
Type not selected (S, W!).
Aspalathus pappeana Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 117 (1862).
Achyronia pappeana (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). Type: Cape, at Gauritz River, Riversdale Division,
Pappe 259 (TCD, lecto.l; BM, K, S, SAM).
Aspalathus schlechteri H. Bol. in Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27:
146 (1900); De Wild., PI. Nov. Herb. Hort. Then. 197
(1906). Type: Cape, Swartberg [Zwarteberg], 250 m, Cale-
don Division, Schlechter 9492 (BOL, holo.l; LD, PRE).
‘ Aspalathus carinata S. Garab. m.s.’, nom. nud. in
Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 49 (1941). Corre-
sponds to subsp. rostriloba.
3,6: 132
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 133
A decumbent, ascending or erect shrublet,
0,1 -0,6 m tall, from sparsely to rather densely
branched; branches often reddish, puberulous
on the young parts. Leaf base tubercle some-
times (in subsp. pappeana) produced into a
woody spur up to 1 mm long. Leaflets linear-
subulate, 1-7 mm long, 0,5— 0,8 mm thick,
subterete, ± rigid, acute to apiculate, straight
or slightly curved, glabrous or with scattered
hairs. Flowers rather small, few to several
along the branches. Bract 2-4, 5(— 5,5) x
0,4-0, 8 mm, slightly flattened, ± ciliate on
the margins. Pedicel less than 1 mm long,
puberulous. Bracteoles longer but narrower
than the bract, (2,5 — )3 — 6( — 6,5) mm long.
Calyx tube short-tomentose; lobes triangular to
lanceolate, 1,5-6 (—7) mm long, acute or acu-
minate, sometimes incurved and beak-like, sub-
glabrous or basally puberulous, with distinct
midribs, sometimes developed as fleshy ridges.
Petals bright yellow or brownish red. Standard
blade obovate, 5,5— 7, 5(— 8,5) x (5,5-)6-8
mm, short-pubescent on the back, with or with-
out a less than 0,5 mm long apical ‘tip’. Wing
blades narrowly elliptic, (4-) 4,5-6 x (1,5-)
2-2,5 (-3) mm. Keel blades lunate, (5-)
5,5-7 x 2, 5-3, 5 (—3,8) mm, obtuse, short-
sericeous on lower apical parts (c. one-tenth).
Pistil pubescent on the ovary and on upper side
of style base. Pod ovate, 4-6,5 x 2, 5-3, 5
mm, sparsely tomentose at least on apical parts.
Distributed in the southern divisions of the Cape, from
the Caledon Division in the west to the Alexandria Division
in the east. The species grows at least frequently on clayey
ground on fragments of fynbos-renosterbos transitional
scrub.
Within this quite variable species two regional, rather
distinctive form series have been separated as deviating
subspecies, both with rather short calyx lobes, one with
beak-like lobes with a very prominent, fleshy midrib
(subsp. rostriloba ), the other often with a leaf base spur
(subsp. pappeana).
Key to the subspecies:
la Calyx lobes 2-3,5 mm long, beak-like, with suc-
culent midvein 82b. subsp. rostriloba
lb Calyx lobes variable, with less prominent midvein:
2a Calyx lobes triangular-ovate, less than 3,5 mm
long; bract less than 3 mm long; bracteoles less
than 3,5 mm long; leaf base often with
‘spur’ 82c. subsp. pappeana
2b Calyx lobes lanceolate (-linear), more than 3,5
mm long; bracts more than 3 mm long; brac-
teoles more than 3,5 mm long; leaf base
without ‘spur’ 82a. subsp. opaca
82a. subsp. opaca.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1):
168 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 117 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 510 (1968). Type: see under spe-
cies above.
For synonymy see under the species above where all
names refer to this subspecies except those with the epithets
pappeana and carinata.
Shrublets of variable size. Leaflets usually
2 — 5( — 7) mm long; leaf bases without woody
spur or spine. Bract (2,8 — )3,5 — 4,5( — 5,5) mm
long and bracteoles (3 — )3,5 — 6 mm long.
Calyx lobes 3,5 — 5,5( — 6,5) mm long, some-
times slightly recurved, with distinct but not
strongly elevated midvein. Standard blade
(5,7 — )7— 8( — 9) X (5,5 — )6,2— 8 mm, with or
without a ‘tip’. Wing blades 4,5-6 X
(1,5 — )2 — 2,6( — 3) mm. Keel blades 5, 5-6, 5
x 3-3,8 mm. Pod (5,5 — )6 — 6,5 x 3—3,5
mm. Figure 39: 16.
Distributed from the Caledon Division (Swartberg,
base of Riviersonderend Mountains) in the west through the
Swellendam, Riversdale, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna,
Uniondale, Uitenhage and Alexandria Divisions, at low
altitudes and at least to a great extent on clayey flats. An
exception is the Prince Alfred’s Pass, where the subspecies
grows up to an altitude of more than 800 m. Map 41 .
Figure 39. Aspalathus campestris (1-8); A. opaca subsp. rostriloba (9-15); A. opaca subsp. opaca (16); A.
opaca subsp. pappeana (17-19); A. asparagoides subsp. rubro-fusca (20- 27); A. asparagoides subsp. asparagoi-
des(28 -35). — 1, 9, 20, 28: branches with unifloral short-shoots; 2, 10, 16, 18, 21, 29: flowers; 3, 22: bracts; 4, 23, 30:
bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 11: calyces; 6, 12, 24, 32: wing petals; 7, 13, 25, 33: keel petals; 8, 14, 26, 34: pistils; 15, 19, 35:
fruits, fruit walls; 17: spurred long-shoot leaf and lateral short-shoot; 31: standard, lateral view. — 1-8 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1426', 9-14 from Oldevig-Roberts (Belvedere, Knysna) (year: 1927); 15 from Fourcade 146', 16 from Dahlgren
& Peterson 1406 (George Distr. ); 17, 18 from Pappe 239 (Swellendam Distr.); 19 from Schlechter 1974\ 20-26 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1472', 27 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1467', 28 - 34 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1344', 35 from Fourcade
3881. — (1, 9, 20, 28 x 2; all others X4).
3,6: 134
Crotalarieae
Maps 39-41. — Map 39. Aspalathus asparagoides subsp. asparagoides (dots). — Map 40. A. asparagoides subsp.
rubro-fusca (squares); A. campestris (triangles). — Map 41. A. opaca subsp. opaca (dots); A. opaca subsp. pappeana
(squares); A. opaca subsp. rostriloba (asterisks).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 135
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1406, 1445, 1489 ;
Dahlgren & Strid 3812, 3910, 4807; Esterhuysen 6510;
Fourcade 1277; Muir 1395, 2208; Schlechter 9492, 9792.
82b. subsp. rostriloba Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 171 (1963); ibid. 9 (1):
117 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 510 (1968).
Type: Cape, Belvidere, Knysna, Knysna Divi-
sion, Oldwig-Roberts (S, holo.!).
Among the synonyms mentioned under the species, ‘A.
carinata nom. nud. corresponds to this subspecies.
Shrublet 0,3— 0,6 m tall. Branches white-
villous. Leaflets 1 — 2( — 3) mm long, glabrous
or very sparsely hairy; leaf base not produced
into a spur or spine. Bract 2,5 — 3,5 mm long;
bracteoles 3—4,5 mm long. Calyx lobes 1,8-4
mm long, beak-like, acuminate, with a highly
elevated, camose, glabrous midrib. Standard
blade 6, 8-7, 5 x 6— 7(— 7,3) mm; wing blades
4, 7-5, 5 x 1 ,8— 2,5 mm; keel blades 5,5— 7 x
2, 6-3, 4 mm. Pod 4-4,5 x c. 2,5 mm. Figure
39:9-15.
Distributed mainly in the George and Knysna Divi-
sions, with some records from the Uniondale Division.
Map 41.
Vouchers: Codd 3599; Dahlgren & Strid 4836; Four-
cade 3700, 3761, 6379; Keel 79; Schlechter 2440.
82c. subsp. pappeana ( Harv .) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 173 (1963); ibid.
9 (1): 117 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 510
(1968). Type: Cape, at Gauritz River, Rivers-
dale Division, Pappe 239 (TCD, lecto. ! ; BM,
K, SAM, S).
For the synonyms Aspalathus pappeana Harv. and
Achyronia pappeana (Harv.) Kuntze see under the species,
above.
An ascending or decumbent shrublet,
0,1 -0,3 m tall. Leaves: bases of long-shoot
leaves often produced into a spur or spine up to
1 mm long; leaflets 2,5—5 mm long. Bract 2—3
mm and bracteoles 2, 5-3, 3 mm long. Calyx
lobes triangular-ovate, 1 ,5 — 2,5( — 4) mm long,
not beak-like, with prominent midvein, but not
elevated as in subsp. rostriloba. Standard blade
7-8,5 x 6-8 mm; wing blades 4, 5-5, 5 x
1,5-2, 3 mm; keel blades 5, 5-6, 5 x 2, 8-3, 4
mm. Pod c. 5 x 2,8 mm. Figure 39: 17-19.
Restricted to the Swellendam and Riversdale Divi-
sions; growing on clayey flats. Map 41 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 2281, 2607, 4561, 4602,
4780, 4782, 4902; Pappe 239; Schlechter 1760, 1974.
83. Aspalathus asparagoides L. /.,
Suppl. 321 (1781); Lam., Encycl. 1: 287
(1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss.
bot. Aspalathus 1: 16 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:
956 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 956
(1802); DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 496 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 619 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
116 (1862); Muir, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 13:
64 (1929); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr.
20: 49 (1941); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 8 (1): 158 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 117 (1963);
in Bot. Notiser 121: 509 (1968). Type: Aspala-
thus specimen No. 38 in LINN, coll. Thunberg
(lecto.!).
Achyronia asparagoides (L. f.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 ( 1891).
Aspalathus rubro-fusca Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 619 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 17 (1862); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S.
Afr. 1: 61 (1919); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20:
50 (1941). Treated as subsp. rubro-fusca (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Dahlg., below. Achyronia rubro-fusca (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape, hills near
Zwartkops River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1467 (S, lecto.!; P, SAM).
Aspalathus alpina Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 218 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 494 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 619 (1848; as synonym of A. asparagoides );
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 117 (1862; as synonym of A. rubro-
fusca). Type: Cape, mountain slopes in Long Kloof, ?
Knysna or Uniondale Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1474 (S,
lecto. !; SAM). Treated below as synonym of subsp. rubro-
fusca.
A low, diffusely branched or erect or as-
cending, rather spreading shrub or shrublet
usually less than 0,5 m, but up to more than 1 m
tall, sparingly or rather densely branched.
Young branches short-villous. Leaflets varia-
ble, linear or subfiliform, (3-) 4-10 (-12)
mm long, slender, subterete or ± angular, acute
to acuminate, often ferruginous or red when
dry; varying from flexible, incurved and pro-
vided with spreading hairs from ± prominent
hair base tubercles to rather rigid, straight and
subglabrous or sparsely puberulous. Flowers
few to several along the branches. Bract subu-
late or filiform, 3-6 mm long. Pedicel short,
less than 1 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
3-6 mm long. Calyx tube tomentose; lobes lin-
3,6: 136
Crotalarieae
ear (-filiform), 4-8 mm long, ± weak, straight
or slightly incurved, acuminate (-acicular), gla-
brous or with spreading hairs from ± distinct
hair base tubercles. Petals ± yellow in early
stage, turning ferruginous or dark red. Standard
blade obovate-circular, 5,5-8 x 5-8 mm,
with an apical, weak, narrow, slightly incurved
‘tip’ 0,5-2, 1 mm long (not included in stand-
ard blade length). Wing blades narrowly ellip-
tic-oblong, (3,5-)4-6 (-7) x 1,3-2 mm.
Keel blades lunate-triangular, 4, 7-7, 8 x
2, 5-3, 5 mm, obtuse, glabrous or pubescent on
lower front parts. Pistil pubescent on the upper
parts, glabrous below, style base pubescent
above. Pod ovate, 4,5-6 x 3-3,5 mm, pubes-
cent at least on apical parts.
Distributed in the southern divisions, from near Cale-
don and Gansbaai, in the Caledon Division, through the
Swellendam, Robertson, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna,
Uniondale, Humansdorp, Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth Di-
visions as far as Alexandria in the east. The species grows
on lowlands and hill slopes at moderate altitudes, at least
sometimes on clayey soil and then often mingled with re-
nosterbos, but also on sandy substrates. The ecology needs
to be further investigated.
The species is variable. Populations ranging between
the Riversdale and George (and coastal part of Knysna)
Divisions have relatively long, very slender, and ± in-
curved leaflets and calyx lobes with spreading hairs from
distinct hair base tubercles; forms to the east of this, be-
tween the Knysna and Alexandria Divisions, have shorter,
± straight, smoother leaflets and calyx lobes. The former
generally have a glabrous keel, the latter a keel ± pubescent
on the lower apical parts. Of these the first mentioned com-
prise subsp. asparagoides, the latter subsp. rubro-fusca.
However, the westernmost forms, in the Caledon-Robert-
son-Swellendam Divisions are at least partly intermediate
between the subspecies.
Keel usually glabrous; bracts, bracteoles and calyx
lobes generally only c. 0,2 mm broad, filiform;
pod c. 5 mm long; shrubs diffusely branched,
low 83a. subsp. asparagoides
Keel usually ± pubescent at least on lower apical
parts; bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes 0,3-0, 6
mm broad; pod c. 6 mm long; shrublets ascend-
ing-erect, up to 1 m tall or more
83b. subsp. rubro-fusca
83a. subsp. asparagoides.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1):
160 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 117 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 121:509(1968).
Synonyms: the names given under the species with the
epithet asparagoides.
Shrublets or shrubs ascending or decum-
bent, often diffusely branched. Leaflets subfili-
form, 4 — 8( — 12) mm long, c. 0,3-0, 5 mm
thick, usually incurved, weak, distinctly tu-
bercled and with sparse, spreading hairs. Bract
(1 ,5 — )3,5 — 6 mm long and c. 0,2 mm thick.
Bracteoles (3-)4-6,5 mm long and less than
0,2 mm thick. Calyx lobes (3,5-) 4,5-7 mm
long, slender, slightly incurved, similar to leaf-
lets of vegetative leaves. Standard blade 5,5-7
x 5—7 mm; cusp (0,5 — )0,8 — 1 ,2( — 2,1) mm
long. Wing blades 4-5 x 1,3-2 mm. Keel
blades 5—5,8 x 2,5-3 mm, usually glabrous
(occasionally hairy on lower front parts). Pod c.
4,5 x 3 mm. Figure 39: 28-35.
Distributed in the Swellendam to Knysna Divisions at
low altitudes, largely on clayey soils. Transitional forms
between the subspecies occur in the Caledon and Swellen-
dam Divisions. Map 39.
Vouchers: Burchell 6183; Dahlgren & Peterson 1344,
1410, 1439; Fourcade 3881; Muir 615, 1382, 2605;
Schlechter 5868.
Western, transitional forms may be larger shrubs, up to
1 m tall with densely hairy, ± straight branches but up to
more than 10 mm long leaflets and small petals occur in the
Caledon and Swellendam Divisions ( Dahlgren & Strid
2367, 2834, 2871, 4221, 4298, 4607; Leipoldt 3175).
These should possibly be referred to a third subspecies.
83b. subsp. rubro-fusca ( Eckl . & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 163
(1963); ibid. 9 (1): 117 (1963); in Bot. Notiser
121: 510 (1968). Type: Cape, hills near Zwart-
kops River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1467 (S, lecto. !; P, SAM).
Synonyms: the names enumerated under the species
with the epithets rubro-fusca and alpina; see above.
An erect or ascending, sparsely or densely
branched shrub, up to 0,5(— 1) m tall with
straight (or bowing) branches. Leaflets linear,
(3— )4 — 8(— 10) mm long, 0,4-0, 6 mm thick,
straight or slightly incurved, smooth or indis-
tinctly tubercled, subglabrous or with scattered
hairs. Bract linear-subulate, 3-5 x 0,3-0, 6
mm. Bracteoles 3—5 (—6) mm long. Calyx
lobes linear-subulate, 4-8 mm long, with
sparse, spreading hairs, more rigid than in
subsp. asparagoides. Standard blade 5,5-8 x
5-8 mm, apical ‘tip’ 0,5- 1,8 mm long. Wing
blades (3,5-) 4-6 (-7) x 1,5-2, 5 mm. Keel
blades 4, 7-7, 8 x 2,5— 3,5 mm, usually seri-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 137
ceous on the lower apical parts. Pod c. 6 x 3,5
mm. Figure 39: 20-27.
Subsp. rubro-fusca has its main distribution area east
of that of subsp. asparagoides, i.e. from the George or
Knysna Division in the west to the Alexandria Division in
the east. It seems to grow largely on sandy substrates, in
fynbos vegetation. The western forms, in the Robertson,
Caledon and Swellendam Divisions, some of which are
reminiscent of subsp. rubro-fusca , are mentioned above.
The smaller measurements in the above description often
refer to them. Map 40.
Vouchers: Compton 7156;Dahlgren & Peterson 1472,
1498, 1519, 1525; Fourcade 3375, 3815, 6972; Galpin
10735; Schlechter 6074;Zeyher 2339.
The most closely related species is, perhaps, A. opaca
(no. 82).
Group 11: Adnates
Prostrate or procumbent to ascending or erect shrubs up to 2 m (A. neglecta (no. 93), A.
chenopoda — no. 102), sparingly to densely branched; young branches pubescent. Leaves trifolio-
late, with axillary short-shoots; leaflets subterete or sometimes rather flat (e.g. forms of A. ciliaris
(no. 96), A. confusa — no. 95), linear, subulate, subfiliform or rarely sausage-shaped, straight or ±
incurved, acute to acuminate, mucronulate or sometimes sharply spine-tipped, usually sparsely
pubescent, rarely subglabrous or glabrous with hair bases often distinctly tubercular, when dried
often orange to ferruginous, sometimes black. Leaf base distinct, in A. aculeata (no. 103) pro-
duced into an up to 7 mm or rarely 10 mm long spine. Inflorescence either a terminal head of few to
several flowers or unifloral and situated on lateral short-shoots or both terminal uni- or bifloral and
unifloral lateral ones on the same plant. Flowers medium-sized to rather large. Bracts either all
trifoliolate and similar to the vegetative leaves or, more rarely, unifoliolate, or in some species the
outer flowers of inflorescence with trifoliolate and the inner (central) with unifoliolate bracts;
transitional forms between tri- and unifoliolate bracts rarely present and then only exceptionally
lobate; basal portion of bract (‘petiole’) sometimes up to some mm long; in A. aculeata prolonged
into a spine. Pedicel short, up to c. 2 mm or absent. Bracteoles simple (unifoliolate), similar to
bract leaflets. Calyx not camose, pubescent; tube pubescent, pale; lobes triangular, ovate, spoon-
shaped, linear or Filiform, sometimes of same texture as leaflets, obtuse, acute, acuminate or rarely
spine-tipped; when broad sometimes with 1—3 distinct veins. Petals yellow or ferruginous to red,
wing and keel claws generally at least basally attached to the stamina! sheath (hence the group
name). Standard circular, ovate or obtriangular, pubescent on the back and sometimes on apical-
marginal part of the front, apex sometimes produced into a distinct to rather conspicuous, some-
times green and terete cusp. Wing blades glabrous, obliquely ovate or narrowly elliptic, with 3-6
rows of minute folds on basal upper parts. Keel blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous or rarely (forms of
A. ciliaris — no. 96) pubescent basally with a ± prominent pouch. Pistil short-stipulate; ovary
small, glabrous or usually pubescent; ovules 2; style more slender than in other groups. Pod small,
ovate, one-seeded. Chromosome number : 2/1= 18.
84. Aspalathus pallescens Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 218 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 639 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 130
(1862); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20:
50 (1941); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8
(1): 155 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 1 16 (1963); in Bot.
Notiser 120: 39 (1967). Type: Cape, ‘mountain
slope near Plettenberg Bay’ (probably incorrect
statement); Mund, Ecklon & Zeyher 1476 (S,
lecto. !; SAM).
Achyronia pallescens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
An erect shrub, 0,5- 1,2 m tall, rather
densely branched, with rigid, stiff branches.
Young branches white-tomentose or villous.
Leaves on prominent but not spurred leaf base
tubercles. Leaflets linear, 3-6 mm long, subte-
rete, slightly incurved, not stiff, pale green,
subglabrous or with sparse, short appressed
hairs, obtuse or acute. Inflorescences unifloral,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 139
on lateral short-shoots, distributed several to-
gether along the branches below leafy branch
tips. Bract simple, linear, c. 1,5 mm long, sub-
obtuse, apical half green, subglabrous and sub-
terete, basal half pale, puberulous. Bracteoles
similar to the bract, 1,5-2 mm long. Calyx
tube campanulate, short-tomentose; lobes nar-
rowly ovate or oblong, 3-4 x 1,2— 1,7 mm,
upper-lateral ones partly overlapping basally,
subacute, basally pubescent, with distinct,
green, subglabrous margins and midrib; upper
two lobes divided by a comparatively deep slit.
Petals pale yellow (or cream-white). Standard
blade almost circular, 6-6,5 x 7—8 mm,
rounded apically, short-sericeous on the back.
Wing blades narrowly rectangular-elliptic,
5,5-6 x c. 2 mm. Keel blades c. 5 x 2,5 mm,
glabrous, with very slightly upcurved upper
margin. Wing and keel claws free from the sta-
minal sheath. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary seri-
ceous. Pod triangular-ovate, 6, 5-7, 5 x c. 3,5
mm, smooth, sparsely short-tomentose. Figure
40: 1 - 1 1 .
Probably restricted to limestone ridges (± 200 m
above sea level) west of the Potberg (Ouplaas = Wydgele-
gen region) in the Bredasdorp Division; growing in fissures
of limestone rock. The statement ‘Plettenberg Bay’ on the
type collection is undoubtedly wrong. Map 42.
Vouchers: Barker 8733', Dahlgren & Strid 3649,
4188.
A very distinct species, ecologically characteristic in
being calcicolous. Perhaps closely related to the equally
calcicolous A. prostrata (no. 86) and A. salteri (no. 85), but
very different in habit.
85. Aspalathus salteri L. Bol. in J. Bot.,
Lond. 63: 76 (1930); Salter in Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950; as a syno-
nym of A. prostrata); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 8 (1): 150 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 115
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 509 (1968). Type:
Cape, Buffel’s Bay, Cape Peninsula, Salter,
BOL 18928 (BOL, holo. !; BM).
A decumbent or procumbent (but not pros-
trate) shrublet with branches up to 0,6 m long or
more, sparingly to fairly much branched, with
acsending branchlets rarely reaching more than
0,15 m above the ground. Young branches and
branchlets tomentose or short-villous, usually
reddish. Leaflets linear, (0,5—) 1—2,5 (-3)
mm long and c. 0,5 mm thick, terete, obtuse or
subacute, glabrous or sparsely tomentose, ±
straight, bright green. Inflorescences usually
unifloral, on tips of (often very) short branch-
lets or on short-shoots. Bract simple, linear,
2—3 mm long, 0,3— 0,6 mm broad, pale at the
base, otherwise green, succulent, obtuse. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract, 2, 5-3, 5 mm long.
Calyx tube pale or reddish, longitudinally
ridged, subglabrous or sparsely short-tomen-
tose; lobes triangular, 1-3,5 (-4) mm long,
succulent, green, obtuse (subacute), glabrous or
sparsely puberulous. Petals bright to pale yel-
low. Standard blade circular or broadly ob-
ovate, 6,3-8 x 7-9 mm, apically rounded but
often with a ‘tip’, sericeous (-tomentose) on the
back. Wing blades narrowly elliptic or obovate,
4.2— 6 x 2—3,2 mm. Keel blades lunate,
5. 3- 6, 5 X 3-4 mm, obtuse, glabrous, with ±
convex upper margin. Wing and keel claws
usually not adnate to the staminal sheath. Pistil
short-stipitate; ovary tomentose. Pods not seen.
Figure 40: 21—34.
Distributed in the southern parts of the Cape Peninsula
and in parts of the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions;
always growing on limestone rocks or in lime-rich soils.
Map 42.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 8538; Compton 1932, 10198;
Dahlgren & Peterson 1239; Dahlgren & Strid 4197, 4523;
Esterhuysen 26441, 29373; Salter 1841, 4129, 7114;
Schlechter 9591 , 9685, 9715.
Differs from A. prostrata (no. 86) in being procumbent
or decumbent rather than prostrate and in having succulent,
subterete bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes. A. salteri, A.
prostrata and A. pallescens (no. 84) are probably rather
closely related to each other and all three to A. cymbiformis
(no. 89).
Figure 40. Aspalathus pallescens (1-11); A. prostrata (12-20); A. salteri (21-34). — 1, 12, 22, 31: branches
with unifloral branchlets (short-shoots); 2: old branch; 3, 13, 23: flowers; 4, 14, 24, 32: bracts; 5, 15, 25, 33: bracteoles
(prophylls); 6, 16, 26, 34: calyces; 7: standard, side view; 27: standard, front view; 8, 18, 28: wing petals; 9, 19, 29: keel
petals; 10, 20, 30: pistils; 11, 21: fruit; 17: wing and keel petals with claws attached to staminal sheath. — 1-10 from
Barker 8733 ; 11 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1476; 12-20 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1410 ; 21 from Dahlgren & Strid 4198 ; 22-30
from Salter 429; 31-34 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1239. — (1, 2, 12, 22, 31 X 2; 3- 11, 13-21, 23-30, 32-34 x4.)
3,6: 140
Crotalarieae
Maps 42—47. — Map 42. Aspalathus pallescens (squares); A. salteri (triangles); A. prostrata (rhomboid). — Map
43. A. incurva (unbroken line). — Map 44. A. linguiloba (unbroken line). — Map 45. A. cymbiformis (unbroken line);
A. keeromsbergensis (squares); A. caespitosa (triangles). — Map 46. A. spicata (unbroken line); A. neglecta (triangles);
A. cliffortioides (squares). — Map 47. A. cUiaris (unbroken line).
Crotalarieae
86. Aspalathus prostrata Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 206 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 493
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 613
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 113 (1862); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 148 (1963);
ibid. 9 (1): 115 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 120: 39
(1967). Type: Cape, in mountains near Swel-
lendam (locality statement wrong; see below),
Mund, Ecklon & Zeyher 1410 (S, lecto.!;
SAM).
Achyronia prostrata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
1: 157(1891).
Salter in Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950)
considered A. salteri a synonym of A. prostrata; however,
the two species are distinct.
A prostrate shrublet forming horizontal
mats c. 0,8 m across, closely branched. Young
branches and branches slack, weak, rather thin,
densely leafy and ± sparsely short-tomentose.
Leaflets fusiform-linear, 1-3 mm long, c. 4
mm thick, subterete or slightly flattened, obtuse
or subobtuse, sparsely tomentulose. Inflores-
cences unifloral, on the tips of short, leafy
branchlets, closely subtended by the nearest
leaves. Bract ovate, 1,3— 1,8 x c. 1 mm, flat,
subacute, sparsely tomentulose, 1-3-veined,
green except at base. Bracteoles similar to the
bract, 1,5-2 x 0,8- 1,2 mm. Calyx tube cam-
panulate, sparsely tomentose, with ± promi-
nent longitudinal ridges; lobes ovate, 1,2—2 x
1 — 1,5 mm, acute or subobtuse, with green, ±
distinct margins and midvein, the lateral ones
on each side ± overlapping basally. Petals yel-
low. Standard blade broadly obovate, 5-8,5 x
7 mm, rounded at apex, densely sericeous-to-
mentose on the back. Wing blades narrowly
rectangular-elliptic, 5, 5 -6, 5 x 2-2,4 mm.
Keel blades lunate, 6—6,5 x 2,5-3 mm, gla-
brous, with ± straight upper margin and a
prominent basal pouch. Wing and keel claws
3-4 mm long, basally adnate to the staminal
sheath for 1 — 1,5 mm. Pistil stipitate; with
small, pubescent ovary and slender, glabrous
style. Pods rhombic-ovate, c. 4 x 2,5 mm, pale
brown when ripe, pubescent at least on the api-
cal parts. Figure 40: 12-20.
Probably restricted to horizontal limestone rocks in the
Amrston region, Bredasdorp Division, spreading on partly
bare, flat rocks with otherwise sparse calcicolous scrub ve-
getation (Dahlgren in Bot. Notiser 120: 39, 1967). Map 42.
3,6: 141
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4198; Mund, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1410.
Distinct from A. salteri (no. 85) in its prostrate habit,
flat and ovate bracts and bracteoles and flat, ovate calyx
lobes. Probably related to A. salteri and A. pallescens (no.
84).
87. Aspalathus incurva Thunb., Prodr. 2:
127 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 1: 14 (1802);
FI. Cap. edn 2, 578 (1823); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
112 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 480 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 124 (1963); ibid.
9 (1): 114 (1963). Type: ‘ Aspalathus incurva '
in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. !).
Paraspalathus incurva (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130
(1845); wrongly applied to A. parviflora. Achyronia in-
curva (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1845).
? Aspalathus dregeana Walp. in Linnaea 13: 486 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 612 (1848; as a syno-
nym of A. elongata E. Mey., non Eckl. & Zeyh.); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 1 12 (1862; as a synonym of A. incurva). Type:
Cape, ‘Drackensteen?’ (incorrect locality statement) pro
parte, Drege (this part of the collection not seen, lectotype
therefore not selected).
A decumbent to ascending shrublet with
0,2-0,35 m long branches rarely reaching
above 0,2 m above the ground, sparingly
branched. Young branches reddish and short-
tomentose (-villous). Leaflets linear, 2-8 mm
long, acute, subterete or angular, often slightly
curved, pale greyish green, glabrous or often
sparsely pubescent. Inflorescences unifloral, on
lateral short-shoots or on short branchlets.
Flowers medium-sized. Bract simple or occa-
sionally trifoliolate, similar to vegetative leaf-
lets (leaves); 3, 2 -4, 5 (-7) mm long, almost
triangular in transverse section. Pedicel 0,4—1
mm, pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the
(simple) bract, (3,2-) 4-6,5(-7,5) mm long.
Calyx tube densely short-tomentose; lobes lin-
ear or very narrowly lanceolate, 5 — 7( — 10) mm
long and 0,9- 1 ,2(— 2) mm broad, pale or grey-
ish green, with distinct margins and midvein,
weak, acuminate, sparsely pubescent. Petals
yellow, becoming ferruginous or reddish.
Standard blade circular or broadly (ob)ovate,
7,5— 10(— 10,5)x8,5- 1 1(- 1 1 ,5) mm, densely
short-sericeous on the back, glabrous on the
front, the apex with a 0,3-1 mm long ‘tip’.
3,6: 142
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 41 . Aspalathus linguiloba (1-9); A. incurva (10-17). — 1, 4, 10: branches with floriferous short-shoots; 2.
5, 11: bracts; 3, 6: bracteoles (prophylls); 7. 14: wing petals; 8. 15: keel petals: 9, 16: pistils; 12: flower; 13: standard, front
view; 17: fruit. — 1-3 from Wall, Caledon Distr. (year: 1938); 4-9 from Wall, Cape Agulhas (year: 1938); 10-17 from
Wall, Constantiaberg (year: 1938). — (1,4, 10 x 2; 2. 3, 5-9. 11-17 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 143
Wing blades obovate-elliptic, (4 — )5 — 6( — 6,6)
X 2-2,3 mm. Keel blades lunate, 6— 7(— 7,4)
x 3-3,8 mm, glabrous, with slightly convex
upper margin. Pistil with tomentose ovary. Pod
triangular-ovate, 5,5-6 x c. 4 mm, smooth,
tomentose on most parts. Figure 41: 10-17.
Probably restricted to the Cape Peninsula where it
occurs from the southern parts to Table Mountain, growing
on sandy and stony (Table Mountain Sandstone) slopes in
fynbos vegetation. Map 43.
Vouchers: Compton 10634 , 15437; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1742, 1747; Ecklon 58; Salter 1957, 2906, 2914, 7944
pro parte, 7957 , 7990; Wolley-Dod 289, 477.
There is great variation in length of bracts and brac-
teoles and size of calyx lobes and petals. The species is
easily confused with forms of A. ciliaris (no. 96), but is
most closely connected with A. linguiloba (no. 88) which
grows in the same region. Its distinction from the latter
species may prove problematic in some cases and popula-
tion studies are desirable.
88. Aspalathus linguiloba Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 115: 470 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 8(1): 127 (1963); ibid. 9(1): 115 (1963);
in Bot. Notiser 121: 508 (1968). Type: Cape,
Klaver Valley, Simonstown Division, Wall
(LD, holo. ! ; S).
A. macrosepala Steud. in Flora 13: 545 (1830), not
validly published. Steudel described it as a possible syno-
nym of A. spicata, remarking: ‘ist diese Annahme nicht
richtig ist die vorliegende Art neu, und verdiente den Na-
men A . macrosepalus' .
A. elongata E. Mey. /non Eckl. & Zeyh ./ var. (a) virgata
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 612 (1848). Type: Cape,
between Paalen and the Blaauwberg, Cape Town or Bell-
ville Division, Zeyher433 (K, lecto.!; BOL, G, S, SAM).
A decumbent or ascending, sparingly
branched shrublet rarely ascending more than
0,3 m above the ground. Branches ascending,
short-tomentose on the young parts, with rather
prominent leaf base tubercles. Leaflets linear
(-subulate), 3-7 mm long, subterete or an-
gular, acute or acuminate, pale (greyish) green,
glabrous or (those near the branch tips) with
scattered hairs. Inflorescences unifloral, on
lateral short-shoots and, besides, often 1 or 2 at
the branch tip. Flowers rather large. Bract
usually simple (rarely trifoliolate), linear,
3,5-6 x 0,5 — 1 ,1 mm, slightly flat, pale at the
base, with distinct midvein. Pedicel very short.
Bracteoles similar to the bract but longer,
4-7(— 7,5) mm. Calyx tube pale, short-tomen-
tose; lobes linear-lanceolate or tongue-like
(hence the specific name), 6- 10 x 1 ,2—2 mm,
flat, with 3 or 5 ± distinct veins, ± green,
partly subglabrous and green, partly puberu-
lous, acute (-subobtuse). Petals pale yellow or
often ± purplish. Standard blade circular, api-
cally rounded, densely sericeous (-tomentose)
on the back. Wing blades linear-elliptic, (6,5—)
7,5—10,5 x 2,5—4 mm. Keel blades lunate,
8—10 X 3,7— 4,5 mm, obtuse or rarely sub-
acute, glabrous, with ± straight upper margin.
Wing and keel claws adnate to the staminal
sheath for their basal third. Pistil with short,
narrow stipe; ovary sericeous on most parts
Figure 41: 1—9.
Recorded from the Cape Peninsula, marine sand of the
Cape Flats and coastal sandy parts of the Caledon, Bredas-
dorp and Swellendam Divisions. Growing on both marine
sand and sand weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone,
in fynbos vegetation. The easternmost locality is sandy flats
east of the Potberg Mountain. Map 44.
Vouchers: Bolus 7906; Dahlgren & Peterson 1236,
1308; Dahlgren & Strid 3999, 4542, 4585; Esterhuysen
23320; Galpin 12241; Leighton 333; Salter 7921, 8007;
Wolley-Dod 357.
The forms north of Table Mountain on the Cape Flats
are taller than those in the southern parts of the Cape Penin-
sula. Rather small-flowered forms with short caiyx lobes
also occur in the Bredasdorp-Swellendam Division and
parts of the Caledon Division, although long leaflets and
calyx lobes characterize forms near Hermanus, Caledon
Division.
A. linguiloba approaches A. cymbiformis (no. 89), but
the calyx lobes are longer and lack the spathulate convex
apices of that species. The distinction from A. incurva (no.
87) is less clear, and these two species may need to be
united.
89. Aspalathus cymbiformis DC., Prodr.
2: 140 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 160
(1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 206 (1836);
E. Mey., Comm. 1: 62 (1836); Walp. in Lin-
naea 13: 493 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 613 (1848; as a synonym of A. uni-
flora); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8(1):
132 (1963); ibid. 9(1): 115 (1963); in Bot. No-
tiser 121: 509 (1968). Type: Cape, Camp’s
Bay, Cape Peninsula, Burchell 391 , in herbar-
ium De Candolle (G, holo. !).
Trineuria cymbiformis (DC.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 131
(1845).
A. cymbiformis DC. var. (a) hirta DC.. Prodr. 2: 140
(1825). Type: probably the same as for A. cymbiformis:
Burchell 391 (G). See Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
8(1): 132(1963).
3,6: 144
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 145
A. cymbiformis DC. var. (P) pubescens DC., Prodr. 2:
140 (1825). Type: probably another branch mounted on the
same sheet as Bure hell 391, above, in G (holo. !).
A. scaphoides Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 206 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 493 (1839; as a synonym of A. cymbi-
formis var. (P) pubescens). Type: Cape, stony slopes at
Lion’s Rump (‘Leeuwenrugg’), Cape Peninsula, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1409 (S, lecto. !; P, SAM).
Trineuria cochleariformis Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 132
(1845). Type: Sieber 160 (G, L, M, P, W!, syntypes).
'Aspalathus uniflora' auct. non L., Sp. PI. edn 1: 712
(1753), as used in L., Sp. PI. edn 2: 1001 (1763); Lam.,
Encycl. 1: 289 (1783); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
613 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 113 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903); Adam-
son & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950). Linnaeus ob-
viously changed concepts of A. uniflora between the 1st and
2nd edition of Sp. PI. For the accepted concept of A. uni-
flora L., see p. 3,6: 125.
A decumbent to ascending (-erect), spar-
ingly to rather densely branched shrub, 0,15 —
0,4 m tall. Young branches densely short-vil-
lous or tomentose. Leaflets linear, 1,5-4 (-6)
mm long, acute or obtuse, subterete, angular,
or slightly flattened, greyish to bright green,
glabrous, sparingly patent-pubescent or grey-
tomentulose, flexible or rather rigid, without
prominent hair base tubercles. Inflorescences
uni- or bifloral, on branch tips or sometimes on
lateral short-shoots. Flowers medium-sized.
Bract simple (or rarely trifoliolate), linear,
1,5— 4,5 x 0,3-0, 9 mm, slightly flat or subte-
rete, with pale base, otherwise green, obtuse or
subobtuse. Pedicel 0,5- 1,5 mm long, pubes-
cent. Bracteoles similar to the bract,
(2 — )2,5 — 4,5( — 6) x 0,4-0, 8 mm. Calyx tube
pale, tomentose; lobes generally spoon-shaped,
apically green, wide, rounded, convex, 3—5
(-6) mm long, but sometimes linear-oblanceo-
late, and subacute and only slightly convex;
generally with sparse spreading hairs. Petals
usually bright yellow, often with violet shades
on the back of the standard. Standard blade
broadly obovate, (6,5-) 7-9 (-10,5) x
(6,5—) 7,5-10 (-11) mm, with or without an
apical ‘tip’, short-sericeous or tomentose on the
back. Wing blades narrowly obovate, 4—6
(—6,5) x 2—3,2 mm. Keel blades lunate,
5. 5- 7, 2 x 3-4 mm, glabrous, with almost
straight upper margin; apex sometimes slightly
extended forwards. Wing and keel claws rather
short, usually attached at the base to the stami-
nal sheath. Pistil: ovary pubescent. Pod ovate,
4.5— 6,5 x 3,1-4 mm, smooth, tomentose.
Figure 42: 1-28.
Distributed in the south-westem divisions of the Cape
Province, from the Cape Peninsula northwards to the Dar-
ling area (Malmesbury Division) and the mountains in the
westernmost part of the Caledon Division (Houwhoek-Gor-
don’s Bay) northwards to the Piketberg Mountain and
mountains in the Worcester and Ceres Divisions, possibly
even the Clanwilliam Division. The species grows on
clayey as well as sandy ground; its ecological differentiation
needs further investigation. Map 45.
The regional variation is considerable, and will be de-
scribed briefly with vouchers mentioned separately.
(1) Forms in the Somerset West Division and the west-
ern part of the Caledon Division have rather short (1-2 mm
long), firm, subglabrous leaflets, and medium-sized flowers
with 3-4 mm long, semiglobose calyx lobes. Bracts and
bracteoles are 2-3,5 mm long.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 568, 1298, 1799;
Parker 4013; Salter 5204; Schlechter 7253; Werdermann
& Oberdieck 275.
(2) On the Cape Peninsula the species generally has
either green or grey foliage, and the leaves vary from short
to rather long and slender (c. 4 mm long or more); the calyx
lobes are spoon-shaped to semiglobose, as in the previous
forms, and the flowers are slightly larger than in these. Very
grey-hairy forms occur in the Devil’s Peak-Llandudno area,
but are connected by transitional forms with those having
bright green foliage, e.g. in the Wynberg region.
Vouchers: Acocks 20695; Dahlgren & Peterson 576,
612, 1214; Ecklon & Zeyher 1408, 1409; Leighton 703;
Wolley-Dod 896.
(3) Few collections occur from the Malmesbury and
Stellenbosch Divisions. These have oblanceolate-spathu-
late, obtuse or subacute calyx lobes but otherwise agree
with the Peninsula forms. A form from the Piketberg Divi-
sion (Guthrie, no number) has unusually long leaflets and
calyx lobes. Like some forms in the Malmesbury Division it
has rather straight, rigid and spreading branches.
Figure 42. Aspalathus cymbiformis (1-28); A. keeromsbergensis (29-37). — 1, 8, 14, 20, 29: branches with
(mostly unifloral) inflorescences; 2, 9, 15, 21, 22, 31: bracts; 3, 10, 16, 23, 32: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 24, 33: calyces; 5,
11, 17, 25, 35: wing petals; 6, 12, 18, 26, 36: keel petals; 7, 13, 19, 27, 37: pistils; 28: fruit in state of dehiscence; 30:
flower; 34: standard, back view. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1129 (Worcester Distr. ); 8-13 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 873 (Malmesbury Distr. );<14— 19 from Dahlgren & Peterson 612 (Cape Peninsula); 20 - 27 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 758 (Somerset West Distr.); 28 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1799; 29-37 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1261
(Worcester Distr.: Keeromsberg). — (1, 8, 14, 20, 29 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 146
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 147
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 654, 873, 1274; Van
Niekerk 1; Van Rensburg 1961, 2004.
(4) Fairly small-flowered forms of the species occupy
mountains around the Hex River Valley and near Ceres, in
the Worcester and Ceres Divisions. Their leaflets are 1-2
mm long, their bracts and bracteoles 1,5 -3, 5 mm and the
calyx lobes, which are ovate to lanceolate, or broadly lin-
ear-fusiform, are c. 2,5 mm long. The petals are small; the
standard blade 6, 5-7, 5 x 6, 5x7,5 mm, the wing blades
4-4,5 x 2-2,5 and the keel blades 5,5-6, 5 x 3-3,5
mm. These forms, which might be worthy of subspecific
rank, are probably confined to clayey shale bands.
Vouchers: Compton 9975, 12886; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1117, 1129; Dahlgren & Strid 4382; Esterhuysen
3665; Schlechter 10222.
(5) Aberrant in the species, and similar to but even
smaller in leaves, calyx lobes and petals than the previous
forms, this form is provisionally referred to A. cymbiformis.
It occurs on the Swartberg, Caledon Division.
Voucher: Schlechter 9790.
A. cymbiformis is similar to and probably most closely
related to A. linguiloba (no. 88), A. keeromsbergensis (no.
90) and A. incana (no. 15). An intermediate between
A. cymbiformis and A. linguiloba is Esterhuysen 19574
from Bredasdorp Poort, Bredasdorp Division. It is best in-
cluded in A. linguiloba.
90. Aspalathus keeromsbergenis Dahlg.,
sp. nov.
Fruticulus ascendens, c. 0,3 m altus; ra-
mis strictis, divaricatis; ramulis dense tomento-
sis. Foliola linearia, 1,2-2, 8 mm longa, c. 0,3
mm crassa, subteretia, obtusa, cano-virides,
breviter pilosa. Flores solitarii in apicibus ra-
mulorum. Bracteae simplices, lineares, 2-2,3
mm longae, 0,3 mm latae, foliolis vegetativis
similes. Pedicelli minus quam 0,5 mm longi,
tomentosi. Bracteolae lineares, c. 2,5 mm
longae. Tubus calycis breviter tomentosus; lobi
lineares, digitiformes, 3,3—4 mm longi, pallide
virides, obtusi-subacuti, sparse pilosi. Petala
pallide flava, breviter unguiculata. Lamina
vexilli c. 6,5 X 6,5 mm, dorso breviter sericea;
apex attenuatus, ± incurvus, viridis, ad 0,5
mm longus. Laminae alarum anguste elliptico-
obovatae, c. 4,2 X 2 mm, glabrae. Laminae
carinae lunato-subrostratae, 5,7—6 x c. 2,8
mm, obtusae, glabrae; ungues alarum et cari-
nae a tubo staminum separati. Ovarium bre-
viter tomentosum, 2-ovulatum. Legumen
ignotum.
Type: Cape, Keeromsberg, western side,
shale band at 500—750 m. Esterhuysen 9209
(BOL, holo. ! ; LD).
Mentioned by Dahlg. >n Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8(1):
142—143 (1963) under A. cymbiformis DC., and illus-
trated, there, in Fig. 51.
An ascending shrublet c. 0,3 m tall with
straight, spreading branches. Young branches
densely tomentose. Leaflets linear, 1,2-2, 8
mm long, c. 0,3 mm thick, obtuse, weak, grey-
ish green, with spreading, short hairs. Inflores-
cences unifloral on the tips of short leafy
branchlets. Flowers rather small. Bract simple,
linear, 2—2,3 mm long, and c. 0,3 mm broad,
similar to the leaflets. Pedicel less than 0,5 mm
long, pubescent. Bracteoles c. 2,5 mm long and
c. 0,2 mm broad. Calyx tube pale, tomentose;
lobes linear, finger-like, 3,3-4 mm long, and
c. 0,4 mm broad, pale green, weak, obtuse or
subacute, clothed with sparse, spreading hairs.
Petals pale or very light yellow (cream-
coloured) with short claws. Standard blade cir-
cular, c. 6,5 x 6,5 mm, densely short-sericeous
on the back, midvein prominent, continuing
apically into a slightly incurved, greenish tip c.
0,5 mm long. Wing blades narrowly elliptic-
obovate, c. 4,2 x 2 mm. Keel lunate, 5,7-6 x
c. 2,8 mm, obtuse, glabrous, slightly prolonged
(subrostrate) towards the apex; upper margin
nearly straight. Wing and keel claws free from
staminal sheath. Pistil short-tomentose on the
ovary. Ripe pods not seen. Figure 42: 29-37 .
Restricted to the Keeromsberg Mountain, Worcester
Division; growing on clayey soil (shale band) at altitudes of
500-750 m. Map 45.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1261; Esterhuysen
9209.
Differs from A. cymbiformis (no. 89), with which it is
probably most closely related, in the linear, apically not at
all widened calyx lobes, the somewhat more prolonged
(‘subrostrate’) keel and the pale, cream-yellow petals. The
apical ‘tip’ on the standard is rarely as prominent as in
FIGURE 43. Aspalathus ciliaris (1-7); A. millefolia (8-15); A. caespitosa (16-24). — 1, 8, 16: floriferous
branches; 2, 9, 18: bracts; 3, 10, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 12: standard petals (front view); 5, 13, 21: wing petals; 6, 14,
22: keel petals; 7, 15, 23: pistils; 11: calyx, upper two lobes to the right; 17: flower; 20: wing and keel petals attached with
claws to the staminal sheath; 24: fruit. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1448 (Knysna Distr.); 8-15 from Stokoe, SAM
64896; 16-23 from Esterhuysen 11090; 24 from Esterhuysen 8600. — (1,8, 16 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 148
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 149
A. cymbiformis. In some of its features A. keer-
omsbergensis approaches, but is much smaller than, forms
of A. spicata (no. 92) occurring in the Cederberg Moun-
tains.
91. Aspalathus caespitosa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 120 (1963); ibid. 9
(1): 114 (1963). Type: Cape, Stettynsberg,
summit, c. 1 450 m altitude, Worcester Divi-
sion, Esterhuysen 11090 (BOL, holo. !).
A densely branched, compact, prostrate or
cushion-like shrublet, with main branches up to
more than 0,2 m long, creeping on or just below
the surface of the ground. Young branches
short- villous, very densely leafy. Leaflets
linear, (1,5—) 3—6 mm long, c. 0,3 mm thick
or less, subterete, slightly incurved, obtuse or
subacute, with minute sparse hair base tubercles
and few, short, spreading hairs. Inflorescences
unifloral, on branchlet tips, the rather small
flowers surrounded basally by the uppermost
leaves. Bract simple, linear, similar to a vegeta-
tive leaflet, 5—6 mm long. Pedicel short, short-
tomentose. Bracteoles similar to the bract, 4-5
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, with sparse
spreading hairs; lobes subulate-linear, 3,5-4
mm long, green, weak, pointed, with sparse,
spreading hairs on minute tubercles. Petals yel-
low to ferruginous (-red). Standard broadly ob-
triangular-obovate, 7,5 — 8^5 x 8—8,5 mm,
short-tomentose on the back, glabrous on the
front; apex with a short ‘tip’. Wing blades very
narrowly elliptic, 5,2-6 x 2-2,5 mm. Keel
blades lunate, 5,5-6 x c. 3 mm, glabrous,
with very slightly concave upper margin. Wing
and keel claws c. 3,5^4 (—4,5) mm long,
adnate to the staminal sheath for at least half the
length. Pistil pubescent only on apical third of
the ovary. Pod obliquely ovate, c. 5,5 x 2,5
mm, smooth, pubescent on apical parts. Figure
43: 16-24.
Found on the summits and upper slopes of mountains
in the Paarl and Worcester Divisions, so far known from Du
Toit’s Peak and Stettynsberg, on slopes at 1 250—1 500 m
altitude. Map 45.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 8600, 11090.
Superficially somewhat similar to A. asparagoides
(no. 83), but denser, more compact and with much shorter
standard cusp, differing from that species in, for example,
the wing and keel claws which are relatively much longer
and basally attached to the staminal sheath, as in A. ciliaris
(no. 96) and A. millefolia (no. 97) and, especially, forms of
the A. spicata (no. 92) complex, with which it is probably
most closely related.
92. Aspalathus spicata Thunb., Prodr. 2:
127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 14 (1802);
FI. Cap. edn 2: 578 (1823). Type: ‘ Aspalathus
spicata, e Cap. b. spei’, in Thunberg’s her-
barium (UPS, lecto. !).
Paraspalathus spicata (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130
(1845); used by Presl for A. cephalotes. Aspalathus spicata
Thunb. subsp. spicata, Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8
(1): 102 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 1 14 (1963).
Aspalathus remota Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 218 (1836)
(non Aspalathus remota L. Bol., see A. calcarea — no.
248); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 499 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 613 (1848). Type: Cape, slopes ofWinter-
hoek Mountains near Tulbagh, Tulbagh Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1478 (S, lecto. !).
Aspalathus nervosa E. Mey., Comm. 1: 62 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 493 (1839; as synonym of A. pros-
trata)-, Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 613 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 112 (1862). Achyronia nervosa (E.
Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: Cape,
Nieuwe Kloof (near Tulbagh), Tulbagh Division, Drege (S,
lecto.!; G, K, P).
Aspalathus benthamii (‘ Benthami ’) Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
111 (1862). Type: 'Aspalathus comosa' (incorrectly
applied), Du Toit’s Kloof, Worcester Division, Drege (K,
lecto.!; L, P). The 'Trineuria comosa ( Aspal . comosa
Thunb.)’ as conceived in Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 131 (1845),
also corresponds to this taxon.
[The name ‘A. spicata Thunb.’ has generally been
misapplied upon Aspalathus cephalotes subsp. violacea
(no. 120b) but also for A. cerrhantha (no. 124); see further
under these species.]
An erect or ascending, rarely decumbent,
shrub or shrublet from less than 0,2 to more
than 2 m tall, sparingly to rather densely
Figure 44. Aspalathus spicata, different forms. — 1, 5, 9, 13, 15: branch ends with flowers; 2, 6, 10, 16: bracts; 3,
7, 11, 17: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 19: standard petals, side view; 8, 23: fruit walls; 12, 14: flowers; 18: calyx, upper two
lobes to the right; 20: wing petal; 21: keel petal; 22: pistil. — 1-4, 8 from Compton 12691 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 5-7 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 931 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 9-12 from Maguire 1148 (Worcester Distr.); 13, 14 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1178 (Ceres Distr.); 15—22 from Esterhuysen 1883', 23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 670 (these from Tulbagh
Distr.). — (1,5,9, 13, 15 x 2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 150
Crotalarieae
3,6: 151
branched. Young branches villous or tomen-
tose. Leaves of long-shoots alternate. Leaflets
linear or subulate, (1 — )3 — 10 mm long, sub-
terete, acute or acuminate, rigid or weak,
smooth, or with prominent hair base tubercles,
greyish to clear green, with spreading or short,
half-appressed hairs. Inflorescence unifloral or
bifloral on branch tips and, sometimes on late-
ral short-shoots. Bract simple, subulate or fili-
form, similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves,
1 — 7( — 9) mm long. Pedicel very short, tomen-
tose. Bracteoles similar to the bract, 1,3-8
(-9,5) mm long. Calyx tube short- or long-
tomentose or almost sericeous; lobes from
almost ovate to lanceolate or linear, 2—10 mm
long, 0,7— 2,1 mm broad at the base, acute or
acuminate, rigid or weak, straight or recurved,
glabrous or with sparse hairs, with ± prominent
midvein and margins, often with prominent
(hair base) tubercles. Petals pale yellow to
orange-yellow (sometimes when fading, ferru-
ginous). Standard blade broadly obovate,
(7,5—) 8,5—14 x 8-11,5 mm, tomentose
(sericeous) on the back, glabrous on the front,
apex obtuse or (in some populations) produced
into a tip up to 2 mm long. Wing blades nar-
rowly elliptic, (5,3—) 6—9,5 x 2,5—4 mm.
Keel blades lunate, (6,7—) 7,5 — 11,5 x
3. 2- 4, 8 mm, glabrous (or with a few hairs on
basal lower parts); upper margin slightly con-
cave to ± straight. Pistil: ovary generally
pubescent. Pod triangular-ovate, 6-8 x
2. 3 - 3, 8 mm, ± tomentose, smooth, brown
when ripe. Figure 44.
Distributed in mountains from the Paarl Division in the
south to the Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia Divisions in the
north, including the Piketberg, but not beyond the Ceres-
Paarl Divisions in the east. The different regional races
occur on different levels, but generally below 1 000 m. The
habitat is sandy and rocky (Table Mountain Sandstone)
mountain slopes with fynbos vegetation. Map 46.
The variation is considerable, and the vouchers will be
mentioned together with briefly described populations.
(1) The typical form, in the Tulbagh region, consists of
erect, up to 2 m tall shrubs with greyish, somewhat hairy,
smooth, short rigid leaflets, large flowers (some on lateral
short-shoots), with short, broad, recurved calyx lobes 2-5
mm long. The light yellow petals are large, the standard
blades without apical ‘tip’, 10—14 x 9-11,5 mm and keel
blades 9- 1 1 ,5 x 3, 5-4, 5 mm.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 5033; Dahlgren & Peterson 670,
1077; Drege, Nieuwekloof; Ecklon & Zeyher 1478; Ester-
huysen 6073, 18831; Hutchinson 387; MacOwan, Herb.
Norm. Austr. Afr. 822; Schlechter 9003.
(2) Similar forms, but with longer leaflets, often more
green and with ± distinct hair base tubercles, and often with
somewhat longer calyx lobes and often slightly smaller pe-
tals (sometimes with a short tip) occur in the Piketberg
Division (Piketberg Mountain) and in the mountains of the
Clanwilliam, Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia Divisions.
Vouchers: Acocks 17442, 19706; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 969, 1006; Leipoldt 3753; Pillans 7228, 7460; Taylor
2885.
(3) Lower, smaller-flowered forms at higher eleva-
tions, with short, weak, green leaflets with ± distinct tu-
bercles, c. 4-7 mm long, linear calyx lobes and petals
smaller than in the previous forms occur in the Ceres-Clan-
william Divisions.
Vouchers: Acocks 19844; Dahlgren & Peterson 1059,
1153, 1178; Esterhuysen 13488; Maguire 1216; Pillans
9052.
(4) Central Cederberg Mountains house a large-
flowered population of erect, up to c. 0,7 m tall shrubs with
bright green, rather long, tubercled leaflets, bright yellow
flowers and calyx lobes 7-8 mm long. The standard in
these forms generally has a ‘tip’ up to more than 1 mm long.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 931; Pillans 9127.
(5) Smaller-flowered, similar forms in the same range
include: Compton 6192, 12691; Dahlgren & Peterson 275,
328, 334, 336, 939; Esterhuysen 7169, 14963; Leipoldt
3367.
Certain forms in the Paarl-Worcester Divisions have
smoother, more rigid (prickly) leaves and medium-sized
flowers. The standard has an apical hook as in A. neglecta
(no. 93), which they slightly approach. As in this, the ovary
is also partly glabrous. They include the type of A. ben-
thamii. They are, however, much smaller in floral and leaf
size and are glabrous on the front of the standard and on the
keel.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 5155; Dahlgren & Peterson 1281;
Esterhuysen 13525, 17779, 20876; Maguire 1148; Pillans
6751; Schlechter 10271.
A. spicata should perhaps be subdivided into 3 or 4
subspecies according to the above, but this needs further
population studies.
Figure 45. Aspalathus neglecta (1-9); A. clifTortioides (10-17). — 1, 10, 15, 16: floriferous branches; 2: flower;
3, 11: bracts; 4, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: standard, front view; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 14: keel petals; 8: pistil; 9, 17: fruit
walls. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 567 ; 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1300 ; 10—14 from Wall, Tradouw Pass,
Swellendam Distr. (year: 1938); 15 from David, Potberg, Bredasdorp Distr. ; 16, 17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1825
(Riviersonderend Mts., Caledon Distr.). — (1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 16 x2;3, 4, 6-9, 11-14, 17 X4.)
3,6: 152
Crotalarieae
It is related to A. cliffortioides (no. 94) and A. neglecta
(no. 93).
93. Aspalathus neglecta Salter in G. J.
Lewis, Salter and W. F. Barker in J1 S. Afr.
Bot. 15: 35 (1949); Adamson & Salter, FI.
Cape Penins. 485 (1950). Type: Cape, near
Exeter Avenue, Wynberg Hill, Cape Peninsula,
Salter 9007 (BOL, holo.!; GB, NBG, PRE).
A. spicata Thunb. subsp. neglecta (Salter) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8(1): 113 (1963); ibid. 9(1): 114
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 508 (1968).
An erect, much branched shrub 0,7-2 m
tall, with main trunk basally up to more than 10
mm thick. Young branches densely villous or
tomentose. Leaves of long-shoots alternate.
Leaflets spreading, linear, needle-like, 6-13
mm long, ± angular, straight, rigid, spine-
tipped (pungent) with sparse, half-spreading
hairs; green when fresh, ferruginous when dry
(withered). Inflorescence a terminal group of
(1 — ) 2 — 4 densely-grouped flowers or unifloral
on short- shoots adjacent to the branch tips, so
that the flowers are aggregated up to c. 8 to-
gether. Flowers large, conspicuous. Bracts nor-
mally simple (rarely trifoliolate), with the leaf-
let similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves; (3-)
5-12 mm long, 0,3— 0,6 mm thick. Pedicel
1 —2 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles similar to
the bract, (2,5—) 4,5-10 mm long. Calyx tube
sparsely tomentose (-sericeous); lobes linear-
subulate, 5—10 mm long, straight, rigid, spine-
tipped, ciliate with long hairs. Petals bright yel-
low-orange or ferruginous, in late stages bright
or dark red. Standard blade obovate, (11—)
12,5—17 x (9—) 10,5—14 mm, densely to-
mentose on the back and usually short-hairy on
apical marginal parts of front, apex obtuse, with
a less than 1 mm long, glabrous hook. Wing
blades narrowly ovate-elliptic, 7,5—12 x
(2,5-) 3-5 mm. Keel blades lunate, (9,5-)
10—12 x (3,8-) 4,2— 5,5 mm, with slightly
concave upper margin and prominent basal
pouch, the apical-lower parts usually sparsely
sericeous, seldom totally glabrous. Wing and
keel claws attached at the base to the staminal
sheath. Pistil: ovary long-pubescent on apical
half. Pod triangular-ovate, c. 7—8 x 4—4,5
mm, tomentose at least on apical half; smooth,
brown when ripe. Figure 45: 1-9.
Restricted to the northern parts of the Cape Peninsula
and the Hottentots Holland, French Hoek, Drakenstein and
Wemmershoek Mountains in the Cape Town, Somerset
West, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Caledon Divisions. Growing
on sandy and rocky slopes at low altitudes, in fynbos vege-
tation. Map 46.
Vouchers: Bolus 7510; Dahlgren & Peterson 372,
567, 1300 ; Dahlgren & Strid 3714; Esterhuysen 14637,
17673; Parker 3873; Salter 4234, 6997, 9007, 9010, 9320;
Salter & Dahlgren 1250; Van der Merwe 2228.
Probably very closely related to forms of A. spicata
(no. 92) in which it has formerly been included, differing in
having long, rigid, spine-tipped leaves, large flowers turn-
ing ± red, and usually a standard ± pubescent near apex of
the front and a keel ± pubescent on the lower apical parts. It
is quite close to some forms of A. ciliaris (no. 96), which
have, however, less rigid leaves and trifoliolate bracts.
94. Aspalathus cliffortioides H. Bol. in
Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 17: 144 (1900); De Wild.,
PI. Nov. Herb. Hort. Then. 1: 193 (1906).
Type: Cape, Genadendal, Caledon Division,
Schlechter 9822 (BOL, holo.!; BM, G, K, LD,
P, PRE, S, W, Z).
A. spicata Thunb. subsp. cliffortioides (H. Bol. in
Schltr.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 95 (1963);
ibid. 9(1): 114(1963).
An erect or ascending shrub, fairly densely
branched, up to c. 0,6 m tall. Young branches
short-tomentose, reddish. Leaves of long-
shoots opposite or subopposite. Leaflets linear,
3- 11 (usually 5-9) mm long, subterete,
straight or slightly incurved, acute-acuminate,
pale green, smooth and glabrous or with sparse
spreading hairs from ± prominent hair base.
Flowers solitary or in pairs on the branch tips or
solitary on lateral short-shoots. Bract usually
trifoliolate, occasionally unifoliolate; leaflets
similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves, (3-)
4- 10 mm long. Pedicel short. Bracteoles simi-
lar to bract leaflet(s). Calyx tube tomentose;
lobes lanceolate or linear, (4 — )4,5 — 9,5 mm
long, usually with prominent green margins and
prominent midvein, acute-acuminate, glabrous
and smooth or with scattered hairs from ±
prominent hair base tubercles. Petals yellow.
Standard blade obovate, 8,5— 11 (—12, 2) x
7, 5-9, 5(- 10,5) mm, densely sericeous on the
back, with an apical, subterete, pointed cusp
0,8 -2,2 mm long. Wing blades narrowly ovate
or obovate, 5 — 7( — 7,8) x 2, 5-3, 2 mm. Keel
blades lunate, 6,5 — 8,5(— 9) x 3,2-4 mm, gla-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 153
brous, with nearly straight (or slightly S-
curved) upper margin. Wing and keel claws
adnate for 1-2 mm to the staminal sheath. Pis-
til: ovary ovate, ± long-pubescent. Pod trian-
gular-ovate, 5-5,5 x 2,5-3 mm, sparsely se-
riceous, brown when ripe. Figure 45: 10-17.
Distributed mainly in the Worcester, Caledon, Bredas-
dorp, Robertson and Swellendam Divisions in the Stettyns-
berg, Langeberg, Riviersonderend, Swartberg and Potberg
Mountains; growing at various altitudes, 100-1 250 m, on
sandy and rocky (Table Mountain Sandstone) slopes in fyn-
bos vegetation. Map 46.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1820, 1825 ; Dahl-
gren & Strid 3632 , 4903 ; Esterhuysen 11146; MacOwan
2800; Schlechter 9822.
There is great variation in the species, with some forms
being similar to A. spicata (no. 92), others to A. ciliaris
(no. 96), the opposite or subopposite leaves being perhaps
the most typical feature. Densely tubercled leaves occur on
the Swartberg and Riviersonderend Mountains, while forms
in the Swellendam-Robertson Divisions (Langeberg) have
smoother, glabrous leaves, bracts and calyx lobes. Indis-
tinctly tubercled leaves also characterize the forms in the
Worcester Division (Stettynsberg) and those on the Potberg
in Bredasdorp Division, the latter with a very short, in-
curved standard cusp, rather like that in some forms of A.
spicata. This variation is further described by Dahlgren in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 95-102 (1962) where A.
cliffortioides was included in A. spicata.
95. Aspalathus confusa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund (8) (1): 117 (1963); ibid. 9
(1): 114 (1963). Type: Cape, mountain slopes
in Tulbagh Valley near Waterfall, Eckloti &
Zeyher 1464 (S, lecto. !; K, L, M, SAM, W).
Aspalathus simsiana Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216 (no.
1464) (1836) — non Aspalathus simsiana Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 200 (no. 1372) (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 488
(1839; as a synonym of A. araneosa. The unusual homo-
nymy in the same publication is the reason for the new
epithet 'confusa' . IParaspalathus simsiana (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130 (1845).
A decumbent or ascending, sparingly
branched shrublet up to c. 0,25 m tall. Young
branches usually dark reddish, but covered with
white-woolly pubescence. Leaves of long-
shoots alternate, subsequently with lateral leafy
short-shoots. Leaflets of young long-shoot
leaves linear, 10 — 16(— 19) mm long and up to
c. 0,8 mm broad, slightly flattened, weak,
green, acute or acuminate, with sparse, rather
long, spreading hairs; leaflets of lower branches
(short-shoot-leaflets) much smaller and subgla-
brous. Inflorescence a terminal head of
3— 4(— 6) flowers. Bract simple, similar to a
leaflet of a vegetative leaf, 6—14,5 x 0,2— 0,5
mm, with sparse spreading hairs from ± promi-
nent hair base tubercles. Pedicel c. 1 mm long,
pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the bract,
7—11 mm long. Calyx tube white-sericeous
(-woolly); lobes linear-filiform, 7-12 x
0,5— 0,7 mm, weak, flexible, of same texture
as the bract. Petals light yellow. Standard
broadly obovate, 10—12 x 9,5-14 mm, to-
mentose on the back, glabrous on the front,
with a straight, green, apical ‘tip’ up to 1 mm
long. Wing blades elliptic-obovate, 5,5— 9,5 x
2,5—5 mm. Keel blades lunate, 7,5—10 x
4— 5,2 mm, glabrous with ± straight upper
margin. Wing and keel claws attached at the
base to the staminal sheath. Pistil: ovary long-
pubescent. Pod ovate, c. 5,5 x 3,3 mm, white-
villous. Figure 46: 12—20.
Distributed in the Tulbagh, Ceres and Clanwilliam Di-
visions, on mountain slopes, at least sometimes with clayey
soil. Map 49.
Vouchers: Bolus 5025; Dahlgren & Peterson 955;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1464; Esterhuysen 26888; Leipoldt 535;
Van Breda 342.
Differs from A. ciliaris (no. 96) in the simple bracts
and soft, slightly flat leaflets on the young branches (A.
ciliaris in the same region is represented by forms quite
unlike A. confusa). Perhaps closest to A. spicata (no. 92),
but different from this, too, in the leaflet shape.
96. Aspalathus ciliaris L., Mant. 226
(1771); Lam., Encycl. 1: 289 (1783); Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 1:
14 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 958 (1802); Ait.f.,
Hort. Kew., edn 2, 4: 263 (1812); Thunb., FI.
Cap., edn 2, 578 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 142
(1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 157 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 217 (1836); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 63 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 489
(1839); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 73
(1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 611
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 111 (1862); H. Bol.
& Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
253 (1903); Schltr. in Zahlbr. in Annin naturh.-
Mus. Wien 20: 19 (1905); Schonl., Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 1: 61 (1919); Fourcade, Mem.
bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 49 (1941); Salter in
3,6: 154
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 155
Salter, G. J. Lewis & W. F. Barker in J1 S. Afr.
Bot. 15: 35 (1949); Adamson & Salter, FI.
Cape Penins. 480 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 63 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 1 13
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 508 (1968). Type:
the Aspalathus specimen no. 28 in LINN
(lecto. !).
Trineuria ciliaris (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 131 (1845).
Achyronia ciliaris (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus capitata L. var. (a) major Berg., Descr. PI.
Cap. 202 (1767). Type: Cape, Cap. b. spei, Grubb (SBT,
holo.!).
Aspalathus appendiculata E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 157
(1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 217 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 497 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
61 1 (1848; as synonym of A. ciliaris). Trineuria appendicu-
lata (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 131 (1845). Type:
Cape, Swartberg [Zwarteberge] above Caledon’s Bath.
Ecklon (S, lecto.!).
Aspalathus dubia E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 157 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 218 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:
504 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 611 (1848;
as synonym of A. ciliaris). Type: Cape, Lion’s Rump (‘Lo-
wenriicken, Tafelberg’), Cape Peninsula, Ecklon (S,
lecto.!).
Aspalathus aulonogena Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 486 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 611 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 111 (1862;
as synonym of A. ciliaris). Type: Cape, stony mountain
slope in Tulbagh Valley near Waterfall, Tulbagh Division,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1465 (S, lecto.!; SAM, W).
Aspalathus oresigena Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 217
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 489 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7:611 (1848); Harv. , FI. Cap. 2: 111 (1862;
as synonym of A. ciliaris). Type: Cape, mountain slopes
near Krom River (‘Krumrivier’), Humansdorp Division,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1471 (S, lecto. !; P, W).
Aspalathus papillosa Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 217
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 489 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 611 (1848; as synonym of A. ciliaris).
Type: Cape, stony mountain slope in Tulbagh Valley near
Waterfall, Tulbagh Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1472 (S,
lecto. !;G,K,L,M, SAM, W).
Aspalathus meyeriana Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 218
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 489 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 611 (1848; as synonym of A. ciliaris).
Paraspalathus meyeriana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Be-
merk. 130 (1845). Type: Cape, northern and eastern slopes
of Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, Ecklon & Zeyher 1473
(S, lecto.!; M,P, SAM,W).
Aspalathus ciliaris L. var. ((3) calycina E. Mey., Comm.
1: 64 (1836). Type: Cape, Paarlberg, Paarl Division, Drige
(S, lecto. !;G,K,L,P,W).
Aspalathus leucophaea Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 112 (1862).
Achyronia leucophaea (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). Type: Cape, Twentyfour River Mountains, Piket-
berg Division, Zeyher 40 (S, lecto. !; SAM).
Achyronia ciliaris (L.) Kuntze var. (a) normalis Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 3: 48 (1898). Type: Cape, Caledon, Caledon
Division, Kuntze (specimen of this at K!).
Achyronia ciliaris (L.) Kuntze var. (P) dubia Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 3: 48 (1898). Type: Cape, Devil’s Peak, Cape
Peninsula, Kuntze (specimen of this at K!). (Kuntze did not
refer to A. dubia E. Mey., though he may have had a com-
bination of this epithet in mind.)
Aspalathus robusta H. Bol. in Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27: 145
(1900). Type: Cape, hills at Elim, Bredasdorp Division, H.
Bolus 8536 (BOL, holo.!; K, LD, NH, PRE).
Since the publication by H. Bolus (in Schltr. in Bot.
Jb. 27: 145, 1900) forms of A. ciliaris have been incorrectly
called ‘A. benthamii Harv.’, but the type of this belongs to
A. spicata.
A decumbent, ascending or erect, spar-
ingly or densely branched shrub reaching a
height of 0,1-1 ,5 m. Young branches from
short-tomentose to woolly, pale yellow to red-
dish, and sparsely to very densely leafy. Leaves
of long-shoots alternate; leaflets linear, sub-
filiform or subulate, 3-15 (-20) mm long,
straight or often slightly incurved (sometimes
recurved), from weak and flexible to rather
stiff, acute or acuminate, only rarely somewhat
prickly, pale to bright green (turning ferrugi-
nous, black or brown when fading in different
races), glabrous or sparingly patent-pubescent,
with or without distinct hair base tubercles. In-
florescence a terminal group or head of
2 — 6( — 10) flowers radiating from almost one
point, and sometimes, in addition, unifloral and
situated on lateral short-shoots. Flowers
medium-sized to rather large. Bracts trifolio-
late, similar to the uppermost vegetative leaves,
the leaflets situated on a short base; leaflets
4-16 mm long, 0,3- 1,2 mm broad, with
dense or sparse spreading hairs from ± distinct
hair base tubercles. Pedicel 0,3- 1,5 mm long,
Figure 46. Aspalathus ciliaris (1-11); A. confusa (12-20). — 1, 6, 12: branches with inflorescences; 2, 7, 13:
bracts; 3, 8, 14: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 9, 16: wing petals; 5, 11, 18: pistils; 10, 17: keel petals; 15: flower; 19: staminal
sheath with pistil enclosed; 20: fruit. — 1-5 from Leighton 2595 (Bredasdorp Distr.); 6-11 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1057 (Ceres Distr.); 12—19 from Dahlgren & Peterson 955 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 20 from Esterhuysen 26888. — (1, 6, 12,
13, 15 x2; 2-5, 7-11, 14, 16-20 x 4.)
3,6: 156
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 157
pubescent. Bracteoles simple; similar to bract
leaflets, 4,5 — 13( — 15) X (0,3 — )0,4 mm. Ca-
lyx tube short-tomentose to woolly; lobes
linear, lanceolate or (rarely) ovate, 3,5-13
(—15) mm long, acute to acuminate, generally
with ± distinct midvein and often distinct mar-
gins, clothed with variably dense, spreading
hairs from ± prominent hair base tubercles;
upper two lobes often much broader than the
lower. Petals bright yellow, when fading or
drying usually becoming reddish, in certain
forms black or brown. Standard blade broadly
(triangular-) obovate or circular, 10—15
(—17,5) x 10— 15(— 16,5) mm, densely to-
mentose on the back, glabrous on the front,
often with a short, less than 1 mm long, apical
‘tip’. Wing blades narrowly ovate or elliptic,
7— 13(— 14) X 3 — 5 ,5( — 6) mm. Keel blades
lunate, (7,5— )8— 12(— 13) x 3,8— 5,7(— 6,2)
mm, glabrous or in some populations ± seri-
ceous, with ± straight to somewhat concave
upper margin. Wing and keel claws attached to
the staminal sheath at least at the base. Pistil :
ovary pubescent or sometimes glabrous on ba-
sal lower parts. Pod (rarely seen) triangular-
ovate, 5,5— 6,5 X 3-3,5 mm, smooth, ± to-
mentose. Chromosome number: 2«=18 (count-
ed in several collections.) Figures 43: 1-7, 46:
1 - 1 1 & 47 .
Perhaps the most variable and complex species in the
genus (besides A. spinosa — no. 165), distributed from Cape
Agulhas (Bredasdorp Division) and the Cape Peninsula
northwards to the Piketberg and southern end of Clanwil-
liam Divisions in the north-west, and eastwards along the
coast and along the southern mountain ranges as far as the
Humansdorp Division in the east. A. ciliaris generally
grows on sandy (Table Mountain Sandstone) ground with
fynbos vegetation and is restricted to altitudes of c. 800 m
or less. Map 47.
(1) In the western part of the Caledon Division and the
Bredasdorp Division as far as Potberg in the east and Cape
Agulhas in the south, the species is represented by erect or
ascending, up to 1 m tall, rather robust forms with ± rigid,
slightly incurved leaflets c. 10 mm long or more, pale green
(turning ± ferruginous when dried), slightly tubercled, and
with 5 or more large flowers in terminal heads, linear
(-narrowly lanceolate) calyx lobes, and deep yellow petals
turning orange or red, with glabrous keel.
Vouchers: Barker 3005, 8468; Compton 6088; Dahl-
gren & Peterson 431, 534, 565, 859; Dahlgren & Strid
3401; Leipoldt 3174; MacOwan 1426; Penther 2552; Pil-
lans 8198; Schlechter 9680.
(2) Forms similar to the preceding but often with more
slender leaflets and with closely ciliate leaves enveloping
the inflorescences, occur in the French Hoek region (Paarl
Division) and part of the Stellenbosch Division. The stand-
ard often has a prominent ‘tip’ or cusp and the keel may be
(very slightly) pubescent, whereby these forms link up with
the following more widely distributed forms with a ± hairy
keel.
Vouchers: L. Bolus in BOL 9693; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 801; Galpin 12335, 12336.
(3) A variable form series distributed from the Cape
Peninsula in the south through the Paarl, Worcester and
Ceres Divisions to the Tulbagh and Piketberg (Porterville
region) Divisions in the north is characterized by having a
± hairy keel. The shrubs are generally less robust than in
the above mentioned two form series, the leaves usually ±
curved, the upper ± tubercled and sparsely hairy, the lower
smaller and smooth. The flowers are generally situated
several together on the branch tips, but are also often scat-
tered on lateral short-shoots. The flowers are smaller on the
average than in the above forms, the calyx lobes linear or
very narrowly lanceolate.
Vouchers: Acocks 15261; H. Bolus 3271, 5022, 5024;
Compton 8225; Dahlgren & Peterson 693, 711, 796, 1063,
1075, 1081, 1100, 1188; Ecklon & Zeyher 1465, 1472,
1473; Salter 7859, 7962; Schlechter 9160.
(4) A form series on the high plateau in the Ceres
Division and in the southern part of the Clanwilliam Divi-
sion is characterized by decumbent (to nearly prostrate)
habit with branches radiating from a common centre. The
leaflets are 5—8 mm long, slightly curved, tubercled and
weak, and the flowers, 3—6 together, are situated in heads
or groups on the branch tips. The calyx lobes are rather
narrow, the petals rather small (largest in the Clanwilliam
Division) and the keel glabrous.
Vouchers: Compton 8396; Dahlgren & Peterson
1057; Esterhuysen 13489; Pearson 4936; Pillans 8719;
9658.
(5) The Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg Division) is
inhabited by decumbent-ascending forms with long-woolly
or cobwebby branches, leaflets 6 — 13( — 20) mm long,
weak, sparsely hairy and tubercled, and with heads of 3— 10
relatively large flowers with long bracts, bracteoles and
calyx lobes. The keel is glabrous. These forms of the spe-
cies have larger flowers than all others.
Vouchers: Compton 3656, 22990; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 910, 968, 985; Pillans 7501.
Figure 47. Aspalathus ciliaris, variation. — 1, 2, 7: floriferous branches; 3: bract; 4, 8: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 9:
wing petals; 6, 10: keel petals; 11: pistil; 12: fruit; 13: seed. — 1 from Salter 9811 (Cape Peninsula); 2-6 from Hafstrom,
Klapmuts (Cape Flats) (year: 1938); 7—11 from Dahlgren & Peterson 534 (Cape Hangklip, Caledon Distr. ); 12 from
Leighton 2551; 13 from Compton 6086. — (1, 2, 7 x2;3-6, 8-13 x4.)
3,6: 158
Crotalarieae
Maps 48 & 49. — Map 48. Aspalathus chenopoda subsp. chenopoda (unbroken line); A. chenopoda subsp. gracilis
(triangles); A. acanthiloba (rhomboids); A. aculeata (dots); A. pigmentosa (squares). — Map 49. A. araneosa (unbroken
line); A. rubiginosa (dots); A. millefoiia (squares); A. confusa (triangles).
(6) Smaller flowers and shorter weak, ciliate leaves
and flowers in heads, narrow bracts and calyx lobes and a
glabrous keel, occur on the hills south of Piketberg on the
Malmesbury and Cape Flats, Hopefield, Malmesbury and
Bellville Divisions.
Vouchers: Acocks 2113; Bachmann 827; Dahlgren &
Peterson 772; Pillans 6999; Zeyher 427.
(7) The forms dominating in the George and Knysna
Divisions are decumbent-ascending, rather low, with ±
curved, flexible, tubercled, ciliate leaflets and flowers in
terminal heads. The petals are yellow but easily become
dark (nearly black) not ferruginous or red, when dried. The
petal size is average to the species and the keel is pubescent
on most parts.
Vouchers: Acocks 21533, 31757; Bolus 2286; Comp-
ton 4452; Dahlgren & Peterson 196, 1411; Hutchinson
1232; Leipoldt 17092.
(8) In the mountains both west and east of the George-
Knysna Divisions other forms with a hairy keel prevail.
Some of these may grow to shrubs 1 - 1 ,5 m tall, others are
lower. Their leaflets are slender, weak and generally shorter
than in the George-Knysna forms. The flowers, generally in
heads, have rather small petals which turn reddish rather
than black when dried. These forms dominate in the Union-
dale and Humansdorp Divisions and also occur in the
Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1353, 1470 B, 1512;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1471; Esterhuysen 6844, 13630; Hutchin-
son 1340.
(9) A form series in the Caledon, Paarl, Swellendam,
Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions (widely different
from the one first mentioned above, in the Caledon-Bredas-
dorp Divisions) has often, incorrectly, been referred to as
‘A. benthamii' . Its characteristics are the low, ascending,
rather slender habit, low size (less than 0,5 m), rather short
and smooth leaflets, the inflorescences with 2 or 3 flowers
only, and sometimes unifloral short-shoots, the linear-lan-
ceolate calyx lobes and moderately large, yellow petals
turning orange or red when fading, and the generally gla-
brous keel.
Vouchers: Barker 7156; Compton 12380; Dahlgren &
Peterson 401-404, 413, 828, 1340, 1352, 1437; Mac-
Owan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 722; Muir 1241; Schlechter
5503, 5700.
(10) The most remarkable forms of the species are
probably those previously called A. robusta, which reach
their most typical appearance in the Bredasdorp Division
where they are ascending, robust- and thick-branched
shrubs with closely set, short (less than 4 mm long), broad
and somewhat flat leaflets. Bracts and bracteoles are short,
broad and flat, the bract leaflets up to 1,2 mm broad. The
calyx lobes are ovate, generally obtuse, the upper up to 4
mm broad. The petals are also broad and fairly large, and
the keel glabrous. Forms approaching these occur in the
Caledon Division but are less extreme and may be regarded
as transitional between ‘A. robusta' and those first treated
above, which occur in very much the same regions. Sepa-
rate status for ‘A. robusta' has been considered but found
unjustified because of the transitional forms.
Vouchers: Barker 7775; Bolus 8536; Compton 19015,
20444; Leighton 2578; Rycroft 1857; Salter 4080;
Schlechter 9650. Transitional: Compton 12254; Dahlgren
& Peterson 855 A, 1310; Ecklon & Zeyher 1469 pro parte;
Krauss 877; Maguire 1268; Rogers 26433.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 159
A. ciliaris is probably closely related to A. araneosa
(no. 100), A. rubiginosa (no. 98), A. pigmentosa (no. 99)
and A. millefolia (no. 97).
97. Aspalathus millefolia Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 115: 469 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 8 (1): 88 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 114 (1963);
in Bot. Notiser 121: 508 (1968). Type: Cape,
Palmiet River Valley, Caledon Division, Sto-
koe, SAM 64896 (SAM, holo.!).
A low, little or moderately branched
shrublet, decumbent or ascending, up to 0,4 m
tall, with slender branches short-villous or to-
mentulose on the young parts. Leaflets minute,
linear- vermiform, 1-2,5 (—4) mm long, c. 0,2
mm thick, subterete, obtuse or subobtuse, often
slightly incurved, sombre green, smooth or
those near branch tips with sparse hairs on mi-
nute tubercles. Inflorescence a terminal head of
2—6 flowers (rarely a single flower). Bract tri-
foliolate, similar to vegetative leaves; leaflets
2-3 mm long, c. 0,5 mm broad, slightly flat,
± tuberculate (hair base tubercles) and ± cili-
ate, subacute. Pedicel almost absent to less than
0,5 mm long. Bracteoles simple, linear, similar
to bract leaflets but longer, 3,5-5 x 0,4-0, 7
mm. Calyx tube with longitudinal ridges and
tomentose pubescence; lobes linear-subulate,
5-7 mm long, green, tapering, acute, with
knotty hair base tubercles and sparse spreading
hairs. Petals yellow. Standard blade broadly
obovate or circular, 7-10 x 7—11 mm,
rounded apically, densely sericeous on the
back. Wing blades obovate, 4—7 x (1,6—)
2-3 mm. Keel blade broadly lunate, 5, 2-7, 5
x (3-) 3, 5-4, 7 mm, glabrous, with nearly
straight upper margin. Wing and keel claws ad-
nate to the staminal sheath for the basal third of
their length. Pistil: ovary pubescent. Ripe pods
not seen . Figure 43:8-15.
Distributed on clayey ground in the Caledon, Bredas-
dorp, Swellendam and Riversdale Divisions, growing in
patches of natural vegetation of fynbos scrub mixed with
renosterbos. The finds are scattered: Houwhoek, Lebanon,
Kathoek, Swellendam, Heidelberg, Riversdale regions.
This species, like A. campestris (no. 81), has been largely
overlooked but is also becoming rare. Map 49.
Vouchers: Bolus 6933 ; Dahlgren & Strid 2599, 3850.
4183. 4599. 4601, 4606; Guthrie 3636; Kruger 538; Lei-
poldt 3178; Muir 5080; Schlechter 1872; Stokoe, SAM
64896.
The species looks like a miniature of certain forms of
A. ciliaris (no. 96) to which it is probably most closely
related. Typical are the minute, numerous leaflets (hence
the specific name), the relatively short but broad keel and
the habitat.
98. Aspalathus rubiginosa Dahlg. in Bot.
Notiser 115: 467 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 8 (1): 56 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 113 (1963);
in Bot. Notiser 121: 507 (1968). Type: Cape,
eastern part of Du Toit’s Kloof, Worcester Di-
vision, Dahlgren & Peterson 695 (LD, holo. !).
A. araneosa L. var. (P) rigidior E. Mey., Comm. 1: 50
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 610 (1848).
Type: Cape, Genadendal, Caledon Division, Drege (S,
lecto. !).
Ascending shrub 0,3 -0,8 m tall with
spreading branches, dark reddish, ± woolly;
the young parts paler and densely woolly. Leaf-
lets narrowly linear-acicular, 5-18 mm long,
0,3-0, 6 mm thick, terete or slightly angular,
rigid to hardly rigid, subglabrous or with
sparse, long hairs from ± distinct hair base tu-
bercles. Inflorescence a compact terminal head
of (2— )5— c.15 flowers. Bracts trifoliolate,
leaf-like, but situated on a woody, tomentose
leaf stalk up to 1 ,5 mm long; leaflets similar to
those of the vegetative leaves, 8-20 mm long;
with long, spreading hairs. Pedicel less than 1
mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles similar to bract
leaflets, 8-15 mm long. Calyx tube short, spar-
sely long-hairy or almost glabrous; lobes linear-
needle-like, (7— )8 — 15( — 16,5) mm long, as
narrow as leaflets, rigid or ± flexible, tu-
bercled, with long, spreading hairs. Petals yel-
low turning orange, dark red or ferruginous.
Standard blade elliptic or obovate, 10-15 x
9.5- 12,5 mm, sericeous or tomentose on the
back, glabrous on the front, with an apical cusp
or hook 0,2-1 (-2) mm long. Wing blades
narrowly ovate-elliptic, 10-12,7 x 4-5,5
mm. Keel blades narrowly lunate, 10—12,5 x
4-5,5 mm, glabrous, with slightly concave up-
per margin and prominent basal pouch. Wing
and keel claws adnate at the base to the staminal
sheath. Pistil: ovary long- woolly on apical up-
per parts. Pod triangular-ovate, 7-7,5 x
3. 5- 4, 5 mm, brownish when ripe, long-hairy
in apical half. Chromosome number: 2n=18.
Figure 48.
16
Crotalarieae
3,6: 161
Distributed in the Caledon, Paarl, Worcester and (?)
Tulbagh Divisions, on mountain slopes and hills at rather
low altitude (150-750 m), or, the forms with short, hardly
prickly leaflets, at altitudes of 750-1 250 m. Growing in
sand (Table Mountain Sandstone) and in fynbos vegetation.
Map 49.
Vouchers: Forms with rigid, prickly leaves, in the
Worcester Division: Dahlgren & Peterson 695, 696, 1258,
1736\ Esterhuysen 9212', Tyson 966. Forms with weaker,
yet somewhat rigid, more slender leaves in Caledon, Paarl
and Tulbagh Divisions: Burchell 7757; Esterhuysen 17703',
Schlechter 9912, 9960', Stokoe 2518. Forms with rather
short leaflets, less rigid and less prickly, and with few-
flowered inflorescences, mainly Paarl Division: Compton
10143, 101 50, Esterhuysen 4 123, 20875.
Obviously most closely related to A. pigmentosa (no.
99) and A. araneosa (no. 100).
99. Aspalathus pigmentosa Dahlg. in
Bot. Notiser 115: 466 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 8 (1): 53 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 112
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 507 (1968). Type:
Cape, Du Toit’s Kloof, Worcester Division,
Barker 4824 (NBG, holo.!).
With an appearance resembling that of A.
araneosa (no. 100) but smaller in most re-
spects. Branches decumbent-ascending, sparse-
ly ramified, 0,1-0,25 m long, slender, com-
monly dark reddish, sparsely tomentose. Leaf-
lets filiform, (3 — )6 — 1 3 mm long, 0,2-0, 4
mm thick, often slightly incurved, weak, flexi-
ble, acute-acuminate, with sparse, spreading,
long hairs from ± distinct hair base tubercles.
Heads subglobose, with 5-15 flowers. Bracts
mainly trifoliolate (central ones unifoliolate),
on a basal stalk up to 1,5 mm long; leaflets
slender, linear-filiform, (6,5—) 9-14 mm
long, similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves,
green or frequently purplish. Pedicel less than 1
mm long, sericeous. Bracteoles similar to each
of the bract leaflets, (5,8 — )8,5 — 12,5 mm long.
Calyx tube woolly-sericeous; lobes linear-fil-
iform, (5,5— )7—9,5(— 10,5) mm long, narrow,
flexible, acuminate, purplish violet, with long,
spreading hairs from ± distinct hair base tuber-
cles. Petals pale or light yellow (standard some-
times purplish). Standard blade obovate,
(5,2 — )6,5 — 8( — 12,5) x (5-)6,5-8,5 mm,
without or with very short cusp, tomentose on
the back, glabrous on the front. Wing blades
narrowly elliptic, (3,3 — )4,2— 5 x (1,2-)
2-2,5 mm. Keel blades lunate, (4,6—)
5. 5- 6, 5 x (2,7-)3,5-4 mm, sparsely seri-
ceous on most parts; upper margin very slightly
S-curved. Wing and keel claws 2,7-4 mm
long, basally adnate to the staminal sheath. Pis-
til: ovary tomentose; style base pubescent on
upper side of basal half. Pod narrowly ovate, c.
6.5- 8 x 2,5-3 mm, smooth, tomentose-
woolly on most parts (glabrous on the base).
Chromosome number: 2«=18. Figure 49:
1-15.
Distributed along a narrow range of mountains from
Viljoen’s Pass (Caledon Division) in the south to the Tul-
bagh and Ceres Divisions in the north; growing on sandy
(Table Mountain Sandstone) soils at 250- 1 000 m altitude
in fynbos vegetation. Map 48.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3454, 3458', Leipoldt
4462', Rogers 28897', Schlechter 9064 , 9944; Wasserfall
626;Zeyher426.
A very small-flowered form occurs in the Goudini re-
gion, Worcester Division ( Schlechter 9944).
Closely allied to A. araneosa (no. 100) and A. ciliaris
(no. 96).
100. Aspalathus araneosa L., Sp. PI. 712
(1753); Syst. Nat. edn 10: 1157 (1759); Sp. PI.
edn 2: 1001 (1763); Lam., Encycl. 1: 290
(1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
bot. Aspalathus 1: 13 (1802); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3:
962 (1802); Ait. f., Hort. Kew. edn 2, 4: 264
(1812); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 577 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 157 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 50 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 488 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 610 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
1 1 1 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 480 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 46 (1963); ibid.
9 (1): 112 (1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 507
(1968). Type: Pluk., Phytogr. PI. Tab. 414: 4
Figure 48. Aspalathus rubiginosa. — 1, 10: branches with inflorescences; 2, 11: bracts; 3, 12: bracteoles (pro-
phylls); 4, 13: flowers; 5, 14: wing petals; 6, 15: keel petals; 7, 16: pistils; 8, 9: fruits. — 1—7 from Dahlgren & Peterson
695 (Worcester Distr.); 8 from Esterhuysen 17703; 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1736; 10—16 from Esterhuysen 20875
(Paarl Distr.). — (1, 4, 10 x2;2,3,5-9, 11-16 x4.)
3,6: 162
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 163
(1691-96); typotype preserved in herbarium
Plukenet; Sloane’s Herbarium 4: 197 (BM,
lecto. !).
Paraspalathus araneosa (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130
(1845). Achyronia araneosa (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Paraspalathus cancellata Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 133
(1845). Type: uncertain; one of Drege’s collections called
A. arenosa L. in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 50 (1836). Lectotype
not selected.
A decumbent shrublet with up to 0,7 m
long branches, up to 6 mm thick at the base;
rather sparsely branched, with ascending, yel-
low-reddish, sparsely woolly branches. Leaflets
linear-filiform, 5-10 (-13) mm long and c.
0,3 -0,5 mm thick, slender, weak, usually
curved, light green, slightly recurved near the
acuminate apex, clothed with rather sparse,
spreading, long hairs from distinct hair base
tubercles. Inflorescence a dense terminal head
of 5 - 15 flowers; below this c. 3 or more lateral
branches generally grow out superceding the
head (terminated by new heads). Bracts predo-
minantly trifoliolate (unifoliolate in centre of
head), similar to vegetative leaves, situated on a
0,5-2 mm long, pale, short-hairy stalk adnate
to the pedicel; bract leaflets 8-15 mm long,
0,3 -0,5 mm thick, with spreading, long hairs.
Pedicel c. 1 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles
linear, leaflet-like, 8,5 — 12( — 13,5) mm long.
Calyx tube pale, sparsely long-sericeous (to
subglabrous); lobes linear-filiform, 6,5—
12(— 13,5) mm long, flexible, ciliate with long,
spreading hairs. Petals light yellow. Standard
blade obovate, 8,5 — 13( — 14) x 6,5—10
(-1 1 ,3) mm, apically rounded, but with a short
cusp less than 1 mm long, short-tomentose on
the back, glabrous on the front. Wing blades
narrowly ovate, 6, 5-8, 5 (-9,5) x 2, 8-3, 8
(-4,5) mm. Keel blades lunate, 6, 5-8, 7
( 9,5) x 3, 8-4, 5 (-5) mm, obtuse, glabrous,
with almost straight upper margin. Wing and
keel claws basally adnate to the staminal
sheath. Pistil : ovary pubescent on at least upper
apical (sometimes all) parts. Pod c. 6 x 3 mm,
at least apically woolly, dark when ripe. Chro-
mosome number. 2n= 18. Figure 50.
Restricted to the Cape Peninsula and the Bellville,
Somerset West, Caledon (western part), Stellenbosch, Paarl
and Malmesbury Divisions. A. araneosa grows on sandy
(Table Mountain Sandstone) hills and mountain slopes at
relatively low altitudes. Map 49.
Vouchers: Acocks 20738; Barker 4183; Bolus 2286;
Dahlgren & Peterson 613; Dahlgren & Strid 4103; Parker
4676; Smith 2631; Wolley-Dod 2031 .
Most closely related to A. pigmentosa (no. 99),
A. rubiginosa (no. 98) andA. ciliaris (no. 96).
101 Aspalathus acanthiloba Dahlg. in
Bot. Notiser 115: 465 (1962); in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 8 (1): 42 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 112
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 507 (1968). Type:
Cape, north of Pringle Bay, Hottentotsholland
Mountains, Caledon Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 1301 (LD, holo.!).
An erect shrublet, 0,5 -0,8 m tall, rather
similar to A. chenopoda subsp. gracilis (no.
102b), but smaller in nearly all parts. The fol-
lowing attributes are those in which it is distinc-
tive: Leaflets 4-12 mm long, glabrous or with
sparse, spreading hairs. Inflorescence a termi-
nal group or head of 2-5 flowers (rarely a soli-
tary flower). Bracts all unifoliolate, 6,5 -9,5
mm long, with sparse hair base tubercles and
hairs on the margins, on a short, hairy leaf base.
Pedicel c. 1 mm long. Bracteoles subulate-
acicular, 3-6 x c. 0,2 mm. Calyx tube tomen-
tose; lobes spine-like, 6,5-9 mm long,
straight, glabrous on most parts (except the
base), subterete-trigonal. Petals light yellow.
Standard blade obovate, 7-8,5 x 6, 3-7, 5
mm, with an apical, glabrous cusp 1,4—2 mm
long. Wing blades 5-6 x 2-2,7 mm; keel
blades 5, 3-6, 7 x 2,5-3 mm. Wing and keel
claws adnate to staminal sheath for most of the
length. Pistil subglabrous, with some pubes-
cence laterally apically on the ovary. Pod
triangular-ovate, 7,5—8 X c. 4 mm, subgla-
brous. Figure 49: 16-24.
Figure 49. Aspalathus pigmentosa (1-15); A. acanthiloba (16-24). — 1, 16: branches with inflorescences; 2-6,
17: bracts from different flowers of the inflorescences (towards centre); 7, 18: flowers; 8, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 9:
standard, side view; 10: base of standard, front view; 11, 21: wing petals; 12, 22: keel petals; 13, 23: pistils; 14, 24: fruits;
15: seed. — 1-13 from Leipoldt 4462\ 14, 15 from Esterhuysen: Banhoek Valley (year: 1939); 16-24 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 539. — (1, 16, X 2; all others X 4.)
3,6: 164
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 165
Restricted in its distribution to the lower mountain
slopes along the coast of Cape Hangklip to Gordon’s Bay,
c. 20-200 m above sea level; growing in sandy or rocky
Table Mountain Sandstone soils in mountain fynbos.
Map 48.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 539, 1301; Dahlgren
& Strid3312, 4490.
Closely allied to A. chenopoda (no. 102), its subsp.
gracilis being somewhat intermediate between subsp. che-
nopoda and A. acanthiloba.
102. Apalathus chenopoda L., Sp. PI.
711 (1753); Syst. Nat. edn 10: 1159 (1735); Sp.
PI. edn 2: 1000 (1763); Berg., Descr. PI. Cap.
200 (1767); Lam., Encycl. 1: 288 (1783);
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspa-
lathus 1: 12 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 954
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 577 (1823);
DC., Prod. 2: 138 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 214 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 51
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 488 (1839);
Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 71 (1843);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 610 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 110 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 252
(1903); Adamson & Salter 481 (1950); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 33 (1963);
ibid. 9 (1): 1 1 1 (1963). Type: ‘Genista Africana
lutea, foliis subhirtis . . .’ , a specimen in herbar-
ium Hermann; Sloane’s Herbarium 75: 33,
branch B (BM, lecto.!). — This is the type spe-
cies of Aspalathus .
‘ Aspalathus chenopus’ L. orthogr. variant, in Spreng.,
Syst. Veg. 3: 187 (1826). Trineuria chenopoda (L.) Presl,
Bot. Bemerk. 131 (1845). Achyronia chenopoda (L.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus chenopoda L. var. (P) gracilis Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 214 (1836). Type: Cape, Klein River
Mountains, Caledon Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1454 pro
parte (S, lecto.!). Corresponds to subsp. gracilis, below.
? Achyronia ciliaris (L.) Kuntze var. (y) capitata
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 3: 48 (1848). Type not seen.
An erect, much branched, rigid shrub 1-2
m tall, with a trunk up to more than 10 mm
thick. Young branches densely tomentose.
Leaflets spreading, subulate, needle-like,
4 — 1 2( — 15) mm long, straight, rigid, sharp,
bright green, ending in 1-2 mm long, sharp
spines, subglabrous or with sparse, spreading,
rather long hairs. Inflorescence a terminal,
compact head of (3— )5— 12 flowers. Bracts tri-
foliolate or unifoliolate, usually (at least the
peripheral) with the leaflets on a pale, pubes-
cent, woody stalk up to 4 mm long; leaflet(s)
needle-like, (5 — )7 — 13,5 mm long, similar to
leaflets of vegetative leaves but more densely
pubescent. Pedicel 2 mm long or less, tomen-
tose. Bracteoles acicular, (3,3 — )4 — 8 mm long,
0,2-0, 4 mm thick, ending in a sharp spine,
with sparse, spreading hairs. Calyx tube
densely tomentose-woolly; lobes subulate -
acicular, 6,5—11 mm long, straight, rigid,
sharp, green, ending in sharp spinelets, with
sparse, spreading, long hairs. Petals bright yel-
low. Standard blade broadly obovate, (10,3 — )
11 — 13,5 x 9—12,5 mm, apically rounded or
retuse but with a short or up to 2 mm long,
glabrous, spine-like, sometimes basally re-
flexed cusp; back densely sericeous. Wing
blades narrowly rectangular-elliptic, 7-10 x
2, 7-4, 4 mm. Keel blades lunate, 8-10 x
3, 5-4, 8 mm, glabrous, with slightly convex
upper margin. Wing and keel claws c. 5,5—8
mm long, adnate to the staminal sheath for most
of their length. Pistil: glabrous. Pod triangular-
ovate, 6—6,5 x 3,5—4 mm, glabrous. Chro-
mosome number : 2n= 18.
Rather common on the Cape Peninsula, but also with a
population in the Caledon Division (Klein River and Baby-
Ions Tower Mountains and the Swartberg). A. chenopoda
grows on sandy substrates (products of Table Mountain
Sandstone) in fynbos scrub.
The Caledon Division population deviates in several
respects from the Peninsula forms and is here treated as a
separate subspecies.
Most bracts of the inflorescence trifoliolate; apical
cusp of standard less than 1 mm long; wing and
keel claws more than 6,4 mm long
102a. subsp. chenopoda
Most bracts of the inflorescence unifoliolate; apical
cusp of standard 1—2 mm long; wing and keel
claws c. 6 mm long or less 102b. subsp. gracilis
FIGURE 50. Aspalathus araneosa. — 1, 8: branches with floral heads; 2, 9: bracts; 3, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11:
flowers; 5, 13: wing petals; 6, 14: keel petals; 7, 15: pistils. — 1—7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 613; 8-15 from Salter
8575.— ( 1,4,8 X2; 2, 3, 5-7, 9-15 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 167
102a. subsp. chenopoda.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8(1): 36
(1963).
Shrubs 1— 2 m tall. Inflorescences usually
with 6—12 flowers. Most bracts trifoliolate (in-
nermost unifoliolate), on a 1-4 mm long stalk;
leaflets generally 7-11,5 mm long. Pedicel c.
1 mm long or less. Bracteoles (3,3— )5— 7,5
mm long. Standard blade 10,5-13,5 x
9.5- 12,5 mm, apical cusp less than 1 mm
long. Wing blades 8-10 x 3-4,4 mm; claws
(5,5 — )6,5 — 8 mm. Keel blades (7,5-)
8.5 — 9,5( — 10) x 4—4,8 mm; claws 6—8,2
mm. Figure 51: 1-9.
Restricted to the Cape Peninsula. Map 48 .
Vouchers: H. Bolus 2760, 3911; Compton 12316;
Dahlgren & Peterson 350; MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr.
Afr. 537.
102b. subsp. gracilis ( Eckl . & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 8 (1): 42
(1963). Type: Cape, Klein River Mountains,
Caledon Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1454 (S,
lecto. !).
Aspalathus chenopoda L. var. (P) gracilis Eckl. & Zeyh.
(see above).
Shrubs c. 1 m tall. Inflorescence usually
with 3-10 flowers. Most bracts unifoliolate,
6-12 mm long, with a basal stalk 1 — 1 ,5( — 2)
mm long. Pedicel up to 2 mm long. Bracteoles
5—6 mm long. Standard blade 10—12 x
9-10,5 mm, with an apical cusp 1,4-2 mm
long. Wing blades 7-8,5 x 2, 7-3,8 mm;
claws (5,2—) 5,5-6 mm long. Keel blades
8-8,6 x 3, 3-3, 9 mm; claws 5, 3-6, 5 mm.
Figure 51: 10-17.
Distributed in the Caledon Division. Map 48.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 243; Pappe, SAM
15267.
A. chenopoda is extraordinary in having relatively long
stalks on the bracts. It is a very distinctive species, ob-
viously most closely allied to A. acanthiloba (no. 101), but
also closely allied to A. aculeata (no. 103), A. araneosa
(no. 100), A. rubiginosa (no. 98) and A. ciliaris (no. 96).
103. Aspalathus aculeata Thunb., Prodr.
2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2: 23
(1802); FI. Cap. edn 2: 584 (1823); DC., Prodr.
2: 138 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 221
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 43 (1836); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 609 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 1 10 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 8 (1): 29 (1963); ibid. 9 (1): 111
(1963); in Bot. Notiser 121: 507 (1968). Type:
Cape, near Paardeberg, Malmesbury Division,
Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Achyronia aculeata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An erect, sparsely to rather densely
branched shrub 0,6—1 m tall, with rigid, rather
thick and strong branches. Young branches vil-
lous or tomentose. Leaves of long-shoots ba-
sally with a woody, straight or slightly recurved
leaf base spine (2-) 3-7 (rarely up to 10) mm
long; leaflets linear, 2-5 (—7) mm long, c.
0,5 -0,6 mm broad, usually slightly flattened,
weak, bright green, glabrous or very sparsely
hairy, acute or subobtuse. Inflorescence a ter-
minal compact head of 3—10 flowers. Bracts
trifoliolate (inner ones sometimes unifoliolate),
its leaflet(s) situated on and c. 2 mm from the
base of a leaf base spine up to 5 mm long (so-
metimes lacking on innermost bracts); leaflets
linear, 3-9,5 x 0,6- 1,4 mm, acute or apicu-
late, apically slightly recurved, ciliate on mar-
gins. Pedicel extremely short. Bracteoles nar-
rower than but similar to the bract leaflets,
5.5— 11,5 x 0,25-0,8 mm. Calyx tube cam-
panulate-urceolate, pale, sericeous (-woolly);
lobes linear-triangular, 3,5-10 mm long,
green, ± recurved, ciliate on the margins, acu-
minate. Petals bright or light yellow. Standard
blade obtriangular-obovate, 11-14,5 x
9.5— 13 mm, apically rounded-retuse but with a
short ‘tip’, densely sericeous on the back. Wing
blades narrowly elliptic-ovate, 7,3-10 x
2, 8-4, 4 mm. Keel blades lunate, 8,2— 10 x
4,4-5, 3 mm, glabrous, with ± straight upper
Figure 51. Aspalathus chenopoda subsp. chenopoda (1-9); A. chenopoda subsp. gracilis (10-17). — 1, 10:
branch ends with floral heads; 2: flower; 3, 4, 11, 12: bracts from peripheral (3, 11) and central (4, 12) flowers in the head;
5, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 6, 15: wing petals; 7, 16: keel petals; 8, 17: pistils; 9: fruit; 14: standard, side view. — 1—8
from Dahlgren & Peterson 592 ; 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson , Signal Hill (year: 1957); 10-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson
243. — ( 1,2, 10 x2;3-9, 11-17 x4.)
3,6: 168
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 52. Aspalathus aculeata. — 1: branch with inflorescence; 2: part of branch with long-shoot leaf and axillary
short-shoot; 3, 4: bract from peripheral part of floral head; 5: bracteole (prophyll); 6: calyx; 7: standard, back view; 8: wing
and keel petals; showing their attachment with the claws to the staminal sheath; 9: wing; 10: keel petal; 11: pistil; 12:
staminal sheath. — 1, 5—7, 9—11 from Dahlgren & Peterson 769\ 2—4, 8, 12 from Dahlgren <£ Peterson 712. — (1 x2;
5-7, 9, 10 X 2,4; 2-4, 8, 11, 12 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 169
margin and prominent basal pouch. Wing and
keel claws attached to the staminal sheath for
more than half of their length. Pistil long-pubes-
cent only on apex of ovary and style base. Pod
triangular-ovate, 6-6,5 x 3,5-4 mm, glabrous
or ± pubescent on apical parts. Figure 52.
Distributed in the western lowlands from the Cape
Flats through the Malmesbury, Stellenbosch, Paarl and
Hopefield Divisions to the Ceres-Tulbagh Divisions in the
north. A. aculeata grows mainly on clayey soil of the Mal-
mesbury Beds and Loskop System, in a vegetation where
fynbos may be mixed with renosterbos. The species grows
on soils which are increasingly used for building and agri-
culture and may soon be threatened. Map 48.
Vouchers: Acocks 20696; Dahlgren & Peterson 712,
769, 1190 ; Dahlgren & Strid 4102; Ecklon & Zeyher 1497;
Schlechter 9081 ; Thomson 48.
A. aculeata is probably most closely allied to
A. chenopoda (no. 102), A. araneosa (no. 100), A. ciliaris
(no. 96) and similar species, but in this assemblage is extra-
ordinary in having leaf base spines, which moreover are
longer and sharper than in any other species.
Group 12: Leptanthae
Decumbent, ascending or erect shrublets or shrubs, rarely up to 1 m. Young branches pubes-
cent: puberulous to long-villous. Leaves trifoliolate, generally small, with axillary short-shoots.
Leaflets narrow, subterete or slightly flattened, linear to subulate or subfiliform, sometimes sau-
sage-shaped, straight or somewhat incurved, subobtuse, acute to acuminate, not spine-tipped,
glabrous or puberulous to long-hairy, sometimes ciliate, sometimes (e.g. forms of A. parvi-
flora — no. 1 12) with tubercular hair bases, when dried generally dull green. Leaf base indistinct or
tubercular, not produced into a spur. Inflorescences always unifloral on lateral short-shoots, gene-
rally concentrated in spike-like fashion on the branch ends, below leafy branch tips, on short to
rather long parts of the branches. Flowers small. Bracts and bracteoles simple, rarely missing
altogether (A. parviflora) or only bracteoles missing (forms of A. muraltioides (no. 105) and A.
flexuosa — no. 104), varying from minute and tooth-like or subfiliform to being similar to the
leaflets of the vegetative leaves. Pedicel short or missing. Calyx tube campanulate-urceolate, pale,
pubescent; lobes linear to subulate, green, ± pubescent, often subterete-subobtuse to acuminate,
not spine-tipped. Petals small, yellow or white-purple in combination, or rarely orange to ferrugi-
nous or red, rather narrow; wing and keel claws usually slender, almost consistently attached to the
base of the staminal tube (as in the Adnates Group — no. 1 1 ), and bases of wing blades in addition
often firmly adnate to the basal pouches of the keel. Standard blade ovate or narrowly elliptic,
more or less pubescent on the back (sometimes its apex only), glabrous on the front; apex not
produced into a cusp. Wing blades narrowly oblong-elliptic, glabrous or often hairy on the lower-
apical parts (rarely quite glabrous), with 1 — 2( — 4) rows of minute wrinkles on basal half. Keel
rounded, lunate, often with slightly convex upper margin, glabrous or usually pubescent on lower
and apical parts. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary small, ± pubescent; ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate.
Pod small, ± compressed, ovate to rhombic, one-seeded. Chromosome number : 2 n — 18.
104. Aspalathus flexuosa Thunb., Prodr.
2: 127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 15
(1802); FI. Cap. edn 2: 579; DC., Prodr. 2: 139
(1825); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
118 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 39 (1965); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 511 (1968). Type: 'A. flexuosa' in
Thunberg’s herbarium, specimen 1 (UPS,
lecto. !). A. flexuosa was treated as a synonym
of A. mollis by Walp. in Linnaea 13: 501
(1839), and as a synonym of A. asparagoides
by Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 619
(1848). In Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216 (1836)
the name was used for A. asparagoides.
A. mollis Lam. var. (P) flexuosa (Thunb.) E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 56 ( 1836).
A. kannaensis Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836).
Type: Cape, between Koghmans Kloof and Gauritz River,
Swellendam Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1412 (S, lecto.!;
SAM).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 170
Crotalarieae
3,6: 171
?A. mollis Lam. var. <(3) arcuata Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 617 (1848). Type: a collection by Thorn,
not seen.
A decumbent or ascending, sparsely to
rather densely branched shrublet with up to 0,6
m long branches; branches straight, spreading,
reddish or yellowish, densely puberulous. Leaf-
lets linear, 1,5-6 (—10) mm long, c. 0,3 mm
thick, generally straight and spreading, terete,
obtuse (-subacute), greenish, clothed with
short, spreading hairs. Flowers dispersed for
distances of 20—15 mm along the branch ends.
Bract small, subulate, 0,2—2 (-3) mm long,
less than 0,2 mm broad, short-pubescent, per-
haps sometimes lacking. Pedicel 0,5- 1,3 mm
long, tomentulose. Bracteoles tooth-like or
subulate, 0,2-0, 5 (—1,5) mm long, or lacking.
Calyx tube short, 1,5—2 mm long, short-to-
mentose; lobes linear, (1 ,3 — )1 ,8— 4(— 5) mm
long, subterete, straight, pointed, partly pu-
berulous, glabrous towards apices. Petals yel-
low, generally turning orange, ferruginous or
brown-purple. Standard blade broadly obovate,
5— 6,5(— 7,5) x (3,5— >4—5,5 (-6,5) mm,
short-tomentose on the back, often with a short
apical ‘tip’. Wing blades narrowly rectangular-
elliptic, 3,8—5 (-5,5) x 1 ,2—2,4 mm, gla-
brous, with 2—4 rows of minute folds on upper
basal parts; often attached at the base to the keel
pouch. Keel 4, 2-5, 7 x 2-3 mm, glabrous,
with almost straight upper margin. Wing and
keel claws rather short, sometimes basally ad-
nate to the staminal sheath. Pistil sericeous on
the ovary; style glabrous, upcurved. Pod ovate
or rhombic-ovate, 4-6,5 x 2,2-4 mm, with
spreading, short, tomentose pubescence. Chro-
mosome number. 2n= 18. Figure 53: 15—31 .
A common species in ± clayey lowlands and on low
hills in the western divisions, ranging over the Riversdale,
Swellendam, Worcester, Paarl, Bellville, Malmesbury, Pi-
ketberg, Tulbagh, Ceres, and Clanwilliam Divisions. The
species grows in renosterbos-fynbos communities. Map 51.
Vouchers: Bolus 13545; Compton 1485; Dahlgren &
Peterson 267, 346, 655, 875, 967, 1012, 1095, 1186; Lei-
poldt 3754; Pillans 7116; Schlechter 1623.
Characteristic in having a glabrous, often orange or
ferruginous (to purple) keel, straight, spreading leaflets
with short, spreading pubescence, and small bracts and
bracteoles. Otherwise similar to the species around A . erici-
folia (no. 108). The most closely related species probably
are A . puberula (no. 106) and A . rectistyla (no. 111).
105. Aspalathus muraltioides Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 209 (1836); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 118 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
35 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 511 (1968).
Type: Cape, in Tulbagh Valley near Waterfall,
Tulbagh Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1427 (S,
lecto. !; L, M, W).
'Aspalathus mollis' auct. non Lam. in Walp. in Linnaea
13: 501 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 617
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 15 (1862). However, A. mollis
Lam. is a synonym of A. ericifolia.
A decumbent or, more often, ascending
shrub up to 0,3 m tall, sparingly branched, with
densely leafy branches and densely long-pubes-
cent branches and foliage. Leaflets linear,
2.5- 7 mm long, 0, 3-0,4 mm thick, subterete,
± straight, weak, acute or subobtuse, pale
green (to reddish), covered with dense, long,
straight, spreading, white hairs. Flowers dis-
tributed along c. 100, rarely up to 150 mm long
parts of the branch ends. Bract filiform, 1 ,5-4
x c. 0,2 mm, long-ciliate. Pedicel lacking.
Bracteoles usually lacking, seldom present and
less than 1,8 mm long, filiform. Calyx tube
densely long- and white-sericeous, woolly;
lobes linear, (2,5—) 3—5,5 mm long, straight,
weak, acute, sparsely long-pubescent. Petals
pale yellow or the keel often orange or ferrugi-
nous. Standard blade ovate, 5, 5-7, 5 x
3. 5 - 5, 5 mm, obtuse or acute (sometimes with
a ‘tip’), sericeous or tomentose on the back,
especially long-hairy on apical parts of the mid-
rib. Wing blades linear, 4—6 x 1,3—2 mm.
FIGURE 53. Aspalathus puberula (1-8); A. muraltioides (9-14); A. flexuosa (15-31). — 1, 9, 15, 20: branches
with unifloral short-shoots dispersed in spike-like fashion; 2, 11, 16, 21: flowers; 3, 10, 17, 22: bracts; 4, 23: bracteoles
(prophylls); 5, 25: standard petals, side view; 6, 12, 26: wing petals, 12, 26 being attached to keel petals; 7, 13, 27: keel
petals; 8, 14, 18, 28: pistils; 19, 30, 31: fruits; 24: calyx, uppermost two lobes to the right; 29: fruiting short-shoot. — 1-8
from Barker 4851; 9-14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 664; 15-18 from Schlechter 1891; 19 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1412;
20, 21, 24 - 28 from Acocks & Hafstrom 630; 22, 23, 29, 30 from Dahlgren (6 Peterson 7072; 31 from Pillans 7871. — (1,
9, 15, 20 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 172
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 173
pubescent on the lowermost parts; with 1-2
longitudinal rows of transverse folds on the ba-
sal parts. Keel blades 3,5 -4,7 x 1,2-2, 3 mm,
long-pubescent on lower apical parts (c. a quar-
ter or a fifth of the blade); upper margin only
slightly curved. Wing and keel claws attached
to the staminal sheath for a variable distance;
wing blades basally attached to pouches of the
keel. Pistil sericeous on the ovary and style
base. Ripe pods not seen. Figure 53: 9- 14.
Distributed mainly in the western lowlands in parts of
the Caledon, Bellville, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington,
Malmesbury, Tulbagh and Piketberg Divisions with a
somewhat aberrant outpost in the Bredasdorp Division. A.
muraltioides occurs on fine-grained clayey soils, largely of
the Malmesbury Beds and Loskop System. It is part of a
mixed renosterbos vegetation and is locally subdominant,
e.g. in the Wellington region and near Gouda. It occurs also
on clay in the Gydo Pass, Ceres Division. Map 50.
Vouchers: Bolus 7520; Dahlgren & Peterson 657,
664; Dahlgren & Strict 3197, 3823, 3825, 3839, 3991,
4106, 4412; Ecklon & Zeyher 1427; Salter 1769;
Schlechter 10650.
A form in the Bredasdorp Division ( Esterhuysen 3096 )
deviates in possessing bracteoles ( 1 ,8 mm long) and in hav-
ing shorter pubescence on the leaves and flowers.
A. muraltioides is closely allied to A. hispida (no.
107), A. puberula (no. 106) and A. ericifolia (no. 108).
106. Aspalathus puberula (Eckl. &
Zeyh.jDahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape in ‘Zwart-
land’, Malmesbury Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1414 pro parte: P (S, lecto. !; W).
A. thymifolia L. var. (P )puberula Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum.
2: 207 (1836). A. ericifolia L. subsp. puberula (Eckl. &
Zeyh.)Dahlg.; Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 227,
118 (1963); ibid. 10(1): 33(1965).
A decumbent to ascending shrub with
branches up to more than 0,6 m long, with
branches ascending to c. 0,3 m. Young branches
with short or rather long-villous pubescence.
Leaves rather spreading, linear, 1,5—3 mm
long, slightly more slender than in A. ericifolia
(no. 108), subterete, straight, acute, with
sparse, spreading pubescence (to glabrous or
short-villous). Flowers, as in A. ericifolia, dis-
tributed along the branch ends, for c.
(30 — )70 — 1 50 mm. Bract linear-filiform, much
more slender than the leaflets, 1—2,1 x
0,15—0,25 mm, with spreading, puberulous
pubescence. Pedicel very short. Bracteoles
very thin, filiform, (0,2— )0, 6— 2,3 x 0,1— 0,2
mm, pale or green. Calyx sparsely or rather
densely patent-tomentose; lobes narrowly subu-
late, tapering, thin, 1,5— 4,5 mm long, acumi-
nate, slightly recurved, subglabrous or with
variable dense spreading pubescence. Petals
yellow. Standard narrowly elliptic, 5,5—
7,5( — 8,5) x 3,2— 4, 5(— 5,5) mm, apically
slightly incurved, acute, short-tomentose. Wing
blades linear, (4—) 4,4—6 (—7) x 1,1 — 1,6
(—2) mm, glabrous or with some tomentose
pubescence near the apex; upper part with 1 —2
rows of minute folds. Keel blades (3,6-)
4 — 5,5( — 6) x 1,5-2 mm, obtuse to subacute,
slightly tapering, with almost straight upper
margin; lower apical parts tomentose. Wing and
keel claws basally attached to the staminal
sheath and wing blades basally attached to keel
pouches. Pistil stipitate, with tomentose ovary
and glabrous style. Ripe pods not seen. Figure
53: 1-8.
Distributed on the Cape and Malmesbury Flats, from
the Tygerberg in the south to near Darling in the north.
Probably growing on clayey soils. Map 5 1 .
Vouchers: Barker 4821 , 4851; Groenland, Bottelary;
Loubser 783; Rosselet (without number); Salter 1696,
1913; Schlechter 1623 pro parte; Sidey 2257.
Previously included in A. hispida ('A. thymifolia ’) (no.
107) and A. ericifolia (no. 108), but distinct from both.
Distinguished from A. ericifolia by the very slender bract
and bracteoles, and the tapering, often slightly recurved
calyx lobes, and from A. hispida in the larger, yellow flow-
ers and the puberulous pubescence.
107. Aspalathus hispida Thunb., Prodr. 2:
127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 15 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 956 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 579 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836); Walp. in
Maps 50-53. — Map 50. Aspalathus muraltioides (unbroken line); A. varians (triangles). — Map 51. A. flexuosa
(unbroken line); A. puberula (squares). — Map 52. A. ericifolia subsp. ericifolia (unbroken line); A. ericifolia subsp.
minuta (broken line); A. ericifolia subsp. pusilla (triangles); A. rectistyla (squares). — Map 53. A. hispida subsp. hispida
(unbroken line; see also Map 55); A. hispida subsp. albiflora (dots).
3,6: 174
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 175
Linnaea 13: 495 (1839; as synonym of ‘ A . thy-
mifolia'); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 120 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 46 (1965); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 51 1 (1968). Type: "A. hispida (3, e
cap. b. spei’ in herbarium Thunberg (UPS,
lecto.!; LD); A. hispida belongs to A.flexuosa,
but this does not fit the description.
Paraspalathus hispida (Thunb.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845).
A. microcarpa DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 618 (1848; as a synonym of A. thymifolia (y)
micrantha). P. microcarpa (DC.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). Type: Cape, near Cape Town, Burchell 484 (G,
lecto.!).
Aspalathus micrantha E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 161 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 208 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:
495 (1839; as a synonym of ‘A. thymifolia'). P. micrantha
(E. Mey.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560(1845). A. thymifolia L.
var. (y) micrantha (E. Mey.) Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 618 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 116 (1862); Adam-
son & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 479 (1950). Type: Cape,
Table Mountain, eastern side, Ecklon, 'A. micranthus
E.M., E. Meyer 1829, No. 76' (S, lecto.!).
A. albiflora Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836). P.
albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.)Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560 (1845).
A. thymifolia L. var. (5) albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 618 (1848). Type: Cape, Swart-
kops River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon <£ Zeyher 1417 IS,
lecto.!; BOL, G, K, L, M, P, PR, W).
A. thymifolia L. var. ((3) incana E. Mey., Comm. 1: 57
(1836). Type: Cape, Roodeberg, Khamiesberg Mountains,
Little Namaqualand Division, Drege (P, lecto.!; W).
A. thymifolia L. var. ( y) hispida E. Mey., Comm. 1: 57
(1836). Type: Willdenow 13208, in herbarium Willdenow
(B, holo.!). Thunberg’s A. hispida was not mentioned.
P. arenarioides Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 564 (1845). Type:
Cape, between Mostersbay and Fish Hoek near
Hottentotsholland, Ecklon & Zeyher 1414 pro parte (excl.
fipuberula) (PR, lecto.!; GRA, L, P, S, W).
A. thymifolia L. var. (P) tenuifolia Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot, 7: 618 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 116(1862).
Type: Cape, Paarlberg, Paarl Division, Drege (K, lecto.!;
BM, BOL, G, L, P, PRE, S, W).
? A. comosa Thunb. var. namaquana Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
1 13 (1862). Type not seen.
[A. thymifolia L. was perhaps based only on Pluk., Phy-
togr., plate 413: 1 (1691-96), impossible to identify from
the plate only, but drawn after a specimen of A. cymbifor-
mis (herbarium Sloane, 92: 72, BM). It was used by Lin-
naeus for A. carnosa but by other authors mostly for A.
hispida. It was rejected by Dahlg. (in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 8(1): 133(1963) ) as a nomen ambiguum et dubium.]
A decumbent, ascending or erect, rather
sparingly ramified shrub or shrublet, from less
than 0,15 to more than 1 m tall, with young
branches reddish to pale yellowish, puberulous.
Leaflets linear, 1-8 mm long, straight or
slightly curved, subterete, rather pale or dull
(rarely clear) green, acute (or obtuse), sparsely
patent-puberulous or glabrous. Flowers distri-
buted along 30-120 mm of the branch ends,
small, inconspicuous. Bract subulate or linear,
0,1-1 (-1,8) mm long, weak, sparsely pu-
berulous. Pedicel c. 0,5 mm long or less, pu-
bescent. Bracteoles toothlike or subulate, less
than 0,8 mm long. Calyx tube campanulate-tu-
bular, sometimes purplish, sparsely patent-pu-
berulous; lobes broadly subulate to linear,
0,4-3 (—5) mm long, straight, dull green, sub-
terete, subglabrous or basally puberulous,
acute. Petals pale yellowish or nearly white,
but then at least keel apex (and often standard
back) dull violet. Standard blade elliptic or
obovate, 3-4,5(-6,8) x 2 — 3( — 3,8) mm, ob-
tuse or acute, apical half often re flexed above
the middle, back puberulous at least on apical
half (appressed or spreading hairs). Wing blades
linear-elliptic, 2 — 3,2( — 3,8) x 0,7- 1,3 mm,
glabrous or with some puberulous pubescence
on lower part; with one row of transverse small
folds on upper half; wings attached to the keel
pouches. Keel blades narrowly lunate,
2,5 — 4,2( — 5) x 1,2— 1,8 mm, with slightly
convex upper margin, glabrous or sparsely
appressed-puberulous on lower apical parts.
Wing and keel claws slender, often attached for
up to 1 mm of the base to the staminal sheath.
Pistil sericeous on the ovary and (sparsely so)
Figure 54. Aspalathus hispida subsp. hispida (1-25); A. hispida subsp. albiflora (26 -35). — 1, 10, 18 , 26:
branch ends with unifloral short-shoots; 2, 12, 20, 28: bracts; 3, 11, 19, 27: flowers; 4, 21: calyces; 5: standard, back view;
6, 15, 22, 31: wing petals; 7, 16, 23, 32: keel petals; 8, 17, 24, 33: pistils; 9, 25: fruits; 13, 29: bracteoles (prophylls); 14:
wing and keel petals, the puckering of the latter ± firmly adnate to the former; 30: standard, lateral view. — 1-9 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 729 (Caledon Distr. ); 10-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 389 (Malmesbury Distr.); 18-25 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1816 (Robertson Distr.); 26-35 from Esterhuysen 6968. — (1, 10, 18, 26 x2; 3, 9, 11, 14, 19, 25,
27, 35 x4; 2, 4-8, 12, 13, 15-17, 20-24, 28-34 x8.)
3,6: 176
Crotalarieae
MAPS 54 & 55. — Map 54. Aspalathus acuminata subsp. acuminata (squares); A. pulicifolia (triangles). — Map 55.
A. hispida subsp. hispida (squares); A. angustifolia subsp. robusta (triangles). — A. acuminata subsp. acuminata (see
also Map 91) and A. hispida subsp. hispida (see also Map 53) have the main parts of their distribution areas outside those
shown here.
basal parts of the style; style less strongly up-
curved than usual in the genus. Pod rhombic-
ovate, 3—5 x 1,8-3, 5 mm, greenish or grey-
ish until ripe, sparsely short-tomentose. Chro-
mosome number : 2n— 18 (several counts).
Distributed over the major part of the winter rainfall
Cape, from the Cape Peninsula in the south-west and Cape
Agulhas in the south to Little Namaqualand in the north and
(with subsp. albiflora ) along the coastal divisions through
the Port Elizabeth Division as far as the Albany and Alexan-
dria Divisions in the north-east. The habitat is variable,
concentrated on clayey types of soils as well as sandy soils
(somewhat different morphological races), and fynbos-
renosterbos transition and coastal fynbos, respectively. The
eastern forms (subsp. albiflora ) occur mainly on sandy sub-
strate in coastal fynbos.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 177
The species could be subdivided further
but is here treated as two subspecies according
to the following key:
la Keel purple, short-hairy 107a. subsp. hispida
lb Keel yellowish, glabrous or only slightly hairy:
2a Calyx lobes more than 1 ,2 mm long
107a. subsp. hispida
2b Calyx lobes less than 1 ,2 mm long
107b. subsp. albiflora
107a. subsp. hispida.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
120(1963); ibid. 10(1): 47(1965).
Synonyms, type, etc. see under the species. All syno-
nyms, except those including the epithet albiflora, refer to
the present subspecies.
Description as for the species but with the
following modifications: Shrub decumbent to
erect. Leaflets 1 -8 mm long, rather greyish or
pale to dull green. Calyx lobes usually
1,2— 3(— 5,3) mm long. Petals either pale yel-
low or partly white, partly (keel, middle part of
standard back) violet or purplish. Pods 3-5 x
1 ,8—2,7 mm. Figure 54: 1—25.
Distribution western, ranging between Cape Peninsula
and Little Namaqualand Divisions and eastwards as far as
the Laingsburg Division and the Riviersonderend region in
the Caledon Division in the east. There are two form series,
possibly worthy of formal rank, with different ecological
preferences, which shall here be called form series 'A' and
'B\ The former, which is more restricted in distribution,
grows in sandy habitats in coastal fynbos, the ‘B‘ form
series on clayey soils in renosterbos-fynbos transition com-
munities. Maps 53 & 55.
Vouchers: Acocks 17345; Dahlgren & Peterson 288,
292, 337, 363, 386, 389, 445, 454, 543, 549, 752, 783 A.
1079, 1204, 1816; Ecklon & Zeyher 1413, 1414; Esterhuy-
sen 14961; Parker 2573; Schlechter 5376, 9076; Zeyher
2330.
The ‘A’ form series consists of low shrubs or shrub-
lets, sometimes decumbent, with grey, ± puberulous, rela-
tively long leaflets and relatively large flowers with white/
violet petals (keel and part of standard violet), the keel
being more or less appressed puberulous on the apical-front
parts. These forms prefer sand, often marine sand, and
occur from the southern part of the Cape Peninsula through
the sandy parts of the Cape and Malmesbury Flats and in the
Hopefield Division; in the regions north of this the forms
are ± transitional between ‘A’ and B' forms.
The ‘B’ form series in its typical appearance consists
of taller shrubs (up to c. 1 m) with small, clustered, gla-
brous or subglabrous leaflets and smaller flowers with pale,
dirty-yellow flowers, often without violet colour on the keel
or standard. The keel blades are generally glabrous. These
forms range from the northern slopes of the Cape Peninsula
and the Paarl and Stellenbosch Divisions eastwards, and are
common on the fine-grained, ± clayey lowlands south of
the Riviersonderend Mountains.
Transitional forms between these form series make a
nomenclatural recognition difficult, but a closer study may
clarify this.
107b. subsp. albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 280,
121 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 59 (1965); in Bot.
Notiser 121: 512 (1968). Type: Cape, Swart-
kops River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1417 (S, lecto.!; BOL, G, K, L, M, P,
PR, W).
A. albiflora Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836). Paras-
palathus albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). A. thymifolia L. var. (5) albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 618 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2; 115 (1862); Fourcade in Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr.
20: 50(1941).
A (procumbent-)decumbent to ascending
shrub usually less than 0,2 m tall, with branches
up to more than 0,6 m long, patent-puberulous
on the young parts. Leaflets rather spreading,
0,5 — 2, 5(— 4,5) mm long, glabrous or with
sparse hairs, more clearly green than in subsp.
hispida. Bract 0,3— 0,7 mm long; bracteoles
0,1 -0,4 mm. Calyx lobes triangular or broadly
subulate, 0,4 — 1 ( — 1 ,2) mm long, subglabrous.
Petals cream-coloured, the keel yellowish, but
standard often slightly purplish. Standard blade
3—4,5 x 2 — 2,7 mm. Wing blades 2,4 — 3,2 x
0,9— 1,2 mm. Keel blades (2,6 — )3 — 3,6 x
( 1 ,3 — ) 1 ,5 — 1 ,8 mm, glabrous or with few hairs
on lower parts. Pods 3,5 — 5 x (2 — )2 ,5 — 3,5
mm. Figure 54: 26—35.
Distributed between the Bredasdorp Division in the
west and the Albany and Alexandria Divisions in the east,
mainly on sandy ground, sand dunes and flats and sandy
slopes at low altitudes in fynbos communities. Map 53.
Vouchers: Archibald 4872; Burchett 6895; Esterhuy-
sen 19611; Muir 2553; Paterson 3302; Schlechter 1995,
5713.
3,6: 178
Crotalarieae
108. Asphalathus ericifolia L., Sp. PL
edn 1: 712 (1753); Syst. Nat. edn 10, 2: 1157
(1759); Sp. PI. edn 2: 1000 (1763); Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1:
15 (1802); Ait. f., Hort. Kew. edn 2, 4: 263
(1812); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 579 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); E. Mey., Comm. 1:
56 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 495 (1839);
Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 71 (1843);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 616 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 115 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253
(1903); Schlecht. in Zahlbr. Annin naturh.
Mus. Wien 20: 19 (1905); Adamson & Salter,
FI. Cape Penins. 479 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 118 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
24 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 510 (1968).
Type: the Aspalathus specimen no. 15, ‘ericifo-
lia 4’ in LINN (lecto.!). [The name A. ericifolia
was incorrectly used for A. cymbiformis in
Berg. Descr. PI. Cap. 205 (1767), for A. mural-
tioides in Lam., Encycl. 1: 288 (1783), for A.
hispida in Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 955 (1802), for A.
linguiloba in E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 160 (1832)
and Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 218 (1836).]
Paraspalathus ericifolia (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). Achyronia ericifolia (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus mollis Lam., Encycl. 1: 290 (1783), DC.,
Prodr. 2: 139 (1825; as a synonym of A. ericifolia)-, E.
Mey., Comm. 1: 55 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 501
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 617 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 115 (1862). In some of these works also
for A. muraltioides . Type: ‘Aspalathus mollis enc., Sonne-
rat’, (P, holo. !). P. mollis (Lam.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). Achyronia mollis (Lam.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus ericoides E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 160 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 206 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:
495 (1839; as synonym of A. ericifolia). Type: Cape, foot
of Lion’s Head, Cape Peninsula, Ecklon (S, lecto.!). P.
ericoides (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560 (1845).
An ascending to erect (rarely decumbent)
shrub or shrublet, usually 0,2-0, 6 m tall, spar-
ingly to rather densely branched. Young
branches villous or short- woolly. Leaflets linear
(-ovoid), 0,3-3,5(-5,5) mm long, obtuse, te-
rete, glabrous or sparsely patent-puberulous,
sometimes densely pubescent on margins.
Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral short-
shoots, distributed along less than 20 to more
than 150 mm of the branch ends. Flowers rather
small. Bracts linear, 1,2-3 mm long, 0,3-0, 6
mm broad, subterete or slightly flattened, simi-
lar to leaflets of vegetative leaves but more
densely pubescent. Pedicel c. 0,5 mm long or
less, pubescent. Bracteoles similar to bract,
1—3,5 mm long, 0,2— 0,4 mm broad. Calyx
tube pale, short-tomentose or short-ciliate;
lobes linear, 0,7— 4,5(— 5) mm long, subterete,
green, obtuse to subacute, with short, patent
hairs. Petals light or bright yellow. Standard
blade elliptic, 5—7,5 x 2,7— 5,2 mm, tomen-
tose (-sericeous) on most of the back, obtuse to
subacute, reflexed near the middle, and sides ±
recurved. Wing blades linear, 3,5— 5,7 x
1,1 — 1,8 mm, glabrous; with 1-2 longitudinal
row(s) of transverse folds on the upper basal
parts. Keel blades 3,2—4 x 1,3 — 2,2 mm,
pubescent on the apical-lower quarter or fifth,
or, more rarely, completely glabrous. Wing and
keel blades attached at the base to the staminal
sheath and wing blades attached basally to the
keel pouches. Pistil pubescent on apical and
lateral parts of the ovary; style rather slightly
upcurved. Pod ovate or rhombic-ovate, 4—5,5
x 2— 3 mm, tomentose.
Distributed in the south-western divisions of the Cape
Province, from the Cape Peninsula in the south-west to the
Cape Agulhas region in the Bredasdorp Division in the
south-east, and to the Tulbagh and Porterville regions (Tul-
bagh-Piketberg Divisions) in the north. The species grows
on sandy substrates weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone or rarely (subsp. pusilla ) at least sometimes on
clay. Generally, it grows at low levels, but forms of subsp.
minuta (see below) are recorded from altitudes of 400 m
(French Hoek Mountains).
The species is here divided into three
subspecies according to the following key:
la Keel blades glabrous 108c. subsp. minuta
lb Keel blades ± pubescent on apical lower parts:
2a Leaflets usually more than 1 ,5 mm long; bract
more than 2 mm long; branch ends multiflo-
rous 108a. subsp. ericifolia
2b Leaflets and bracts less than 1 ,5 mm long;
flowers concentrated only on c. 20 mm or
less of the branch ends 108b. subsp. pusilla
These subspecies are regionally typical. A. ericifolia
subsp. puberula Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
227 and 118 (1963) and 10 (1): 33 (1965) is here treated as
A. puberula (Dahlg.) Dahlg. (no. 106).
Crotalarieae
108a. subsp. ericifolia.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
118 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 25 (1965); in Bot.
Notiser 121:510(1968).
All the synonyms mentioned above, under the species,
refer to this subspecies.
An ascending or erect shrub 0,25-0,6 m
tall; young branches villous or short- woolly.
Leaflets 1 ,5 — 3,5(— 5,5) mm long. Flowers dis-
tributed along c. 30 to more than 150 mm of the
branch ends. Bract 2-3(-4) x 0,3-0, 4 mm.
Bracteoles (1,6-) 2-3,5 mm long. Calyx
lobes 2,2— 4,5(— 5) mm long. Standard blade
5.5— 7(— 7,8) x 3,8 — 5,2 mm; wing blades
4. 5— 5, 7 X 1,3— 1,8 mm; keel blades 3,5-4 X
1.6— 2,2 mm, pubescent on lower apical parts.
Pod 4,2— 5,2 X 2,2— 3 mm. Chromosome
number : 2«=18 (several collections counted).
Figure 55: 16-22, 25.
Distributed on the Cape Peninsula and in the Bellville,
Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Caledon Divisions,
mainly at rather low altitudes; in some regions very com-
mon. Map 52.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 426, 498; Dahlgren
& Strid 3330, 3422, 3533, 3553, 3729; Ecklon & Zeyher
1411; Hutchinson 526; MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr.
62; Parker 3610, 4138; Salter 7613; Schlechter 5356; Wol-
ley-Dod 1947.
Unusual forms with subglabrous leaves are found on
the Cape Flats as far as Philadelphia, Bellville Division
(Acocks 2146, 2250; Dahlgren <5 Peterson 76/); they
somewhat resemble A . varians (no. 110).
108b. subsp. pusilla Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 277 , 118; ibid. 10 (1): 30
(1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 511 (1968). Type:
Cape, 11 miles from Elim on road to Cape
Agulhas, Bredasdorp Division, Nordenstam
1403 (LD, holo.!).
A decumbent to ascending shrublet up to
0,2 m tall. Young branches short-villous. Leaf-
lets only 0,6- 1,5 x 0,3-0, 7 mm, ovoid to
sausage-shaped, sparsely puberulous. Flowers
generally confined to c. 20 mm of the branch
ends below leafy branch tips. Bracts 1,2- 1,5
x 0, 3-0,4 mm. Bracteoles 1-1,5 x 0,2-
0,35 mm. Calyx lobes 1,7-2, 3 mm long.
Standard blade 5,2-6 x 4-4,7 mm; wing
blades 4,6-5 x 1,2- 1,5 mm; keel blades
3,6: 179
3,3— 3,6 x 1,6— 1,8 mm, pubescent on lower
apical parts. Figure 55: 23, 24.
Distributed in the Bredasdorp Division, found on sand
flats and clayey substrate, in fynbos or fynbos-renosterbos
transitions. Map 52.
Vouchers: Acocks 1551, 1761; Compton 22199; Dahl-
gren & Strid 3382, 3405, 3772; Nordenstam 1403.
The similarity of size and habit to subsp. minuta seems
to have evolved independently.
108c. subsp. minuta Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 277, 1 18 (1963); ibid. 10
(1): 31 (1965). Type: Cape, Oukloof Farm be-
tween the Roodesand and Oukloof Mountains,
Tulbagh Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 1171
(LD, holo.!).
Treated as 'A. frankenioides EXT.’ in Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 207 (1836). Included in ‘A. thymifolia L.’ in
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 617 (1848) and Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 116(1862).
An erect (or ascending) shrublet 0,4-0, 8
m tall, densely branched, with short-villous
branches. Leaflets linear or sausage-shaped,
0,3- 1,5 mm long and 0,2-0, 3 mm thick, ob-
tuse. Flowers relatively few, (1-10) on each
branch end, distributed along up to 15 (-20)
mm. Bract linear, 1,1 -2, 2 (-2,6) x 0,3-0, 4
mm. Bracteoles 1,1-2 (-2,5) x 0,2-0, 3
mm. Calyx lobes 0,7-2 (-2,4) mm long.
Standard blade 5-6 x 2,7-4, 2 mm; wing
blades 3,5-5 x 1,1 -1,7 mm; keel blades
3, 2-4, 3 x 1,3-2 mm, glabrous. Pod 4-5 x
2-2,5 mm. Figure 55: 26-30.
Confined to the mountains between French Hoek
(Paarl Division) in the south and the Great Winterhoek (Tul-
bagh Division) in the north, growing on sandy (Table
Mountain Sandstone) slopes at up to 800 m altitude in
mountain fynbos. Map 52.
Vouchers: Bolus 5026; Dahlgren & Peterson 802,
803A, 1071, 1072, 1077 A, 1171, 1252A; Ecklon & Zeyher
1416; Esterhuysen 8410, 11358, 22327; Schlechter 9027;
Van Rensburg 2136.
A. ericifolia is closely allied to A. varians (no. 110),
A. isolata (no. 109) and A. puberula (no. 106).
109. Aspalathus isolata {Dahlg.) Dahlg.,
stat. nov. Type: Cape, Arends-Kraal Farm near
Nieuwoudtville, Calvinia Division, Barker
9771 (LD, holo.!; NBG).
A. varians Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. isolata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 293 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 23
(1965).
CROTALARffiAE
3,6: 180
Crotalarieae
3,6: 181
Map 56. — Aspalathus parviflora (unbroken line);
A. isolata (square).
An ascending shrublet rising to a height of
0,15—0,25 m with the habit of A. varians (no.
110) and A. ericifolia (no. 108), sparingly
branched; branches white-villous, rather
densely leafy. Leaflets linear, c. 2,5-3 mm
long and c. 0,5 mm thick, subterete to slightly
flattened, straight or slightly incurved, obtuse
or subacute, green, those of lower parts subgla-
brous, those on floriferous branches with
spreading pubescence, especially on the mar-
gins. Flowers distributed on c. 30-50 mm of
the branch ends. Bract linear, 2-2,5 mm long,
c. 0,4 mm broad, straight, subobtuse, with
dense spreading hairs. Pedicel very short. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract, 2,2— 2,8 x c. 0,4
mm. Calyx tube densely white-woolly; lobes
linear, 2-2,5 mm long, straight (not recurved),
subobtuse, greenish, with dense, spreading
hairs. Petals yellow, turning brownish or pur-
plish, densely covered with sericeous (-subto-
mentose) pubescence on part of the back/outer
parts. Standard blade ovate, 6—6,3 Xc.5 mm.
Wing blades linear-elliptic, 4,8— 5,3 x
1 ,5- 1 ,7 mm, pubescent only on the lowermost
parts; with 2 rows of densely situated transverse
folds. Keel blades lunate-elliptic, 3,7-4, 1 x c.
I, 8 mm, pubescent on lower-apical third, with
convex upper margin. Wing and keel claws ba-
sally attached to the staminal sheath; wing
blades attached to the keel pouches. Pistil
(long-) pubescent on the ovary. Ripe pods not
seen. Figure 55: 1—7.
A. isolata is known only from the Nieuwoudtville area,
Calvinia Division. Map 56.
Voucher: Barker 9771 .
Geographically isolated (much more northern) from
both A. varians (no. 1 10) and A. ericifolia (no. 108), which
agree with A. isolata in the relatively large bract and brac-
teoles. A. isolata differs from A. varians in the straight and
shorter calyx lobes and smaller flower, and from A. ericifo-
lia in the ± pubescent wings, more woolly branches and
more densely pubescent petals. It differs from the likewise
very pubescent A. muraltioides (no. 105) in having much
larger bracteoles.
110. Aspalathus varians Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 209 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 616 (1848; as a synonym of A. erici-
folia). Type: Cape, Tulbagh Valley near Water-
fall, Ecklon & Zeyher 1428 (S, lecto.!; P,
SAM, W).
A. varians Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. varians, Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 118 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 20
(1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 510(1968).
Figure 55. Aspalathus isolata (1-7); A. varians (8-15); A. ericifolia subsp. ericifolia (16- 22, 25); A. ericifolia
subsp. pusilla (23, 24); A. ericifolia subsp. minuta (26-30). — 1,8, 16, 23 ,’26: floriferous branches; 2, 9, 17, 24, 27:
flowers; 3, 10, 18: bracts; 4, 11, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12, 21: wing petals, in 12 attached to keel; 6, 13: keel petals;
7, 14, 15, 30: pistils; 20: standard, side view; 22: wing attached to keel puckering; 25: fruit; 28: base of standard, side view.
— 1—7 from Barker 9771\ 8-13, 15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 66 1\ 14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 905 \ 16-22 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 645 (Cape Peninsula); 23, 24 from Nordenstam 1403 (Bredasdorp Distr.); 25 from Rogers 17335\ 26,
27 from Dahlgren <5 Peterson 1171 (Tulbagh Distr.); 28 - 30 from Dahlgren & Peterson 802 (Paarl Distr.) — (1, 8, 16,
23, 26 x 2; 2-7, 9-15, 17- 22, 24, 25, 27 x 4; 28 -30 x 8.)
3,6: 182
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 183
A decumbent to ascending, moderately
(and mainly basally) branched shrub, 0,15-0,6
m tall; branches rather thick and rigid, densely
white- woolly. Leaflets below the floriferous
parts of the branches often rather small: linear,
1-3,5 mm long, straight, glabrous to sparsely
patent-pubescent, angular or slightly flattened,
often with distinct midrib, obtuse to subacute,
± shiny; leaflets on the floriferous parts of the
branches longer, up to 5 mm long and 1 mm
broad, ciliate on the margins, with prominent
midrib, shiny. Flowers distributed on (20—)
40-200 (-250) mm of the branch ends. Bract
leaf-like, 3,5—6 x 0,4— 0,7 mm, ± flattened,
acuminate, with densely ciliate margins, other-
wise glabrous or with sparse, spreading hairs,
with light, distinct midrib. Pedicel very short.
Bracteoles similar to the bract, 3, 5 -5, 5 X
0,4 -0,7 mm. Calyx densely white-sericeous or
woolly; lobes 3,5—7 mm long, 0,5-1 mm
broad, tapering, acuminate, recurved, often
minutely tuberculate, densely ciliate on the
margins, subglabrous on outside. Petals yel-
low, turning brownish, densely white-seri-
ceous- woolly on part of outside/back. Standard
ovate, 6,5-8 x 4-5,5 mm, pubescent on the
back. Wing blades linear, 5-6 x 1,5 -2,1 mm,
pubescent on lower-apical parts; basal-upper
parts with 1-2 rows of dense transverse folds;
wings attached to the keel pouches. Keel blades
3, 5-4, 2 x 1,8-2, 3 mm, pubescent on lower-
apical parts, upper side ± convex. Pistil with
ovary woolly or subglabrous but style base al-
ways pubescent. Ripe pods not seen. Figure 55:
8-15.
Distributed in the western Cape Divisions from the
Bellville Division in the south through the Stellenbosch,
Paarl, Piketberg, Tulbagh and Ceres Divisions to the Kar-
douw Pass region in the southern part of the Clanwilliam
Division in the north. A. varians grows on clayey ground
largely of the Malmesbury Beds and Loskop System in
renosterbos-fynbos transition communities. Map 50.
Vouchers: Compton 12053; Dahlgren & Peterson
656, 661, 792 , 905, 1165, 1192; Dahlgren & Strid3223,
3838; Loubser 788; Maguire 1222; Pillans 9549.
Easily identified by the A. ericifolia-Ytkt (no. 108)
habit but with recurved, long calyx lobes, long, dense petal
pubescence, woolly branches and dark, shiny leaves.
111. Aspalathus rectistyla Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 287, 118 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 43 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121:511
(1968). Type: Cape, 8 miles north-east of Piket-
berg along the road to Grey’s Pass, Piketberg
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 876 (LD,
holo.!).
An erect or ascending small shrub,
0,2-0, 6 m tall, with rigid, straight, spreading,
almost thorn-like, sparingly ramified branches
short-tomentose on the young parts. Leaflets
thinly subulate or acicular, 1 ,2—4 mm long and
0,2 (-0,7) mm thick, erecto-patent, straight or
slightly recurved, dark green, glabrous; the
middle leaflet of the long-shoot leaves some-
times 0,4-0, 7 mm broad, its woody, hard mid-
rib brown and persisting. Flowers small, dis-
tributed along up to more than 0,1 m of the
branch ends below the tips. Bract subulate,
0,4-0, 6 x 0,1 -0,2 mm. Pedicel 0,6—1 mm
long, white-tomentulose. Bracteoles subulate,
minute, 0,4-0, 6 X 0,1 mm. Calyx tube 1,5-2
mm long, densely appressed-puberulous; lobes
subulate, 0,9— 1,8 mm long, straight, acute,
subglabrous; upper two lobes distant from each
other. Petals yellow to orange-yellow turning
brown or purplish, all narrow and ± forwardly
directed, with rather short claws. Standard
blade narrowly ovate, 5,8— 8,2 x 3,8-5 mm,
tapering into an acute apex, tomentulose to
short-sericeous on most of the back. Wing
blades narrowly rectangular-elliptic, 3,7-5 x
1 ,3— 1 ,8 mm, glabrous, with a major longitudi-
nal fold and with 2—3 rows of minute folds at
the base; sides of apical parts ± incurved. Keel
narrowly triangular, 4,5-6 X 1,7-2, 3 mm,
apically prolonged, glabrous, with almost
straight upper margin and prominent basal
pouch. Wing and keel claws not adnate to sta-
FlGURE 56. Aspalathus rectistyla (1—11); A. parviflora (12— 27). — 1, 12, 19, 23: branches with unifloral short-
shoots; 2: bract; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4, 13, 20, 24: flowers; 5, 14, 21: calyces, upper two lobes to the right in all figures;
6: standard, front view; 7, 15, 25: wing petals, in 25 attached to keel; 8, 16, 26: keel petals; 9, 17, 27: pistils; 10, 11, 18:
fruits; 22: standard, side view. — 1-11 from Dahlgren & Peterson 876 ; 12-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 368 and 18
from Dahlgren & Peterson 837 (these from Somerset West Distr. ); 19—22 from Dahlgren & Peterson 437 (Bredasdorp
Distr.); 23 - 27 from Dahlgren & Peterson 380 (Malmesbury Distr.). — (1, 12, 19,23 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 184
Crotalarieae
minal sheath. Pistil pubescent on ovary and ba-
sal third of style; style almost straight (hence
the specific name). Pod triangular-ovate or
broadly triangular-lanceolate, 5,4-6 x c. 2,5
mm, tomentose. Chromosome number : 2n=18.
Figure 56: 1-11.
Probably restricted to the flats with red, clayey soil
(Loskop System) between the Piketberg Mountain and Oli-
fants River Mountains, Piketberg Division. The vegetation
fragments in this region consist of a scrub of fynbos charac-
ter with a variable proportion of renosterbos. Map 52.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 876; Dahlgren &
Strict 2505, 3224; Thorne, SAM 52531 .
A very characteristic species, unusual in the genus by
the prolonged keel and nearly straight style. Obviously most
simi\arto A. puberula (no. 1 06) and A . flexuosa (no. 104).
1 12. Aspalathus parviflora Berg., Descr.
PI. Cap. 208 (1767); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 121 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 62
(1965). Type: ‘Aspalathus mihi parviflora’ in
Bergius’ herbarium, Grubb (SBT, holo.!). The
name ‘A. parviflora Berg.’ has generally been
misapplied to A. submissa (no. 117), e.g. in
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 129 (1800); DC., Prodr. 2:
139 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 209
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 62 (1836); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 615 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 114(1862).
Aspalathus comosa Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 13 (1802); FI. Cap. edn 2: 577 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 113 (1862;
excl. var. namaquana); Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27: 144 (1899).
Trineuria comosa (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 561
(1845). (Probably misapplied for A. spicata.) Achyronia
comosa (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
'A. comosa, e Cap. b. spei’ in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto.!).
A decumbent (or sometimes ascending)
shrublet, branched at the base, rarely reaching
more than 0,2 m above the ground, sparsely
ramified. Young branches often reddish, dense-
ly tomentose. Leaflets linear (-filiform),
3 — 6( — 10) mm long, weak, straight or often
slightly recurved, spreading or ascending,
green to somewhat purplish, glabrous or with
either spreading hairs or almost sericeous, acute
or acuminate. Flowers distributed along
20-100 mm of the branches below leafy
branch ends. Bract, pedicel and bracteoles
lacking. Calyx tube ovoid, campanulate, pale
yellow or purplish, sericeous or tomentose;
lobes linear or subulate, 1,3-4, 5 mm long,
generally more or less recurved, weak (i.e. not
rigid), green, acuminate, glabrous or with ap-
pressed or spreading, sparse hairs. Petals pale
to bright yellow. Standard elliptic-obovate,
(5,5-) 6-8,5 (-9) x (3,5-) 4-6,5 (-7) mm,
rounded or retuse apically, not much recurved,
short- sericeous on most of back, margin in a
broad claw. Wing blades spathulate, oblanceo-
late, (4—) 4, 5-6, 5 (-7) x 1,5—3 mm, api-
cally rounded, glabrous, with two longitudinal
rows of minute folds on basal upper half, basal
part of outside connate to keel pouch; claws
3-4,5 mm long, basally attached to staminal
sheath for 0,3-2, 5 mm. Keel blades small,
(2,5 — )3 — 4,2 x 1,4-2, 4 mm, glabrous (rarely
short-hairy on lower margin), with slightly con-
vex upper margin and distinct basal pouch;
claws slender, 2,5 — 4,5( — 5) mm long, basally
attached to staminal sheath for 0,5-3 mm. Pis-
til pubescent on ovary and basal parts of the
style; style only slightly upcurved. Pod minute,
ovate, 2,2 — 3,5 x 1,3 — 1,7 mm, sericeous or
tomentose, enclosed in the calyx (probably in-
dehiscent). Chromosome number : 2n=18. Fig-
ure 56: 12-27.
Distribution south-western, ranging from near Cape
Agulhas (Bredasdorp Division) through the Caledon, So-
merset West, Stellenbosch, Bellville, Cape Town, Paarl,
Wellington, Malmesbury, Worcester, Ceres, Tulbagh and
Hopefield Divisions to Piketberg Division in the north, with
the centre in the western lowlands. The species generally
grows in clayey soils, largely of the Malmesbury Beds, but
also other sand-clay soils, in a vegetation of fynbos mixed
with renosterbos scrub or sometimes grass. Map 56.
Vouchers: Bolus 8983, 9878; Dahlgren & Peterson
368, 380, 437, 763, 837; Esterhuy sen 6137 , 18830, 19221;
Schlechter 5316, 8993.
A highly variable species. Small-sized and small-flow-
ered forms with almost sericeous pubescence occur in the
Bredasdorp, Caledon and Somerset West Divisions. The
forms on the western lowlands north of the Peninsula are
larger, the flowers medium-sized, with glabrescent leaves.
These forms continue in the eastern parts of the distribution
area up to the Piketberg Division. Forms in the Malmesbury
Division are often rather large-flowered with fresh-green
leaves having spreading hairs emerging from minute epider-
mal tubercles.
A. parviflora is extraordinary in lacking both bract and
bracteoles. Otherwise it shows several similarities to A.
hispida (no. 107) and A. ericifolia (no. 108).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 185
Group 13: Tematae
Ascending or erect shrubs up to 1,5 m tall; young branches pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate,
with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets ± flattened to subterete, linear, straight or somewhat incurved,
acute, not sharp or pungent, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Inflorescences terminal, capitate, with
up to 6 flowers or reduced to 1 or 2 flowers. Flowers rather large. Bracts and bracteoles trifolio-
late, similar to vegetative leaves, but their leaflets often more distinctly flattened and more dis-
tinctly hairy especially on margins. Pedicel distinct. Calyx tube campanulate, not coriaceous,
pubescent; lobes triangular, acute to acuminate, upper two much broader than the lower. Petals
yellow or (A. grandiflora — no. 116) sometimes cream-coloured, standard rarely partly purplish,
wing and keel claws not adnate to the staminal sheath. Standard blade orbicular or broadly elliptic,
rounded, sericeous on the back, glabrous on the front, without apical cusp. Wing blades glabrous,
ovate or elliptic, with several rows of minute folds. Keel blades glabrous, lunate to weakly rostrate,
obtuse, with prominent basal pouch. Pistil with pubescent ovary; ovules (3— )4— 10; style much
thicker than in the Adnates Group (no. 11); stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely ovate, rather
large, hard- and thick- walled, rugulose, ± pubescent, often dark. Chromosome number. 2n = 18.
113. Aspalathus galeata E. Mey., Comm.
1: 49 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 8: 487 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 632 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 125 (1862); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 106 (1961). Type:
Cape, Pikenierskloof, Drege (S, lecto.!; BM,
G, K, L, P, W).
An erect or ascending shrub or shrublet,
0,2-0, 6 m tall, more slender than the previous.
Young branches often reddish, tomentose.
Leaflets 3 together or (short-shoots developed)
more, linear-subulate, (2—) 3,5-7 mm long,
angular or somewhat flat, acute or mucronulate
(not pungent), sparsely ciliate or subglabrous.
Inflorescences consisting of a single flower or 2
(3) flowers on the branch ends. Bract and brac-
teole leaflets 2,5—5 mm long, similar to those
of vegetative leaves but densely ciliate on part
of margins. Pedicel 1-2,5 mm. Calyx sparsely
sericeous or partly glabrous; lobes narrowly
triangular, narrower than in previous
three species, apically subulate-acuminate,
3,5—8 mm long, glabrous or basally ± hairy,
rigid, with distinct midvein. Petals yellow,
sometimes ± reddish on standard back. Stand-
ard blade obovate or elliptic, 12—19 x 11-18
mm, sericeous (-villous) on most of back. Wing
blades 16—19 x 4-6,5 mm. Keel blades
10,6-13 x 4, 5-5, 2 mm, somewhat rostrate,
almost acute. Pistil with ovary sericeous;
ovules 6-8. Pod ovate, 11-12,5 x 6,5-7
mm, dark, with scattered, spreading hairs. Fig-
ure 57: 1-17.
Restricted to the mountains on each side of the Olifants
River Valley: Olifants River Mountains and Cederberg
Mountains, in the Clanwilliam Division. The species grows
at altitudes of 300-900 m, in sandy soil weathered from
Table Mountain Sandstone rock, in mountain fynbos.
Map 57.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 894, 899, 924, 942,
943; Drige 1399; Esterhuy sen 7435, 14991.
There is some variation in floral size and length of
leaves and calyx lobes, small-flowered and short-leaved
forms occurring in the Pakhuis Pass region of the Ceder-
berg.
A suspected hybrid between A. triquetra (no. 1 14) and
A. galeata has been collected in the Algeria Valley, Ceder-
berg Mountains, Clanwilliam Division (Figure 57: 18).
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 941, 944.
114. Aspalathus triquetra Thunb., Prodr.
2: 127 (1800); Thunb. (Hedenberg), Diss. Bot.
Aspalathus 13 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3 (2): 962
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 578 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 219 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 54
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 8: 489 (1839); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 633 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 125 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 6 (2): 88 (1961). Type: ‘A. triquetra'
in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. !).
Pachyraphea triquetra (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 126
(1845).
A. propinqua E. Mey., Comm. 1: 53 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 8: 490 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
633 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 126 (1862). P. propinqua
(E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 126 (1845). Type: Cape,
Cederbergen prope Ezelsbank, Drige (S, lecto.!; K, L, P,
W).
3,6: 186
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 187
P. zeyheriana Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 126 (1845). Type:
Cape, Tulbagh prope ‘Waterfall’, Ecklon & Zeyher 1480
(G, K, L, M, NBG, P, S, W; lectotype not selected).
An erect or ascending shrub or shrublet,
usually 0,25- 1 ,5 m tall, rather much branched.
Young branches tomentose, often densely
leafy. Leaflets linear, subulate, usually 1,5-5
mm long, less than 1 mm broad, angular or
somewhat flattened, with ± distinct midvein,
obtuse or pointed, straight or slightly incurved,
glabrous or those on distal parts of branches ±
densely ciliate on the margins. Flowers 2-6
together on branch ends. Bract leaflets 2, 5 -6, 5
(-9) x 0,6— 1,5 (-2,3) mm, ciliate on mar-
gins. Pedicel 1 mm or less. Bracteole leaflets
similar to bracts but narrower. Calyx sericeous
or almost villous; upper lobes 1,5-3 mm long
and 3—5 mm broad; lowest lobe 2-4 mm long
and c. 1 mm broad. Petals yellow. Standard
blade 9—13,5 (— 15) x 10—14 (— 16) mm, pu-
bescent on apical parts, glabrous on basal, and
sometimes on central parts. Wing petals 7-12
x 3-6 mm. Keel petals 8- 1 1 x 4, 2-5, 5 mm,
lunate or slightly beak-like. Pistil with tomen-
tose-sericeous ovary; ovules 3-9. Pod 8 — 11 x
4,5-7 mm, ± woolly- villous. Figure 58.
Distributed with a range of partly isolated populations
from the Genadendal region of the Caledon Division and the
French Hoek region of the Paarl Division northwards to the
northern end of the Cederberg range, Clanwilliam Division,
with outposts in the Piketberg and Laingsburg Divisions.
The species grows on mountain slopes at moderate alti-
tudes, although in the Matroosberg at up to 1 500 m, often
in clayey soil of the shale bands of the mountains, in fynbos
vegetation. Map 57.
Vouchers: Acocks & Hafstrom 633; Burchell 7718;
Compton 12245; Dahlgren & Peterson 1149, 1176; Drege
3306; Esterhuysen 22309; Leipoldt 534; Marloth 10667;
Phillips 11747; Schlechter 10159; Stokoe 8776 (these repre-
senting different forms in a variable series).
The species as conceived here, is very variable, with
large-grown forms with lanate calyx and broad petals, in the
Pakhuis region, Cederberg, similar to A. densifolia (no.
115), and then a range of smaller forms, with shorter
leaves, somewhat smaller and narrower petals and some-
what narrower calyx lobes, the latter usually known as A.
propinqua E. Mey. A distinction between A. triquetra and
the latter is not possible, however.
115. Aspalathus densifolia Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 632; Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 125 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 6 (2): 83 (1961). Type: Zeyher 428 (K,
lecto . ! ; NBG, S).
An erect shrub 1-1,5 m tall, moderately
branched, with erect, densely leafy, tail-like
branches. Young branches tomentose, densely
leafy. Leaflets narrow, pinoid-filiform, 6-8
(-13) mm long, slightly incurved, glabrous or
with sparse hairs, subterete, acute, 12-30 in
each fascicle (leaf and brachyblast). Inflores-
cence a dense head of 4-8 flowers. Bract leaf-
lets 7—9 x 0,7— 1,2 mm, slightly flat adax-
ially, ciliate on margins. Pedicel shorter than 1
mm. Bracteoles similar to' the bract. Calyx
broad, white-sericeous; upper two lobes
2. 5- 3, 5 mm long and 5, 5-6, 5 mm broad;
lowest lobe 3—4 x 1,2—2 mm. Petals yellow,
often with purplish shades on standard back and
keel. Standard blade circular, 11,5-14 x
13.5- 16 mm, sericeous on most of the back.
Wing blades 10-11 x 5-5,5 mm. Keel blades
9-10 X 4, 5-5, 5 mm, slightly upcurved. Pistil
with white-woolly ovary; ovules 8-10. Pod
11-13,5 x 7-8 mm, woolly-villous. Figure
59: 1-8.
Restricted to a small region in the Witzenberg and
Waaihoek Mountains (east of Mitchell’s Pass) in the Ceres
and Worcester Divisions, where it grows at altitudes of
500-1 000 m. The species grows in high fynbos scrub.
Map 57.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1142, 1143; Ester-
huysen 8294, 9924, 15130, 21822, 23415, 27578; Zeyher
428.
In several characters the species approaches forms of
A. triquetra (no. 114) in the Cederberg Mountains, Clan-
william Division, but seems distinct from and is geographi-
cally separated from these; the forms of A. triquetra in the
Ceres-Worcester Divisions are more different from A. den-
sifolia than the forms mentioned above.
FIGURE 57. Aspalathus galeata (1-17) and a supposed hybrid A. galeata x A. triquetra (18). — 1, 9, 18: branch
ends with inflorescences; 2, 10: fruits; 3, 11: floral bracts; 4, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: base of standard, front view; 6,
15: wing petals; 7, 16 keel petals; 8, 17: pistils: 13: calyx; 14: standard, front view. — 1, 3-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson
899 (Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam Distr. ); 2 from Esterhuysen 14991 ; 9, 11-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 924 (Olifants
River Mts, Clanwilliam Distr.); 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 942\ 18 from Dahlgren & Peterson 944. — (1, 2, 10-18
x2;3-8x4; 9 x 1,6.)
3,6: 188
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 189
Map 57. — Aspalathus triquetra (unbroken line); A. densifolia (dots); A. galeata (squares); A. grandiflora (trian-
gles).
116. Aspalathus grandiflora Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 632 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 125 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 6 (2): 115 (1961); in Bot. Notiser
121: 507 (1968). Type: Cape, ‘C. B. S.\ Thom
368 (K, lecto.!).
Erect or ascending, robust, shrubs
0,4- 1,3 m tall. Young branches reddish, to-
mentose. Leaflets dense, linear-subulate, (3-)
5- 15 mm long, slightly flattened, those on
long-shoots ciliate on the margins, those on
short-shoots glabrous or almost so. Inflores-
cence of 1 - 4 flowers on each branch tip. Bract
and bracteole leaflets linear, 6-20 x 1 -2 mm,
somewhat flat, ciliate on the margins. Calyx
long-sericeous; upper lobes 4-6 mm long and
6- 8 mm broad, deltoid, pubescent; lower lobes
FIGURE 58. Aspalathus triquetra, different forms. — 1, 10, 14, 15: branch ends with inflorescences; 2, 13, 17:
bracteoles (prophylls); 3, 11: flowers, the former with bract and bracteoles removed; 4: calyx, inside, upper two lobes to the
left; 5: standard, side view; 6: wing; 7: keel petal; 8: pistil; 9: fruit; 12, 16: bracts. — 1-8 from Thorne, SAM 52528
(Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam Distr.); 9 from Esierhuysen 29440\ 10-13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1149 (Witzenberg Mt,
Ceres Distr.); 14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 692 (Du Toil’s Kloof, Worcester Distr.); 15-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1055 (Cold Bokkeveld, Ceres Distr.). — (1, 10, 14, 15 x2; 2-8, 11-13, 16, 17 x3,2; 9 x4.)
3,6: 190
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 59. Aspalathus densifolia (1-8); A. grandiflora (9-15). — 1, 9: branch ends with inflorescences; 2: bract;
3, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11: calyces; 12: standard, front view; 5, 13: wing petals; 6, 14: keel petals; 7, 15; pistils; 8:
fruit. — 1-7 from Esterhuysen 22465; 8 from Bolus 8357 ; 9 from Esterhuvsen 9234; 10-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1268. — (1,8, 10-15 X2; 2-7 x3,2;9 xl,6.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 191
narrower, the lowest 2—3 mm broad. Petals
cream-coloured or more rarely yellow. Stand-
ard blade 18-22 x 15-22 mm, sericeous on
nearly all of the back. Wing blades 15-19 X
6,5-8 mm. Keel blades 16—18 X 5-6,5 mm,
somewhat rostrate. Pistil sericeous on the
ovary; ovules 6—9. Pod not seen. Figure 59:
9-15.
Occurring in mountains on the north-eastern side of the
Breede River Valley in the Worcester, Robertson and Mon-
tagu Divisions and in the Langeberg Mountains at Garcia’s
Pass, Riversdale Division. The species grows at altitudes of
300 to 1 000 m, and, at least on the Keeromsberg, on shale
bands, in clayey soil. Map 57.
Vouchers: Barker 9180; Barnard 686; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1266; Dahlgren & Strid 2573, 4637; Esterhuysen
9234,22701.
The population at Garcia’s Pass (Riversdale Division)
has yellow flowers, whereas other forms have cream-
coloured petals. This is one of the largest-flowered species
of the genus; it probably comes closest to forms of A. tri-
quetra (no. 1 14).
Group 14: Purpureae
Decumbent, ascending or erect shrublets or shrubs, rarely up to 2 m tall or more; young
branches pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate, with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets subterete or sometimes
distinctly flat, linear, sausage-shaped or subfiliform, straight or ± incurved, obtuse to acute, not
spine-tipped, glabrous or ± hairy (hair bases not tubercular), often becoming black when dried.
Leaf base often ± tubercular but not produced into a spur. Inflorescences terminal spikes or heads
with few to rather numerous flowers. Bracts (i.e. leaves with axillary flowers) and sometimes
upper leaves below inflorescences forming a series from trifoliolate to simple via tri- (or bi-)lobate
shapes, the trilobate ones similar to ‘normal’ leaves, the entire ones varying from linear or lanceo-
late to ovate. Pedicel short or absent. Bracteoles simple, similar to leaflets of vegetative leaves.
Calyx tube not particularly coriaceous, sparsely to densely pubescent, rarely glabrous; lobes sub-
equal, rounded, triangular to linear or subfiliform, obtuse to acuminate, not spine-tipped, pubes-
cent to subglabrous. Petals not yellow, either white or pink, purple to violet, or whitish with violet
keel and wing tips, easily turning black when dried; wing and keel claws free from the staminal
sheath. Standard ± pubescent on the back, glabrous on the front without conspicuous apical tip.
Wings and keel generally pubescent on lower-apical parts; wings with one to few rows of transverse
folds on basal half; keel lunate, obtuse, with distinct basal pouch. Pistil with ovary ± pubescent at
least above; ovules 2; style glabrous or basally hairy above; stigma regular, capitate. Pod ovate,
compressed, generally black, one-seeded. Chromosome number : 2n = 18.
117. Aspalathus submissa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 53 (1961). Type:
Levyns 10798 (LD, holo. ! ; CT).
‘Aspalathus parviflora’ auct. non Berg, in various publi-
cations, including Thunb., Prodr. 2: 129 (1800); Willd. ,
Sp. PI. 3 (2): 956 (1802); DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 209 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 62
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 615 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 14 (1862); and Schltr. in Annin naturh.
Mus. Wien 20(1): 19(1905).
Low shrublets, 0,1-0,35 m tall, with
straight, spreading branches. Branchlets short-
tomentose or puberulous. Leaflets 3-9 together
on the branchlets (leaf with or without short-
shoot), filiform, slender, 1,5—4 mm long, ob-
tuse or subacute, greyish green, with sparse,
short hairs or glabrous. Inflorescence of
2— 4(— 6) flowers, rather close together in a
short spike. Bracts all trifoliolate, with leaflets
subfiliform, 2-3,5 mm long. Bracteoles subfi-
liform, 2—3 mm long. Flowers rather small,
subsessile. Calyx tube campanulate, thinly
short-sericeous; lobes narrowly ovate-triangu-
lar, 1,5— 2,3 mm long, pointed, green, with
distinct midvein, almost glabrous. Petals al-
most white, but with purplish violet keel apex.
Standard blade narrowly elliptic, 6-7,5 x
3,6: 192
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 193
3.5- 5 mm, short-sericeous on the back. Wing
blades 4,5—6 x 1,5—2 mm, with only some
minute pubescence on basal (and central) lower
parts. Keel blades 3, 8-4, 5 x 1, 7-2,1 mm,
short-sericeous on apical lower half. Pistil with
some pubescence only on style base. Pod
4.5- 5 x 2-2,5 mm. Figure 60: 21-28.
Found in the Caledon, Robertson, Swellendam,
Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions, where it grows on
clayey soil in rudiments of renosterbos-fynbos transitional
scrub. The clayey soil is weathered largely from shaly rocks
of the Bokkeveld Series. Map 59.
Vouchers: Bolus 6794; Burchell 6351 and 6359; Dahl-
gren & Strid 3374-3376; Leipoldt 3177; Zeyher 2332.
Distinguished from the related A. nigra (no. 118) by
the more straggling habit and the smaller and fewer flowers
with narrower calyx tube and more pointed calyx lobes.
118. Aspalathus nigra L., Mant. Alt. 226
(1771); Lam., Encycl. 1 (1): 289 (1783);
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Thunb. (Heden-
berg), Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 18 (1802); Willd. ,
Sp. PI. 3 (2): 957 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap., edn
2,581 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 140 (1825); Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 210 (1836); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 61 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 614 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 114
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2):
41 (1961). Type: Aspalathus, sheet 22 (LINN,
lecto.!).
Paraspalathus nigra (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130(1845)
A. nigrescens E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 159 (1832); Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 210 (1836). P. nigrescens (E. Mey.)
Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130 (1845). Type: probably coinciding
with Ecklon & Zeyher 1431 (K, L, M, NBG, P, S, W);
Meyer’s specimen not traced.
A. deciduifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 210 (1836).
Trineuria deciduifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
131 (1845). Type: Ecklon & Zeyher 1434 (S, lecto.!; M,
NBG, P, W).
A. pollens Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 210 (1836). Type:
Ecklon & Zeyher 1433 (S, lecto. !; P).
A. melanoides Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 210. P. mela-
noides (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130 (1845).
Type: Ecklon & Zeyher 1432 (S, lecto.!; BOL, K, L, M, P,
W).
T. fuscescens Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 133 (1845). Type:
Cape, Liefde, Drege (K, P, W; lectotype not selected).
[A. nigra L. var. ((3) involucrata Pappe ex Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 1 14 (1862) is a synonym of A. globulosa E. Mey.
(no. 119).]
An erect shrublet, usually 0,2-0, 7 m tall.
Branchlets short-tomentose. Leaflets 3-12 to-
gether on young branches, subfiliform to sau-
sage-shaped, 1—4,5 mm long, subterete, ob-
tuse to subacute, straight or slightly incurved,
glabrous or with sparse, short hairs. Inflores-
cence elongate to subcapitate, with 4—15 flow-
ers (basally only rarely with some ovate leaves
without flowers in their axils). Bracts trifolio-
late, trilobate or simple upwards, only rarely all
3-lobate or simple; bracts flat, shorter than 3,5
mm, when trifoliolate then like vegetative
leaves, when trilobate or simple then ovate
(-linear). Bracteoles linear or oblong, narrower
than bracts. Flowers subsessile, relatively
small. Calyx tube shortly pilose, rarely subgla-
brous; lobes usually deltoid-triangular or
rounded, less than 2 mm long, green, with
sparse, short hairs. Petals short-pilose on most
of back (outside), white or dull purple, keel
apex ± purplish. Standard blade ovate, 6-8,5
x A, 5—1 mm. Wing blades usually 5-6,5 x
2-2,3 mm. Keel blades 3, 5-4, 5 x 1,7-2, 7
mm. Pistil short-pubescent on distal half of
ovary. Pod 3,5-4 x c. 2,5 mm. Figure 61.
Distributed from the Somerset West Division and
western part of Caledon Division in the west to the Union-
dale Division in the east, and northwards to the southern
part of the Clanwilliam Division and the Witteberg Moun-
tains, Laingsburg Division. Growing mainly at low alti-
tudes in the southern regions, but in the Witteberge at up to
1 200 m. The species occurs on soils with a proportion of
clay in transition fynbos-renosterbos. It is regionally very
common south of the Langeberg-Outeniqua Mountains in
the Caledon to Uniondale Divisions. Map 58.
Vouchers: Acocks 15406; Compton 21136; Dahlgren
& Peterson 438, 446, 545; Muir 883; Schlechter 5443.
There is great variation in the compactness of the in-
florescence (from an elongate spike to a close, few-flow-
ered head or cluster), the size of flowers, length and shape
Figure 60. Aspalathus globulosa (1-20); A. submissa (21-28); A. forbesii (29-37). — 1, 21, 29: branch ends
with inflorescences; 2-10 successive leaves without axillary flower, from bottom of inflorescence, basewards; 11, 12, 22,
31: floral bracts; 13, 24, 30: flowers; 14, 23, 32: bracteoles (prophylls); 15, 25: calyces; 16, 33: standard petals, back view;
17, 26, 34: wing petals; 18, 27, 35: keel petals; 19, 28, 36: pistils; 20, 37: fruit walls. — 1-19 from Dahlgren & Peterson
849; 20 from Penfold, SAM 52808; 21 — 28 from Levyns 10798; 29-36 from plant raised from seeds of Dahlgren &
Peterson 1307; 37 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1307. — (1, 21 x 2; all others X4.)
3,6: 194
Crotalarieae
32
Crotalarieae
3,6: 195
of calyx lobes (narrowly triangular to broadly rounded-ob-
tuse and less than 0,5 mm long). Some forms approach A.
submissa (no. 117). Other forms, in the Caledon-Stellen-
bosch region, have ovate, entire bracts all from the base of
the inflorescence and somewhat resemble A. globulosa (no.
119) (? introgression). On the whole, the species is quite
distinctive, however.
119. Aspalathus globulosa E. Mey. in
Linnaea 7: 159 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum.
2: 209 (1836); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 6 (2): 57 (1961). Type: probably coinci-
ding with Ecklon & Zeyher 1424 (NBG, S). No
specimen annotated by Meyer has been traced.
A. nigra L. var. (p) involucrata Pappe ex Harv., Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 1 14 (1862); H. Bol. in H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253 (1903); Salter in
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 479 (1950). Type:
Cape, in arenosis ad Kuilsriver. Pappe (S, lecto.!; BM,
NBG).
Erect or ascending shrublet 0,3 -0,8 m
tall, moderately branched. Branchlets tomen-
tose. Leaflets filiform, often 6-15 in each fas-
cicle (leaf + short-shoot); leaflets of uppermost
long-shoot leaves below inflorescence often ±
fused to become 3-lobate or simple. Inflores-
cence a globose head with 8—25 flowers, below
the bracts in the axils of which flowers are si-
tuated, an involucre of imbricate, entire, ovate
or circular leaves 3-6 x 2-3,5 mm, glabrous
on the outer surface, ± ciliate on the margins.
Bracts (supporting flowers) entire, narrower
than the preceding. Bracteoles simple, nar-
rowly oblanceolate or linear, 4-6 x 0,5-1
mm. Flowers subsessile, the tube basally al-
most glabrous, with sparse, spreading hairs;
lobes narrowly triangular, pointed, 1,5-3 mm
long. Petals almost white, but keel apically blu-
ish violet. Standard blade 6,5—8 x 3,5— 4,5
mm, sericeous on the back. Wing blades 5-6,5
x 1 ,9—2,3 mm, sericeous on lower parts. Keel
blades 3,5-4 x 2-2,4 mm, sericeous on lower
half. Pistil pubescent on style base. Pod 5-5,5
x c. 2,8 mm. Figure 60: 1-20.
Recorded from flats or low mountain slopes; from the
Cape Flats, the regions near Cape Hangklip, Caledon Divi-
sion, and the region near Gansbaai, Bredasdorp Division.
The species grows in marine sand, sometimes associated
with A . forbesii (no. 125), in coastal fynbos vegetation. It is
probably now extinct from the Cape Flats. Map 59.
Vouchers: Compton 17576, 23204 ; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 849; Dahlgren & Strict 3928, 3934; Salter 7922 and
8588; Wolley-Dod 3684.
Distinct because of the exclusively ‘simple’, ovate,
imbricate bracts in the inflorescence and immediately below
it. Probably a derivative of A. nigra (no. 118), from which
it also differs in the more narrowly triangular, more long-
hairy calyx lobes, and the habitat.
120. Aspalathus cephalotes Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Thunb. (Hedenberg),
Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 13 (1802); Willd., Sp.
PI. 3 (2): 962 (1862); Thunb., FI. Cap., edn 2,
578 (1823); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
6 (2): 27 (1961). Type: Cape, in Fransche
Hoek, Thunberg, Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto.!).
Achyronia cephalotes (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 3: 48
(1893). Paraspalathus cephalotes (Thunb.) Presl, Bot. Be-
merk. 130(1845).
‘ Aspalathus cephalotes' has been misinterpreted since
DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825) and the present species has ge-
nerally incorrectly gone under the name of ‘Aspalathus spi-
cata Thunb.’
Erect or ascending shrub, usually 0,3— 0,8
(—2) m tall. Branchlets tomentose. Short-
shoots usually with 6-15 leaflets. Leaflets lin-
ear-filiform, dull green, terete or slightly flat-
tened, 4—10 mm long, sparsely hairy (hairs
straight), glabrescent. Inflorescence a spike or
head, elongate or globose, usually with 6-20
flowers. Bracts 5—11 mm long; those of lower
flowers trifoliolate, those of flowers in middle
part of the inflorescence trilobate and those of
upper (inner) flowers simple. Bracteoles 4-9
mm long. Calyx sericeous, with lobes, linear-
triangular, (2 — )3,5 — 7 mm long. Petals pale
violet or rose, rarely almost white, but keel
always purple-violet. Standard 7-11 X
FIGURE 61. Aspalathus nigra, different forms. — 1, 11, 22, 29, 32: branch ends with inflorescences; 2-4, 12-15,
25 - 28: bracts (lower number in each series for bracts in lower positions); 5, 16, 30: flowers; 6, 17: bracteoles (prophylls);
7, 18, 33: calyces; 8, 19: wing petals; 9, 20: keel petals; 10, 21: pistils; 23, 24: uppermost leaves below inflorescence; 31:
fruit. — 1-10 from Hafstrom & Acocks 634 (Worcester Distr.); 11-21 from Dahlgren & Peterson 152 (Mossel Bay
Distr. ); 22- 28 from Barker 265 (Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Distr.); 29, 30 from Dahlgren & Peterson 545 (Gansbaai,
Caledon Distr.); 31 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1514 (Uniondale Distr.); 32, 33 from Esterhuysen 23816 (Montagu Distr.).
— (1, 11, 22, 29, 32 x 2; all other details x4.)
3,6: 196
Crotalarieae
Maps 58-61. — Map 58. Aspalathus nigra (unbroken line). — Map 59. A. globulosa (dots); A. barbigera (rhom-
boid); A. globosa (squares); A. submissa (triangles). — Map 60. A. cephalotes subsp. violacea (unbroken line);
A. cephalotes subsp. cephalotes (dots); A. cephalotes subsp. obscuriflora (squares). — Map 61. A. rosea (squares);
A. cerrhantha (dots); A. forbesii (unbroken line).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 197
(3,5— )4— 7 mm. Wing blades 6—8,5 x 2—3
mm, sericeous on lower and apical parts. Keel
blades 3,5-5 x 2-2,5 mm, densely sericeous.
Pistil with pubescence short, restricted to style
base. Pod 4-6,5 x 2-4 mm.
Distributed from the northern parts of the Cape Penin-
sula northwards to the Piketberg and Tulbagh Divisions and
eastwards to the Riviersonderend Mountains, Caledon Divi-
sion. The species grows in sclerophyll scrub, often on
somewhat clayey soil.
Within this species there is great variation in habit
preference, total size, inflorescence (globose or elongate)
and size of flowers.
la Shrubs usually more than 0,6 m tall; inflorescences
compact, head-like; standard and wings almost
white; standard blade more than 9 mm long and
more than 5,7 mm broad; bracteoles 7,5 mm long
or more; pod 6 mm long or more
120a. subsp. cephalotes
lb Shrublets c. 0,6 m tall or less; inflorescences elon-
gate, spicate; standard and wings pale violet or
rose; standard blade if more than 9 mm long then
usually more than 5,7 mm broad, but usually
smaller than that; bracteoles generally less than
7,5 mm long; pod less than 5 mm long:
2a Calyx lobes usually more than 4 mm long
120b. subsp. violacea
2b Calyx lobes less than 4 mm long
120c. subsp. obscuriflora
120a. subsp. cephalotes.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2):
31(1961).
Erect shrubs 0,6-2 m tall. Leaflets spar-
sely hairy or subglabrous, subterete, straight or
slightly curved. Inflorescences globose
(-ovate), with 10—22 flowers. Bracts 7—9 mm
and bracteoles 7—9 mm long. Calyx lobes
4-5,5 mm long. Petals very pale rose or al-
most white except for the purplish keel apex.
Standard blade 9-11 X 4, 5-5, 5 mm. Pod
6—6,5 X 3,5— 4 mm. Figure 62: 1 — 12.
Restricted to slopes on the mountains of the Stellen-
bosch-French Hoek region. Map 60.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 17603 and 11989; Parker
3928; Salter 6995; Stokoe 7375.
120b. subsp. violacea Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 34 (1961). Type: Dahl-
gren & Peterson 1207 (LD, holo. !).
Aspalathus cephalotes Thunb. var. (P) albida Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 208 (1836). Type: Cape, ‘Babylons To-
rensberg’, Ecklon & Zeyher 1423 pro parte (S, lecto. !; K,
W).
‘ Aspalathus spicata' auct. non Thunb. in most publica-
tions from DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825) to Salter in Adamson
& Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 479 (1950).
Erect or ascending shrublet, 0,3 -0,6 m
tall, with tomentose branches. Leaflets gene-
rally 5-10 mm long, filiform or needle-like
(but not pungent), often slightly flattened, spar-
sely hairy, glabrescent. Inflorescence elongate,
spicate, generally with 6-15 flowers. Bracts
6-10 mm, bracteoles 5-9 mm, and calyx
lobes 4-7 mm long. Petals pale rose or pale
violet, the keel darker. Standard blade 8- 10 x
5—6,5 mm. Pod 4-4,5 x 2-2,5 mm. Figure
62: 13-16.
Common on the Cape Peninsula and the mountainous
regions of the Somerset West to Paarl Divisions, ranging
also into the Caledon and Worcester Divisions. It grows on
sandy and partly clayey slopes at low altitudes. Map 60.
Vouchers: Bolus 2758 and 3373; Drege, Paarlberg
(‘A. spicata a’); Ecklon & Zeyher 1421 and 1423;
MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 66.
120c. subsp. obscuriflora Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 39 (1961). Type:
Levyns 10897 (CT, holo. !).
Ascending (or decumbent) shrublet,
0,2 -0,4 m tall, with tomentose branchlets.
Leaflets generally (2 — )4 — 9 mm long, like
those in subsp. violacea. Inflorescence elon-
gate, with 3-15 flowers. Bracts 3-8 mm,
bracteoles 3-6 mm, and calyx lobes 2— 4(— 5)
mm long. Petal colour as in subsp. violacea ;
petals generally somewhat smaller than in that
subspecies. Standard blade 7 — 9( — 9,5) x
3,5— 5,2 mm. Ripe pods not seen. Figure 62:
17-25.
Occurring in the lowlands from the Cape Flats up to
the Piketberg and Tulbagh Divisions, centred in the Mal-
mesbury Division. Outliers recorded in the Stellenbosch,
BeUville, Cape Town and Caledon Divisions, and known as
far east as Genadendal. Map 60.
Vouchers: Bolus 3373B; Esterhuysen 18827; Gillett
3627; Maquire 1081 ; Marloth 6612; Schlechter 5206.
The borderline between subsp. obscuriflora and subsp.
violacea is not as sharp as that between the former and
subsp. cephalotes, and it may be questioned whether they
form, in fact, a species distinct from subsp. cephalotes.
3,6: 198
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 199
121. Aspalathus barbigera Dahlg. in
Bot. Notiser 120: 29 (1967). Type: Dahlgren &
Strid4182 (NBG, holo. !; BOL, LD, PRE, S).
An erect shrub up to more than 1 m tall,
rather densely branched, with rather slender but
rigid, light coloured branches. Branchlets
slender, villous. Leaflets linear, dull green,
those on youngest branches 7-11 mm long,
slightly flattened, acute-acuminate, with
sparse, rather long, curly hairs. Inflorescence
an elongate spike with 6—15 flowers. Flowers
similar to those in A. cephalotes subsp. viola-
cea (no. 120b) but pubescence of calyx tube
and petals much longer and more white-villous.
Bracts (6-) 8-11 x 0,6-0, 8 mm; bracteoles
4—7 mm, and calyx lobes 5—6 mm long.
Standard blade 8—8,5 x 3, 5-3, 8 mm; wing
blades 6,5—7 x 2,0— 2,2 mm; and keel blades
4, 3-4, 8 x 2, 5-2, 9 mm. Pistil : pubescence
long, restricted to style base. Pods not seen.
Figure 63: 12-17.
Known only from a small dry hill c. 2 miles east of
Kathoek in the Bredasdorp Division, well outside the distri-
bution of A. cephalotes (no. 120), with which it is ob-
viously closely related. The substrate is clayey and the
vegetation a mixed renosterveld. Map 59.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid3629, 4182.
122. Aspalathus globosa Andr., Bot.
Rep. 8: plate 510 (1808); Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 209 (1836); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 115
(1862; as a synonym of ‘A. spicata Thunb. var.
(P) cephalotes (Thunb.) Harv.’); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 24 (1961). Type:
Andrews’ plate 510 (see above); no specimen of
Andrews seen.
Paraspalathus globosa (Andr.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 130
(1845).
A. pileata L. Bol. in Ann. Bolus Herb. 4 (4): 132 (1928).
Type: Stokoe 948 (BOL, holo. !; NBG, K).
An erect, moderately to much branched
shrub 1,5-2, 5 m tall with straight tail-like
branches. Branchlets woolly-tomentose,
densely leafy. Leaflets usually 5-15 together
(per short-shoot), filiform, straight, subterete,
generally 3—5 mm long, acute, dark green,
sparsely hairy or glabrous. Inflorescence capi-
tate, with 10-25 bracteate flowers; directly be-
low these a fairly large number of closely situ-
ated, imbricate leaves without axillary flowers;
these leaves flat or compressed, sericeous on
the base, the lowest trifoliolate, the following
3-lobate, the lobes gradually more united up-
wards. Bracts supporting flowers mainly entire,
oblanceolate or linear, 5,5-8 x 0,6-2 mm,
densely woolly except on apical parts. Brac-
teoles linear, 5, 5 -7, 5 mm long. Flowers sub-
sessile. Calyx with densely long-sericeous ca-
lyx tube and triangular lobes 1 ,5—2,2 mm long,
long-sericeous. Petals smaller than in
A. cephalotes subsp. cephalotes (no. 120a),
pale to rose or almost white, dark when dried,
long-sericeous to woolly on apical (the keel on
the lower) parts. Standard blade ovate,
6. 5- 7,5 x c. 4,5 mm. Wing blades 6,7 x
2.5- 3 mm. Keel blades 3,5-4 x c. 2,5 mm.
Pistil long-sericeous only around the style base.
Pod 6,5-7 x 3,5— 4 mm. Figure 64: 13-24.
This species grows only in the mountains around the
Palmiet River in the western Caledon Division. It is re-
corded from altitudes of c. 400- 700 m on Table Mountain
Sandstone soils in fynbos of moist slopes and hillsides.
Map 59.
Vouchers: Compton 16485; Ecklon & Zeyher 1425;
Levy ns 3357; Parker 4094; Stokoe 948 and 7375 .
In general appearance the species resembles A. cepha-
lotes subsp. cephalotes (no. 120a) but has much smaller and
longer-hairy flowers. It is distinct from this species and
from A. barbigera (no. 121) in having an involucre of
leaves below the bracts in the axils of which the flowers are
situated.
123. Aspalathus rosea Garab. ex Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 16 (1961).
Type: Guthrie, Herb. BOL 17717.
Decumbent shrublet, rarely higher than
150 mm, with 200 -400 mm long branches;
stem base sometimes up to 8 mm thick. Branch-
lets tomentose. Leaflets usually 3 to 9 together
Figure 62. Aspalathus cephalotes subsp. cephalotes (1-12); A. cephalotes subsp. violacea (13-16); A. cepha-
lotes subsp. obscuriflora (17-25). — 1, 13, 17: branch ends with inflorescences; 2-5, 18-20: bracts; 6: flower; 7:
bracteole (prophyll); 8, 22: calyces; 9, 14, 23: wing petals; 10, 15, 24: keel petals; 11, 16, 25: pistils; 12: fruit. — 1-11
from Salter 6995 ; 12 from Stokoe, SAM 55955; 13-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1217 ; 17-25 from Levyns 10897. — (1,
13, 17 x 2; all other details X4.)
3,6: 200
Crotalarieae
Figure 63. Aspalathus rosea (1-11); A. barbigera (12-17). — 1: branch with inflorescence; 2-5 bracts, from
outer to successively more central flowers of the head; 6, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 7, 12: flowers; 8: standard, side view;
9, 15: wing petals; 10, 16: keel petals; 11, 17: pistils; 14: standard, front view. — 1-11 from Lewis 1507; 12-17 from
Dahlgren & Strid 4182. — (1x2; 2—17 X 4.)
(i. e. with short-shoots of only up to 2 leaves)
on the younger branches, linear, straight or only
slightly curved, often somewhat flattened
(those of short-shoots subterete), pointed, with
sparse, short, spreading hairs. Inflorescence
capitate, with 3-12 flowers. Bracts trifoliolate-
trilobate, simple from peripheral to central
flowers, ± flat, c. 7-9 mm long, with spread-
ing hairs. Bracteoles linear to subfiliform, 5-8
mm long. Calyx long-sericeous, lobes linear,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 201
4—7 mm long. Petals rose-coloured to flesh-
coloured. Standard blade c. 7 X 6—7,5 mm
long, gradually tapering basally into the claw,
sericeous on most of the back. Wing petals long
and linear-truncate, 11 — 12,5 x 2, 2-3, 2 mm,
sericeous only on lower basal portions. Keel
blades rostrate, pointed, 7,8-9 x 2, 5-3, 5
mm, sericeous on lower parts. Pistil sericeous
on distal part of ovary and style base. Pod not
seen. Figure 63: 1-11.
Known from central parts of Caledon Division nearly
as far east as Bredasdorp, growing on rocky or gravelly
ground in low fynbos. Map 61 .
Vouchers: Barker 1419; Ecklon & Zeyher 1423 pro
parte; Lewis 1507 .
The species is undoubtedly closely allied to A . cepha-
lotes (no. 120) but highly distinctive by its decumbent
growth, long wings and rostrate keel.
124. Aspalathus cerrhantha Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 208 (1836); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 615 (1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2): 20 (1961). Type: Ecklon
& Zeyher 1422 (S, lecto.!; K, L, P, W).
Paraspalathus cerrhantha (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 130(1845).
In Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 115 (1862) and other works this
species has been incorrectly referred to under the name
‘A. spicata P cephalotes’ .
Erect or ascending shrublets, 0,3-0, 6 m
tall, moderately densely branched. Branchlets
tomentose. Leaflets 4-20 on each short-shoot,
narrow, filiform, 2-8 mm long, terete, weak
and (the upper) ± curved, with sparse, spread-
ing hairs. Inflorescence a globose head of
20-30 flowers; involucral leaves with axillary
flowers lacking or few. Bracts of lowest flow-
ers trifoliate, a few in transitional position 3-
lobate and those connected with innermost
flowers simple, all linear-filiform, c. 9 - 1 1 mm
long. Bracteoles filiform, 7-11 mm, with
sparse spreading hairs. Flowers subsessile,
relatively small. Calyx tube almost glabrous,
the distal parts with few long hairs; lobes subfi-
liform, weak, 4-7 mm long, with sparse, long
hairs. Petals white to pale violet with more
purplish keel apex. Standard c. 7-7,5 X 3,5-
4 mm, tomentose on middle parts of the back.
Wing blades 4,3-5 x 1,5-2 mm, tomentose
on lower and apical parts. Keel blades 3,3— 3,8
x 1,8-2, 2 mm, tomentose on the lower half.
Pistil hairy on the style base. Pod 4,5-5 x
2,5-3 mm. Figure 64: 1-12.
A relatively eastern species of the genus, found mainly
in the coastal regions between George and Port Elizabeth, in
the George, Knysna, Humansdorp, Uitenhage and Port
Elizabeth Divisions. The habitat is coastal or mountainous
low fynbos, generally at low altitudes. Map 61 .
Vouchers: Burchell 5998; Dahlgren & Peterson 207
and 1491; Drege 6941; Ecklon & Zeyher 1422; Fourcade
932.
The species is distinctive by its low size, the narrow,
weak leaves, small flowers in globose heads, and the nearly
glabrous calyx tube.
125. Aspalathus forbesii Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 114 (1862); H. Bol. in H. Bol. & Wolley-
Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253
(1903); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 6 (2):
61 (1961). Type: Cape, ‘C. B. S.’, Forbes (K,
holo.!).
A. priorii Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 127 (1862); H. Bol. in H.
Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14(3): 253
(1903); Salter, in Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 479
(1950), included this in A. forbesii. Type: Cape, ‘Table
Mt.’, Prior (K, holo.!), the locality statement probably
incorrect.
Shrubs or shrublets 0,4 -more than 2 m
tall, often much branched. Branchlets densely
short-tomentose. Leaflets 3-9 together (leaf,
sometimes with an axillary short-shoot),
sausage-shaped, 2-8 mm long, terete, sub-
acute or obtuse, pale green, sparsely puberulous
or glabrous. Inflorescence capitate, usually
with 2—5 flowers. Bracts trifoliolate, or those
associated with inner flowers sometimes trilo-
bate or simple, 2,5—5 mm long. Flowers ses-
sile, rather small. Bracteoles longer and
narrower than bract, 5-8,5 mm long, puberu-
lous. Calyx short-sericeous, lobes subulate-
triangular, 4,5-7 mm long, green, with sparse,
short hairs; upper two lobes separated by a slit
deeper than those between other lobes. Petals
white or cream-coloured, sometimes with pink
shades on wings. Standard blade 6,5—8 x
4-5,3 mm, short-sericeous on the back. Wing
blades 5, 0-6, 2 x 1,7— 2,1 mm, glabrous or
3,6: 202
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 203
with few hairs. Keel blades 4-4,5 X 2-2,5
mm, glabrous. Pistil pubescent on upper part of
ovary. Pod 5-6,5 x 3, 8-4, 3 mm. Figure 60:
29-37.
Distributed in the coastal, often sandy and/or lime-rich
regions from the Cape Peninsula (southern parts) eastwards
through the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions to the
Riversdale Division. The species grows in marine sand (and
can be used as a sand-binder) and in some regions on lime-
stone rock, this combination being possibly an essential
habitat requirement. Regionally subdominant in dune vege-
tation. Map 61 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1307, 1767; Dahl-
gren & Strid 3933; Esterhuysen 16975; Hutchinson 81;
Salter 6219; Wolley-Dod 3681 .
Characterized by the glabrous (or subglabrous) wings
and keel and by the rather deep slit between the two upper-
most calyx lobes. There is considerable variation in the size
of the shrubs; in the Gansbaai region, for example, the
shrubs may grow 2 m tall or more; in other regions they are
usually less than 1 m high.
Group 15: Gigantes
An erect, branched shrub to more than 3 m tall. Young branches long-woolly, densely leafy.
Leaves trifoliolate, soon with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets flat, linear, the upper up to 2 mm
broad, up to 50 mm long, slightly incurved, weak, acute to acuminate, non-pungent. Inflorescence
a terminal head of 4— 10 flowers. Flowers large. Bract and bracteoles simple, linear, flat, ciliate.
Pedicel almost lacking. Calyx tube sparsely long-sericeous; lobes linear, up to more than 20 mm
long, weak, non-spiny. Petals bright yellow, glabrous on most parts; wing and keel claws free
from the staminal sheath. Standard elliptic, more than 20 mm long, woolly to tomentose on the
base of the back. Wing blades elliptic-oblong, subglabrous, with several rows of minute folds on
basal half. Keel blades subrostrate, apically upcurved, the basal parts marginally pubescent. Pistil
short-stipitate; ovary pubescent on base and upper side; ovules 5-7; stigma regular, capitate. Pod
lanceolate, smooth, subglabrous, black, 1— 3-seeded. Chromosome number unknown.
126. Aspalathus stokoei L. Bol. in Ann.
Bolus Herb. 4: 123 (1928); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 152 (1963); ibid. 11 (1):
19 (1966). Type: Cape, Spinnekop Nes Kloof,
Kogelberg, Caledon Division, Stokoe 6108
(BOL, holo.!; K).
Large, robust shrub up to c. 3 m tall. Leaf-
lets 20-50 mm long, flattened, 0,5-1 mm
broad, or those of uppermost leaves up to 2 mm
broad; sparsely long-ciliate, with prominent
mid vein. Inflorescence a head surrounded by
the uppermost leaves. Bract and bracteoles
22-26 x 2,5-3, 5 mm and 20-23 x 1-1,5
mm respectively, more densely ciliate than leaf-
lets of uppermost leaves. Calyx lobes 18-22
mm long, tapering, apically acuminate, green,
sparsely hairy except for the ciliate margins.
Standard blade 20—23 X c. 18 mm, glabrous
except basally. Wing blades narrow, 18—19 x
c. 8 mm. Keel somewhat rostrate’ 14-16 mm
long and 6,5-c. 7 mm broad. Pod c. 10 x 3,5
mm. Figure 65.
Restricted to mountains of the Kogelberg-Palmiet
River region in the western part of Caledon Division, grow-
ing near streams or on slopes with rich water supply at
altitudes of 350-900 m in fynbos. Obviously threatened
by the Kogelberg Dam project and worthy of protection.
Map 62.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 13678; Rycroft 1457; Stokoe
1480, 6 108 and SAM 58 184.
The closest relations of this species are uncertain.
FIGURE 64. Aspalathus cerrhantha (1-12); A. globosa (13-24). — 1, 13: branch ends with inflorescences; 2-4,
17: floral bracts; 5, 18: bracteoles (prophylls); 6, 19: flowers; 7: calyx; 8, 20: standard petals, back and front views; 9, 21:
wing petals; 10, 22: keel petals; 11, 23: pistils; 12, 24 fruit walls; 14-16: involucral (non-floral) bracts subtending the
inflorescence. — 1 — 11 from Taylor 1485 ; 12 from Dahlgren & Peterson 149T, 13—23 from Cloete, SAM 6100T, 24 from
Compton 16485. — (1, 13 x 2; 2-12, 14-24 x 4.)
3,6: 204
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 65. Aspalathus stokoei. — 1: bract; 2: bracteole (prophyll); 3: calyx; 4: standard, back view; 5: base of
standard, front view; 6: wing petal; 7: keel petal; 8: pistil. — 1-7 from Stokoe, Spinnekop Nes Kloof (BOL); 8 from
Rycrofx 1457. — (All X2.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 205
Group 16: Decorae
Erect, branched shrubs to 2,5 (-4) m tall; branches slender, tomentose, densely leafy. Leaves
trifoliolate, soon with axillary short-shoots (the leaflets becoming ‘fascicled’). Leaflets filiform
(not flat), incurved, acute-acuminate, non-spiny, weak, sparsely pubescent. Leaf base not pro-
duced into a spur or spine. Inflorescence a terminal group or head-like umbel of 2—6 flowers
radiating almost from one point. Bract simple, linear-filiform, attached to the basal 2-2,5 mm of
the 3,5-5 mm long, short-sericeous pedicel. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx campanulate-
urceolate, often ± purple, pubescent; lobes with broad base, abruptly narrowed into linear-subu-
late apex. Petals light yellow, of weak texture; wing and keel claws relatively long, not attached to
the staminal sheath. Standard blade circular, pubescent on the back, without apical cusp. Wing
blades oblong-elliptic, glabrous, basally with several rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate,
obtuse, glabrous, with nearly straight upper margin and a prominent basal pouch. Pistil: ovary
short-tomentose; ovules 2; style glabrous; stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely lanceolate,
compressed, pubescent. Chromosome number: 2n= 18.
127. Aspalathus decora Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 276 (also p. 153)
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 21 (1966). Type: Cape,
base of Uitkyk Pass, Cederberg Mountains,
Clanwilliam Division, Esterhuysen 7385 (BOL,
holo.!; LD, PRE).
Shrub (1 — )1 ,5— 2,5( — 4) m tall. Leaflets
narrow, pale green, weak (often slightly in-
curved). Bract and bracteoles simple, similar to
leaflets of vegetative leaves, 7-12 mm long;
emerging on the pedicel 2-2,5 mm from its
base. Pedicel slender. Calyx often ± purplish;
lobes basally broad, tapering, the flexible, lin-
ear-subulate part 5—7 mm long. Standard blade
9,5-10,5 x 3-3,8 mm. Wing blades 9,5 —
10,5 x 3-4 mm. Keel blades 6, 8-7, 5 x 3,3-
4 mm. Pod c. 15,5 X 5 mm. Figure 66.
Figure 66. Aspalathus decora. — 1: branch with inflorescence; 2: bract; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4: flower; 5: wing;
6: keel petal; 7: pistil; 8: fruit. — 1 from Esterhuysen 7885\ 2-7 from Dahlgren & Strid 4269\ 8 from Dahlgren & Strid
3262. — (1,4 X2; 2, 3, 5-8 x4.)
3,6: 206
Crotalarieae
Restricted to a limited area in the central part of the
Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam Division. Growing in
sand (from Table Mountain Sandstone) or directly in rock
crevices in fynbos. It has also been seen in degenerated
vegetation with species of Pteridium Scop, and Psoralea L.
Map 62.
Vouchers: Compton 4792; Dahlgren & Strid 3265,
4258, 4269, 4489; Esterhuysen 7385; Salter 5076.
A very distinctive species; the closest relatives in the
genus are uncertain.
Group 17: Callosae
Erect or ascending shrubs or shrublets less than 1 m tall, sparingly or moderately branched;
young branches either pubescent (A. tylodes — no. 129) or glabrous (A. callosa — no. 128). Leaves
trifoliolate, those on branch ends often not yet with axillary short-shoots, these developing, how-
ever, subsequently. Leaflets flattened or less depressed, medium-sized to rather large, glabrous,
acute-acuminate, not spine-tipped, camose, without distinct veins. Leaf base tuberculate but not
produced into a spur or spine. Inflorescences terminal, an ovate or subglobose spike-like raceme of
(3-) 10— 25 flowers. Bract simple, flat, generally attached at the base to the pedicel for a short
distance, (linear-) lanceolate, sometimes laterally with a tooth, glabrous, subcamose, not spine-
tipped. Pedicel distinct, pubescent or glabrous. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx glabrous,
camose with triangular-acute to acuminate, not spine-tipped, lobes shorter than the tube. Petals
yellow, glabrous, with rather long claws; wing and keel claws free from the staminal sheath.
Standard blade ovate, elliptic or circular, often laterally recurved, without apical cusp. Wing
blades narrowly elliptic, with 1-2 rows of transverse, lamella-like folds on basal half. Keel blades
lunate, apically rounded-obtuse, with upper margins slightly convex, and with lateral pouch dis-
tinct. Pistil glabrous; ovules 2-4; stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely lanceolate, smooth,
slightly compressed, brown to black, with 1 or 2 seeds. Chromosome number: 2n= 18.
128. Aspalathus callosa L ., Sp. PI. edn 1:
713 (1753); Sp. PI. edn 2: 1002 (1763); Berg.,
Descr. PI. Cap. 209 (1767); Lam., Encycl. 1:
292 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 125 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 7 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:
966 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 573
(1823); Sims in Curtis’s bot. Mag. 37: plate
2329 (1822); DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825); E.
Mey. in Linnaea 7: 162 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 200 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 2: 45
(1836); Meisner, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 70 (1843);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 634 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 126 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 252
(1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins.
477 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
9 (1): 157 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 53 (1966). Type:
Plukenet, Phytogr. PI. plate 345, fig. 4
(1691-96); typotype in Sloane herbarium, vol.
92, p. 157.
Paraspalathus callosa (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk, 560
(1845). Achyronia callosa (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 1:
157(1891).
Aspalathus simsiana Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 200
(1836), non Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216. As Ecklon and
Zeyher described two species with the same name in the
same work both must be considered nomina confusa. Type:
Cape, Cape Flats below Constantia, Ecklon & Zeyher 1372
(S, lecto. ! ; BOL, M, W).
An ascending or erect shrublet 0,15-0,4
(-0,6) m tall. Young branches glabrous, pale
yellow, sulcate. Leaflets linear, (2,5-) 4-15
X 0,5-3 mm. Inflorescence an ovate or sub-
globose raceme of 10-25 flowers. Bract lan-
ceolate, (3 — ) 3,5— 7,5 x 0,8—3 mm, acumi-
nate, subglabrous, occasionally with a shallow
tooth on each side. Pedicel 1-2 mm long, gla-
brous. Bracteoles (2,2— ) 3-7,5 X 0,6- 1,2
mm. Calyx lobes triangular-ovate, overlapping
at base, 2-4,2 mm long, acute-acuminate.
Standard blade 6-8 x 5-7,5 mm, back and
sides ± recurved. Wing blades 4,5 -6,3 x
2-2,5 mm. Keel blades (3,7—) 4—5 x 2-2,8
mm. Pistil: ovules 4. Pod 8,5-12,5 x 3,3-4
mm. Chromosome number. 2«=18. Figure 67:
14-21.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 207
Figure 67. Aspalathus tylodes (1-13); A. callosa (14-21). — 1, 7, 14: branches with inflorescences; 2, 8, 15:
flowers; 3, 9, 16: bracts, 16 showing both sides; 4, 10, 17: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 11, 19: wing petals; 6, 12, 20: keel
petals; 13, 21: pistils; 18: calyx. — 1—6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1338', 7—13 from Dahlgren & Strid 3641', 14-21 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 433. — (1, 14 X2,4; 2-6, 8-13, 15-21 X4; 7 X2.)
Distributed on the Cape Peninsula and in the Somerset
West, Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions. Growing in sand
and sandstone gravel weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone rock (cf. A. tylodes — no. 129) at low altitudes.
Map 63.
Vouchers: Bolus 3829 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 433;
Dahlgren & Strid 3931 ; Pillans 3439; Wolley-Dod 3629.
The forms on the Cape Peninsula are slightly larger-
flowered than those in the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divi-
sions.
A. callosa is closely related to A. tylodes (no. 129) and
differs from this in having glabrous branches and somewhat
larger flowers. These two species are obviously rather iso-
lated in the genus.
129. Aspalathus tylodes Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 200 (1836); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 157 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 58
(1966). Type: Cape, near Swellendam, Mund,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1374 (S, lecto. ! ; BOL,
SAM).
A. callosa L. var. ((3) brevifolia Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 634 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 126 (1862). Type:
as for A. tylodes Eckl. & Zeyh.
3,6: 208
Crotalarieae
Map 63. — Aspalathus callosa (unbroken line); A. tylodes (squares).
A. simsiana Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (P) montana Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 200 (1836). Type: Cape, ‘Tafelberg’, Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1372 pro parte (M, lecto. ! ; BOL). Ecklon &
Zeyher 1372 is heterogenous, part of it belonging to A.
callosa L.
Paraspalathus fagonioides Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 564
(1845). Type: Cape, Cape Flats between Wynberg and
Steenberg, Ecklon & Zeyher 1373 pro parte (BOL, K, L,
M, P, W; lectotype not selected).
An erect shrub or shrublet 0,4 -0,8 (-1)
m tall, sometimes rather much branched.
Young branches short-tomentose. Leaflets
usually 4-8 x 0,6- 1,7 mm. Inflorescence
elongate, sparser than in A. callosa (no. 128),
(4—) 8-20-flowered. Flowers rather small.
Bract 2—2,8 x 0,5—1 mm. Pedicel ± puberu-
lous, 1—2 mm long. Bracteoles 1,4 -3, 5 x
0,2— 0,7 mm. Calyx lobes 1,7— 3,0 mm long.
Standard blade 4,5— 5,8 X 3,2—5 mm. Wing
blades 3,5— 4,5 x 1,5—2 mm. Keel blades
3,2—4 x 1,5-2 mm. Pistil: ovules 2 or 3. Pod
8— 11 x 3—4 mm. Figure 67: 1-13.
Distribution disjunctive: the Cape Flats (where the
species is now, perhaps, extinct) and marine flats from
Struis Bay (Bredasdorp Division) and Albertinia
(Riversdale Division). In contrast to A. callosa (no. 128),
A. tylodes grows on marine sand at low altitudes (partly in
limestone-rich regions), but on the Potberg Mountain (Bre-
dasdorp Division) on sandstone rock and at higher altitudes
(350 — 400 m). It belongs to the coastal fynbos. Map 63.
Similar in most details to A. callosa, but differing
chiefly in that the young branches (including the inflores-
cence axis) are short-tomentose and the flowers, on aver-
age, smaller, as is seen from Figure 67.
Vouchers: Almborn 1013; Bolus 3829; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1327, 1338; Dahlgren & Strid 4095, 4324; Ester-
huysen 4061 ; Muir 627; Pillans 9310.
Group 18: Camosae
Erect or ascending shrubs or shrublets up to more than 2 m, often with somewhat thickish
branches; young branches pubescent or, in A. capensis (no. 137), glabrous. Leaves trifoliolate,
generally soon with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets from terete to flat and variably broad, camose,
glabrous, without distinct veins, obtuse to acuminate or mucronate (with short spines in A. subu-
lata (no. 130) and forms of A. truncata — no. 134). Leaf base often prominent, not produced into a
spur or spine. Inflorescences terminal, a (one- or) few- to many-flowered head-like umbel or (A.
erythrodes — no. 132) a spike. Bract simple, generally attached at the base to the pedicel for some
distance, flat or subterete, often rather broad, sometimes marginally denticulate-crenulate (A.
excelsa — no. 138) or with a short lobe ( A. carnosa (no. 136) forms), spine-tipped in species with
Crotalarieae
3,6: 209
spine-tipped leaflets. Pedicel distinct to rather long, usually pubescent. Bracteoles similar to but
narrower than the bract. Calyx camose, glabrous or partly pubescent; lobes circular to lanceolate
(rarely subulate), often partly overlapping, emarginate, obtuse or acuminate, rarely spine-tipped.
Petals often camose, yellow or standard partly reddish, generally glabrous on most parts; wing and
keel claws free from the staminal sheath. Standard blade broadly ovate to circular; back generally
pubescent basally next to the claw, sometimes completely so (A. truncata)-, apex not produced into
a cusp. Wing blades elliptic, glabrous, basally with several rows of minute folds. Keel blades
lunate or ± rostrate, often camose, glabrous or rarely (A. truncata ) pubescent, obtuse to subacute,
when rostrate then without distinct basal pouch. Pistil glabrous or with some pubescence on the
upper basal parts of the ovary, this only rarely (A. truncata) completely pubescent; ovules 2-8;
stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely ovate or lanceolate, compressed, rather smooth. Chromo-
some number: 2 n = 18.
130. Aspalathus subulata Thunb., Prodr.
2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2: 22
(1802); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3; 961 (1802); Thunb.,
FI. Cap. edn 2: 583 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 141
(1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 656
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 128 (1862); Schltr.
in Zahlbr. in Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20
(1905); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
153 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 46 (1966). Type:
Cape, ‘e. Cap. b. spei.’, Thunberg (UPS,
lecto. !). (The name A. subulata has been
misused for forms of A. divaricata Thunb. in,
for example, Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 204;
1836.)
Achyronia subulata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus floribunda Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
636 (1848). Type: Cape, Swartberg [Zwarteberg], Mund
(K, lecto.!).
‘ Aspalathus trigona' auct. non Thunb., in Mey., Comm.
1:45 (1836).
Shrublets or shrubs 0,3— 0,7 m tall. Leaf-
lets linear or needle-like, subterete or usually
canaliculate above, usually sharply mucronate.
Inflorescences usually 3 — 10-flowered. Bract
generally accreted basally to the pedicel, linear
or lanceolate, 3,5—5 x 1,2— 2,2 mm, mucro-
nate. Bracteoles 4-5,2 X 0,6- 1,2 mm. Calyx
tube sparsely or rather densely puberulous;
lobes lanceolate or narrowly triangular,
2. 5 - 3, 5 mm long, mucronate, glabrous. Petals
yellow, often turning orange, or standard back
± purplish. Standard blade 6-7,2 X 5-7 mm;
pubescent at base and sometimes along the mid-
vein of the back. Wing blades 5, 2-6, 8 x 2-3
mm. Keel blades lunate, obtuse, 5-6 x
2.5— 3,2 mm, glabrous. Pistil: ovary only
slightly pubescent basally; ovules 4 (—6). Pod
rhombic-lanceolate, c. 8 x 3,3 mm, slightly
rugulose. Chromosome number: 2n = 18. Fig-
ure 68: 1-8.
The distribution is mainly restricted to the Swartberg
Mountain near Caledon but somewhat uncertain records are
from Houwhoek and the mountains near Genadendal, all
these places in the Caledon Division. The habitat is rock
outcorps and gravel weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone rock, with fynbos vegetation, at rather low alti-
tudes (c. 600 m or less). Map 65.
Vouchers: Bolus 9154; Dahlgren & Strid 3425, 3788;
MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 723; Schlechter 5658;
Zeyher 2347.
The specific distinctness of A. subulata from A. fusca
(no. 131) is somewhat dubious, but as it is easily distin-
guishable, it is here kept separate.
131. Aspalathus fusca Thunb., Prodr. 2:
125 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 8 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 967 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2, 574 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 599 (1848);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 153
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 41 (1966). Type: ‘ Aspala-
thus fusca. Cap. b. sp., Osbeck' in Thunberg’s
herbarium (UPS, lecto. !).
A. callosa L. var. (y) fusca (Thunb.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
126(1862).
? A. crassifolia Andr. , Bot. Rep. 5: plate 353. Type: the
mentioned plate. The identity of this is not quite dear, and
the typotype of the plate was not traced.
An ascending or erect shrub or shrublet
0,2-1 (-2) m tall, with rigid branches. Young
branches densely white-tomentose; short-shoots
often not developed in leaf axils on the young
branches. Leaflets extraordinarily variable,
from linear and subterete (or canaliculate
3,6:210
Crotalarieae
\-£v\
FIGURE 68. Aspalathus subulata (1-8); A. erythrodes (9-16); A. fusca (17-21). — 1, 9, 17: branch ends with
inflorescences; 2, 10: bracts; 3, 11: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 12, 18: flowers; 5: calyx; 6, 14, 19: wing petals; 7, 15, 20:
keel petals; 18, 16, 21: pistils (16 in late stage); 13: standard, back view. — 1-8 from MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr.
723 ; 9-16 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1375\ 17-21 from Dahlgren & Strid4238. — (1 x2,5; 2-8, 10-16, 18-21 x4; 9, 17
X2.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:211
above) to obovate and flat, 3—12 x 1-2,5
(—3) mm, usually broadest on apical half, car-
nose, stiff and mucronate and usually pungent.
Inflorescence a head-like umbel of 2— 12 flow-
ers. Bract usually emerging near calyx base,
linear-oblong or lanceolate, 4-5,5 ( — 8,5) x
1,5-2, 5 mm, acute-mucronate. Pedicel 1-3,5
mm long, short-tomentose. Bracteoles linear-
lanceolate, 4-5,5 (-6,5) x 0,7- 1,4 mm, car-
nose, pointed. Calyx glabrous; lobes triangular
(-subulate), 2-4,5 mm long, acuminate or mu-
cronulate. Petals yellow or standard partly vio-
let, somewhat camose. Standard blade 7,5 - 1 1
x 6,5-11 mm, almost glabrous, pubescent at
base of back. Wing blades 7—10 x (2,7 — )
3-4,5 mm. Keel blades, halfmoon-shaped or
somewhat upcurved, 6,5—9 x 3,3 — 4,8 mm,
obtuse, glabrous, with distinct basal pouch.
Pistil: ovary pubescent on basal half; ovules
(4-) 6 (-8). Pod 11,5-12 x 3,5-4 mm,
slightly rugulose. Chromosome number : 2 n=
18. Figures 68: 17-21 & 69: 1 -9.
Distributed on mountains between Cape Hangklip and
the Bredasdorp Mountain in the Caledon, Bredasdorp and
Paarl. Divisions, growing on sandstone outcrops (Table
Mountain Sandstone rocks) in low fynbos vegetation. A
find near Wemmershoek (Paarl Division) is a northern out-
post. Map 65.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 449, 495, 503 , 826;
Dahlgren & Strid 3749, 3761, 4027; Galpin 11223;
Schlechter 9609.
There is great variation in floral size, degree of thick-
ness, flatness and sharpness of the leaflets, and of fusion of
bract base with pedicel. The species is undoubtedly most
closely related to A. subulata (no. 130) from which it differs
in the glabrous calyx tube.
132. Aspalathus erythrodes Eckl. &
Ze\h ., Enum. 2: 200 (1836); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 634 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
126 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
9(1): 153 (1963); ibid. 1 1 (1): 49 ( 1966). Type:
Cape, Tulbagh near ‘Waterfall’. Ecklon &
Zeyher 1375 (S, lecto. !; M, SAM, W).
Shrublet of unknown size, similar to A.
fusca (no. 131) and dubiously distinct from
this. Leaflets linear, 3-8 mm long, acute-acu-
minate, not pungent. Inflorescence an elongate
raceme with 5-12 Bowers. Flowers similar in
most features to those of A. fusca. Bract lanceo-
late or linear, 4-5 x 0,5-1 mm. Pedicel 1 -2
mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles linear, similar
to the bract. Calyx glabrous; the lobes narrowly
triangular, 3-4 mm long. Petals yellow.
Standard blade c. 7 x 6 mm. Wing blades c. 6
x 3 mm. Keel blades c. 5,5-6 x 3 mm. simi-
lar to those of A. fusca. Pistil: ovules 8. Pods
not seen. Figure 68: 9-16.
The species is known only from one single collection,
viz. the type, from the Waterfall at Tulbagh, a region of
Table Mountain Sandstone soil and outcrops with fynbos
vegetation. Map 65.
Voucher: Ecklon & Zeyher 1375.
The elongate spicate inflorescence is the only substan-
tial difference from A. fusca (no. 131), and the species
could perhaps be best treated as an outpost of this. The
locality is far outside the known distribution of A. fusca.
133. Aspalathus vacciniifolia Dahlg. in
Bot. Notiser 114: 313 ( 1961 ); in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 152 (1963). Type: Cape,
Somerset West Sneeuwkop, south-western
slopes below nek. Esterhuysen 28666 (LD,
holo. !; BOL).
Decumbent to ascending, robust shrublet,
c. 0,3 m tall. Young branches woolly-tomen-
tose. Leaflets flat, oblong-oblanceolate, 6-12
x 2—4,5 mm, mucronulate or acute, fleshy.
Inflorescence a head with 4- 15 flowers. Bract
flat, variable, the peripheral largest, the inner
smallest, oblanceolate to obovate, 10-13 x
3,5-8 mm, smooth, glabrous, camose, acute
to mucronulate. Pedicel short, tomentose.
Bracteoles linear or oblanceolate. 6-9 x
0,3-2, 5 mm. Calyx tube basally hairy', other-
wise glabrous; lobes narrowly ovate-triangular,
5-6 x 2,5-3 mm, green but pale marginally,
glabrous, coriaceous, acute. Petals bright yel-
low. Standard blade 9,5—10,3 x 6,5-7 mm,
obtuse to acute, glabrous except for some
tomentose pubescence on the base (near the
claw). Wing blades narrowly elliptic-oblong.
9-9,7 x c. 3,5 mm, glabrous with several
rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel blades
lunate, c. 8 x 4 mm, not upcurved. obtuse,
with indistinct basal bulge and with rather
tapering (not rounded) basal upper lobe. Pistil
hairy on ovary base only; ovules 4 or 5. Pod
broadly lanceolate, 10,5-12 x 4,3—5 mm.
smooth, blackish when ripe. Figure 69: 10-20.
3,6:212
Crotalarieae
Maps 64 -67. — Map 64. Aspalathus carnosa (unbroken line); A. excelsa (dots); A. variegata (triangles); A. trun-
cata (squares); A. vacciniifolia (rhomboid). — Map 65. A. capitata (unbroken line); A. fusca (dots); A. subulata
(squares); A. erythrodes (rhomboid). — Map 66. A. citrina (unbroken line); A. sulphurea (asterisk); A. arida subsp.
arida (triangles); A. arida subsp. erecta (dots); A. dianthopora (squares). — Map 67. A. capensis (unbroken line);
A. laeta (squares); A. collina subsp. collina (dots); A. collina subsp. luculenta (triangles).
Crotalarieae
3,6:213
Known only from the Somerset West Sneeuwkop in
the northern part of the Hottentots Holland Mountains,
Somerset West Division, growing at 1 000-1 300 m on
stony, wind-swept slopes. Map 64.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 28666, 28699.
Obviously closest to A. Jusca (no. 131), which it
resembles in the fleshy calyx and in the standard being
pubescent only on the base of the back (two rather distinc-
tive features), and approaching also A. truncata (no. 134)
which has even broader bracts and pubescent standard and
keel.
134. Aspalathus truncata Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 197 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 483
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 596
(1848; as doubtful synonym of A. conferta
Benth.); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 102 (1862). Type:
Cape, Tulbagh, near Waterfall, Tulbagh Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zeyher 1359 (S, lecto. !).
Achyronia truncata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus sphaerocephala Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27: 146
(1900). Aspalathus truncata Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. sphaero-
cephala (Schltr.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 4: 148
(1960). Type: Cape, Bain’s Kloof, Worcester Division,
Schlechter 9186 (BOL, lecto. !; BM, G, K, P, S).
Erect or ascending shrub, probably
0,5— 1,5 m tall, with rigid branches; young
branches tomentose. Leaves often (especially
when leaflets are narrow) soon with axillary
brachyblast. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves flat,
either narrow and linear or rather broad and
oblanceolate, 5-15 x 0,5-7 mm, often
slightly incurved, apiculate or acute, non-pun-
gent. Inflorescence a terminal head of 8-25
flowers. Bracts broad, those of peripheral flow-
ers as broad as long, the successive ones nar-
rower, broadly orbicular to obdeltoid, 4—7 x
3—7 mm, fleshy, with a distinct acute-mucro-
nulate point, glabrous except on the (tomen-
tose) base. Pedicel up to 2 mm, tomentose.
Bracteoles obtriangular or spathulate, 4-6 x
2,5-4 mm, apically emarginate but with a
point, hairy on the base. Calyx tube tomentose;
lobes ovate or lanceolate, 4—6,5 x 2-3 mm,
acuminate, non-spiny, glabrous. Petals yellow.
Standard blade 8-9 x 7-9 mm, obtuse, pu-
bescent on most of the back. Wing blades, 6-7
x 2—3 mm. Keel blades lunate, 6—7 x 3-4
mm, obtuse, with almost straight upper margin,
pubescent at least on two-thirds. Pistil pubes-
cent on most parts of the ovary and style base;
ovules 2. Pod obliquely lanceolate, c. 11 x 4
mm, pubescent. Figure 70.
Distributed on mountains of the Tulbagh and Worces-
ter Divisions (Tulbagh Waterfall, Grootvadersbosch, Bain’s
Kloof, Sneeuwkop at Wellington), on rocky slopes at alti-
tudes below 1 000 m. Map 64.
Vouchers: Ecklon & Zeyher 1359; Schlechter 9186;
Thorne, SAM 46560.
The forms in the Worcester Division (‘A. sphaeroce-
phala’) have linear, narrow leaflets rarely more than 1,5
mm broad, whereas those of the Tulbagh region have leaf-
lets (on long-shoots) 2-6 mm broad. The previous distinc-
tion into subsp. truncata and subsp. sphaerocephala
(Schltr.) Dahlg. hardly seems warranted.
135. Aspalathus variegata Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 201 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 490 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 634 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 127
(1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 485 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 154 (1963); ibid.
11 (1): 57 (1966). Type: Cape, Cape Flats near
‘Doomhoogde’, Ecklon & Zeyher 1376 (S,
lecto.!; G,L,M,P, SAM,W).
Achyronia variegata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
1:157(1891).
An erect or ascending shrublet 0,15-0,4
m tall with slender branches; young branches
tomentose; axillary short-shoots usually not de-
veloped in leaf axils of young branches. Leaf-
lets linear, (1 — )3— 5 mm long, subterete,
broadest distally, ± straight, acute. Inflores-
cence of 1 - 4 flowers, if more than 1 then ra-
diating from nearly one point. Bract attached to
the pedicel (emerging near the calyx), linear-
subulate, 4-5 mm, acute. Pedicel rather
slender, c. 4 mm long, short-tomentose. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract. Calyx campanulate;
tube sparsely puberulous; lobes triangular,
1,5-2 mm long, acute, subglabrous. Petals al-
most glabrous. Standard blade 6-7 x 4—4,5
mm, with a few hairs along the midrib of the
back only. Wing blades narrowly elliptic-ovate,
c. 6 x 2,7 mm. Keel blades lunate, c. 6 x 3
mm, glabrous, obtuse, with rather prominent,
rounded basal-upper lobe and with prominent
basal pouch. Pistil glabrous; ovules 4. Pod lan-
ceolate, 9—10 x c. 3 mm, rather thin-walled,
pale brown . Figure 71: 1 - 8 .
3,6: 214
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6:215
Probably extinct, previously found in marine sand on
the Cape Flats (Doomhoogde, Varsche Vlei, Raapenburg),
in fynbos vegetation. Not found since 1898. Map 64.
Vouchers: Ecklon 429; Ecklon & Zeyher 1376; Guth-
rie 238, BOL7061.
On the basis of the bract accreted to the pedicel, the
subglabrous petals and the terminal inflorescences, this
species is probably closely related to A. carnosa (no. 136),
A. fusca (no. 131) and other species with more camose
petals.
136. Aspalathus carnosa Berg., Descr.
PI. Cap. 206 (1769); L., Mant. Alt. 261 (1771);
Houtt., Nat. hist. 2 (5): 471 (1775); Lam., En-
cycl. 1: 289 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 127
(1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1—2: 17 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 957 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 580 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 140 (1825);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 140 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 635 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 127 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 253 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 477
(1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
154 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 28 (1966). Type: ‘As-
palathus mihi carnosa’ in Bergius’ herbarium
(SBT, holo.!).
Paraspalathus carnosa (Berg.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). Achvronia carnosa (Berg.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).'
Aspalathus sarcantha Vogel ex Walp. in Linnaea 13: 489
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 636 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 128 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 254 (1903). Salter in Ad-
amson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 477 (1950) correctly
included A. sarcantha into A. carnosa. Type: not seen,
probably destroyed in Berlin.
? Aspalathus thymifolia L., Sp. PI. 711 (1753), nom.
dub.; according to a specimen in LINN ( Aspalathus no. 13)
this might have been conspecific with A. carnosa. It was
annotated 'thymifolia - carnosa Berg.’, but obviously only
after 1767. The confusion as to this name, usually applied
to the present A. hispida Thunb. (no. 107), makes it advis-
able to treat this name as a nomen dubium, like Paraspala-
thus thymifolia (L.) Presl and Achyronia thymifolia (L.)
Kuntze.
An erect shrub 0,6- 1,2 (-2,5) m tall,
rather rigid and much branched. Young
branches densely short-tomentose. Leaflets lin-
ear, sausage-shaped, 2,5-7 mm long, terete or
subterete, straight or slightly incurved, green,
acute to mucronulate, often slightly prickly.
Inflorescence a head-like umbel of 2-7 flowers
(or flowers solitary or in pairs on short branch-
lets or very rarely solitary on short-shoots);
flowers smaller than but similar to those of A.
capensis (no. 137). Bract accreted to the pedi-
cel, emerging near the calyx base; (linear-) lan-
ceolate-ovate (-circular), 4, 5-6, 5 x 1,5-6
mm, flat or ± convex, fleshy, glabrous. Pedi-
cel 2—5 mm, tomentose. Bracteoles 4-6,5 x
0,7-3 mm. Calyx tube sparsely puberulous or
glabrous; lobes ovate or almost orbicular, acute
or rounded-obtuse, camose, green. Petals ±
camose, bright yellow or standard partly red.
Standard blade 7-15 X 7-12,5 (-14) mm,
acute, glabrous or with scattered hairs along the
midrib of the back. Wing blades narrowly ob-
long-lunate, 7-13 x 3,5—6 mm, glabrous.
Keel blades lunate, 6,5-13 x 3, 5 -5, 5 mm,
glabrous, obtuse, with indistinct basal pouch.
Pistil glabrous; ovules 2—6. Pod obliquely lan-
ceolate, 15—17,5 x 4—5 mm, rugulose. Chro-
mosome number. 2rc = 1 8 . Figure 7 1 : 9 - 29 .
Distributed on the Cape Peninsula and the westernmost
coastal part of the Caledon Division as far east as the Pal-
miet River Mouth. Growing on sand and rock of the Table
Mountain Sandstone series, or partly on marine sand, in
fynbos scrub. Regionally common in the southern parts of
the Peninsula and the Cape Hangklip region. Map 64.
Vouchers: Burchell 604; Dahlgren & Peterson 589,
648, 851, 1238; Dahlgren & Strid 3326, 3566; MacOwan,
Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 58; Wolley-Dod 305, 1910.
The species is very variable in total size, leaflet length,
and, especially, floral size. Forms growing in rocks on
Table Mountain and Constantiaberg are erect shrubs c. 1 m
tall, with small leaflets shorter than 5 mm and small flow-
ers, often 4-7, in heads. The calyx lobes are semicircular
and c. 2 mm long or less, the standard c. 7—8 x 6,8— 7,5
mm (often puberulous on the midrib), and the wing blades
and keel blades only 6, 7-7, 8 and 6,5— 7,2 mm long, re-
spectively. Such forms correspond to the type of A. car-
nosa.
Figure 69. Aspalathus fusca (1-9); A. vacciniifolia (10-20). — 1, 4, 10: branches with inflorescences; 2: old
branch and branchlet; 3, 20: fruits; 5, 13: flowers; 6, 16: standard petals, side view; 7, 17: wing petals; 8, 18: keel petals; 9,
19: pistils; 11, 12: floral bracts from peripheral and inner flower of the inflorescence, respectively; 14, 15: bracteoles
(prophylls) of same flowers. — 1,2 from Schlechter 9609 ; 3 from Galpin 11223; 4-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 495;
10-19 from Esterhuysen 28666; 20 from Esterhuysen 28699. — (1,2, 10 x2;3— 9, 11-20 X4.)
3,6:216
Crotalarieae
I -
Figure 70. Aspalathus truncata. — 1—2 from a broad-leaved form from Tulbagh Waterfall, Ecklon & Zeyher 1359;
3—13 from a narrow-leaved form from Sneeukop near Wellington, Thorne, SAM 46560. — 1, 3: branch ends with
inflorescences; 2: fruit; 4-6: bracts, from peripheral, intermediate and central flower in the inflorescence, respectively; 7:
flower, bract and bracteoles removed; 8—10: bracteoles from same flowers as 4—6; 11: wing petal; 12: keel petal; 13: pistil.
— (1 x2;2,4-13 X4;3 X2,4.)
FIGURE 71. Aspalathus variegata (1-8); A. carnosa, different forms (9 - 29). — 1, 9, 16, 23: branch ends with
inflorescences; 2, 10, 17, 24: bracts; 3, 11, 18, 25: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, back view; 5, 14 , 20 , 28: wing
petals; 6, 15, 21, 29: keel petals; 7, 22: pistils; 8: fruit; 12, 19, 26: flowers; 13, 27: calyces, lowest, median lobe in centre.
— 1—7 from Wallich, sine loco', 8 from Ecklon & Zeyher 1376', 9—15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1243', 16—22 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 648; 23— 29 from Dahlgren & Peterson 851. — (1 x2; 2—8 x4; 9, 16, 23 x 1 ,6; 10—15, 17—22,
24-29 x2,4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:217
Crotalarieae
3,6:219
A range of other forms with successively larger Row-
ers occurs in the southern parts of the Peninsula, in the
Caledon Division, and (the largest) on Muizenberg.
(Whether introgression from A. capensis (no. 137), found
here, could have occurred, is uncertain.)
137. Aspalathus capensis (Walp.) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 274 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 24 (1965). Type: once found in
Herb. Kunth (not seen).
Sarcocalyx capensis Walp. in Linnaea 13: 479 (1839).
A. sarcodes Vogel ex Benth.; mentioned by Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 479 (1839) as synonym of Sarcocalyx capensis
(hence illegitimate); taken up by Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 635 (1848) and then generally used, e.g. in Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 127 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14 (3): 254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI.
Cape Penins. 477 (1950); Rice & Compton, Wild Flow.
Cape G. H. plate 42 ( 1950); etc.
Sarcophyllus carnosus Thunb. in J. Bot., Gott. 1: 324
(1799); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 968 ( 1802); Thunb. , FI. Cap. edn
2: 573 (1823); DC. , Prodr. 2: 137 (1825). Type: Cape, Cap.
b. sp. Thunberg (UPS, lecto. !). ‘ Sarcophyllum carnosum
Thunb.’ sensu E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 155 (1832) is a species
of Lebeckia. Thunberg’s name cannot be combined under
Aspalathus; it would become a homonym of A. carnosa
Berg.
An erect, rigid, robust shrub, 1 — 2( — 3) m
tall. Branches and branchlets thick, robust but
brittle, glabrous (pubescent on the very tips and
short-shoots); young branches pale, almost
white, divided into segments below leaf bases.
Axillary short-shoots soon developed. Leaflets
linear, 5-10 mm long, terete, camose, rigid,
mucronate (pungent), light green. Inflores-
cences of 1 - 3 flowers, on branch tips. Flowers
large, fleshy, glabrous except for the pedicel.
Bract broadly obovate, entire, flat or slightly
convex, 4, 5-5, 5 X 5-7 mm, glabrous, fused
to the pedicel and emerging near the calyx base.
Pedicel 4—10 mm, tomentulose. Bracteoles
larger than the bract, 5, 5-6, 5 x 4-5,5 mm.
Calyx pale, fleshy, glabrous; lobes circular or
ovate-elliptic, 4-6 X 4-6 mm, obtuse or
slightly emarginate, ± green. Petals bright yel-
low, rigid, fleshy, glabrous, with rather long
claws. Standard blade, 18,5-20,5 x 16,5—19
mm, the sides slightly recurved at anthesis.
Wing blades 16-18 x 8—8,5 mm, with several
rows of wrinkles on most parts. Keel blades
lunate, glabrous, apically slightly upcurved,
obtuse, with indistinct basal pouch. Pistil gla-
brous, subsessile; ovary elongate; ovules 6—8.
Pod 22—26 X 6—7 mm, compressed, glabrous.
Chromosome number: 2n=\S. Figure 72: 1 — 8.
Endemic on the Cape Peninsula from Muizenberg and
southwards, growing on sand weathered from Table Moun-
tain Sandstone rock, in regions with rather rich water sup-
ply, though not on moist ground. Locally subdominant.
Map 67.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 577 , 590, 599; Mac-
Owan & Tyson, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 952; Rogers
11229,28826.
This species resembles A. carnosa (no. 136) in most
features but is larger and coarser in all parts.
138. Aspalathus excelsa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 278 (1963); ibid. 11
(1): 35 (1966). Type: Cape, east of Hermanus,
Caledon Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 419
(LD.holo.!).
‘Aspalathus genistoides' auct. non L. in E. Mey. in Lin-
naea?: 159(1832).
'Aspalathus carnosa’ auct. non Berg, in E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 60 (1836).
Has often been treated, incorrectly, as A. sphaerocephala
Schltr. in herbaria.
An erect, much branched shrub 1,3— 2,5
m tall, with pale grey bark. Young branches
short- and white-tomentose. Axillary short-
shoots soon developed in leaf axils. Leaflets
linear, 6—14 mm long, weak, ± incurved,
acute to apiculate. Inflorescences ± globose,
head-like, terminal umbel of 5-15 Bowers.
Flowers similar in several respects to those of
Figure 72. Aspalathus capensis (1-8); A. excelsa (9-15); A. capitata (16-23). — 1, 9, 16: branch ends with
inflorescences; 2: part of young branch showing segmented sculpture; 3. 12, 19: flowers; 4, 10, 17: bracts; 5, 11, 18:
bracteoles (prophylls); 6, 13, 21: wing petals; 7, 14, 22: keel petals; 8, 15, 23: pistils; 20: standard, back view. — 1-8 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 577 ; 9-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 419 ; 16-23 from Ellfers 1. — (1-3, 9, 16 x 1 ,6; 4-8,
10-15, 17-23 X2,4.)
3,6: 220
Crotalarieae
A. carnosa (no. 136). Bract fused to the pedicel
(emerging near the calyx c. 5-9 mm from the
pedicel base), rhombic or triangular-ovate,
3, 2-5, 5 x 2,5-5 mm, flat or ± convex, gla-
brous, with slightly lobate-denticulate margin
and a pronounced apex. Pedicel 5-10 mm,
white-tomentulose. Bracteoles lanceolate, 4-6
x 0,7- 1,3 mm. Calyx tube puberulous; lobes
ovate, marginally overlapping, 4-5 mm long,
green, basally ± recurved, obtuse or emargi-
nate, subglabrous. Petals bright yellow, some-
what carnose, with rather long claws. Standard
blade 10,5-12 x 9,2- 12 mm, glabrous except
on base of the back. Wing blades slightly up-
curved, lunate, 10-11 x 4-5 mm. Keel
rostrate, apically tapering and almost pointed;
blades 8,3-10 mm long, 3,5— 4,2 mm broad,
pale yellow, rigid, with shallow basal pouch.
Pistil somewhat puberulous only on ovary base;
ovules 2; style long, curved. Pod obliquely lan-
ceolate, c. 14 x 4,2 mm, slightly rugose, sub-
glabrous. Chromosome number: 2n= 18. Figure
72:9-15.
Restricted to the Hermanus region of the Caledon Divi-
sion, growing below the mountains in sand, in high fynbos
vegetation. Locally dominant some years after a fire.
Map 64.
Vouchers: Barker 1864; Compton 23671; Dahlgren &
Peterson 419, 420, 856, 857; Dahlgren & Strid 3417,
3656; Gillett 4386.
Distinguished from A. carnosa (no. 136) by the shape
of the bracts, the long pedicels and the more rostrate keel.
139. Aspalathus capitata L., PI. Rar.
Afr. 14 (1761); Sp. PI. edn 2: 1000 (1763);
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspa-
lathus 1: 13 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 953
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap., edn 2: 578 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 158 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 55 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 490 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 636 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
128 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 478 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 153 (1963); ibid.
11 (1): 38 (1966). Type: ‘ Aspalathus capitata '
(L. scripsit) ‘a Linne P’ (Dahl scripsit), in herb.
L. (S, lecto.!).
Paraspalathus capitata (L.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). Achyronia capitata (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus glomerata L. f., Suppl. 321 (1781) non
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot 7: 623 (1848). Type: Aspa-
lathus, sheet no. 8: ‘C.B.S. Thunberg — glomerata' (LINN,
lecto.!).
An erect, much branched shrub or small
tree up to 2 m tall. Young branches short-
woolly, densely leafy. Axillary short-shoots
soon developed on branch ends. Leaflets linear-
pinoid, 7—15 mm long, ± incurved, weak,
subterete or ± angular, acute, subglabrous or
ciliate. Inflorescences compact, subglobose,
head-like umbels of 10—30 flowers. Bract
fused to the pedicel, emerging near the calyx,
elliptic or narrowly obovate, 6,5— 8,5 x 3,2-5
mm, carnose, tomentose on base and margins,
otherwise glabrous. Pedicel 4-6 mm long,
tomentose. Bracteoles linear, 5-7,5 x 1-1,8
mm. Calyx tomentose on the base, otherwise
glabrous; lobes ovate, 4-5,5 x 2-3,5 mm,
acute, carnose, veiny. Petals carnose, bright
yellow. Standard blade 10—12 x 8—9 mm,
carnose, keeled along the midvein, acute-
acuminate, basally puberulous on the back,
otherwise glabrous. Wing blades lunulate-
rostrate, 9,2-10,2 X 3, 5-4, 2 mm, basally
ciliate below, otherwise glabrous. Keel rostrate;
blades 9-10 mm long, 3-4 mm broad, almost
pointed, ciliate above and (basally) below,
otherwise glabrous. Pistil pubescent on the
upper basal parts of the ovary; ovules 2; curved.
Pod ovate, c. 7 x 3,5 mm, nearly black. Figure
72: 16-23.
Limited to the northern part of the Cape Peninsula,
Table Mountain, Constantiaberg, Muizenberg, mainly to
Table Mountain Sandstone rocks at altitudes above 400 m.
Map 65.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1244; Galpin 4865;
Molteno, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 655; Schlechter 677;
Wolley-Dod 2445.
Obviously most closely related to A. carnosa (no. 136)
and A. excelsa (no. 138). This is indicated by the carnose
petals, rostrate keel and the bracts which are accreted to the
pedicel.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 221
Group 19: Sulphureae
Erect or ascending to decumbent shrubs or shrublets, rarely to 2 m; young branches generally
light yellow, tomentose, glabrescent or glabrous, in some forms ending as sharp branch thorns.
Leaves trifoliolate, soon with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets linear-subulate and subterete or rarely
spathulate-oblanceolate and flat (A. sulphurea — no. 141), without distinct veins, obtuse, acute,
acuminate or apiculate, but not spine-tipped, glabrous, light green to glaucous. Leaf base ±
tubercular but not produced into a spur or spine. Inflorescences unifloral on lateral short- shoots or
(A. dianthopora — no. 140) 1— 3-flowered, in sparse, pedunculate racemes arising from lateral
short-shoots. Bract simple, subterete to linear or lanceolate, sometimes attached to the base of the
pedicel. Pedicel distinctly glabrous or pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx ± camose,
glabrous or rarely with scattered hairs, often slightly compressed, sometimes dorsally with two
close ridges separated by a furrow; lobes triangular, basally often rounded (subcordate) and broad,
tapering into a subulate, acute-acuminate, non-spiny apex. Petals more or less camose, yellow or
standard often ± red or purple; wing and keel claws not attached to the staminal sheath. Standard
broadly ovate or circular, subglabrous or pubescent on the midrib and base of the back. Wing
blades obliquely ovate, glabrous, basally with from only 3 to rather numerous small folds in 3-5
rows on the basal part. Keel lunate or slightly rostrate, stiff, glabrous or (A. sulphurea ) somewhat
pubescent, upper margins slightly upcurved, with indistinct to distinct basal pouch. Pistil glabrous,
short- stipitate ; or rarely with some pubescence on the upper-basal parts of the ovary; ovules 2;
stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely and rather narrowly ovate, hard, thick-walled, smooth or
usually somewhat rugose. Chromosome number: 2n= 16 or 14.
140. Aspalathus dianthopora Phill. in
Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 9: 105; Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 160 (1963); ibid. 11 (1):
81 (1966). Type: Cape, Gifberg [Giftberg],
Vanrhynsdorp Division, Phillips 7487 (SAM,
holo.!; BOL).
An erect, branched shrub 0,6-2 m tall,
often with rounded shape. Old branches light
greyish; young branches light yellow, partly
glabrous (glabrescent), minutely pubescent to-
wards the tips. Leaflets linear, (3-5)6-12 mm
long, 0,5-1 ,2 mm thick, subterete or adaxially
slightly canaliculate, straight or nearly so,
acute-mucronulate, pale or dull green. Inflo-
rescences on lateral peduncle-like branches
longer than 10 mm, one-flowered or 2-3-flow-
ered, then forming sparse racemes. Bract not
fused to the pedicel, linear-oblong, 1-2,3 mm
long, subobtuse. Pedicel 1-2 mm long, gla-
brous. Bracteoles 1-2,2 mm long. Calyx cam-
panulate, glabrous, smooth; lobes narrowly
triangular, 2-3 mm long, acuminate. Petals
light or bright yellow or partly to largely pale
purplish. Standard blade 8-9 X 9-10 mm,
apically rounded, pubescent on distal-apical
third or more of the back. Wing blades 6-7 x
2,5—3 mm, with 3-4 rows of c. 5 minute folds
each on the basal upper parts. Keel blades 6—7
x 3,5-4 mm, glabrous, obtuse, with rather
prominent basal bulge. Pistil glabrous or with
some pubescence on upper-basal part of ovary;
ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceolate or narrowly
ovate, 13—17 x 5,5-7 mm. Figure 73: 1—7.
Known from semi-arid fynbos regions on the moun-
tains or on higher plains next to the mountains in the Van-
rhynsdorp, Clanwilliam and Worcester Divisions, from
Vanrhynspass and Gifberg in the north to the Hex River
Valley in the south-east. The species is growing in sand in
vegetation transitional between fynbos and karoo, some-
times associated with Wiborgia mucronata (L.f.) Druce
(= W. armata Harv.). Map 66.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1047: Dahlgren &
Strict 3282, 3294 ; Esterhuysen 18106, 20493, 27589: Thode
A1992.
A very distinctive species approaching A. sulphurea
(no. 141), A. citrina (no. 142) and A. arida (no. 143), but
with ± pedunculate inflorescences on the lateral branchlets
(the other species have solitary flowers on lateral short-
shoots).
141 . Aspalathus sulphurea Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 292 (1963); ibid. 11
(1): 88 (1966). Type: Cape, Visgat, between
Skurweberg [Schurfteberg] and Great Winter-
hoek Mountains, Ceres Division, Stokoe in
SAM 63802 (SAM, holo. !).
3,6: 222
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 223
Probably decumbent or procumbent shrub-
let, with rather slender, light brown, non-thorny
branches. Young branches glabrous. Leaflets
spathulate-oblanceolate, 2-6 x 1 — 1,5 mm,
strongly flattened, obtuse, glaucous, generally
with a shallow groove on each side of a ± dis-
tinct middle ridge. Flowers rather large, com-
pressed, solitary on a lateral short-shoot. Bract
lanceolate, 1—2 x 0,5 mm, pale green, obtuse.
Pedicel 1 -2 mm long, subglabrous. Bract eoles
1,5-2, 5 X less than 0,5 mm. Calyx broad,
glabrous, pale yellowish green; lobes ovate, the
upper c. 3-3,5 X 3,5 mm, subacute, the lower
narrower. Petals light sulphur-coloured, wide.
Standard blade broadly orbicular, 10—12 x c.
13 mm, rounded-retuse at apex, puberulous on
apical third of back. Wing petals 7-8 x c. 4
mm, the base with 3 rows of minute folds, 2—3
folds in each row. Keel lunate-rostrate, 5-6 x
c. 3 mm, apically somewhat upcurved and
subacute, glabrous or with scattered hairs along
lower margins, without distinct basal pouch.
Pistil glabrous; ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure
73: 17-23.
Known only from the type collection between the Wit-
zenberg and Great Winterhoek Mountains, Ceres Division,
and once seen by the author at a flower show at Ceres.
Map 66.
Voucher: Stokoe in SAM 63802.
In the solitary, ± camose flowers on lateral short-
shoots, the subrostate keel, and the wings with few basal
foldlets A. sulphured comes very close to A. arida (no.
143), but is distinct from it in the flat, glaucous leaves, the
more pubescent standard, and the c. 8, rather than 3, fold-
lets on each wing.
142. Aspalathus citrina Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 274, 160 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 84 (1966). Type: ( sine loco), Bo-
wie (K, holo.!).
A. arida E. Mey. var. (y) grandiflora Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 638 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 129(1862).
Type as for A. citrina Dahlg.
An erect shrub or shrublet 0,2— 0,7 m tall,
branched at the base; branches non-thorny.
Young branches short-tomentose. Leaflets lin-
ear, 3—7 mm long, subterete to slightly an-
gular, straight or slightly incurved, subacute,
bright green. Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral
short-shoots, distributed 2 to numerous along
the branches below leafy branch ends. Flowers
rather large and broad, ± compressed, almost
glabrous. Bract linear-lanceolate, 5-9 x
1,5-2, 5 mm, glabrous. Pedicel 1-2 mm long,
short-tomentose. Bracteoles similar to the bract
but longer and narrower, 6—10 x 1—2 mm.
Calyx broadly campanulate, camose, com-
pressed, glabrous, dorsally double-ridged;
lobes cordate-triangular, basally rounded and
often slightly overlapping, tapering, acuminate;
upper lobes 5-9 x 5—7 mm; lower lobes nar-
rower. Petals bright lemon- or sulphur-col-
oured, camose, wide. Standard orbicular,
11-16 x 14-18 mm, retuse (but often with a
‘tip’), glabrous except a few hairs along the
midrib of the back. Wing blades 9—13 x 6—9
mm, with 5-7 rows of small folds on the basal
third, each row with several folds. Keel blades
subrostrate, 8-11,5 x 5-7 mm, glabrous, ri-
gid, apically upcurved and nearly pointed, with
rather indistinct basal pouch. Pistil glabrous;
ovules 2; style slender. Pod 10-14 x 4, 5-5, 8
mm, basally tapering, rugose. Figure 73:
8-16.
Distributed in the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions
within the triangle Kleinmond-Houwhoek-Cape Agulhas,
growing at rather low altitudes, in sand or sandstone gravel
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone. It is found in
low fynbos scrub, often associated with Phaenocoma proli-
fera (L.) D. Don, Helipterum sp. (= Helichrysum vestitum
(L.) Willd.) and Saltera sarcocolla (L.) Bullock. Map 66.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 418, 858; Dahlgren
& Strid 3347, 3700, 3705, 3736, 4501, 4339 ; Schlechter
9400; Zey her 2355.
The species varies greatly in the size of the flowers,
large-flowered forms being found in the south-western part
of the Caledon Division, small-flowered ones in the Bredas-
dorp Division but also in the region near Grabouw (Houw-
hoek Pass region) in the western part of the Caledon Divi-
sion.
FIGURE 73. Aspalathus dianthopora (1-7); A. citrina (8-16); A. sulphurea (17-23). — 1. 8, 17: branches with
unifloral lateral branchlets; 2, 9, 19: bracts; 3, 10, 20: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 13, 21: wing petals; 5, 14, 22: keel petals;
6, 15, 23: pistils; 7, 16: fruits; 11, 18: flowers; 12: standard, back view. — 1—6 from Esterhuysen 858; 7 from Dahlgren &
Strid 4478; 8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 855; 9-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 858; 16 from Smith 5037; 17-23 from
Stokoe, SAM 63802. — (1 x2,4;2-7 x4;8, 17 x 1,6; 9-15 x2,4; 16. 18-23 x4.)
3,6: 224
26
Crotalarieae
3,6: 225
143. Aspalathus arida E. Mey. in Lin-
naea 7: 156 (1832); Comm. 1: 59 (1836);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 638 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 129 (1862); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 160 (1963); ibid. 11
(1): 89 (1966). Type: Cape, between Hottentots
Holland and Houw Hoek, Caledon Division,
Ecklon (S, lecto. !).
Cyphocalyx aridus (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557
(1845). Achyronia arida (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
C. major Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557 (1845). Type: Cape,
near Rondebosch, Drege [= Aspalathus arida E. Mey. var.
(P) procumbens E. Mey., Comm. 1: 59 (1836), see below.]
An erect, ascending or low, spreading
shrub or shrublet, 0,1 — 1,5 m tall, with
branches either soft and leafy or ending as
strong, pungent, naked branch thorns. Young
branches light yellow or brown, white-puberu-
lous or (when thorny) glabrescent. Leaflets lin-
ear, 2,5-6 mm long, 0,5-1 mm thick, subte-
rete or slightly depressed, acute-apiculate (with
apex sometimes slightly recurved). Flowers
camose, medium-sized, solitary, on axillary
short-shoots; often numerous, dispersed along
the branches below leafy or thorny branch ends.
Bract linear-lanceolate, 3-4,5 (-5,5) x
0,3-0, 8 mm. Pedicel 1,2— 2,2 mm long,
short-pubescent. Bracteoles 3-5 (—6,5) mm
long. Calyx broadly and openly campanulate,
glabrous or with scattered hairs, dorsally dou-
ble-ridged; lobes narrowly triangular, 2—4
(—4,7) mm long, basally widened and with ±
camose margins, apically tapering, acuminate.
Petals bright yellow, or standard ± red or
purple. Standard blade 6, 2-9, 5 X 7,3-10,5
mm, subglabrous, with scattered hairs on the
midrib and sometimes on distal marginal parts
of the back. Wing blades (5-) 6-8,3 x 3-4,5
mm, glabrous or partly ciliate, usually with 3
foldlets arranged alongside each other. Keel
blades ± rostrate, (4,7—) 5, 5-6, 2 x 3-3,8
mm, apically ± upcurved, obtuse or nearly
pointed with indistinct basal bulge. Pistil gla-
brous; ovules 2. Pod (enclosed in the long-per-
sistent corolla) 7,2—10 x 3,5— 5,2 mm, ru-
gose. Chromosome number. 2n= 14.
A variable species distributed in the western parts of
the Cape, from the Bredasdorp Division in the south to the
Vanrhynsdorp Division in the north and eastwards to the
Swellendam Division. The habitat is sandy ground, mostly
sand weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone rocks, in
fynbos vegetation.
The species is divisible into three subspe-
cies according to the following key:
la Branch tips usually ending as pungent branch-
thorns; calyx lobes with green camose mar-
gins 143c. subsp. procumbens
lb Branch tips leafy, not thorn-like; calyx lobe mar-
gins only slightly thickened:
2a Shrublets not more than 0,8 m tall; branches
densely leafy; calyx tube glabrous
143a. subsp. arida
2b Shrubs 1 — 1 ,5( — 2) m tall; branches more sparse-
ly leafy; calyx tube with scattered short
hairs 143b. subsp. erecta
143a. subsp. arida.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
91 (1963).
Ascending or erect shrublet 0,3 -0,8 m
tall, with non-thomy, densely leafy, short-seri-
ceous branch ends. Leaflets usually 2,5-6 mm
long. Calyx tube glabrous, pale yellow (not
purple), with inconspicuous dorsal double
ridge; lobes 2 — 4( — 4,7) mm long, not with
overlapping or camose margins. Petals bright
yellow, not (or rarely) red on standard; standard
with sparse hairs on midrib and sometimes on
the margins. Figure 74: 1-9.
Distributed in the Bredasdorp Division (near Napier)
through the Somerset West, Caledon (western parts), Mon-
tagu and Worcester (Keeromsberg) Divisions. Map 66.
Vouchers: Barker 9125; Dahlgren & Peterson 715,
824, 1263; Dahlgren & Strid 2032, 3599, 3746; Esterhuy-
sen 28174; Schlechter 9367.
A somewhat variable (basic) form series.
Figure 74. Aspalathus arida subsp. arida (1-9); A. arida subsp. erecta (10-15); A. arida subsp. procumbens
(16-26). — 1, 10, 16, 21: branches with unifloral short-shoots; 2: flower; 3, 11, 17, 22: bracts; 4, 12, 18, 23: bracteoles
(prophylls); 5, 19: calyces, dorsal line of tube with double ridge; 6: standard, back view; 7, 13, 24: wing petals; 8, 14, 25:
keel petals; 9, 26: pistils; 15, 20: fruits. — 1-9 from Esterhuysen 28174 ; 10-14 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1034; 15 from
Zeyher 420 ; 16-19 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1772; 20 from Stokoe, SAM 55946; 21-26 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1277.— (1, 10, 16,21 x2; 2-9, 11-15, 17-20,22-26 x4.)
3,6: 226
Crotalarieae
143b. subsp. erecta ( E . Mey.) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 271 (1963); ibid.
11 (1): 93 (1966). Type: Cape, between Olifant
Rivier and Pikeniers Kloof, Clanwilliam Divi-
sion, Drege (S, lecto.!; K, L, P).
Aspalathus arida E. Mey. var. (a) erecta E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 59 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
638 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 129 (1862).
This is the form referred to as Cyphocalyx aridus
(E. Mey.) Presl; see under the species, above.
An erect shrub 0,8- 1,5 (-2) m tall, with
erect, long, slender, weak (non-thomy),
sparsely leafy branch ends. Leaflets 3-10 mm
long, 0,4-0, 6 mm thick (i.e. relatively
slender). Calyx tube sparsely pubescent, dor-
sally with inconspicuous double ridge; lobes
2,8 -4,8 mm long, with broad but not overlap-
ping bases and not or only slightly thickened
margins. Petals light bright yellow, only rarely
with red shades on standard back. Figure 74:
10-15.
Known from the Clanwilliam Division, where the
subspecies is regionally common on sand, especially in
parts of the Olifants River Valley. Map 66.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1020, 1034 ; Dahl-
gren & Strid 4259, 4260, 4455; Pillans 8792; Werdermann
& Oberdieck 451; Zeyher 420.
Distinguished by its large size, slender branches and
rather long and narrow leaflets and calyx lobes. A (? relict)
population in the Vanrhynsdorp Division ( Dahlgren & Strid
3293) is transitional between subsp. arida and subsp.
erecta.
143c. subsp. procumbens ( E . Mey.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 271
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 96 (1966). Type: Cape,
near Rondebosch, Cape Town Division, Drege
(S, lecto.!; K,L,PRE,W).
Aspalathus arida E. Mey. var. (P) procumbens E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 59 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
638 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 129 (1862). Cyphocalyx
major Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 557 (1845). Type as for the
preceding subspecies and variety.
A spreading, low shrublet, 0,15-0,4 m
high, with straight rigid branches usually end-
ing in very sharp branch thorns, rarely with
weaker branches with (distally small) leaves.
Leaflets 2— 7(— 9) mm long, straight or apically
slightly recurved, acute or apiculate. Calyx of-
ten partly purple, dorsal with ± prominent dou-
ble ridge (separated by a deep groove); lobes
(1,5 — )2 — 4( — 5) mm long, with broad margin-
ally green and thickened base, the upper often
± overlapping. Petals bright yellow or often
partly red or purplish on standard. Figure 74:
16-26.
The commonest subspecies, distributed on the Cape
Peninsula and in the Bellville, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Somer-
set West, Caledon (Swartberg-Villiersdorp region), Bredas-
dorp (Elim region), Swellendam, Malmesbury, Hopefield,
Piketberg, Tulbagh, Ceres and Worcester Divisions, with
few collections in each of the last eight divisions. Growing
in sandy soil, often mixed with clay in fynbos vegetation or
sometimes in fynbos-renosterbos transition on flats and
(low) mountain slopes.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 990; Dahlgren &
Strid 3162; MacOwan 2360; Schlechter 7256, 9776, 9930;
Wolley-Dod 764 .
A rather variable but fairly distinct taxon. Certain
forms in the French Hoek Valley (Paarl Division) have
slender, weak branches and approach subsp. arida.
Group 20: Aciphyllae
Erect or ascending, rarely procumbent, often stiff and robust shrubs up to 2 m, but usually less
than 1 m high; young branches tomentose. Leaves trifoliolate, soon with axillary short-shoots.
Leaflets subterete or angular, camose, glabrous, mucronate or ending as a sharp spine. Leaf base
tuberculate, not produced into a spur or spine. Inflorescences 1 or 2-flowered and terminal on the
branches or often 1 -flowered on lateral short-shoots, dispersed along the branches for considerable
distances. Flowers medium-sized or rather large, camose. Bract simple, often ± fused basally to
the pedicel, flat or concave, broad, linear to obovate, rhombic or obtriangular, coriaceous-camose,
glabrous or partly pubescent, mucronate or spine-tipped. Pedicel rather short, pubescent. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract but narrower. Calyx tube campanulate often ± camose, glabrous or
Crotalarieae
3,6: 227
pubescent; lobes triangular, ovate or lanceolate, spine-tipped. Petals light to bright yellow or
(especially the standard) partly red or purplish; wing and keel claws not attached to staminal
sheath. Standard broadly ovate, usually pubescent basally near the claw, otherwise often glabrous
but sometimes (A. laeta (no. 144), forms of A. collina — no. 145) ± pubescent on the back. Wing
blades elongate, narrowly ovate, glabrous, with several rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel
blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous or {A. laeta ) pubescent on the apical half, with almost straight
upper margins and distinct basal pouch. Pistil glabrous or pubescent on basal upper parts of the
ovary; ovules 2— 10 (increasing with floral size); stigma regular, capitate. Pod thick and very hard-
walled, broad, somewhat turgid, smooth to rugulose. Chromosome number : 2n= 18.
144. Aspalathus laeta//. Bol. in H. Bol.
& Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
20 (1896); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 157 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 76 (1966). Type:
Cape, Skurweberg [Schurfteberg] near Gydo,
Ceres Division, H. Bolus 7573 (BOL, holo. !).
A. rubrocalyx Garab. ex Compton in J1 S. Afr. Bot. 10: 9
(1944). Type: Cape, Witteberg, Whitehill, Laingsburg Di-
vision, Compton 7959 (NBG, holo. !).
Shrublet, erect to procumbent, generally
low but when erect then up to 0,9 m tall, when
procumbent then with up to 1 m long branches.
Young branches densely short-villous. Leaflets
subulate, 2-6 (—9) mm long, straight or
slightly recurved. Flowers solitary or in pairs
on the tips of branches and lateral branchlets,
rarely on lateral short-shoots; smaller than in
the following species. Bract linear-subulate,
2,2— 4,5 mm long. Pedicel 0,8— 1,5 mm long.
Bracteoles 1,6—4 mm long. Calyx with sparse,
short, spreading hairs; lobes 1,5-4, 5 mm long,
spine-tipped. Petals light yellow or standard
and keel often ± purplish. Standard blade
6-9,5 x 5—8,5 mm, short-pubescent on distal
and middle parts of the back. Wing blades
5-7,5 x 2—3,2 mm. Keel blades 5,5— 7,5 x
2,8 -4,8 mm, pubescent on distal half. Pistil:
ovules 2-4. Pod obliquely and often broadly
ovate to rhombic, 6,5-8 x 3, 5-4,3 mm,
smooth to slightly rugose. Figure 75: 15-30.
Distributed on mountains chiefly in the Ceres, Worces-
ter and Laingsburg Divisions, possibly with some outlier in
the Clanwilliam Division, with a centre ranging from the
Cold Bokkeveld through Matroosberg, Keeromsberg to the
Witteberg Mountains. Growing on clayey or gravelly slopes
and summits at altitudes from 300 m to (and more often)
above 750 m. Map 67.
Vouchers: Compton 2788, 7959, 21104; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1103; Dahlgren & Strid 3980; Esterhuysen
28648,29451.
The species varies considerably in growth form, floral
size and petal colour. The smallest-flowered forms occur on
the Witteberg Mountain, Laingsburg Division. A. laeta
combines features of A. collina (no. 145) and the more
camose-flowered species with features of A. acuminata (no.
202), A. aristifolia (no. 196) and A. cuspidata (no. 191).
145. Aspalathus collina Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2:220 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 504
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 637
(1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
157, 275 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 69 (1966). Type:
Cape, hills near Port Elizabeth, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1488 (S, lecto.!; BOL, P, SAM).
Achyronia collina (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
Aspalathus versicolor E. Mey., Comm. 1: 48 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 493 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 637 (1848; as probable synonym of A. collina).
Type: Cape, Groot Swartberg [Groote Zwartbergen], Drege
6485 (P, lecto. !;G).
An erect or ascending shrublet or shrub
0,3-1 ,3 m tall, sparingly or (more often) rather
densely branched, with rigid branches. Young
branches short-tomentose. Leaflets 0,3-15 mm
long, straight, stiff, spine-tipped. Inflores-
cences terminal, with 1 or 2 flowers, or uniflo-
ral on lateral short-shoots. Bract lanceolate to
obcordate-circular, 1,5—4 x 0,5—2 mm, sub-
glabrous (marginally ciliate). Pedicel 0,5-1
mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles 1,5 -4, 2 x
0,5-2 mm. Calyx campanulate, glabrous or
(subsp. luculenta) woolly; lobes 1,5 -4, 2 mm
long. Petals yellow or standard ± red or
purplish. Standard blade 1-9 x 6, 5-8, 5 mm,
sometimes pubescent on apical-marginal parts
or midrib of back and on the base, otherwise
glabrous. Wing blades 6—8 x 3, 3-4, 2 mm.
Keel ± camose, blades lunate or slightly up-
curved (subrostrate), 5, 7-6, 7 x 3-4 mm, gla-
3,6: 228
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 229
brous. Pistil pubescent on basal upper parts of
ovary only; ovules (3) 4 (5). Pod narrowly and
obliquely ovate, 8-10,5 x 3,5-4 mm, rugose.
Distributed from the Ladismith Division in the north-
west and along the Groot Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kouga
Mountains eastwards to the region of Port Elizabeth. The
species seems to be restricted mainly to soils weathered
from Table Mountain Sandstone rocks, but at least in some
places grows in clayey soils. It grows in fynbos vegetation.
The species is divisible into two sub-
species:
Calyx glabrous 145a. subsp. collina
Calyx woolly-tomentose 145b. subsp. luculenta
145a. subsp. collina.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
157 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 70(1966).
Follows the description above with the fol-
lowing specifications: Shrubs generally widely
branched; branches short-tomentose. Flowers
often solitary or in pairs on branch tips. Bract
and bracteoles lanceolate or linear, not more
than 1,2 mm broad. Calyx glabrous or sparsely
puberulous; lobes narrowly triangular. Petals:
standard often reddish or purplish on the back,
glabrous or apically puberulous. Figure 75:
1-7.
Distributed from the Prince Albert and George Divi-
sions in the west through the Uniondale, Willowmore and
Humansdorp Divisions to the Port Elizabeth Division,
reaching on the Hoopsberg, Uniondale Division, up to
1 500 m altitude but generally occurring at much lower
altitudes, at Port Elizabeth at less than 200 m. Map 67.
Vouchers: Acocks 21285 ; Bolus 2290, 11470 ; Dahl-
gren & Strid 4655; Esterhuysen 6547 ; Holland 3852.
This represents the commonest, most widely distrib-
uted and most variable subspecies.
145b. subsp. luculenta Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 275 (1963); ibid. 11(1):
74 (1966). Type: Cape, valley c. 1 mile north of
Ladismith, Dahlgren & Peterson 82 (LD,
holo.!).
An erect, sparingly branched, robust shrub
0,6- 1,2 m tall, with branches crowded by
short lateral branches and short-shoots.
Branches more woolly than in subsp. collina.
Flowers mainly restricted to short-shoots or
fairly short, lateral branchlets, solitary or 2(3)
together. Bract and bracteoles orbicular or ob-
cordate-obovate, apically mucronulate. Calyx
woolly-tomentose; lobes deltoid-triangular,
1,5-2 mm long. Petals bright lemon-yellow.
Standard glabrous except along the midrib and
at the base. Figure 75: 8- 14.
Restricted to hills and mountain slopes in the Ladi-
smith and Uniondale Divisions, growing either on the foot-
hills or at up to c. 1 200 m altitudes on the Kamanassie
Mountains. Near Ladismith the subspecies grows in fynbos-
renosterbos transition scrub. Map 67.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 82, 1359; Esterhuy-
sen 6475; Levyns 9057; Wurts 1102.
Although the forms near Ladismith appear rather un-
like subsp. collina they are connected with it by forms on
the Kamanassie Mountain in the Uniondale Division.
146. Aspalathus aciphylla Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 129 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 157 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 62
(1966). Type: Cape, Groot Swartberg [Groote-
Zwartbergen], Drege (K, lecto.!; G, S, W).
'Aspalathus abietina' auct. non Thunb. in E. Mey. in
Linnaea 7: 158 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 48 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 492 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 637
(1848).
Shrub or shrublet, erect, rigid, 0,3-2 m
tall, sparingly to rather densely branched, with
thick, stiff branches. Young branches densely
tomentose. Leaflets linear-subulate, 3—10 mm
long, straight, rigid, pungent, ending in a spine-
let (0,5 — ) 1 — 1,5 mm long. Inflorescences uni-
floral, on lateral short-shoots, few to numerous
along the branches below leafy branch ends.
Bract deltoid-triangular or ovate, flat, 3—7,5 x
2—7,5 mm, apically mucronate, glabrous ex-
FlGURE 75. Aspalathus collina subsp. collina (1-7); A. collina subsp. luculenta (8-14); A. laeta (15-30). — 1,4,
7, 8, 15, 22: branches with bifloral or unitloral inflorescences; 2, 5, 9, 16, 23: bracts; 3, 6, 10, 17, 24: bracteoles
(prophylls); 11: fruit, in calyx; 12, 19, 26: wing petals; 13, 20, 27: keel petals; 14, 21, 28: pistils; 18: calyx; 25: standard,
back view; 29, 30: fruits. — 1—3 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1376 ; 4—6 from Fourcade 5158 ; 7 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1473 ; 8—10, 12—14 from Dahlgren A Peterson 82; 11 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1359 ; 15 — 21 from Compton
21 104 ; 22—28 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1103 ; 29 from Compton 9997; 30 from Esterhuysen 13379. — ( 1, 4, 7. 8, 15, 22
X2; 2, 3, 5, 6, 9-14, 16-21,23-30 x4.)
3,6: 230
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 231
cept at base of inside and on margins. Pedicel
0,5-2, 5 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles simi-
lar to but narrower than the bract. Calyx widely
campanulate, glabrous; lobes ovate or lanceo-
late, 3,5 -6 mm long, upper ones basally ±
overlapping, spine-tipped. Petals bright lemon-
coloured, glabrous or subglabrous. Standard
blade 7—14,5 X 7-14 mm, apically retuse,
basally cordate, glabrous or with some hairs
along the midrib of the back. Wing blades
6.5— 12,5 x 3, 5-6, 8 mm. Keel blades 6— 9 x
3, 8-5, 5 mm. Pistil pubescent on upper side of
ovary base; ovules 4-10. Pod obliquely ovate,
11.5- 13,5 x 4,5— 6 mm. Figure 76: 1-12.
Distribution southerly, ranging at least from the Elim
region in the Bredasdorp Division through the Swellendam,
Riversdale, Oudtshoom, Prince Albert, George, Knysna
and Uniondale Divisions to the Humansdorp Division in the
east. The habitat is rocky and gravelly outcrops of
sandstone, Table Mountain Series, in a vegetation of Cape
fynbos. The species grows at low altitudes in the Bredas-
dorp Division, but higher in the mountains further from the
coast, at up to c. 1 200 m in the Groot Swartberg, e.g. at
Meiring’s Poort, Oudtshoom Division. Map 68.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3644, 4590; Esterhuysen
24872, 27319; Fourcade 3404; Galpin 3935; Van Niekerk
418.
A. aciphylla is extraordinarily variable in floral size
(cf. A. carnosa (no. 136), A. citrina (no. 142), A. acumi-
nata— no. 202), forms both in the Potberg region (Bredas-
dorp Division) and in the eastern parts (Uniondale-Humans-
dorp Division) having almost double the floral size of the
forms in the Groot Swartberg (Oudtshoom Division).
Forms with medium-sized flowers occur in the western
parts of the Bredasdorp Division and in the Swellendam-
Riversdale-Knysna Division.
147. Aspalathus spiculata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 291 (1963); ibid. 11
(1): 67 (1966). Type: Cape, Wittepoort,
Laingsburg Division, Compton 11885 (NBG,
holo.!).
An erect or ascending shrublet 0,4 -0,8 m
tall, rather sparingly branched. Young branches
short-tomentose. Leaflets subulate, ( 1 — )3 — 10
mm long, tapering, sharply spinose. Bracts lan-
ceolate or narrowly elliptic, 2,5— 3,5 x
0,7- 1,3 mm. Pedicel c. 0,5 mm. Bracteoles
2—3 x 0,7—1 mm. Calyx with short, scattered,
spreading hairs; lobes triangular, subulate,
2,5-3 mm long. Petals bright yellow (slightly
greyish or greenish when fading). Standard
blade 6-7,5 x 5,5— 6,5 mm, glabrous or with
few hairs at base of back. Wing blades 5,5— 6,5
x 2, 3 -2, 8 mm. Keel blades somewhat more
upcurved and less rounded than in A . aciphylla
(no. 146), 5,4— 6,5 x 2,8— 3,5 mm. Pistil:
ovules 2—5. Pod narrowly and obliquely ellip-
tic, 7—8,5 x c. 3 mm, slightly rugose, often
partly bluish grey. Figure 76: 13-20.
Distributed on mountains of the Worcester (Touws
River), Laingsburg (Witteberg) and Montagu (Dobbelaars
Kloof) Divisions and thus vicarious to A. aciphylla (no.
146). The species grows on south-facing slopes of moun-
tains at altitudes of 600- 1 150 m. Map 68.
Vouchers: Compton 2683, 3282, 7954, 11885, 13934,
16285; Levyns 850; Lewis 4859.
Similar to, but smaller than, A. aciphylla (no. 146);
especially the narrower calyx and smaller fruits are impor-
tant differences. The flowers and their petals are also
narrower than those of A. collina (no. 145).
Group 2 1 : Pachycarpae
Erect, sparingly branched shrubs, rarely to 2 m; branches pubescent, non-thomy. Leaves
trifoliolate, soon with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets terete, linear, often sausage-shaped, slightly
incurved, obtuse to acute, very rarely mucronate (A. pachyloba subsp. rugulicarpa — no. 150c),
glabrous, often turning black when dried. Leaf base not produced into a spur or spine. Inflores-
cences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, distributed along short to rather long distances of the
Figure 76. Aspalathus aciphylla (1—12); A. spiculata (13-20). — 1, 5, 10, 13: branch ends with lateral unifloral
short-shoots; 2, 6, 11, 15: bracts; 3, 7, 18: wing petals; 9, 12, 20: pistils; 4: fruits; 8, 19: keel petals; 14: flower; 16:
bracteole (prophyll); 17: standard, back view. — 1-3 from Pillans 9295; 4 from Esterhuysen 7126; 5—9 from Esterhuysen
3033; 10-12 from Salter 6757; 13-20 from Compton 7954.— (1,4,5, 10, 13 x2; 2, 3, 6-9, 11, 12, 14-20 X4.)
3,6: 232
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 233
branches below leafy branch ends. Bract not or only slightly accreted to the pedicel (if this is
distinct at all), simple, linear or subulate to oblong-spathulate, shorter than the leaflet of the
vegetative leaves. Pedicel obsolete or up to c. 2 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the
bract. Calyx tube campanulate, smooth, glabrous to tomentose; lobes triangular to subulate, not
widened basally, acute, not spine-tipped. Petals bright yellow or rose, or yellow with purplish
standard, often turning black when dried; wing and keel claws not attached to the staminal sheath.
Standard blade broadly ovate, subglabrous (though usually ± hairy at the base) or tomentose on
the midvein and marginal parts, in A. granulata (no. 151) on most parts, of the back. Wing blades
ovate to very narrowly elliptic, glabrous, with several rows of minute folds on the basal parts. Keel
blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous, with almost straight upper margins and a prominent basal pouch.
Pistil glabrous or pubescent on basal upper parts of the ovary; ovules 2 — 5( — 8); style glabrous;
stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely ovate, often rather thick (inflated) with thick, hard and
often rugose walls, becoming dark when ripe. Chromosome number. 2n- 18.
148. Aspalathus costulata Be nth.,
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 641 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 131 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 163 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 102
(1966). Type: Cape, ‘C.B.S., Scholl' (K,
holo. !).
Achyronia costulata (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An erect, fairly much branched shrub,
0,6- 1 ,5 m tall. Young branches densely white-
and short- villous. Leaflets ovoid or sausage-
shaped, 1-3 mm long, 0,5 mm thick, terete,
obtuse to subacute, easily becoming dark when
dried. Flowers usually 1-5 on each branch
end, situated at some distance from the leafy
branch tip. Bract at pedicel base, oblong-spa-
thulate, 1 ,7—2,5 x 0,5- 1,1 mm, flat to ±
convex, obtuse (or subacute). Pedicel c. 1 mm
long, tomentose. Bracteoles similar to the
bract, 1,7-2, 8 X 0,5-0, 8 mm. Calyx tube
sometimes partly violet, subglabrous or with
scattered, short, spreading hairs; lobes deltoid,
0,7—2 mm long, acute to apiculate, glabrous.
Petals rose (‘mauve’) or pale purplish. Stand-
ard blade 7-9,5 x 5, 5-8, 5 mm, subacute and
slightly incurved apically, glabrous or basally
pubescent. Wing blades 6-9 x 2,2-3 mm,
glabrous. Keel blades 6-7(-8,5) X 3-4 mm.
Pistil hairy on the very short stipe only; ovules
3—8. Pod rhombic-ovate, 6, 5-7, 5 x c. 3,5
mm, subterete, slightly rugose, almost black
when ripe. Figure 77: 10 — 18.
Distributed on high plains and mountains in the Van-
rhynsdorp, Calvinia, Clanwilliam, Ceres, Worcester and
Laingsburg Divisions, at altitudes of 500—1 000 m. It
grows in fine sand, sometimes overlying horizontal
sandstone rock, in sparse, rather high scrub (fynbos type),
often in dry parts bordering on the Karoo. Map 68.
Vouchers: Acocks 17454; Barker 6769; Dahlgrert &
Strid 4436; Esterhuysen 5270, 20500; Leipoldt 441 , 3757;
Levyns 1804 ; Van Breda 1014.
Allied to A. pachyloba (no. 150) and A. pallidiflora
(no. 149), differing from both in the rose-coloured petals
and broader, spathulate bracts.
149. Aspalathus pallidiflora Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 285, 163 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 105 (1966). Type: Cape, Waaihoek
Peak, 1 400—1 500 m, Worcester Division,
Esterhuysen 18189 (BOL, holo.!; PRE).
An erect or ascending shrub (0,2—1
0,4— 0,6 m tall, rather similar to A. costulata
(no. 148), but smaller, with more densely set,
narrower leaves, smaller flowers and shorter
pods. Leaflets linear, 1,5—3 mm long, 0,4— 0,7
mm thick, acute (-obtuse). Flowers up to c. 6
per branch end, below the leafy tips. Bract
linear-oblanceolate, 1,3-2, 3 (—2,8) x 0,4-
0,6 mm, acute. Bracteoles similar to the bract
but narrower, 1,3-2, 2 (-3) x 0,3-0, 5 mm.
Calyx tube cylindrical, narrow, glabrous; lobes
Maps 68 & 69. — Map 68. Aspalathus aciphylla (triangles); A. spiculata (rhomboids); A. costulata (squares);
A. pallidiflora (dots); A. granulata (asterisks). — Map 69. A. pachyloba subsp. pachyloba (unbroken line); A. pachyloba
subsp. villicaulis (squares and dots; dots referring to relatively small-flowered forms with less pubescent calyx);
A. pachyloba subsp. macroclada (triangles); A. pachyloba subsp. rugulicarpa (rhomboid).
3,6: 234
Crotalareae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 235
narrowly triangular, (1,5—) 1,8-2, 5 mm long,
acuminate, apically ± incurved, green. Petals
rose or pale purple (whitish when dry), glabrous
(except on the standard base). Standard blade
elliptic, 5,5 — 7,5( — 8) x 4,5-6 (-7,8) mm,
acute. Wing blades 5,3—7 (-8) X 1,8-2, 5
(—3,5) mm. Keel blades 4, 8-6, 3(— 6,8) x
2,5— 3,5(— 4) mm. Pistil pubescent on upper
side of ovary; ovules 2. Pod broadly rhombic-
ovate, c. 6 x 4 mm, thick, subglabrous, ±
smooth, becoming black. Figure 77: 1-9.
Distributed on the Hex River Mountains and moun-
tains in the Ceres Division at fairly high altitudes (often
1 300-1 600 m), on rocky slopes, at least sometimes on
shale bands, as a form (at lower altitudes) in the Gydo Pass.
Map 68.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3986, 4124, 4391; Ester-
huysen 7825, 14834, 14918, 18189, 20476, 10958; Mar-
loth 222; Primos 35; Stokoe 1857.
150. Aspalathus pachyloba Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 638 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 129 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 163 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 107
(1966). Type: Cape, rocky slopes above
Vormansbosch, Swellendam Division, Zeyher
2354 (P, lecto.l; PRE, SAM, W, Z).
An erect, sparingly to rather much
branched shrub 0,4 — 1 ,3( — 2) m tall. Young
branches short-villous to long-woolly. Leaflets
linear, often sausage-shaped, 1,5-6 mm long,
0,5 — 0,8( — 1) mm thick, subterete, obtuse,
acute or rarely mucronate. Flowers distributed
along the branches (often up to 20 on each
branch end) below the leafy branch tips. Bract
and bracteoles subulate, 0,7-3 mm long,
acute-acuminate, glabrous abaxially. Pedicel
0,5 mm or less, tomentose. Calyx tube
(2,5 — )3 — 5 mm long, glabrous or sparsely to-
mentose, lobes deltoid or narrowly triangular to
subulate, (1-) 1,5-3, 5 mm long, glabrous,
acute-acuminate, rarely spine-tipped. Petals
bright yellow, turning black when dried. Stand-
ard blade broadly obovate-circular, (5,5—)
6-13 X (6— )6,5 — 13(— 14,5) mm, apically re-
fuse, tomentose on each side of midrib of back
and laterally on the base. Wing blades narrowly
elliptic or narrowly ovate, (5 — )6 — 12 X
(2,2— )3— 6,5 (—7) mm, glabrous, basally with
4—6 rows of minute folds. Keel blades
(5 — )5,5— 8,2 X 3—4,5 mm. Pistil glabrous or
tomentose on upper side of the ovary; ovules 2.
Pod rhombic-ovate, (8—) 8,5—12 x (3,5—)
4.5- 6 mm, folded or rugose, turning dark.
Distributed on the mountains of the Ceres, Worcester,
Robertson, Montagu, Laingsburg, Prince Albert, Swellen-
dam and (northern part of) Caledon Divisions. The species
grows on stony and sandy mountain slopes at altitudes of
200—1 500 m. The substrate is a product of Table Moun-
tain Sandstone and the vegetation is mountain fynbos.
The species is divisible into 4 subspecies
according to the following key:
la Leaflets sharply mucronate, straight
150c. subsp. rugulicarpa
lb Leaflets obtuse-acute (not mucronate):
2a Calyx tube usually sparsely tomentose; wing
blades less than 7 mm long and less than 3,5
mm broad 150d. subsp. villicaulis
2b Calyx tube usually glabrous (or with few scat-
tered hairs); wing blades more than 7,5 mm
long and more than 3,5 mm broad:
3a Branches long-woolly; standard less than 1 1
mm long 150a. subsp. pachyloba
3b Branches short-villous (-velutinous); stand-
ard more than 1 1 ,5 mm long
150b. subsp. macroclada
150a. subsp. pachyloba.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. Lund 9(1): 163
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 109(1966).
Shrub 0,7-2 m tall. Young branches
white-woolly. Leaflets 2, 5-5, 5 mm long,
0,5 -0,7 mm thick, usually ± incurved, acute -
subobtuse. Flowers distributed on rather long
portions, often 0,1 m or more, of the branches.
Bract and bracteoles 1-3 mm long. Calyx tube
3. 5- 4, 2 mm long, glabrous or sparsely hairy;
lobes triangular to almost subulate, 1,5-3, 5
FIGURE 77. Aspalathus pallidiflora (1-9); A. costulata (10-18); A. granulata (19-26). — 1, 10, 19: branches
with lateral floriferous short-shoots; 2, 11, 20: flowers; 3, 12, 21: bracts; 4, 13, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 14: standard
petals, side view; 6, 15, 23: wing petals; 7, 16, 24: keel petals; 8, 17, 25: pistils; 9, 18, 26: fruits. — 1—8 from Esterhuysen
18189', 9 from Dahlgren & Strid 4391 ; 10—17 from Leipoldt 3757', 18 from Acocks 17454; 19-25 from Barker 7726; 26
from Compton 23146. — (I, 10, 19 x2;2-9, 11-18,20-26 X4.)
3,6: 236
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 237
mm long, with indistinct to prominent midvein.
Standard blade 7,5-10,5 x 7,2- 10 mm. Wing
blades (7-) 7, 5-9, 7 X 3,5-5 mm. Keel
blades 5,5— 7,5 x 3,2— 4,3 mm. Ovary’ gla-
brous or villous above. Pod 8,5-9 x 4,5 — 5
mm. Figure 78: 14-18.
On mountains of almost the whole area of the species
except the Hex River Mountain range (where subsp. ruguli-
carpa occurs). Map 69.
Vouchers: Barker 4846 ; H. Bolus 7597; Dahlgren &
Strict 2160, 2172, 2273, 3794; Esterhuysen 11134, 14065,
1 7640; Guthrie 2751; Schlechter 5597.
Forms with woolly branches, incurved leaflets and
long calyx lobes occur in the Worcester Division, while
those in the more southern parts have shorter pubescence,
shorter and less incurved leaflets and shorter, triangular
calyx lobes.
150b. subsp. macroclada Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 284, 163 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 116 (1966). Type: Cape, Bushman
Kloof Pass, south-west of MacGregor, Robert-
son Division, Barker 1137 (NBG, holo.!;
PRE).
An erect shrub 0,6-2 m tall. Young
branches densely short-villous. Leaflets 3,5-6
mm, 0,6-1 mm thick, straight or slightly in-
curved, obtuse or acute. Flowers large, often
6-20 per branch. Bract 0,7— 1,5 mm, brac-
teoles 0,4-1 mm long. Calyx tube carnose,
3,5-5 mm long, glabrous; lobes triangular,
2, 4-3, 2 mm long. Standard blade 1 1 ,5-13 x
11-13 (-14,5) mm. Wing blades 10-12 x
5, 3-6, 5 (-7) mm. Keel blades 7-8,2 x
4-4,6 mm. Ovary pubescent on upper side.
Pod 10-12 x 5—5,8 mm. Figure 78: 19.
This large-flowered form series occurs along the
Riviersonderend-Bosjesveld mountain ranges in the
Worcester, Robertson, Caledon and Swellendam Divisions.
It occurs at c. 500-700 m altitude. Map 69.
Vouchers: Barker 1137; Compton 5816; Dahlgren &
Strid 3485, 3497, 4228; Leipoldt 3185; Stokoe 3195. SAM
55947.
150c. subsp. rugulicarpa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 284, 163 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 118 (1966). Type: Cape, moun-
tains near De Dooms, Worcester Division, H.
Bolus 13094 (BOL, holo.!).
Erect, branched shrub, c. 0,5 -0,8 m tall,
with rather strong, rigid branches. Young
branches densely short-villous. Leaflets linear-
subulate (1,5—) 2,5—7 (-9) mm, spine-tipped
(like those in A. aciphylla- no. 146). Flowers
relatively small for the species, incompletely
known. Bract c. 1,2 x 0,3 mm, bracteoles
0,7-1 mm long. Calyx tube glabrous; lobes
triangular, 1,5-2, 2 mm long, glabrous, spine-
tipped. Standard blade c. 7,5 x 6,3 mm. Wing
blades c. 6,3 x 3 mm. Keel blades c. 6,5 x 4
mm. Pistil pubescent on upper basal parts of the
ovary. Pod 8,5-10 x c. 3,5 mm, strongly ru-
gose. Figure 78: 20-23.
Restricted to the Matroosberg Mountain of the Hex
River Mountains, where it grows on the lower slopes above
De Dooms (650-750 m altitude). Map 69.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 13094; Esterhuysen 28634.
Characteristic are its spine-tipped leaflets and calyx
lobes.
150d. subsp. villicaulisDa/t/g. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 285, 163 (1963); ibid. 1 1
(1): 113 (1966). Type: Cape, upper part of
Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert Division,
Hafstrom & Acocks 644 (S, holo.!; LD, PRE).
A. puchyloba Benth. subsp. succulentifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 284, 163 (1963); ibid. 11(1): 110
(1966). Type: Cape, 17 miles south of Groot River on Ceres
Road, Ceres Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 1052 (LD,
holo.!).
Erect shrub, 0,4- 1,5 m tall; young
branches densely short- and white-villous.
Leaflets 1 ,5 — 4( — 5 ) mm long, 0,5-0, 8 mm
thick, subobtuse-acute (-mucronulate). Flowers
distributed on 25—40 mm of the branches,
smaller than in the other subspecies. Bract and
bracteoles linear-subulate, 0,7-2 x 0,3-0, 5
FIGURE 78. Aspalathus pachyloba subsp. villicaulis (1-13. 24); A. pachyloba subsp. pachyloba (14-18); A.
pachyloba subsp. macroclada (19); A. pachyloba subsp. rugulicarpa (20-23). 1.8, 14: branch ends with unifloral
floriferous short-shoots; 2, 9, 15. 21: bracts; 3. 10, 16, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 4. 11, 19: flowers; 5: wing petal; 6: keel
petal; 7, 13, 17: pistils; 12: standard, side view; 20: branchlet; 23: calyx. — 1-7 from Hafstrom & Acocks 644; 8- 13 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1379 ; 14—17 from Barker 4846; 18 from Michell 126 ; 19 from Barker 1137 ; 20—23 from Esterhuy-
sen 28634; 24 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1379.— ( 1.8, 14. 20 x2;2-7. 9-13, 15-19. 21-24 x4.)
3,6: 238
Crotalarieae
mm. Calyx tube 2,5—3 mm long, usually spar-
sely tomentose or short- villous, often ± red-
dish; lobes 1—2,5 mm long, acute-acuminate.
Standard blade 5,3— 8,5 x 5,8— 8,8 mm,
pubescent on each side of midrib of back, other-
wise glabrous. Wing blades 5-6,8 x 2, 2-3, 5
mm. Keel blades 5—6,6 x 3—3,5 mm. Pistil
pubescent only on upper side of basal half of
ovary; ovules 2. Pod 8-9,5 x c. 4 mm. Figure
78: 1-13,24.
Distributed in the Ceres and Worcester Divisions in the
west, the Robertson, Montagu and Swellendam Divisions in
the south-east, and the Laingsburg and Prince Albert Divi-
sions in the north-east, the occurrence in the last-mentioned
Division being separated far from the rest. The subspecies
grows on sandy and stony mountain slopes at altitudes of
750 to 1 500 m, in fynbos vegetation. Map 69.
Vouchers: Bolus 11472; Dahlgren & Peterson 1052,
1379; Esterhuysen 9179, 10894, 14220, 23802 , 29132;
Stokoe 7826.
The forms of the Ceres Division and most of those
from the Worcester Division called A. pachyloba subsp.
succulentifolia by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 284 (1963) and 11 (1): 110 (1966) have somewhat
smaller flowers than the others and the calyx is nearly gla-
brous, whereas in the other forms it is pubescent (Figure 78:
8-13).
151 . Aspalathus granulata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 279, 173 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 186 (1966). Type: Cape, foothills
near Moeras Rivier, northern side of Outeni-
quas, Oudtshoom Division, Esterhuysen 19456
(BOL, holo. !; K, PRE).
An erect or ascending, branched shrublet,
(0,2 — 0,5( — 1?) mtall. Young branches densely
white-villous, becoming glabrous. Leaflets
ovoid-oblong, 1 — 2( — 3,3) mm long and
0,5— 0,8 mm thick, terete, bright green, acute
or mucronulate. Flowers distributed along the
branches for some distance below the leafy tips.
Bract at pedicel base, 1 — 1,6 x c. 0,3 mm,
linear, weak, adaxially puberulous. Pedicel
1 — 1 ,8( — 2,2) mm long, short-villous. Brac-
teoles 1 — 1,8 mm long. Calyx narrowly
campanulate, pale purplish, sparsely woolly;
lobes narrowly triangular, 0,9- 2,2 mm long,
acute-acuminate, pale. Petals light or clear yel-
low, when dry then pale yellow. Standard blade
5-8 x 5, 5 -8, 5 mm, tomentose on most parts
of the back except the basal parts. Wing blades
narrowly rectangular-elliptic, 3, 8-6, 6 x
1,8—2, 5 mm. Keel 4, 1-6, 4 x 1,6— 3,0 mm.
Pistil glabrous; ovules 2—5. Pod broadly lan-
ceolate, 7,8— 8,3 x 2,6-3 mm, subterete,
smooth, hard, dark grey and black. Figure 77:
19-26.
Growing in the eastern parts of the Langeberg Moun-
tains, and the western parts of the Outeniquas (northern
slopes of these mountains) and the Roodeberg (Rooiberg),
in the Oudtshoom, Ladismith and Riversdale Divisions.
The species grows in sand and often among stones, some-
times on sandstone rock, in fynbos scrub. Map 68.
Vouchers: Barker 7726; H. Bolus 11255; Compton
3863, 21762, 23138, 23146; Dahlgren & Strid2680, 3968,
4639; Esterhuysen 19456; Muir 2939.
Very characteristic by virtue of its succulent, ovoid
leaflets, villous branches, pubescent calyx, glabrous pistil
and smooth, subterete pods. Perhaps related rather to A.
pallidiflora (no. 149) and A. costulata (no. 148) than to A.
katbergensis ( no. 171), A. leucophylla (no. 160) or A. steu-
deliana (no. 169), which it superficially resembles. Note,
for example, the basal position and relative length of the
bract.
Group 22: Pingues
Erect shrubs rarely to c. 2 m, densely to sparsely branched, sometimes with branches ending
as strong or weak thorns, sometimes with short, lateral, spine-like branch thorns in great number
along the branches; young branches usually pubescent, sometimes (e.g. A. sanguinea (no. 177), A.
zeyheri (no. 178), A. obtusifolia (no. 179) and A. recurvispina — no. 180) glabrous. Leaves trifo-
liolate, usually soon with axillary short-shoots, rarely when conspicuously flat then with short-
shoots developed later. Leaflets usually narrow and terete, linear to ovoid, rarely flat, then weak
and without distinct veins, usually obtuse, sometimes acute, never spine-tipped, glabrous or grey-
pubescent (hairs then 2-armed). Leaf base not developed as a spur or spine. Inflorescences uniflo-
ral (or 2- to 4-flowered) on lateral short-shoots, often distributed in great numbers along the
Crotalarieae
3,6: 239
branches below leafy branch ends, very rarely in a few-flowered, head-like terminal umbel (A.
simii — no. 172). Flowers usually small. Bract simple, small, often tooth-like, to linear, generally
accreted to the base of the pedicel, sometimes appearing on the middle of the pedicel as an
inconspicuous tooth. Pedicel distinct to relatively long, pubescent or glabrous (rather long and
glabrous in A. sanguinea, A. zeyheri, A. obtusifolia and A. recurvispina). Bracteoles similar to the
bract. Calyx campanulate, glabrous or pubescent; lobes triangular (-subulate), obtuse to acute,
never spine-tipped. Petals yellow or ± purplish, sometimes ferruginous to red; wing and keel
claws not attached to the staminal sheath. Standard blade usually ovate to broadly ovate, glabrous
or ± pubescent on the back; apex not produced into a cusp. Wing blades narrowly elliptic to linear,
thin to conspicuously camose, and then often with upper margin partly incurved; basally with
several rows of minute folds or when camose then with few folds, sometimes in only one row (as in
A. spinosa — no. 165). Keel blades lunate, obtuse, glabrous, with almost straight or sometimes ±
concave upper margins and with prominent basal pouch. Pistil ± puberulous on the ovary and
sometimes on upper part of style base; ovules 2 (rarely 3); stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely
lanceolate, ± compressed, pubescent to subglabrous, usually one-seeded. Chromosome number :
2 n = 18.
152. Aspalathus burchelliana Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 623 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 119 (1862); L. Bol. in Ann. Bolus
Herb. 1: 186 (1915); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 165 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 124
(1966). Type: Cape, eastern bank of Breede
River at the Upper Ford, Swellendam Division,
Burchell 7456 (K, holo.!; L, M, P).
Achyronia burchelliana (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 (1891).
An erect or ascending shrub, probably up
to 0,8 m tall, with rather robust, sparingly
branched, tail-like branches, densely short- vil-
lous on the young parts and with semi-globose
short-shoot tubercles. Leaflets linear, thickly
pinniform, 8-22 x 0,8- 1,2 mm, subterete to
slightly flattened, with a longitudinal groove on
the upper as well as the lower side, pale green,
rather rigid, acute (to mucronate), sparsely ad-
pressed-puberulous, glabrescent. Inflores-
cences with 1-3 flowers close together, on
short-shoots distributed along the branches.
Flowers rather small and inconspicuous. Bract
appearing on the pedicel 1-1,5 mm from its
base, broadly subulate, 1—2,2 x 0,3— 0,5 mm,
acute, puberulous adaxially. Pedicel 2—3,5
mm long, short-villous. Bracteoles 1 — 1,7 x
0,2— 0,3 mm. Calyx densely and smoothly
short-sericeous; lobes triangular, 1,2-2 mm
long, ± puberulous. Petals light yellow, wing
and keel claws rather broad, slightly shorter
than blades. Standard blade 7, 7-8, 5 X
6,5— 7,2 mm, obtuse, short-sericeous on most
of the back except marginal parts below the
middle. Wing blades 4, 3-5, 5 X 2, 1-2, 4 mm,
glabrous, with an oblique major fold across the
middle, and with c. 3 rows of minute folds.
Keel blades 5,2— 5,7 X 2,9— 3,4 mm, sericeous
on lower apical half. Pistil sericeous on ovary
and style base; ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceo-
late, c. 7,5 x 3,7 mm, sericeous at least on the
apical and lower parts. Figure 79: 1-12.
Probably restricted to clayey hills and lowlands in the
Swellendam and Robertson Divisions, in fynbos-renoster-
bos transition. As these regions are largely exploited for
agriculture the species is threatened (it has been recorded in
the former Bontebok Reserve near Swellendam). Map 7 1 .
Vouchers: Burchell 7456; Compton 3456; Dahlgren &
Strid 4570; Walgate 354.
153. Aspalathus tuberculata Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 497 (1839); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 165 (1963); ibid. 11 (1):
120 (1966). Type: Cape, slopes of the Swart-
berg [Zwarteberg Mountain], Caledon Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zeyher 1489 (GRA, L, M,
PRE, S, SAM, W, syntypes). Generally treated
as synonym of A. verrucosa L. (nom. dub.); see
below.
[Aspalathus verrucosa L., Sp. PI. 712 (1753) nom. dub.
has often been regarded as identical to this species, but
general usage is variable. The specimen in LINN with this
name is conspecific with A. tuberculata, but was collected
by Tulbagh; hence much later than 1753.]
3,6: 240
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 241
An erect ascending shrub, 0,3-1 m tall,
sparingly branched. Young branches densely
short-villous; short-shoots on villous tubercles.
Leaflets linear, 3-8 mm long, rather thick,
subterete or slightly flatteed with ± distinct
groove on adaxial as well as abaxial side, ±
incurved, pale green, acute, apiculate or ob-
tuse, appressed-puberulous or almost glabrous
(glabrescent). Inflorescences unifloral or up to
trifloral (the flowers then close together) on lat-
eral short-shoots, these dispersed in consider-
able number along the branches. Flowers rather
small and pale. Bract broadly subulate,
0,3- 1,5 mm long, puberulous. Pedicel
1,0-2, 8 mm long, densely puberulous. Brac-
teoles 0,1-1 mm long. Calyx densely and
smoothly puberulous-sericeous; lobes broadly
subulate, 0,4— 2,5 mm long, acute, puberulous.
Petals pale or light yellow, with claws less than
half the length of the blades. Standard blade
ovate, 5,5—7, x 4-5,8 mm, apically incurved
and acute, short-sericeous on apical (-central)
parts and on the base, ± glabrous at least later-
ally on basal parts. Wing blades 3,5— 5,5 x
1,5— 2,3 mm, glabrous (or with few hairs on
apex and/or base), with c. 4 rows of minute
folds on upper half. Keel blades 3, 8 -5, 7 x
2—3 mm, glabrous, obtuse, with ± straight up-
per margin. Pistil short-sericeous on most parts
of ovary and upper side of style (basal half);
ovules 2. Pod 6—7,5 x 2,7— 3,7 mm, seri-
ceous on most parts, smooth, brownish when
ripe. Figure 79: 13-26.
A. tuberculata is bicentric: with one area in the Breede
River Valley, the Worcester and Robertson Divisions, and
in the mountains between Villiersdorp and Riviersonderend
(including the Swartberg) in the Caledon Division, and the
other area in the mountains north of the Little Karoo, in the
Laingsburg and Ladismith Divisions. It grows on flats and
dry hill slopes at relatively low altitudes (lower than 800
m), generally in red, ± clayey soil, in fynbos ± mixed with
renosterbos. Map 71.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 6700, 6920; Dahlgren & Strid
3426,3484 , 4394 , 4948; Ecklon & Zeyher 1489; Esterhuy-
sen 25932; Leipoldt 3186, 3189; Schlechter 9910, 9924;
Van Breda 15, 764.
Thick branches, broad leaflets and relatively large
flowers characterize the forms in the Caledon Division.
Forms in the Worcester, Laingsburg and Ladismith Divi-
sions have shorter (smaller) leaflets and flowers; the short-
est leaves, sometimes quite glabrous, and smallest flowers
are found in the last two divisions. In these forms the stand-
ard may be almost glabrous on the back.
154. Aspalathus candicans Ait.f, Hort.
Kew. edn 2, 4: 264 (1812); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 618 (1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 165 (1963); ibid. 11 (1):
127 (1966). Type: in herbarium Banks (BM,
lecto.!).
A. sericea Lam., Encycl. 1: 288 (1783), non Berg. Type:
‘ Aspalathus sericea enc.’ (P, holo. !). This is a later homo-
nym of A. sericea Berg. (1767).
‘ Aspalathus albens ’ auct. non L., in Thunb., Prodr. 2:
126 (1800); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 117 (1862), and other works.
An erect, branched shrub 0,6- 1 ,5 m tall,
densely branched. Young branches densely
short-tomentose. Leaflets linear, 3-8 mm long,
0,4-0, 7 mm broad, subterete or slightly flat-
tened, soft, flexible, obtuse to acute, white-to-
mentose or partly glabrous (certain of the lower
leaflets). Inflorescences uni- or bifloral, on lat-
eral short-shoots, scattered in high number
along the branches. Flowers small, light yel-
low. Bract emerging on the middle of pedicel,
subulate, 0,4-0, 8 mm long, pubescent. Pedi-
cel 1,2— 1,8 mm long, white-tomentose. Brac-
teoles tooth-like, 0,1 -0,3 mm long, pubescent.
Calyx campanulate, grey-tomentose or seri-
ceous; lobes triangular to short-subulate,
0,9- 1,5 mm long. Petals pale or light lemon-
yellow, wing and keel claws c. two-thirds the
length of the blades. Standard blade 4, 5-5, 5 x
4-5 mm, apically incurved, acute; tomentose
on the apical parts of the midrib of back. Wing
blades narrowly ovate, elliptic, 2,8— 3,5 x
1,5—2 mm, glabrous, with 4 rows of minute
folds on basal half of outside. Keel blades
3,1— 3,4 x 1,7—2 mm, glabrous, with slightly
concave upper margin and with rounded upper-
basal lobe. Pistil tomentose on upper half of
Figure 79. Aspalathus burchelliana (1-12); A. tuberculata (13-26). — 1, 20, 26: branch ends with floriferous
short-shoots; 2: leaflet; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5, 13, 21: flowers; 6, 15: standards, side view; 7, 8, 12, 16, 23:
wing petals, 8 seen from the inner side; 9, 17, 24: keel petals; 10, 18, 25: pistils; 11, 19: fruits; 14: calyx, upper two lobes to
the right; 22: standard, back view. — 1, 2, 11, 12 from Walgate 354\ 3-10 from Compton 3456 (Robertson Distr. );
13-19, 26 from Compton 11878 ; 20-25 from Compton 11880 (Laingsburg Distr.). — (1, 20, 26 x 2; 2-19, 21-25 x4.)
3,6:242
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 243
ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod obliquely
ovate, 4, 5-5, 5 x 2,7— 3,2 mm, white-woolly.
Figure 80: 1-9.
Limited to the peripheral parts of the ‘Robertson Ka-
roo' in the Breede River Valley, Worcester and Robertson
Divisions, where the species grows on flats and hillsides
with clayey soil. In Stormsvlei Kloof it grows in fissures
filled with clay. The vegetation is a mixture of renosterbos
and fynbos scrub; shrubs of this species may also occur
scattered on the borders of the Karoo. Map 72.
Vouchers: Compton 11897; Dahlgren & Peterson
1828; Dahlgren & Strid 3183, 3483, 4227, 4400, 4949;
Van Breda 190, 1750.
The closest relatives of this very distinctive species are
somewhat uncertain.
155. Aspalathus cinerascens E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 54 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 626 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 142
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund9(l):
181 (1963); ibid. 21: 64 (1968). Type: Cape,
'Draakensteen ?’, incorrect locality statement,
Drege (G, lecto. !; P).
Achyronia cinerascens (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
'Aspalathus argyraea’ auct. non DC. in Schonl., Mem.
bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62 ( 1919); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany
Bathurst 57 (1960).
An erect, branched shrub usually 1-2 m
tall. Young branches rather slender, grey- or
white-velutinous. Leaflets linear, 6—20 (-30)
mm long, soft, flexible, short-sericeous, silvery
grey. Inflorescences 1-3-flowered on lateral
short-shoots, often dispersed in high numbers
along the branches. Bract situated on the pedi-
cel 1-1,5 mm from its base, 1-2 mm long,
linear, white-sericeous. Pedicel (1—) 2—3 mm
long, densely white-pubescent. Bracteoles
0,5- 1,3 mm long. Calyx tube short, densely
sericeous; lobes linear or narrowly triangular,
0,8- 1 ,5 mm long, obtuse, short-sericeous. Pe-
tals light to pale yellow. Standard blade
4,5 — 5,2( — 5,5) x (3,6— )4-5 mm, obtuse, se-
riceous to short-tomentose on upper two-thirds
to three-quarters of the back, glabrous on the
front. Wing blades narrowly triangular-oblong,
(3,5-) 4-4,7 x 1,5— 1,7 mm, broadest near
the base, tapering, glabrous, with 1-2 rows of
lamella folds on basal upper half. Keel blades
3, 6-4, 2 (-4,6) x 1 ,8— 2,3( — 2,8) mm, gla-
brous, with ± straight or slightly concave upper
margin. Pistil sericeous on upper half of ovary
and style base; ovules 2. Pod lanceolate,
10-11,5 X 3, 8-4, 3 mm, sericeous (-tomen-
tose) on most parts. Chromosome number:
2h= 18. Figure 80: 10-18.
Distributed in the Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth, Albany,
Bathurst and Peddie Divisions, growing on hill slopes at
50-200 m altitude. It grows in vegetation with some fyn-
bos elements. The substrate is sandy and rocky but the soil
± mixed with clay. Map 7 1 .
Vouchers: Acocks 14028; Codd 9238; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1598; Dahlgren & Strid 3095, 4797; Galpin
6381, 13268; Long 123, U96;MacOwan 915.
Possibly related to A. florifera (no. 254), A. glabres-
cens (no. 255) and A. longifolia (no. 256); perhaps also to
A. candicans (no. 154), A. frankenioides (no. 246) and/or
A. gerrardii (no. 247).
156. Aspalathus incompta Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2:
16 (1802); FI. Cap. 2: 579 (1823); DC., Prodr.
2: 139 (1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 643 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 133 (1862);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 178
(1963); ibid. 21: 52 (1968). Type: ‘ Aspalathus
incomta ( sic\ ) in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto.!).
Achyronia incompta (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
A low, densely branched, procumbent to
prostrate shrublet; main branches thick, basally
sometimes up to more than 10 mm in diameter.
Young branches short-pubescent (tomentose-
sericeous), closely leafy. Leaflets linear to sub-
filiform, 2,5-5 mm long, c. 0,3 mm thick or
less, subterete, slightly incurved, obtuse or sub-
acute, weak, short-sericeous (rarely glabrous).
Flowers small, inconspicuous, solitary on later-
al short-shoots, scattered along the branches.
Bract not or only slightly fused with the pedi-
Maps 70 & 71. — Map 70. Aspalathus lactea subsp. lactea (unbroken line); A. lactea subsp. brevicarpa (triangles);
A. ferox (rhomboid); A. smithii (squares); A. obtusata (asterisks); A. subtingens (broken line). — Map 71. A. tubercu-
lata (unbroken line); A. burcheiliana (rhomboids); A. incompta (squares); A. pycnantha (triangles); A. obliqua (aster-
isk); A. cinerascens (dots).
3,6: 244
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 245
cel, small, oblong, 0,3-0, 5 mm long, puberu-
lous. Pedicel 1 — 1,5 mm long, short-pubescent.
Bracteoles tooth-like, 0,2- 1,8 mm long, silky
sericeous (rarely glabrous). Calyx tube cam-
panulate, sericeous; lobes sharply demarcated
from the tube, linear-subulate, 1-1,9 mm long,
sericeous (-glabrous). Petals light or bright
yellow or standard partly purple. Standard
blade 3,2— 4,6 x 2,7— 4,3 mm, rounded-ob-
tuse, puberulous on apical half of back, other-
wise glabrous. Wing blades 1,8-3 x 0,9- 1,4
mm, glabrous, with c. 4 rows of minute folds
on upper parts. Keel blades 2, 9-4, 5 x
1 ,4—2,1 mm, glabrous. Pistil with short ovary
pubescent on upper half; ovules 2. Ripe pods
not seen. Chromosome number: 2 n= 18. Figure
81:1-8.
Known from hills and flats south of the Riviersonder-
end and Bromberg Mountains in the eastern parts of the
Caledon Division and western part of Swellendam Division.
The species occurs on the rudiments of natural scrub found
on clayey soils in this region. The vegetation is a renoster-
bos-fynbos mixture. Map 71.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strict 3112, 4294; Lewis 5555;
Taylor 3829, 3961.
In one of the collections (Taylor 3839) the flowers are
almost glabrous.
The species is very closely related to A. pycnantha (no.
158) differing in the smaller flowers and, especially, the
wing blades which are only a little more than half as long as
those of A. pycnantha.
157. Aspalathus smithii Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 290, 169 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 157 (1966). Type: Cape, Caledon,
along road to Caledon Baths, Caledon Division,
Smith 2595 (PRE, holo.!; LD).
A small, suberect shrublet, up to c. 0,3 m
tall with spreading, rigid, straight branches aris-
ing from a short stem. Young branches straight,
but not thorny, short-villous; lateral branchlets
successively shorter towards the branch tip.
Leaflets linear, vermiform, 0,6—2 mm long, c.
0,4 mm thick, terete, often slightly incurved,
glabrous, obtuse. Inflorescences unifloral, on
lateral short-shoots, often several on each
branchlet. Flowers small. Bract situated on the
middle part of the pedicel, tooth-like, 0,4-0, 7
mm long. Pedicel 1,2 — 2 mm long, densely pu-
berulous. Bracteoles tooth-like, c. 0,22 mm
long. Calyx tube puberulous; lobes subglobose-
ovoid, c. 0,6-0, 8 mm long, about equally
broad, carnose, subterete, obtuse to acute,
green, subglabrous. Petals light or bright yel-
low, becoming reddish, subglabrous or gla-
brous. Standard blade 4, 5-5, 2 x 3, 3-4, 5
mm; its apex strongly incurved (almost hood-
like), the sides ± incurved; Wing blades linear
or very narrowly ovate, 3, 2-3, 5 x 1,3— 1,5
mm, glabrous, with 2-3 rows of minute folds
on upper basal half or more. Keel blades 3,5-4
x 1,6— 1,8 mm, glabrous. Pistil sericeous on
upper parts of the ovary and ciliate above on the
style base; ovules 2. Pod broadly triangular-lan-
ceolate, c. 4,2-2 mm, sparsely tomentose or
sericeous on most parts. Figure 82: 20-29.
Perhaps restricted to clayey (partly shale) soils in the
Caledon and Bredasdorp and Swellendam Divisions, in ru-
diments of renosterbos scrub. Obviously rare and possibly
threatened. Map 70.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4913; Liebenberg 7153;
Smith 2580, 2595.
Very different from A. steudeliana (no. 169) in habit,
but possibly closest to this species. Distinct by the small
size, rigid, spreading branches and more inconspicuous
flowers with strongly incurved standard apex.
158. Aspalathus pycnantha Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 54 (1968). Type:
Cape, c. 1 mile north of Napier along road to
Riviersonderend, Bredasdorp Division, Dahl-
gren & Strid 2141 (NBG, holo.!; LD, S, PRE).
Similar to A. incompta (no. 156) but an
ascending shrublet, 0,15-0,5 m tall with larger
flowers. It is ± different in the following char-
acters: Leaflets 1,5— 5,5(— 8) mm long and
0,3— 0,4 mm thick, silvery-puberulous. Bract
0,2— 0,5(— 0,8) mm long. Bracteoles 0,1— 0,4
mm long. Calyx sericeous; lobes 0,4- 1,2
(—1,8 mm) long. Petals light yellow. Standard
blade 4,5 — 5 ,6( — 6) x 4—5,5 mm. Wing blades
4,2—5 x 1,2— 1,8 mm. Keel blades 3,7— 4,4 X
Figure 80. Aspalathus candicans (1-9); A. cinerascens (10-18). — 1, 10: branches with floriferous short-shoots;
2, 12: bracts; 3, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11: flowers; 5. 14: standard petals, side and front views; 6. 15: wing petals: 7,
16: keel petals; 8, 17: pistils; 9, 18: fruits. — 1-8 from Compton 11897 ; 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1828: 10— 17 from
Acocks 14028 ; 18 from Compton, Kaffir's Drift. Bathurst Distr. (year: 1942). — (1, 10-13, 18 x4;2-9, 14-17 x8.)
3,6: 246
Crotalarieae
Maps 72 & 73. — Map 72. Aspalathus leucophylla (unbroken line); A. petersonii (squares); A. candicans (tri-
angles); A. acutiflora (dots). — Map 73. A. steudeliana (unbroken line); A. mundiana (triangles); A. glabrata (rhom-
boids); A. acanthophylla (squares).
1, 7-2,1 mm. Pod small, ovate, sericeous (ripe
material not seen). Figure 81 : 9-16.
Restricted to flats and hills in the Bredasdorp Division,
growing on clayey, sometimes gravelly, ground in renoster-
bos vegetation with more or less pronounced fynbos el-
ements. Map 71.
Vouchers: H . Bolus 19168 pro parte; Compton 9050,
9083, 14790; Dahlgren & Strid 2141 , 3403; Esterhuysen
2952, 3097; Guthrie 3775; Sides 1817; Smith 3184 ; Stokoe,
SAM 6 1 786.
The forms in the Elim-Baardskeerdersbos region have
somewhat longer (5 — 8 mm) leaflets and longer (1,6— 1,8
mm) calyx lobes than the other forms.
The species differs from A. incompta (no. 156) in
growth and size characters but may be worthy only of
subspecies status.
159. Aspalathus acutiflora Dah Ig. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 270, 180 (1963);
ibid. 21: 57 (1968). Type: Cape, 17 miles west
Crotalarieae
3,6: 247
of Still Bay, Riversdale Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 1322 (LD, holo.!).
An erect, ascending or decumbent shrub or
shrublet, (0,1 — )0,2 — 0,8( — 1,1) m tall, sparse-
ly to rather densely branched; young branches
short-villous. Leaflets linear, 1— 3,5(— 4,5) mm
long and c. 0,3 mm thick, terete, acute, often
slightly incurved, light green. Inflorescences
unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, either dis-
persed along the branches for up to c. 50 mm or
confined to short-shoots just below the branch
tips. Bract minute, 0,2-0, 5 mm long, subu-
late, at pedicel base. Pedicel 0,4—1 mm long,
densely white-hairy. Bracteoles lacking. Calyx
campanulate, densely puberulous; lobes subu-
late-linear, 1-2 (-2,5) mm long, straight,
acute, green or purplish, subglabrous or sparse-
ly puberulous. Petals light yellow but with a
purple standard midrib. Standard blade
4,2 — 6( — 7) x 3—4,4 mm, with acute (hence
the specific name), sometimes very slightly in-
curved apex, glabrous except for some basal
pubescence on inside. Wing blades 3—4,5
(—5,5) x 1,2— 1 ,6( — 2) mm, glabrous, with
1—2 rows of transverse folds on basal upper
parts. Keel 4 — 5,5(— 5,8) x 2-3 mm, gla-
brous. Pistil sericeous on the upper parts of the
ovary and upper side of the style base; ovules 2.
Pod obliquely lanceolate, c. 8 x 3,5 mm, seri-
ceous (-tomentose) on most parts. Chromosome
number. 2n= 18. Figure 8 1 : 17-30.
Restricted to the plains and low hillsides in the
Riversdale Division, growing on marine sand between (but
not on) limestone outcrops. Map 72.
Vouchers: Compton 23165; Dahlgren & Peterson
737, 1322, 1334, 1428, 1429, 1430; Dahlgren & Strid
2338, 4627; Lewis 3937a; Muir 943, 1385, 2608.
Small forms, only c. 0,3 m tall or less with small
flowers dispersed along the branch ends occur in the Alber-
tinia region. These rather resemble A. hispida (no. 107),
with which they have also previously been confused. Taller
forms, 0,3-1 m tall, occur on the dunes west of Still Bay,
with branches slightly thicker, leaves slightly longer, and
flowers larger than those of the Albertinia forms.
The closest relatives of A. acutiflora are uncertain, but
may be A. incompta (no. 156), A. lactea (no. 162) or A.
subtin gens (no. 168).
160. Aspalathus leucophylla Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 282, 172 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 179 (1968). Type: Cape, 1 mile
south-west of Ladismith, Ladismith Division,
Dahlgren & Peterson 49 (LD, holo. !).
Aspalathus leucophylla Dahlg. subsp. leucophylla ,
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 181 (1963).
An erect, branched shrub 0,5 — 1,5 m tall.
Branches rather slender, ascending, with leafy
tips. Young branches short-villous (sometimes
glabrescent). Leaflets ovoid-oblong, 0,8-2
(—4) mm long, 0,5 -0,8 mm thick, terete (oc-
casionally slightly flat), obtuse or subacute,
grey- or white-puberulous. Inflorescences uni-
floral (-bifloral) on short-shoots, several on
each branch end. Flowers rather small. Bract
oblong-linear, 0,3-0, 7 x c. 0,2 mm, puberu-
lous. Pedicel 0,3— 0,8(— 1,8) mm long, short-
tomentose. Bracteoles 0,1— 0,3 mm long. Ca-
lyx short-tomentose or short-villous; lobes nar-
rowly triangular, 0,4- 1,2 mm long, subacute,
partly puberulous. Petals light yellow (lemon-
coloured). Standard blade 4,8 -6,2 x 3, 5-4, 7
mm, apically slightly incurved and subacute,
short-tomentose on apical half (sometimes only
on apex). Wing blades (3,3 — )3,6 — 5 x 1,5—2
(—2,2) mm, glabrous, with c. 6 rows of minute
folds on basal upper parts. Keel blades (3,6-)
4—5 X (1,8— )2, 2— 2,8 mm, glabrous. Pistil
pubescent on upper half of the ovary and upper
side of basal half of style; ovules 2. Pod tri-
angular-ovate, 6, 3-8, 2 x 2, 8-3, 5 mm, com-
pressed, sparsely pubescent on most parts.
Chromosome number: 2n—lS. Figure 83:
9-18.
Distributed from the Bokkeveld area (Ceres Division)
in the west along the eastern end of the Hex River Valley
through the Laingsburg, Ladismith (main distribution area),
Calitzdorp and Prince Albert Divisions to Kendo, Willow-
more Division, with an outlier in the George Division. A.
leucophylla grows on clayey soil on lower mountain slopes
and foothills, generally in association with renosterbos.
Map 72.
Vouchers: Acocks 15309; Dahlgren & Peterson 46,
49, 89, 1106, 1364, 1725; Levyns 2330, 6616; Marloth
3996, Stokoe 8786, 9030; Theron 1075.
A form in the Ceres Division has leaves up to 4 mm
long and approaches A. petersonii (no. 161), to which A.
leucophylla is probably most closely related.
A. leucophylla subsp. septentrionalis Dahlg. is here
treated as a separate species, A. petersonii (no. 161).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 248
FIGURE 81. Aspalathus incompta (1-8); A. pycnantha (9-16); A. acutiflora (17 - 30). — 1, 9, 17, 24: branches
with floriferous short-shoots; 2, 10, 25: bracts; 3, 11: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 12, 19, 26: flowers; 5, 13, 27: standard
petals, side view; 6, 14, 21, 28: wing petals; 7, 15, 22, 29: keel petals; 8, 16, 23, 30: pistils; 18: fruit; 20: standard, side
view. — 1-8 from Lewis 5555; 9-16 from Compton 14790', 17, 19-23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 737', 18 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1337', 24— 30 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1430. — (1, 9, 17, 24 X 2; all others X4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 249
161. Aspalathus petersonii Dahlg., nom.
nov. Type: Cape near Voelfontein along the
road Kriedouwfa-ans-Ceres, Clanwilliam Divi-
sion, Dahlgren & Peterson 1049 (LD, holo. !).
A. leucophylla Dahlg. subsp. seplentrionalis Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 282, 173 (1963); ibid. 11(1):
183(1966).
A densely branched shrub 0,6-2 m tall,
often with wide circumference. Old branches
grey, younger branches ascending, rather
slender, with leafy tips, densely white-tomen-
tose. Leaflets linear, 5 — 15(— more than 20)
mm and 0,7— 0,9( — 1,3) mm broad, generally
± flat, rarely subterete, obtuse, flexible, often
± incurved, (from nearly glabrous and green
to) densely white-villous. Inflorescences uniflo-
ral (rarely bifloral), on lateral short-shoots, dis-
tributed along the branches. Bract (0,4 — )1 — 2
X 0,2-0, 3 mm, puberulous. Bracteoles
0,2-0, 4 mm long. Calyx tube c. 3,5 mm long,
± puberulous; lobes (triangular—) linear-subu-
late, 1,3-2 mm long, acute, green and subgla-
brous or grey-puberulous. Petals light yellow.
Standard blade 6, 5-8, 2 x 4, 7-6, 5 mm, with
± incurved, acute apex, pubescent on the base
and generally on the apical parts (up to c. third)
of the back. Wing blades (4,3 — )5 — 6,5 x
1,9-2, 5 mm, glabrous, with 4-5 rows of mi-
nute folds on the basal parts. Keel blades
(4,4-) 5-6 x 2,5-3, 1 mm, glabrous. Pistil
pubescent on upper half of the ovary and on
upper parts of half or more of the style; ovules 2
or up to 6; stigma regular, capitate. Pod trian-
gular-lanceolate, 9-10 x 3-3,5 mm, seri-
ceous on most parts. Figure 83: 1-8.
Distributed in arid parts of the Ceres, Clanwilliam and
Calvinia Divisions, growing in vegetation bordering on the
Karoo, sometimes, at least, on sand. Map 72.
Vouchers: Acocks 19756; Barker 6509 ; Dahlgren &
Peterson 959, 1048, 1049; Dahlgren & Strid 3284; Stokoe,
SAM 66721; Story 4369.
The scattered finds of this species are somewhat differ-
ent: very broad, flat, densely white leaflets and rather small
flowers characterize forms from the Karoo Poort region,
Ceres Division which have a 2-ovuled ovary. Similar forms
occur in the Voelfontein area east of the Cederberg Moun-
tains c. 80 km away, but here the flowers are larger and the
ovules 5 or 6. Forms with green, less flat and broad leaflets
occur in the Calvinia Division. They have a 2-ovuled ovary.
This northern, often tall and elegant shrub forming an
outpost against the semidesert is named after Dr B. Peter-
son, my fellow traveller and co-worker in South Africa in
1956-57.
162. Aspalathus lactea Thunb., Prodr. 2:
127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2: 18 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 958 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 580 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 580 (1825);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 171
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 166 (1966). Type: ‘ Aspala-
thus lactea ’ in herbarium Thunberg (UPS,
lecto.!).
Aspalathus lactea Thunb. var. (a) thunbergii Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 132 (1962). Achyronia lactea (Thunb.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type as the preceding.
[Aspalathus lactea Thunb. var. (p) meyeri Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 132 (1862) and ‘A. lactea ’ in E. Mey., Comm. 1:
58 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 495 (1839), and Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 643 (1848), all refer to A. obliqua
(no. 170). — A. lactea Thunb. var. (y) zeyheri Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 132 (1862) is the present A. zeyheri (no. 178).]
An erect shrub (0,3 — )0 ,4- 1 m tall, rather
densely branched, with either slender and weak
branches or spreading, straight, rigid branches
functioning, when old, as thorns. Young
branches white-villous or puberulous. Leaflets
linear, (1,5 — )3 — 8 mm long, weak, subterete
(or slightly incurved), pale green, not becoming
ferruginous when dry. Inflorescence unifloral
(or bifloral), on lateral short-shoots, several to
numerous scattered on the branches. Bract
emerging on the basal half of the pedicel,
0,1— 0,5 mm long, subulate or tooth-like, pu-
berulous. Pedicel 1,5 — 2( — 2,5) mm long,
densely white-puberulous. Bracteoles 0,1 -0,3
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, usually pu-
berulous (rarely glabrous); lobes short-trian-
gular or tooth-like, 0,3 — 0,8( — 1 ) mm long,
obtuse or subacute, greenish, puberulous or gla-
brous. Petals light yellow or often partly pur-
plish (not orange-red or ferruginous). Standard
blade 4,3 — 5 ,5( — 6) x (3— )3,5— 4,7 mm,
somewhat S-curved towards the apex, with ±
incurved sides; short-sericeous on the apical
third or glabrous (always with some basal pu-
bescence). Wing blades narrow, 3-4,5 x
1 ,2- 1 ,7 mm, glabrous, with 4-5 rows of mi-
nute folds on the basal upper parts. Keel blades
lunate, 3,5— 4,5 X 1,9— 2,7 mm, glabrous.
Pistil distinctly stipitate, sericeous on upper
half of ovary and ciliate on upper side of basal
half of style; ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate.
Pod narrowly triangular-ovate, 6,3 — 8( — 9) x
2, 5-3, 7 mm, sericeous on most parts.
3,6: 250
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 82. Aspalathus lactea subsp. lactea (1-9); A. lactea subsp. breviloba (10—19); A. smithii (20-29); A.
ferox (30-35). — 1, 10, 20: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 31: flowers; 3, 12, 21: bracts; 4, 13, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 5,
24: standard petals, back view: 6. 16, 26. 33: wing petals; 7. 17, 27, 34: keel petals; 8, 18, 28. 35: pistils; 9, 19. 29: fruits;
14, 23: calyces; 15, 25, 32: standard petals, side view; 30: branch. — 1-9 from Dahlgren c£ Peterson 1726 ; 10-18 from
Compton 18659\ 19 from Acocks 17852\ 20 from Smith 2595\ 21—29 from Smith 2580\ 30—35 from Pappe 246. — (1, 10,
20. 30 x2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 251
Distributed in the Breede River Valley and Hex River
Valley, mainly in the Worcester, Montagu and Robertson
Divisions, with some outliers in the Swellendam Division.
The species grows on fine-grained, mainly clayey ground
(sometimes on lime?) in valleys and on plains with a consid-
erable renosterbos element.
In Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 171 (1963)
and 11 (1): 166 ff. (1966) A. subtingens (no. 168) (= A.
adelphea) was included in A. lactea, as subsp. adelphea; it
is here treated as a separate species.
The species may be separated into two subspecies, one
with thorny branches and one with weak, soft branches.
These are partly vicarious.
Branches ascending, soft, leafy to the tips; back of
standard usually puberulous on apical third
162a. subsp. lactea
Branches spreading, rigid, straight, thornlike; back of
standard glabrous 162b. subsp. breviloba
162a. subsp. lactea.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
171 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 168(1966).
Synonymy as for the species above, where no synonym
refers to subsp. breviloba.
An erect shrub, 0,4-0, 8 m tall, densely
branched with ascending, slender, densely and
shortly white-pubescent branches with weak
leafy tips. Leaflets 4-8 mm long, often ± in-
curved, obtuse, glabrous or in young stage pu-
berulous. Flowers of the size given for the spe-
cies (equalling, more or less, that for subsp.
breviloba). Calyx tube white-puberulous or ±
purplish. Standard minutely sericeous on the
apical third of the back. Pod 6,5-9 x 2, 8-3, 7
mm. Figure 82: 1-9.
Distributed in the Hex River Valley and in the Mon-
tagu-Swellendam Divisions (Montagu- Warmwatersberg re-
gions), growing in clayey substrate in dry scrub vegetation
with renosterbos. Map 70.
Vouchers: Acocks 14107', Bolus 1130, 7598\ Dahlgren
& Peterson 1123, 1726—1728 ; Levyns 6186, 6497 ; Mar-
loth 2835- Van Breda 178, 201.
The most closely related species are probably A. sub-
tingens (no. 168), A. petersonii (no. 161) and A. leuco-
phylla (no. 160).
162b. subsp. breviloba Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 281 , 171 (1963); ibid. 1 1
(1): 167 (1966). Type: Cape, Karoo Garden,
Worcester Division, Compton 18659 (NBG,
holo. ! ; BOL).
An erect shrub 0,3 — 0,6( — 1 ) m tall with
spreading, pale grey, rigid, strong branches
functioning as thorns (though not really ending
in a point). Young branches straight, rigid,
white-pubescent. Leaflets 1 ,5—5 mm long, gla-
brous. Flowers of the size described under the
species. Calyx tube glabrous or sparsely pu-
berulous. Standard glabrous (except at the very
base). Pod 6,3—7 x 2,5— 2,8 mm. Figure 82:
10-19.
Restricted to the Breede River Valley (Worcester-Rob-
ertson Karoo) between Worcester and Bonnievale (Swellen-
dam Division) growing on clay with renosterbos-fynbos
vegetation. Map 70.
Vouchers: Acocks 15250 ; Compton 4348, 17852,
18659 ; Dahlgren & Strid 4409\ Levyns 4564 ; Olivier 145\
Van Breda 1553.
163. Aspalathus fero xHarv., FI. Cap. 2:
138 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
9 (1): 169 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 158 (1966).
Type: Cape, Karoo [Karroo] land in the Bosjes-
veld, Pappe 246 (TCD, lecto. !; K, S, SAM).
Achyronia ferox (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
A strong, rigid shrub or shrublet (of un-
known size) with thick, pale branches ending in
straight, rigid, sharp thorns. Young branches,
also rigid, thorn-like, sparsely short-sericeous.
Leaflets linear, 3-6 mm long, 0,3— 0,6 mm
thick, subterete or slightly Battened, straight (or
slightly incurved), weak, acute, glabrous, pale
greyish green. Inflorescences 1-3-flowered,
on lateral short-shoots, or 2-4 Bowers (situated
less than 1 mm from each other) on tips of short
rigid branchlets. Bract caducous (not seen). Pe-
dicel 2—2,5 mm long, slender, short-sericeous.
Bracteoles linear-subulate, 0,4-0, 6 x c. 0,1
mm. Calyx campanulate, short-sericeous or pu-
berulous; lobes triangular, 0,4-0, 9 mm long,
obtuse, puberulous to subglabrous. Petals prob-
ably pale yellow or light yellow. Standard with
rather long (1,2— 1,5 mm) claw; the blade
broadly obovate or elliptic, c. 4,1 x 3,3 mm,
obtuse, with short tomentulose or sericeous pu-
bescence on the back (and on the claw). Wing
blades lanceolate, 3—3,3 x 1,2- 1,4, apically
rounded, glabrous, with c. 3 rows of minute
folds on upper parts of basal half. Keel blades c.
4,3 x 2,2 mm, glabrous. Pistil pubescent on
3,6: 252
Crotalarieae
Figure 83. Aspalathus petersonii (1—8); A. leucophylla (9 — 18); A. steudeliana (19-28). — 1, 9, 20; floriferous
branches; 2, 11; flowers; 3, 12, 23: bracts; 4, 13, 24: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 25: standard petals, side view; 6, 14, 26:
wing petals; 7, 15, 27: keel petals; 8, 16, 28: pistils; 10: leaf; 17, 18. 22: fruits; 19: branch. — 1-8 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1048: 9-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 49’, 17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1725’, 18 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1364’ 19-21, 23-28 from Dahlgren & Peterson 731: 22 from Levyns 2875. — (1, 9, 19, 20 x 2; 2-8, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22
x4; 10, 14-16, 23-28 X8; 12, 13 x 6,4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 253
upper parts of the ovary and ciliate on upper
side of basal half of the style; ovules 2; stigma
regular, capitate. Ripe pods not seen. Figure
82:30-35.
Known from karoo vegetation (‘Worcester-Robertson
Karoo’) at Bosjesveld, Worcester Division. Map 70.
Voucher: Pappe 246.
Incompletely known as regards the closest connec-
tions; perhaps A. intricata (no. 227), which has longer brac-
teoles and calyx lobes and shorter petal claws (stages com-
parable?), perhaps A. lactea (no. 162), with less pubescent
standard and much less thorny branches.
164. Aspalathus obtusata Thunb., Prodr.
2: 125 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 8
(1802); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3: 964 (1802); Thunb.,
FI. Cap. edn 2: 574 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 143
(1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 656
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862; incl. A.
glauca). Type: ‘A. obtusata , prope Olyfant-
rivier’ in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. ! ;
LD).
Achyronia obtusata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). Aspalathus spinosa L. subsp. obtusata (Thunb.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 174 (1963); ibid.
11 (1): 218(1966).
An erect spreading shrub up to at least 0,4
m tall, with divaricate, rigid, straight, strong
branches ending in pungent thorns. Young
branches, thorny or not, light brown or reddish,
partly puberulous. Short-shoots usually not
developed in leaf axils of young branches. Leaf-
lets flat, spathulate-oblanceolate, 3-12 x
(0,6-) 2-3 mm, apically rounded (-subacute),
green, sparsely appressed-puberulous, with
very slightly elevated midvein. Inflorescences
unifloral, in leaf axils (representing axillary
short-shoots). Flowers long-pedicellate, small,
inconspicuous. Bract visible in the middle of
the pedicel, tooth-like, 0,3— 0,5 x 0,2 mm.
Pedicel 2, 5-4, 5 mm long, densely puberulous.
Bracteoles tooth-like, 0,1 -0,2 mm long. Calyx
tube infundibular-campanulate, sparsely ap-
pressed-puberulous to subglabrous; lobes obso-
lete or very short, triangular, 0,4-0, 7 mm
long, subacute, subglabrous. Petals light yel-
low or partly or entirely pale purple. Standard
blade 5-5,3 x 3, 7-4, 4 mm, obtuse but with a
‘tip’, puberulous on the base and along the mid-
rib of the back, otherwise glabrous. Wing
blades very narrowly elliptic or linear, 3,7 -4,6
x 1,2- 1,4 mm, glabrous, with 1-3 rows of
(several) minute folds on upper basal part, up-
per margin not or only slightly incurved. Keel
blades 3,7— 4,2 x 2,1— 2,4 mm, glabrous,
broadest !4 from apex. Pistil: ovary and style
base short-sericeous; ovules 2. Pod triangular-
lanceolate, 8-9 X c. 3 mm, sparsely short-seri-
ceous. Figure 84: 1 —8.
Known only from the Vanrhynsdorp Division, where it
grows on the Matsikamma Mountain on ‘a stony quartz
ridge in succulent Karroo’ (Acocks, label). Another locality
is the lowland between Vredendal and Lambert’s Bay, in
‘coastal fynbos, in white sand’ (Acocks, label). The two
localities are at 175 and 225 m altitude, respectively. Map 70.
Vouchers: Acocks 1476 , 19708.
The Matsikamma population, which agrees with the
type, is very strong and thorny, with 2-3 mm broad leaflets
and a long, slender pedicel. The form from the Vredendal
region has more slender branches and leaflets less than I
mm broad, yet distinctly flattened.
Closely related to A. spinosa subsp. glauca (no. 165c)
which has similar flat, broad leaflets. As A. spinosa subsp.
glauca occurs far from A. obtusata and has larger flowers
and recurved, short lateral thorns (as most forms of subsp.
spinosa — no. 165a), is seems probable that the flat leaflets
have evolved independently in this and in A. obtusata.
165. Aspalathus spinosa L., Sp. PI. edn
2: 1000 (1763); Lam., Encycl. 1: 286 (1783);
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspa-
lathus 2: 23 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 584
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 584 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 156 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 221
( 1 836); E. Mey . , Comm. 1 : 59 ( 1 836); Vogel in
Linnaea 10: 597 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:
502 (1839); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
72 (1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
644 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862);
Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27: 144 (1899); H. Bol. &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. philos. Soc. 14:
254 (1903); Schltr. in Zahlbr., Annin naturh.
Mus. Wien 20: 20 (1905); Marloth, Kapland
120 (1908); M.-Wood in Trans. S. Afr. philos.
Soc. 18: 143 (1908); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv.
S. Afr. 1: 62 (1919); Fourcade, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50 ( 1941); Adamson & Salter,
FI. Cape Penins. 481 (1950); Martin & Noel,
FI. Albany Bathurst 58 (1960); Comins, Mem.
bot. Surv. S. Afr. 33: 9 (1962); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 173 (1963); ibid. 1 1
(1): 195 (1966). Type: 'Aspalathus spinosa' ex
3,6: 254
Crotalarieae
Figure 84. Aspalathus obtusata (1-8); A. spinosa, transitional form subsp. spinosa-subsp. flavispina (9-13);
A. spinosa subsp. flavispina (14-23). — 1. 9. 16: floriferous branches; 2, 10, 17: flowers; 3: calyx; 4: standard, back
view; 5, 11, 21: wing petals; 6, 12, 22: keel petals; 7, 13, 23: pistils; 8, 14: fruits; 15: branch; 18: bract; 19: bracteole
(prophyll); 20: standard, side view. — 1-8 from Acocks 14176 (Vanrhynsdorp Distr . ); 9- 13 from Dalilgren & Strid 50. 7
(Piketberg Distr.); 14—23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1815 (Robertson Distr.). — (1,9. 15, 16 x2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 255
herbario Clifford; the Aspalathus specimen no.
2 in LINN (lecto.!).
Diallosperma spinosa (L.) Raf., FI. Tellur. 69 (1838).
Achyronia spinosa (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus horrida Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 221 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 502 (1939; as synonym of A. spi-
nosa). Synonym of subsp. spinosa. Aspalathus spinosa L.
var. (p) horrida (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 645 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862);
Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62 (1919). Achyronia
spinosa (L.) Kuntze var. horrida (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 3: 48 (1848). Type: Cape, flats near Zwartkops
River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1499 (S,
lecto. !;G,K,L,M,P, PR, W).
Aspalathus glauca Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 221 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 484 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 645 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862; as a
synonym of A. obtusata). Type: Cape, Karoo [Karroo] hills
near Gauritz River, Riversdale Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1500 (S, lecto. !; BOL). Reduced to subsp. glauca, below.
Aspalathus spinosa L. var. <P) longifolia Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 221 (1836); Schonland, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr.
1: 62 (1919). Type: Cape, between the Coega and Zwart-
kops Rivers, Port Elizabeth Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1498 pro parte (S, lecto.!; BOL, G, L, M, PR. W). Syno-
nym of subsp. spinosa.
Aspalathus spinosa L. var. (y) puberula Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 221 (1836). Type: Cape, near Port Elizabeth,
Ecklon & Zeyher 1498 pro parte (L, lecto.!; BOL, G, PR).
Synonym of subsp. spinosa.
Aspalathus spinosa L. var. (P) inermis E. Mey., Comm.
1: 59 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 645
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862). Type: Cape, near
‘Omsamcaba’, Lusikisiki Division, Drege (P, lecto.!; G).
Synonym of subsp. spinosa.
Aspalathus flavispina Presl, nom. nud., Bot. Bemerk.
556(1845).
Aspalathus spinosa L. var. (P) flavispina Presl ex Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 645 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
134 (1862). Type: Cape, Hexrivierskloof, Worcester Divi-
sion, Drege (‘A. spinosa c’) (K, lecto.!; BM, G, L, P, S.
W). Corresponds to subsp. flavispina below.
An erect or ascending shrub, usually
0,2—1 (-2) m tall, sparingly to densely
branched, with rigid, spreading main branches,
each of them generally with several to numer-
ous, 3—15 mm long, ± recurved, leafless, gla-
brous lateral branch thorns. Main branches gen-
erally weak and leafy, rarely ending in thorns.
Transitions between recurved short branch
thorns, and straight branch thorns a few to seve-
ral internodes long, found in forms of subsp.
spinosa as well as in subsp. flavispina where
the latter prevail. Axillary branch thorns basally
developed as short-shoots; leaflets therefore in
fascicles at the bases of the lateral thorns. Leaf-
lets linear or spathulate, terete, slightly flat-
tened or pronouncedly flat, 2,5—20 mm long,
0,4-1 (-4) mm broad, obtuse or acute, weak,
glabrous or sparsely (rarely rather densely) pu-
berulous, bright green to greyish green or al-
most glaucous. Inflorescences unifloral or bi-
floral, situated in the leaf fascicles at the base of
the lateral thorns. Bract emerging on the pedi-
cel, tooth-like to subulate, (0,1 -) 0,3- 1 ,1 mm
long. Pedicel (0,5-) 1,2—3 mm long, puberu-
lous. Bracteoles similar to the bract, 0,1 -0,7
mm long. Calyx tube glabrous or usually with
sparse appressed pubescence; lobes from short-
triangular to broadly subulate, 0,2- 1 ,5 (-2,5)
mm long, green, glabrous (or partly puberu-
lous), acute or subacute. Petals yellow or some-
times partly red or purplish, generally ± stiff
and rigid. Standard blade 4,5— 8,6 X 3, 5-7, 5
mm, glabrous on most parts, with some pubes-
cence on the base and often sparse hairs along
the midrib of the back; apex ± incurved,
usually acute. Wing blades linear, 4-7,5 x
1, 2-2,1 mm, glabrous, with 1-2 rows of
(usually very few) minute folds on the base,
part of upper margin below the middle gener-
ally incurved; claws ciliate near upper blade
base. Keel (3-) 4-6,5 x 2,1-4 mm, obtuse to
subacute, glabrous, generally with somewhat
concave upper margin. Pistil sericeous at least
on upper (to lateral) parts of the ovary and on
the style; ovules 2. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
7,5-10,5 x 3-5 mm, sericeous (-woolly) on
part of the sides.
A. spinosa is the most widespread and one of the most
variable species in the genus. It occurs from the Cape
Peninsula in the south-west, northwards to the Piketberg
and Olifants River Mountains (Piketberg-Clanwilliam Divi-
sions) in the north-west, and eastwards chiefly along the
coastal divisions to Port Elizabeth Division, then further in
both coastal and inland divisions in the eastern Cape (Al-
bany, Alexandria, Bathurst, Somerset East, Adelaide,
Cathcart, East London, Komgha, Keiskammahoek, Stutter-
heim, Engcobo, Umtata, Maclear, Lusikisiki and Mount
Ayliff Divisions) and in several coastal divisions of Natal
(Port Shepstone, Pinetown, Inanda) to Zululand in the
north-east.
The habitat is extraordinarily variable. Most forms oc-
cur at rather low altitudes, and on clayey or, more rarely, on
sandy ground. The vegetation may be fynbos, fynbos-re-
nosterbos transitions, bushland and even mixed scrubby
grassland.
3,6: 256
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
The species is here divided into three
subspecies according to the following key:
la Leaflets flat, (0,6— )1 -4 mm broad
165c. subsp. glauca
lb Leaflets subterete or somewhat flattened, but
usually not more than 1 mm broad:
2a Branches brown, ferruginous or reddish, some-
times pale yellow; lateral branchlet thorns
numerous, short, nodeless and leafless,
recurved, c. 3- 15 mm long . . 165a. subsp. spinosa
2b Branches generally pale yellow; lateral branch
thorns straight, of variable length, often more
than 20 mm, often with one or more nodes,
with leaves 165b. subsp. flavispina
165a. subsp. spinosa.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
174 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 197(1966).
Synonymy and literature, see under the species: all the
combinations except those with the epithets flavispina and
glauca.
Description as for the species, above, with
the following restrictions: Main branches
usually not ending in thorns; lateral branchlet
thorns (3 — )5 — 15 mm long, ± recurved; these
and young branches usually reddish, ferrugi-
nous or brown, more rarely pale yellow. Leaf-
lets linear, usually 2,5-15 mm long, and
0,4— 0,6( — 1 ,2) mm broad, terete or somewhat
flattened, rarely quite flat, sometimes with a
longitudinal groove on the upper side. Pedicel
0,6 — 3,5( — 5) mm long, puberulous. Bract
0,3— 1,1 mm and bracteoles 0,1— 0,7 mm long.
Calyx tube puberulous or almost glabrous; lobes
0,2- 1 ,5 mm long. Petals light to bright yellow
(or partly red or purple). Standard back gla-
brous or sparsely puberulous along the midrib,
rarely also on apical parts. Figure 85: 1 - 10.
Covers nearly the whole distribution range of the spe-
cies, but is largely replaced by subsp. flavispina in the Hex
River Valley and part of the Breede River Valley (Worces-
ter-Robertson Divisions) and by subsp. glauca especially on
the northern side of the Langeberg-Outeniqua Mountains
(Robertson-Oudtshoom Divisions). The species grows on
sandy or clayey ground, in fynbos or fynbos-renosterbos
transitions. The ecological preferences in relation to the
3,6: 257
morphology of the subspecies deserve a separate study.
Maps 74-76.
Vouchers: Cape Prov.: Dahlgren & Peterson 81, 964,
1170, 1794; Ecklon & Zeyher 1499; Marais 1404; Penther
2646; Salter 4145; Schlechter 1953, 10313; Story 401;
Theron 991; Wolley-Dod 1005. Natal: MacClean 366;
M.-Wood 1160; Plant 9; Schlechter 3 124.
The subspecies is one of the most variable in the
genus. Further division into subspecific units is perhaps
possible, but the variation is largely gradual. Nevertheless
certain populations are so characteristic that the provenance
can be told from the appearance.
The most characteristic feature, the short, hooked lat-
eral thorns may be lacking on some branches, e.g. in popu-
lations on the Cape Flats ( Dahlgren & Strid 4328), on the
clayey flats at Gordon’s Bay ( Dahlgren & Strid 4311) and
even at Kei River Mouth, Komgha Division (Dahlgren &
Peterson 1608).
The following notes give some characteristics of local
or regional populations. The forms on the Cape Peninsula
are shrubs up to 0,5 m tall with bright green leaves and
rather small bright yellow flowers. Such forms also prevail
in the Paarl and Stellenbosch Divisions. A rather different
form occurs in the sand on the Cape Flats; it has rather
camose leaflets, the lateral thorns may be suppressed (see
above), and the petals are often ± rose. Spreading forms in
which the main branches are straight and rigid and where
the lateral thorns may be irregularly developed occur on
clay in the Bellville and Somerset West Divisions. Their
flowers may be very small and their lobes extremely short,
almost obsolete. An outlier of the species, from the clayey
flats between Piketberg and Porterville (Figure 84: 9-13)
( Dahlgren ifc Strid 5027) are shrubs up to 1 m tall with
white-puberulous branches and straight, up to 20 mm long
lateral thorns with 1 or 2 (or more) leaves. The flowers such
as those near Somerset West are very small, the calyx lobes
are some 0,2 mm long, and the wings lack the typical in-
flexion a third from the base. This might need recognition
(like subsp. flavispina) but its distinctness in relation to
other forms is not yet known. Another outlier from near
Tulbagh Waterfall ( Dahlgren & Strid 4952), with dull
green, 3-5 mm long leaves lacks the short, leafless branch-
let thorns, but otherwise agrees with the subspecies. The
flowers are also small. This form approaches A. lactea
subsp. breviloba (no. 162b).
The forms in the Caledon Division are variable, some,
in the Riviersonderend Mountains agreeing with those on
the Cape Peninsula. The shrubs may be up to 1 m tall.
Small-flowered and short-leaved forms also occur, e.g. near
Villiersdorp. In the Bredasdorp Division one may discern a
transition between the western, rather small-flowered and
the eastern larger-flowered forms; small-flowered forms
Figure 85. Aspalathus spinosa subsp. spinosa (1-10); A. spinosa subsp. glauca (11-17), and a transitional form
between these (18-23). — 1, 11, 18: floriferous branches; 2: young branch; 3, 12, 19: flowers; 4: bract; 5: bracteole
(prophyll); 6, 14: standard petals, side view; 7, 15, 20: wing petals; 8, 16, 21: keel petals; 9, 17, 22: pistils; 10, 23: fruits;
13: calyx. — 1-10 from Dahlgren c£ Peterson 1551 (Alexandria Distr. ); 11-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1351
(Riversdale Distr.); 18-23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 238 (Swellendam Distr.). —(1,2, 11, 18 x 2; all others x4.)
3,6: 258
Crotalarieae
occamng near Cape Agulhas, large-flowered ones near Na-
pier.
Large-flowered forms prevail from the Swellendam
Division and eastwards except that the clayey flats near
Swellendam house small-flowered forms resembling the
clay flats forms near Somerset West (see above). The spe-
cies is rather common in the George, Knysna, Uniondale,
Humansdorp and Uitenhage Divisions, where the flowers
are rather large and bright yellow. Some forms on the north-
ern side of the Outeniquas, with strong, thorny branches,
10-20 mm long lateral hook thorns, often yellow, and with
leaflets which are flattened and up to 20 mm long, approach
subsp. glauca in various ways.
The coastal flats near Port Elizabeth are inhabited by
forms which are low and depressed, sometimes almost
matted, which may have irregularly developed hook thorns,
often successively longer basewards on the branches; the
leaflets are camose, rather flat and up to 1,2 (!) mm broad
(thus slightly resembling those in subsp. glauca). The flow-
ers are somewhat smaller and less brightly yellow than
those in the George-Uitenhage Divisions.
The eastern forms are often rather tall and large-flow-
ered though there is some variation, e.g. in Natal, which
deserves further study.
165b. subsp. flavispina ( Presl ex Benth.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 291,
174 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 212 (1966). Type:
Cape, ‘Hexrivierskloof , Worcester Division,
Drege (‘A. spinosa C’) (K, lecto.!; BM, G, L,
P,S,W).
A. spinosa L. var. ((3) flavispina Presl ex Benth. and A.
flavispina Presl (nom. nud.); see further under the species
above.
A much branched, erect shrub 0,5-2 m
tall, with spreading, straight, rigid, thorny, but
rather slender branches. Young branches light
or pale yellow (hence the subspecific epithet) to
orange, straight, subglabrous or short-seri-
ceous. Lateral branch thorns of variable length,
successively longer basewards, often with seve-
ral nodes (and leaves). Leaflets light green, lin-
ear, 4—8 mm long, rather narrow, terete or very
slightly flattened (sometimes with a longitudi-
nal groove above), flexible, glabrous or subgla-
brous. Flowers medium-sized for the species.
Pedicel 1,5-2, 5 mm long, puberulous. Bract,
emerging on the basal half of the pedicel,
triangular-subulate, 0,1 -0,5 (-0,8) mm long.
Bracteoles 0,1 -0,3 (—0,5) mm long. Calyx
tube glabrous (or sometimes sparsely puberu-
lous); lobes short, triangular, 0,3-0, 8 (—1,2)
mm long, glabrous, green. Petals lemon- or
sulphur-yellow. Standard blade 5,3-7 x
4, 2 -5, 4 mm, glabrous (except for some basal
pubescence) or with some hair along the midrib
of the back. Wing blades 4,5— 5,8 x 1,3— 1,7
mm, similar in shape to those in subsp. spinosa.
Keel blades 4, 3-4, 8 x 2, 2-2, 8 mm. Pistil
Map 74. — Aspalathus spinosa subsp. spinosa, total distribution (unbroken line: more or less coherent distribution;
squares: scattered occurrences).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 259
Maps 75 & 76. — Aspalathus spinosa subsp. spinosa (unbroken line, both maps; see also Map 74); A. spinosa subsp.
flavispina (dots, Map 75); A. spinosa subsp. glauca (squares. Map 75).
almost glabrous or (often) pubescent on most
parts of the ovary. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
7, 8-8, 8 x 2,7— 3,3 mm, sericeous on most
parts or only on upper basal parts. Figure 84:
14-23.
Distributed on lowlands or low mountain slopes,
mainly in the Hex River Valley and part of the Breede River
Valley in the Ceres, Worcester, Robertson, Caledon and,
perhaps, Clanwilliam Divisions. The subspecies, at least in
some cases, grows in sand, in dry fynbos scrub. It may be
dominant locally. Outlier localities are flats north of the top
of the Gydo Pass (Ceres Division), in the Cold Bokkeveld,
and the valley north of Villiersdorp, on the road to Worces-
ter. A record from Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam Division, is
uncertain. Map 75.
Vouchers: Codd 2626; Compton 8364; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1789, 1802, 1815; Dahlgren & Strid2209, 3482,
4940, 4945; Schlechter 10211; Tyson 775; Van Breda
1551; Winkler 33.
3,6: 260
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 86. Aspalathus acanthophylla (1-9); A. glabrata (10—17). — 1, 10: floriferous branches; 2, 11: flowers;
3, 12: bracts; 4, 13: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: standard, front view; 6, 14: wing petals; 7, 15: keel petals; 8, 16: pistils; 9, 17:
fruits. — 1-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1806\ 10—16 from Acocks 20688 ; 17 from Dahlgren & Strid 4336. — (1, 10
x2; 2-9, 11-17 x4.)
The forms in the Cold Bokkeveld, Ceres Division, and
forms in the Breede River Valley near Worcester are rather
low, often only c. 0,5 m, and their branches are orange-
yellow. Their lateral thorns are also shorter and more regu-
larly developed than in typical subsp. flavispina.
165c. subsp. glauca ( Eckl . & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 291,
174 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 216 (1966). Type:
Cape, Karoo [Karroo] hills near Gouritz River,
Riversdale Division, Ecklon dc Zeyher 1500 (S,
lecto. ! ; BOL).
A. glauca Eckl. & Zeyh., for literature see under the
species, above.
A rigid, erect, spreading shrub 0,3-0, 6 m
or occasionally taller than 1,2 m, much
Crotalarieae
3,6: 261
branched, with spreading branches and wide
circumference. Main branches with leafy ends
or rarely thorn-like. Lateral branch thorns short,
of variable length, somewhat recurved; rarely
long, with several intemodes, ± leafy and
secondarily branched. Leaflets 3 or more
together, flat, linear or usually spathulate or
oblanceolate, 5—20 x 1,2— 3,2 (-4) mm,
rounded obtuse, weak, glabrous or usually with
sparse, appressed pubescence, midvein very
faintly elevated, margins sometimes slightly
thickened. Flowers relatively large for the spe-
cies. Pedicel 1,2—5 mm long, white-puberu-
lous. Bract, emerging on basal part of the pedi-
cel, triangular-oblong, 0,3-0, 8 x c. 0,2 mm,
partly puberulous. Bracteoles 0,1 -0,3 (-0,6)
mm long. Calyx tube sparsely short-puberulous;
lobes deltoid or triangular, 0,3— 0,8 (-1 ,2) mm
long. Petals yellow, sometimes partly purple.
Standard blade 6-7 (-8) x 4, 6-5,5 (-6,5)
mm, puberulous on the base, along the midrib
(sparsely) and also often on the apical (some-
times even on the middle) parts of the back.
Wing blades 4,8— 6,3 (—7) x 1,2— 1,9 mm,
with part of the upper margin indexed. Keel
blades 4, 6-5,4 (—5,8) x 2,5— 3,3 mm. Pod c.
10,5 x 4,5 mm. Figure 85: 11 — 17.
Distributed in arid regions of the Robertson Karoo
(Breede River Valley) and on the northern slopes of the
Langeberg-Outeniqua Mountains bordering on the Little
Karoo, in the Riversdale, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoom Divi-
sions. The subspecies grows on reddish clayey soil in a
vegetation of fynbos scrub mixed with renosterbos.
Map 75.
Vouchers: Barker 7627; Compton 23153; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1351; Dahlgren & Strid 2666, 2671, 2672, 26S2,
2683, 3640, 4410; Esterhuysen 19295; Middlemost 2013;
Van Breda 10.
The subspecies is rather diffusely delimited from the
rather large-flowered forms of subsp. spinosa found in the
Robertson, Montagu, Swellendam, Riversdale and George
Divisions. Intermediate are, for example, forms from the
flats south-west of Swellendam (Figure 85: 18-23) ( Dahl-
gren & Peterson 238, 239), near Montagu (//. Bolus 7596)
and MacGregor ( Compton 3455), and Sedgefield (Dahlgren
& Peterson 199), which all have dark green rather flat
leaflets, though not as broad as in the typical subsp. glauca.
Also in forms of subsp. spinosa in the Port Elizabeth region
the leaflets are sometimes flattened and rather (up to 1,2
mm) broad. The leaves of subsp. glauca are not really glau-
cous.
A spinosa with the small-flowered forms growing on
clayey soils in the Piketberg, Tulbagh, Somerset West and
other divisions approaches A. lactea subsp. breviloba (no.
162b). These forms also have wing petals that are not
clearly inflexed with part of the upper margin, and that have
3—4 rows of minute folds on the upper margins, while
typical A. spinosa has a single row of such transverse folds,
with only a few folds visible when the wing is viewed from
the side (because of the inflexion of part of the upper mar-
gin). The same difference is valid in relation to A. obtusata
(no. 164). It is probable that A. spinosa has its origin in
forms with wing petals with several rows of small folds on
the wings and without marginal inflexion of them and with
straight and spreading thorns, just as in these clay-ground
forms, and that the closest relatives are A. obtusata (ad-
vanced in its flat leaflets) and A. lactea.
166. Aspalathus acanthophylla Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 221 (1836); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 629 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
122 (1862; as a synonym of A. chamissonis);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 174
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 220 (1966). Type: Cape, in
•prov. Swellendam, Mund, Ecklon & Zeyher
1496 (S.lecto.!; SAM).
A. chamissonis Vogel in Linnaea 10: 597 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 502 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 629 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 122 (1862); H. Bol. &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 485 (1950). Type:
Cape, Tigerberg Mountains, Bellville Division, Chamisso,
Exp. Romanzoff (B, destroyed; no neotype selected). Achy-
ronia chamissonis (Vogel) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An ascending to erect shrub 0,3 -0,9 m
tall, greatly resembling both A. spinosa (no.
165) and A. glabrata (no. 167) but with white-
pubescent foliage and calyx and more woolly
pistil and pod. The following features differ to a
varying degree from the species mentioned.
Young branches short-villous or partly glabres-
cent. Leaflets 1,5—6 mm long, 0,6-0, 9 mm
broad, slightly flattened to subterete, covered
with short, grey pubescence. Flowers usually
solitary, in centre of ‘leaf fascicles’. Bract
emerging on middle part of the pedicel, linear,
0,5— 1,2 x c. 0,2 mm, puberulous. Pedicel
0,8-2 (—2,5) mm long, white-pubescent.
Bracteoles similar to the bract, 0,5- 1,2 mm
long. Calyx tube rather broad, short-tomentose;
lobes broadly subulate, (0,8-) 1,2-2, 2 mm
long, acute, green, partly puberulous. Petals
lemon-yellow, rarely partly dark red. Standard
blade 7, 1-8,5 (-9) x 6,3-8 mm, glabrous,
except on the base. Wing blades elongate,
6,5— 8,5 x 2—2,5 mm, glabrous, with only a
3,6: 262
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 87. Aspalathus subtingens, variation. — 1, 4, 10, 18: floriferous branches; 2, 5, 11, 19: flowers; 3, 12, 25.
fruits; 6: standard, back view; 7, 15, 22: wing petals; 8, 16, 23: keel petals; 9, 17, 24: pistils; 13, 20: bracts, 14, 21.
bracteoles (prophylls). — 1,2 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1377 (Prince Albert Distr.); 3 from Thorne, SAM 51454 (same
region); 4—9 from Esterhuysen 17135 (Ladismith Distr.); 10, 11, 13—17 from Compton 16280', 12 from Leighton 222
(Laingsburg Distr.); 18-25 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1542 (Port Elizabeth Distr.). — (1, 4, 10, 18 X2; 2, 3, 5, 11, 12,
19, 25 x4; 6-9, 13-17, 20-24 x8.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 263
few, lamella-like folds on the base; and with
part of the upper margin strongly incurved (as
in most forms of A. spinosa. Keel blades lunate,
5, 6-6, 8 x 3, 3-4, 2 mm, obtuse, glabrous,
apically upcurved and with concave upper mar-
gin; basal pouch prominent. Pistil with ovary,
style base and upper side of basal half of style
woolly; ovules 2(3). Pod triangular-lanceolate,
8,5—12 x 4—5,2 mm, hard, woolly on most
parts. Figure 86: 1—9.
Distributed on part of the Cape and Malmesbury Flats
and their hills from the Bellville area in the south to the
Hopefield Division in the north, growing in clayey, often
red and hard soil probably largely the Malmesbury Beds,
not in marine sand, associated to a variable extent with
renosterbos. In part of its previous area it is obviously
extinct. Map 73.
Vouchers: Bachmann 840; L. Bolus, BOL 16744;
Compton 14970; Dahlgren & Peterson 676, 755, 763a,
1806; Dahlgren & Strid 3821, 4246, 4329, 4339, 4954;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1496; Guthrie 2399; Pillans 6995.
Larger in total size than all western forms of A. spinosa
(no. 165); resembling A. glabrata (no. 167) in size, but
with grey-pubescent foliage and calyx and with longer,
more woolly pods.
167. Aspalathus glabrata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 278, 174 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 223 (1966). Type: Cape, 2,5 miles
north-west of Darling, Malmesbury Division,
Acocks 20688 (LD, holo. !; PRE).
A much branched, ascending or erect
shrub 0,3-1 m tall, with rigid, strong, spread-
ing branches. Young branches spreading,
densely puberulous (short-tomentose); lateral
branchlets as in A. spinosa (no. 165) developed
as leafless, lateral, glabrous, yellow, divari-
cate, slightly recurved branched thorns 6-15
mm long. Leaflets linear (-subfiliform), 4—8
mm long, c. 0,4 mm thick, subterete or slightly
flattened (with a longitudinal groove above and
below), flexible, glabrous, bright green, acute.
Flowers solitary or in pairs, situated in leaf fas-
cicles (short-shoots) along the branches; larger
than in A. spinosa. Bract accreted to the pedicel
base, only 0,3-0, 5 mm long, tooth-like (del-
toid), subglabrous. Pedicel 3-4 mm long, ba-
sally puberulous, otherwise glabrous. Brac-
teoles 0,1 -0,3 mm long. Calyx broadly cam-
panulate, wider than in A. spinosa, smooth,
glabrous; lobes deltoid-triangular, c. 1,5 mm
long, acute, glabrous. Petals bright yellow.
Standard blade 7, 5-9, 5 X 5,5-7 mm,
rounded apically (but with a short ‘tip’), gla-
brous except on the base. Wing blades linear-
oblong, slightly curved, 6,2— 8,2 x 2-2,6
mm, glabrous, with narrow apex and 1-2 rows
of transverse folds on upper basal half; upper
margin partly incurved. Keel blades 6, 2-6, 8 x
3,2-4 mm, rather rigid, glabrous, upcurved,
with concave upper margin. Pistil pubescent on
top and sides of the ovary, and on upper side of
the basal half of the style; ovules 2. Pod trian-
gular-ovate, 7, 5 -8, 2 x 4, 5 -5, 2 mm, hard,
slightly rugose, ± tomentose on the sides of the
basal half. Figure 86: 10- 17.
Restricted to dry hill slopes in the Darling area,
Malmesbury Division, growing in clayey, red soil in a
vegetation mixed to some extent with renosterbos. Map 73.
Vouchers: Acocks 20688; Dahlgren & Strid 4336,
4337.
Clearly related to A. spinosa (no. 165) and, perhaps
especially closely, to A. acanthophylla (no. 166).
168. Aspalathus subtingens Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 212 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 496 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 641 (1848; as synonym of A. adelphea)-,
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 131 (1862; as synonym of A.
adelphea ). Type: Cape, fields near Zwartkops
River and hills of Addo [Adow], Uitenhage Di-
vision, Ecklon & Zeyher 1441 (S, lecto.!; G,
GRA, K, L, M, P, PRE, SAM, W).
Achyronia subtingens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev.
Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus adelphea Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 212
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 496 (1839; as synonym of A.
subtingens); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 641 (1848);
Harv. FI. Cap. 2: 131 (1862); Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891; as synonym of Achyronia subtingens ); Schonl.,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Aft. 1: 62 (1919); Fourcade, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 20: 49 (1941); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany
Bathurst 57 (1960). Aspalathus lactea Thunb. subsp. adel-
phea (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 281, 172 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 171 (1966). Type: Cape,
hills of Krakakama, Port Elizabeth Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1442 (S, lecto.!; G, K, L, M, P, PRE, W).
Aspalathus iniqua Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 212 (1836);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 495 (1839; as synonym of A. rubes-
cens ); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 641 (1848; as
synonym of A. adelphea). Type: Cape, near Zwartkops
River, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1443 (S,
lecto. !;G, GRA, K,L,P, W).
Aspalathus rubescens Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum 2: 213
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 495 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 641 (1848; as synonym of A. adelphea).
3,6: 264
Crotalarieae
Type: Cape, mountain slopes in Lange Kloof, Uniondale
Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1444 (S, lecto. !; SAM, W).
An ascending to erect, rarely decumbent
shrublet, (0,15-) 0,3-1 (-1,8) m tall,
sparsely or rather densely branched. Young
branches short-tomentose or puberulous, often
densely leafy. Leaflets linear or sausage-
shaped, (2— )3— 6(— 8) mm long, 0,4-0, 6 mm
thick, terete, obtuse or acute, often slightly in-
curved, weak, glabrous, usually ferruginous
when dry. Inflorescences unifloral or bifloral,
on lateral short-shoots, distributed along the
branches in sometimes considerable number.
Flowers rather small. Bract accreted to the pe-
dicel base for 0,5 mm or more; minute, subu-
late, 0,2-0, 5 mm long, puberulous. Pedicel
(0,4 — )0,8 — 2,2( — 2,8) mm long, short-pu-
bescent. Bracteoles 0,1 -0,5 mm long. Calyx
tube campanulate, glabrous; lobes triangular or
tooth-like, 0,2-1 (-1,5) mm long, acute,
green, glabrous. Petals yellow, soon turning
orange-red, ferruginous or bright to dark red.
Standard blade broadly ovate, 4,5 — 6( — 6,6) x
(3,1 — )3,5 — 4,5( — 5,3) mm, apically incurved
and acute, glabrous (except for some basal pu-
bescence); the sides often firmly incurved.
Wing blades narrowly (rectangular-)elliptic,
3—4,7 x 1, 2-2,1 mm, glabrous, with 4—5
rows of minute folds on the basal upper parts.
Keel blades 4-5,2 x 1,8-2, 6 mm, glabrous.
Pistil pubescent on upper half (or less) of the
ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod
broadly triangular-lanceolate, (5 — )6,5 — 9 x
(2,2 — >3 — 4 mm, smooth, sparsely pubescent
on basal and upper parts. Figure 87.
A widely distributed and very variable species ranging
(with untypical western forms) from the Laingsburg and
Ladismith Divisions in the west through the Oudtshoom,
Prince Albert, Knysna, Uniondale, Willowmore, Humans-
dorp, Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth Divisions to the Albany
and Somerset East Divisions in the east. It grows generally
on clayey ground and often in rather dry regions, in margi-
nal fynbos or renosterbos communities. Map 70.
Vouchers: Acocks 19996 ; Acocks & Hafstrom 642',
Compton 13950\ F ourcade 3637 , 5070, 5207 \ Galpin 9923',
Hutchinson 1128, 1440', Karsten, BOL 25103', Long 838 ;
MacOwan 508', Story 2410', Theron 1 135, Zeyher 2352.
The main parts of the area are inhabited by forms with
leaves that, like the flowers, generally become ferruginous
when dried. Forms with longer leaflets, c. 6-8 mm long,
which remain greenish, and persistently yellow flowers,
occur in the Swartberg Mountains in the Prince Albert and
Ladismith Divisions. They approach A. lactea (no. 162) in
which A. subtingens was included as a subspecies (adel-
phea) by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 11 (1): 171
(1966). The inclusion of these western forms in A. subtin-
gens is still uncertain, but there are perhaps no absolute
differences to distinguish them by. Further to the west, in
the Witteberg Mountains, Laingsburg Division, the species
is represented by forms with rather short leaves and short-
pedicellate flowers that turn reddish.
A. subtingens is undoubtedly closely related to A. lac-
tea (no. 162), A. petersonii (no. 161) and A. leucophylla
(no. 160).
169. Aspalathus steudeliana Brongn. in
Bull. Sci. Nat. Geol. 26: 278 (1831); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 169 (1963); ibid.
11 (1): 152 (1966). Type: sine loco, Ludwig (S,
? iso.!).
A. microphylla Steud. in Flora 13: 545 (1830) [non DC.,
Prodr. 2: 143 (1825)]; Meisn. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2:
72 (1843; as synonym of A. vermiculata). Type: as the
preceding.
A. microdon Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 642
(1848): Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 131 (1862); Muir, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 13: 39, 46 (1929). Type: Cape, hills between
Kars and Breede Rivers near ‘Hassaquaskloof , Bredasdorp
Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1440 (K, lecto.!; BOL, G, L,
M,S,W).
A. microdon Benth. var ((3) granulifera Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 642 (1848). Type: Cape, Kars
River, between ‘Schwarz’ and ‘Odendaal’, Bredasdorp Di-
vision, Mund (K, lecto.!; SAM).
An erect, copiously branched shrub 0,3—1
m tall, with numerous very slender branches
and branchlets, the latter densely short- and
white-villous and beset with small grain-like or
vermiform leaflets. Leaflets oviform- vermi-
form, 0,5—2 mm long and 0,3— 0,4 mm thick,
often slightly incurved, terete, obtuse to sub-
acute, glabrous. Inflorescences unifloral, on
lateral short- shoots, dispersed along the
branches, in great numbers. Flowers small.
Bract accreted to the pedicel, emerging near its
middle; small, linear-subulate or triangular,
(0,1 — )0,3 — 1,1 mm long, subglabrous. Pedicel
0,5- 1,8 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles
0,1 -0,8 mm long. Calyx narrowly campanu-
late, sometimes reddish, puberulous; lobes
small, triangular-semicircular or oblong,
0,3 -0,7 mm long, obtuse, ± green, subgla-
brous. Petals light to bright yellow. Standard
blade 4-5,5 x 3-4,5 (-4,8) mm, with acute
and slightly incurved apex, pubescent only on
Crotalarieae
3,6: 265
the sides of the base; sides ± incurved. Wing
blades 3-4,3 x 1,2—2 mm, glabrous, with 2
(3) rows of minute, transverse folds on upper
parts. Keel blades 3,5 -4,5 x 1,6-2, 4 mm,
glabrous. Pistil short-sericeous on most parts of
the ovary; ovules 2. Pods obliquely triangular-
ovate, 5,2— 6,8 x 2, 5-3, 6 mm, sericeous-to-
mentose on most parts, black when ripe. Chro-
mosome number: 2/z= 18. Figure 83: 19-28.
Ranging from the eastern parts of the Caledon, Bredas-
dorp and Robertson Divisions in the west, through the
Swellendam and Riversdale Divisions as far as Mossel Bay
in the east. Growing on clayey soils (weathered from the
Bokkeveld series mountains), and forming a component of
renosterbos communities with marked fynbos element. Lo-
cally common, but reduced by wheat plantations. Map 73.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 2143, 2706, 2714, 3377,
3777; Ecklon & Zeyher 1440; Esterhuysen 3052, 4314;
Galpin 3936; Muir 181 7; Pillans 9393; Schmidt 38.
The forms in the Robertson Division and western
Swellendam Division have larger flowers, more intensely
bright yellow, somewhat less gracile branches, and longer
leaflets than the most typical forms in the Riversdale Divi-
sion, where the flowers are small, the branches gracile and
the leaflets ‘granular’. Forms similar to those in the
Riversdale Division also prevail in the Bredasdorp Division
and in part of the Caledon Division (e.g. near Villiersdorp).
A. steudeliam is obviously most closely related to A.
smithii (no. 157), A. leucophylla (no. 160), A. subtingens
(no. 168) and A. lactea (no. 162).
170. Aspalathus obliqua Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 283, 165 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 130 (1966). Type: Cape, Onder-
bokkeveld, between Grasberg River and Water-
val, Calvinia Division, Drege (S, lecto. !; BM,
G, K, L, LD, M, P, PRE, W, Z).
A. lactea Thunb. var. (P) meyeri Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 132
(1862). Type: as the preceding.
‘A. lactea' auct. non Thunb., in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 58
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13:495 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 643 (1848).
An erect shrub or shrublet (? size), co-
piously branched, with slender branches
densely short-pubescent on the young parts.
Leaflets linear, filiform, slender, 2,5-5 mm
long and 0,3 -0,4 mm thick, subterete, almost
straight, weak, glabrous, rather pale yellow,
acute. Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral short-
shoots, dispersed along the branch ends in great
numbers. Flowers small, narrow. Bract visible
on the pedicel base 0,3 -0,5 mm from its base,
c. 0,2 mm long, tooth-like, adaxially puberu-
lous. Pedicel 1 — 1,5 mm long, white-puberu-
lous. Bracteoles shorter than 0,5 mm. Calyx
campanulate-urceolate, attached in lower basal
part; lobes distinctly set off from the tube,
small, distant, 0, 5-0,7 mm long, triangular or
tooth-like, green, acute. Petals (?) light or pale
yellow. Standard blade elliptic, 5-5,5 x c. 3,1
mm, subacute, subglabrous but basally pubes-
cent on each side of the base; claw very short
(almost lacking). Wing blades linear, c. 3,5 x
1,2 mm, glabrous, with 2 longitudinal rows of
lamella-like folds on the upper parts (claws c.
1,5 mm). Keel blades c. 3,6 x 1,7 mm, obtuse,
glabrous (claws c. 1,5 mm). Pistil pubescent
only on the upper part of the ovary base; ovules
2. Pod triangular-lanceolate, more than 9,5 x 3
mm, subglabrous (quite ripe pods not seen).
Figure 88: 1-9.
Known only by the type, collected in the region north
of Nieuwoudtville, on the plateau east of the escarpment, at
600- 700 m altitude. Map 71.
Voucher: The Drege type.
Probably related to A. lactea (no. 162) and A. leuco-
phylla (no. 160).
171. Aspalathus katbergensis (Dahlg.)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, Katberg Pass,
1 250 m, Stockenstroom Division, Acocks
12134 (LD, holo.!; PRE).
A. simii H. Bol. subsp. katbergensis Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 290, 173 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 192
(1966).
An erect shrub, rather much branched,
0,4— 0,6 m tall. Young branches short- and
white- villous. Leaflets linear-oblong, 1—2,5
mm long, c. 0,4 mm thick, almost straight,
green, glabrous, obtuse or subacute. Inflores-
cences unifloral on lateral short-shoots, dis-
persed along the branch ends and terminal, con-
sisting of one or two flowers representing a re-
duced head. Flowers rather small, similar to
those of A. steudeliana (no. 169). Bract situ-
ated on the pedicel 0,4 -0,9 mm from its base,
linear, 0,7- 1,7 x c. 0,2 mm. Pedicel c. 1,5
mm long, short- villous. Bracteoles 0,8- 1,3
mm long. Calyx white-tomentose or short-vil-
lous; lobes triangular, 0,5-1 mm long, acute,
pale green, subglabrous or sparsely tomentose.
Petals light or pale yellow. Standard blade
3,6: 266
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 267
4, 7-5, 2 X 3, 4-3, 7 mm, slightly incurved at
the apex, glabrous except on the base. Wing
blades oblong-elliptic, 3,2-4, 1 x 1,6- 1,8
mm, glabrous, with 1-2 rows of minute folds
on basal upper parts. Keel blades 3,8— 4,2 x
2-2,3 mm, glabrous. Pistil pubescent on up-
per-basal part of ovary; ovules 3. Pod triangu-
lar-lanceolate, 7, 8-8, 5 x 3, 2-3, 6 mm, dark
brown or almost black. Figure 88: 10-18.
Restricted to the Amatola Mountains in the Stocken-
stroom and Victoria East Divisions, mainly the Katberg
Mountain, where it grows at altitudes of 1 200-1 400 m,
on the upper southern slopes, in protea scrub. Map 77.
Vouchers: Acocks 12134;Galpin 1726', Rattray 248.
Perhaps most closely related to A. steudeliana (no.
169), A. leucophylla (no. 160) and A. simii (no. 172).
172. Aspalathus simii PI. Bol. in J. Bot.,
Lond. 34: 21 (1896). Type: Cape, Mount Coke,
500 m, King Williamstown Division, Sim 1428
(BOL, holo.!).
A. simii H. Bol. subsp. simii, Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 173 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 190(1966).
An erect, branched shrublet 0,3 -0,5 m
tall with ascending slender branches sparsely to
densely tomentose on the young parts. Leaflets
linear, needle-like (1—) 3—7 mm long and
0,3 -0,4 mm thick, subterete, straight or very
slightly incurved, glabrous, green, acute-acu-
minate. Inflorescence a terminal head-like um-
bel with up to 5 flowers or flowers sometimes
solitary on the branch tips or solitary on short,
lateral branchlets or on lateral short-shoots, or a
combination thereof. Flowers small. Bract
situated on the pedicel 0,4— 0,9 mm from its
base, linear, 0,7— 1,7 x c. 0,2 mm, acuminate,
glabrous on abaxial side, ± puberulous on the
adaxial side. Pedicel 1—2 mm long, puberu-
lous. Bracteoles linear, 0,5— 0,8 mm long. Ca-
lyx tube c. 2 mm long, subglabrous or sparsely
puberulous; lobes subulate, 0,7- 1,5 mm long,
subterete, green, glabrous or subglabrous,
acute-acuminate, often apically incurved. Pe-
tals light yellow. Standard blade 4,7— 5,4 x
2.7— 3,8 mm, glabrous, except at the base;
apex acute. Wing blades 3, 7-4, 4 X 1,4- 1,8
mm, glabrous, with c. 3 rows of minute folds
on the basal parts. Keel blades 4-4,7 X
1.8— 2,3 mm, obtuse (-subacute), glabrous,
with slightly concave upper margin and promi-
nent basal pouch. Pistil almost glabrous but
with some pubescence on upper basal parts of
the ovary; ovules 2. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
10—12 X 3,8-4, 1 mm, often with marked
transverse folds, subglabrous, brownish black,
glossy. Figure 88: 19-28.
One of the geographically most peripheral species of
the genus; known with scattered populations in the north-
eastern divisions of the Cape Province: King William’s
Town, East London, Engcobo and Xalanga Divisions, and
from some coastal divisions in Natal: the Umzinto, Inanda,
Klip River and (?) Hlabisa Divisions. The species needs
further study as regards distribution and ecology. It is re-
corded from dry, stony hill slopes; near Van Reenen it was
recorded to grow in cliffs and rocks, once on moist cliffs. In
other cases, e.g. near East London, it may grow in grass. It
is probably more or less restricted to semi-acid sandstone
regions. Map 77.
Vouchers: Brien 214; Marais 1031; Rattray 844; Ru-
datis 1190, 1818; Schlechter 3097; Sim 1428; Wood, Van-
reenen, Smithsfield; Wylie, Somkali.
Closest relatives uncertain; previously treated together
with A. katbergensis (no. 171), but the fruits of these spe-
cies are different, and a close relationship somewhat less
certain than previously considered [cf. Dahlgren in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 173 (1963) and 1 1 (1): 190(1968)].
173. Aspalathus mundiana Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 220 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 504 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 640 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 130
(1862; as a synonym of A. verrucosa L.);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 169
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 149 (1966). Type: Cape,
hills near Swellendam, Mund, Ecklon & Zeyher
1490 (S, lecto. !; SAM).
A. ciliatistyla L. Bol., Ann. Bolus Herb. 1: 185 (1915).
Type: Cape, hills around Albertinia, Riversdale Division,
Muir 1076 (BOL, holo. !; PRE).
An ascending shrub, 0,25-0,6 m tall,
sparingly branched, with tail-like, densely leafy
FIGURE 88. Aspalathus obliqua (1-9); A. katbergensis (10-18); A. simii (19-28). — 1, 10, 19: floriferous
branches; 2, 11, 20: flowers; 3, 12, 21: bracts; 4, 13, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 14, 24: standard petals, side view; 6, 15,
25: wing petals; 7, 16, 26: keel petals; 8, 17, 27: pistils; 9, 18, 28: fruits (9 not quite ripe); 23: calyx. — 1-9 from Drege,
‘Onderbokkeveld’ (Calvinia Distr. ); 10—17 from Acocks 12134 ; 18 from Rattray 248', 19-27 from Rudatis 1190', 28 from
Marais 1031. — (1, 10, 19 X2;2,9, 11, 18,20-28 x4;3-8, 12-17 X8.)
3,6: 268
Crotalarieae
Maps 77 & 78. — Map 77. Aspalathus simii (squares); A. katbergensis (dots). — Map 78. A. acicularis subsp.
acicularis (triangles); A. acicularis subsp. planifolia (rhomboids); A. gerrardii (squares).
branches, densely short- villous, and with some-
times very prominent, villous, semi-globose
leaf base tubercles. Long-shoot leaves with ax-
illary short-shoots on the lower but not on the
uppermost parts of branches. Leaflets linear,
5-11 x 0,8- 1,5 mm long, flattened, with
thickened margins and with a deep groove on
the lower, and more shallow groove on the up-
per side; incurved or S-curved, camose, gla-
brous, acuminate to mucronulate. Inflores-
cences 1-3-flowered, on lateral short-shoots,
dispersed several to numerous along the
branches. Bract situated on the pedicel 0,3-1
mm from its base, linear or subulate, only
0,3-1 x 0,2 mm. Pedicel rather long, 2,5-
4,5 mm long, short-sericeous. Bracteoles
0,2-0, 4 mm long. Calyx campanulate, gla-
brous; lobes deltoid-triangular, 0,4-1 (-1,2)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 269
mm long, acute. Petals yellow or standard with
reddish shades. Standard blade (5,2— )6— 7 x
4, 8-6, 2 mm, glabrous except on sides of the
base of the back and on the base of the front;
sides incurved; apex acute. Wing blades 4-5 x
1,7-2, 3 mm, firm, glabrous, with c. 4 rows of
minute folds in a depression on the upper side.
Keel blades 4, 2-5, 3 x 2, 2-2, 6 mm, gla-
brous, with slightly concave upper margin and
prominent basal pouch. Pistil pubescent on up-
per parts of ovary and upper side of style base;
ovules 2. Pod triangular-lanceolate, 7 ,4-9, 3 x
3,2—4 mm, smooth, ± compressed, pubescent
only on the upper margin. Figure 89: 10—19.
Distributed in the Bredasdorp, Swellendam, Rivers-
dale and Knysna Divisions (without record for the George
Division). The habitat is sandy or gravelly flats, mainly
along the southern foot of the Langeberg Mountains and on
the southern hills, but with one record on the northern foot
of the Langeberg (9 miles east of Rietvlei). Map 73.
Vouchers: Barker 8894; L. Bolus & Gillett, BOL
18519; Burchell 5686; Dahlgren & Strid 2674, 3771,
4581; Ecklon & Zeyher 1490; Esterhuysen 19157; Muir
1076.
Obviously closely related to A. pinguis (no. 174) and
A. odontoloba (no. 175).
174. Aspalathus pinguis Thunb., Prodr.
2: 127 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 2: 16
(1802); FI. Cap. edn 2: 580 (1823); DC., Prodr.
2: 140 (1825); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 60 (1836);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 640 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 131 (1862); Schltr. in
Zahlbr. Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20
(1905); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
169(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 137 (1966). Type: 'As-
palathus pinguis' in Thunberg’s herbarium
(UPS, lecto. !). [The name ‘A. pinguis' was
wrongly used for A. arida E. Mey. in Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 220 (1836) and partly for A.
leucophylla Dahlg. in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 60
(1836).]
A. affinis Thunb., Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss Bot. Aspa-
lathus 2: 140 (1825); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 130 (1862). Type:
'A. affinis ’, e. Cap. b. spei in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto.!). [The name 'A. affinis' was wrongly used for A.
steudeliana by E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 159 (1832) and
Comm. 1: 60 (1836); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 212 (1836)
and Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 640 (1848).]
?A. succulenta E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 159 (1832); Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 220 (1836); E. Mey., Comm 1: 59
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 639 (1848; as
synonym of ‘A. verrucosa'). Type: Cape, ‘Hottentotshol-
land’, Caledon Division, Ecklon (not seen). This name is
generally applied to A. pinguis subsp. australis which does
not occur in the Hottentots Holland Mountains; the locality
may by incorrect.
'A. verrucosa' auct. non L.? in Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 639 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 130(1862). Refers
to subsp. australis.
A. pentheri Gand. in Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr., ser. 4, 13: 459
(1913). Type: Cape, Gauritz River, Riversdale Division,
Penther 2452 (W, lecto.!; M,S). Synonym of subsp. pin-
guis.
An erect or ascending, rather sparingly
branched shrub (0,2— )0,3- 1 m tall, with erect,
rather straight, tail-like branches densely white-
villous on the young parts and with leafy branch
ends. Leaflets extremely variable in length and
shape: from subglobose or oviform to linear,
shorter than 1 to longer than 25 mm, subterete
or somewhat angular, obtuse to acute (or mu-
cronulate), straight or ± incurved, bright green,
glabrous. Inflorescences unifloral (or bifloral),
on lateral short-shoots, distributed along the
branch ends for a variable distance below leafy
branch tips. Flowers rather small to fairly large,
± succulent. Bract situated on the pedicel near
its base or at a short distance from it, triangular-
ovate to subulate, 0,3- 1,5 mm long. Pedicel
0,3-5 mm long, densely short-tomentose.
Bracteoles 0,2-1 mm long. Calyx tube cylin-
drical-campanulate, glabrous; lobes triangular,
0,6-2, 4 mm long, green, glabrous, acute. Pe-
tals bright yellow or rarely partly red, rather
camose, firm, glabrous or almost glabrous.
Standard blade 5,5-10 X 4,5— 7,3 mm, acute
and ± incurved at the apex, margins generally
firmly incurved, base of back laterally pu-
bescent. Wing blades (4,5—) 5-7,5 x 2-2,8
(-3) mm, glabrous, often very slightly up-
curved, either with a main fold and diffuse
minute folds on the base, or without a main fold
and with few to several rows of minute folds.
Keel blades ± arched or angled, (4,6-) 5-6,5
(-7,5) x 2, 5-3,7 mm, glabrous, with con-
cave upper margin. Pistil pubescent on basal
upper part of the ovary; ovules 2-8. Pod
triangular-lanceolate, 10-18 x 4-6 mm, gla-
brous or ± pubescent on basal upper parts.
Distributed in the south-western Cape from the Caledon-
Bredasdorp Divisions in the south-west to the Oudtshoom
and Uniondale Divisions in the east and the Ladismith Divi-
sion in the north, and also on the western lowlands, in the
Crotalarieae
3,6: 271
Piketberg, Hopefield and Malmesbury Divisions, but absent
from the Cape Peninsula. The species grows on clayey sub-
strate, weathered from the shaly Bokkeveld Series rocks or
equivalent formations, in a vegetation of mixed fynbos-re-
nosterbos scrub.
The species is highly variable in leaflet
length, shape and succulence and in floral size,
and is here divided into four subspecies accord-
ing to the following key:
la Leaflets all c. 4 mm long or less .. 174a. subsp. pinguis
lb Leaflets, at least those on the floriferous parts of
the branches, more than 4 mm long:
2a Wing blades with a major fold and without or
with few minute lunulate folds
174b. subsp. australis
2b Wing blades always with some rows of minute
lunulate folds on the upper basal parts, without
or with low major fold:
3a Leaflets 4- 10(- 15) mm long; standard blade
6,5— 7,5 mm long 174c. subsp. occidentalis
3b Leaflets usually 15-30 mm long; standard
blade 8-10 mm long . . . 174d. subsp. longissima
174a. subsp. pinguis.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
169 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 138 (1966). Literature,
etc. see under the species above.
An erect shrub 0,5— 1,2 m tall. Leaflets
globose, ovoid, pyramidal or sausage-shaped,
1 — 3(— 4) mm long, 0,6-1 mm thick, terete or
± angular, obtuse-acute (-mucronulate). Pedi-
cel 0,5-2(-3,2) mm long. Bract 0,3— 1(- 1,3)
x c. 0,2 mm; bracteoles 0,1 — 0,7( — 1 ) mm
long, often hardly observable. Calyx lobes
0,7— 1 ,3( — 1 ,6) mm long, triangular (or
broadly subulate), acute-subobtuse. Standard
blade 5,5— 8(— 8,5) x 4,5-7 mm, with mar-
gins incurved. Wing blades 4,5 —6( — 7) x
2-2,7(-3,2) mm, with or without a main
transverse or oblique basal fold; often with se-
veral rows of minute folds, sometimes with few
only. Keel blades (4,6 — )5 — 6,5 x 2, 5-3, 7
mm. Ovules 3—8. Pod 10,5 — 14, 5(— 18) x
4, 3-5, 5 mm. Figures 90: 1-4&91: 1-15.
Disjunct, the main distribution area ranging from the
Potberg Mountain, Bredasdorp Division, in the south-west
and via the Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions to the
Uniondale Division in the east and the Ladismith Division
in the north; a western area includes the lowlands between
the Piketberg and the Olifants River Mountains, Piketberg
Division. (A previous connection has probably gone
through the Breede River Valley.) The subspecies grows on
flats and low hills in clayey soil, in a vegetation of mixed
fynbos-renosterbos. Map 79.
Vouchers: Burchell 7526; Dahlgren & Peterson 55,
78, 735, 1382; Dahlgren & Strid 2648, 3633, 4852; Ester-
huysen 16444; Galpin 12886; Gillet 3653; Muir 1249;
Salter 2128; Schlechter 4918; Story 3639; Zeyher 439.
The western population in the Piketberg Division (pre-
viously often named 'A. affinis') have relatively long
(1,7-3 mm) leaflets, and the wing blades have a major fold
and only few indistinct minute folds. The eastern forms,
between the Swellendam and the Uniondale Divisions, have
short leaflets, often only 0,5-2 mm long, and the wing
blades have several rows of minute small folds. The pods in
these forms are longer than in the west, up to 14,5 mm long.
174b. subsp. australis Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 286, 169 (1963); ibid. 1 1
(1): 142 (1966). Type: Cape, near Koude Ri-
vier, west-north- west of Elim, Bredasdorp Di-
vision, Dahlgren & Peterson 865 (LD, holo.!).
Synonym: ? A. succulenta E. Mey., see under the species
above.
An erect or ascending shrub, 0,3-0, 7 m
tall. Branches relatively thick and robust;
young ones villous and densely leafy, ‘tail-
like’. Old short-shoot tubercles prominent.
Leaflets linear, 4-12 mm long, 0,8— 1,3 mm
thick, terete, or ± angular, slightly incurved,
acute to apiculate (-mucronulate). Pedicel
(2,5— )3, 5—5 mm long, short-pubescent, with
the 0,5 — 1 ,2 mm long bract emerging 1 -2 mm
from the base. Bracteoles 0,2- 1 mm long. Ca-
lyx lobes short-triangular, 0,6 — 1 ,2( — 1 ,5) mm
long. Standard blade (when flattened out)
8—9,3 x 5— 6,5(— 7) mm, recurved near base,
but margins incurved; apex strongly incurved.
Wing blades (5,7— )6— 7,3 x 2, 2-2, 8 mm,
with one main pocket c. 1 mm from the base;
minute folds lacking or few and indistinct. Keel
FIGURE 89. Aspalathus odontoloba (1-9); A. mundiana (10-19); A. arenaria (20 - 27). — 1, 10, 20: floriferous
branches; 2, 12, 21: bracts; 3, 13, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11: flowers, 11 with additional bud on same short-shoot; 5,
14: standard petals, side view; 6, 15, 24: wing petals; 7, 16, 25: keel petals; 8, 17, 26: pistils; 9, 18, 27: fruits; 19: leaf; 20:
base of standard, side view. — 1-9 from Muir 1336; 10-19 from Muir 1076; 20- 26 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1315; 27
from Dahlgren & Peterson 127. — (1, 10, 20, 27 X2; all others X4.)
3,6: 272
Crotalarieae
Figure 90. Aspalathus pinguis subsp. pinguis (1-4); A. pinguis subsp. australis (5, 6); A. pinguis subsp. longis-
sima (7—9). — 1, 5, 7: floriferous branches; 2: calyx; 3, 6, 8: standard petals, side view; 4, 9: fruits. — 1-3 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 51,4 from Dahlgren & Peterson 78 ; 5, 6 from Dahlgren & Peterson 865 ; 7—9 from Middlemost
1841. — (1, 5, 7 x2; 2-4, 6, 8, 9 x4.)
blades (5,2-) 5,5-6, 7 x 2, 8-3, 3 mm.
Ovules 2 (rarely 3 or 4). Pod 10-12,5 x 4-5
mm. Figures 90: 5,6 & 91: 16—23.
Distributed in the Bredasdorp Division, on flats and
hills at low altitudes, mainly on clayey ground on limestone
outcrops. It is locally abundant. Map 79.
Vouchers: Acocks 15472', Barker 7247', Dahlgren &
Peterson 441, 865', Dahlgren & Stnd 3401, 3404, 3616',
Esterhuysen 4013', Galpin 11230', Salter 4095; Schlechter
10491 ;Steyn 354.
The subspecies is rather distinct in having 4-12 mm
long leaflets and rather curved standard. The leaves on the
Crotalarieae
3,6: 273
lower parts of the shoots of a season are relatively long,
those on the upper parts shorter. Therefore the leaves are
alternately longer and shorter along the branches of the
shrub.
Intermediates between subsp. australis and subsp.
pinguis occur in the Potberg area (e.g. Dahlgren & Strid
4595).
174c. subsp. occidentalis Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 286, 169 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 145 (1966). Type: Cape, between
Hopefield and Veld Drift, Hopefield Division,
L. Bolus in BOL 20935 (BOL, holo. !).
An erect shrub 0,4-1 m tall. Leaflets lin-
ear, usually 4 — 10(— 15) mm long, 0,6-0, 9
mm thick, subterete, slightly incurved, acute to
mucronulate. Pedicel 1-3,5 mm long (shorter
than generally in subsp. australis). Bract
0,5— 1 ,3 mm and bracteoles 0,4-0, 8 mm long.
Calyx lobes triangular, 0,9— 1,3 mm long.
Standard blade 6, 5-7, 3 x 4, 5-6, 8 mm; apex
acute, only slightly incurved (blade not as
strongly recurved at the base as in subsp. aus-
tralis). Wing blades 4, 5-5, 7 x 2, 1-2,4 mm,
with one relatively deep major fold near the
base and with 2—3 rows of relatively few mi-
nute folds. Keel 5—5,4 x 2,5— 2,8 mm. Ovules
(2)3 or4. Pod 11,5—13,5 x 5, 3-5, 7 mm.
Distributed on lowlands in the Hopefield and Piketberg
Divisions, probably on clayey soils in mixed renosterbos-
fynbos vegetation. Map 79.
Vouchers: Bachmann 408, 826 ; L. Bolus in BOL
20935 ; Marloth 428, 11037; Pillans 6969 ; Stokoe in SAM
61850.
Intermediate between subsp. pinguis (on the eastern
side of the Piketberg) and subsp. longissima (on the Piket-
berg Mountain and southwards). Resembles subsp. austra-
lis- in leaf length, but the leaflets are more slender, the
pedicel shorter, the petals shorter, and the wing petals differ
in pattern of folds.
174d. subsp. longissima Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 286, 169 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 147 (1966). Type: Cape, Groote-
post farm, Malmesbury Division, Middlemost
1841 (NBG, holo.!).
An erect shrub, moderately or sparingly
branched, with relatively thick branches, vil-
lous and very densely leafy on the young (‘tail-
like’) parts. Leaflets linear- filiform, 15-25
(-30) mm long in the floriferous region, below
this often shorter, 0,4-0, 8 mm thick, subte-
rete, ascending (straight to slightly incurved),
weak, clear green, acute-acuminate. Flowers
about as long as the leaves. Pedicel 2,2-4(— 5)
mm long, pubescent. Bract (accreted at the base
to the pedicel for 0,5- 1,5 mm) 0,7- 1,2 mm
long and 0,25—0,4 mm broad. Bracteoles
0,2-1 mm long. Calyx lobes triangular,
1.2 - 2, 5 mm long, acute. Petals larger than
those in the other subspecies. Standard blade
8-10 x 5,8— 7,3 mm, acute and slightly in-
curved at apex; basally not as strongly recurved
as in the other subspecies, and sides not or only
slightly incurved. Wing blades 6-7,5 x
2. 3- 2, 8 mm; the base with 2-3 rows of mi-
nute folds and with a variably deep main de-
pression. Keel blades 5,5-7, 5 x 2,8— 3,7 mm.
Ovules 2-4. Pod lanceolate, 14—17 x 6 mm,
tomentose along basal half of upper suture. Fig-
ures 90: 7-9 & 91: 24-29.
Distributed on flats in the Malmesbury Division (the
longest-leaved and largest-flowered form) and on the
Piketberg Mountain. It grows in renosterbos-fynbos transi-
tion. Map 79.
Vouchers: Bolus 8436; Middlemost 1841; Rycroft
2080; Salter 2427; Taylor 5495.
This gradually approaches subsp. occidentalis, but the
longest-leaved and largest-flowered form, exemplified by
the type, is quite different from other forms of A. pinguis.
175. Aspalathus odontoloba Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 284, 169 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 148 (1966). Type: Cape, dry
places, Botteliersfontein farm, Riversdale Divi-
sion, Muir 1336 (BOL, holo. !; GRA, PRE, Z).
A robust, erect shrub resembling A. pin-
guis (no. 174) in habit, usually 0,4-0, 6 m tall,
with main branches up to more than 10 mm
thick, sparsely branched, with densely villous
branches. Leaflets sausage-shaped or conical-
ovoid, 2-4 x 0,8- 1,2 mm, camose, terete or
angular, green, glabrous, acute-apiculate. Inflo-
rescences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, dis-
tributed along the branch ends. Bract linear, c.
2,5 x 0,4 mm, subglabrous, pointed. Pedicel
0,5-1 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles linear,
2,5— 3,5 x c. 0,4 mm. Calyx tube campanulate
and (contrary to all forms of A. pinguis) sparse-
ly tomentose on most parts; lobes pyramidal-
ovoid, 1,2-2 mm long, 1,3- 1,8 mm thick,
camose, green, glabrous, acute, sometimes
3,6: 274
Crotalarieae
Maps 79-81. — Map 79. Aspalathus pinguis subsp. pinguis (squares); A. pinguis subsp. australis (unbroken line);
A. pinguis subsp. occidentalis (triangles); A. pinguis subsp. longissima (dots); A. odontoloba (rhomboids). — Map 80. A.
zeyheri (unbroken line); A. arenaria (dots). — Map 81. A. recurvispina (unbroken line, Port Elizabeth region); A.
sanguinea subsp. sanguinea (triangles); A. sanguinea subsp. foliosa (dots); A. recurva (squares).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 275
spreading. Petals yellow (or standard some-
times dark red), rigid, camose, glabrous or
subglabrous. Standard blade 6-7 x 5-6 mm,
recurved near the middle of the back, sides
firmly incurved, apex pointed; pubescent only
at the base. Wing blades lanceolate, slightly
upcurved, 5,3— 6,5 x 2-2,3 mm, obtuse, gla-
brous, with major longitudinal fold and some
rows of minute folds covering most of upper
parts. Keel blade 4,9-6 x 2,7-3 mm, gla-
brous. Pistil pubescent on basal upper parts of
the ovary only; ovules 2; style glabrous. Pod
rhombic-lanceolate, 8,5-12 x 3,5-5 mm,
glabrous except on basal parts, rather thick-
walled, smooth, brown when ripe. Figure 89:
1-9.
Known only from the lowlands in the Albertinia
region, eastern part of the Riversdale Division, growing in
sand. Map 79.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4783; Muir 1336.
Resembles A. arenaria (no. 176) in the camose, large
petals, the distribution of pubescence on the standard, the
folds on the wings (veiy different from those in A . pinguis—
no. 174) and the relatively long bracts and bracteoles.
176. Aspalathus arenaria Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 270, 169 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 135 (1966). Type: Cape, Langfon-
tein, near the sea, Riversdale Division, Muir
1388 (PRE, holo. !; BOL).
An erect, robust shrub 1 — 1,7 m tall,
branched from the base, otherwise sparingly
branched, with ascending, thick, densely leafy
branches, grey-tomentose on the young parts,
with rather prominent, woolly short-shoot
tubercles. Leaflets linear, 8 — 15 (—20) mm
long, 0, 6-0,9 mm thick, subterete, rather
weak, non-pungent, acuminate, green, gla-
brous. Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral short-
shoots (several to rather numerous) along the
branches below leafy branch tips. Flowers
rather large, of about the same length as the
leaflets. Bract situated at pedicel base, linear-
lanceolate, 1 — 1,4 x 0,3 mm, glabrous on out-
side, pubescent on inside. Pedicel 3—5 mm
long, densely tomentose. Bracteoles 0,5- 1,3
mm long. Calyx campanulate, glabrous; the
tube 4,5-5 mm long; the lobes narrowly tri-
angular (-subulate), 2,7—4 mm long, weak.
acute-acuminate. Petals bright yellow, rather
camose and rigid. Standard broadly obovate,
10—12 x 10— 1 1 ,5 mm, glabrous except on the
base, apex ending in a conical ‘tip’ of 0,5 mm.
Wing blades lunate, upcurved, 9-11 x
4, 3-4, 7 mm, glabrous, camose, with a major
basal depression with c. 4 rows of transverse
folds; claw partly ciliate, broad, c. 3,5-4 mm
long. Keel rostrate, 8-10 x 4,5—5 mm, gla-
brous, rigid, apically protracted and subacute,
tapering at upper base, without prominent basal
pouch. Pistil woolly on the ovary; ovules 2 (3);
style long, curved, glabrous. Pod broadly lan-
ceolate, 19—20,5 x 6,5— 7,7 mm, rather thick-
walled, partly woolly, brown when ripe. Chro-
mosome number: 2n= 18. Figure 89: 20-27.
Restricted to the marine sand flats in the Riversdale
Division; growing rather near the coast in ‘strandveld’ vege-
tation. Map 80.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 127, 1315; Dahlgren
& Strid 2324, 2336; Muir 1388.
A very distinctive species, perhaps closely related to
A. arida (no. 143), perhaps A. pachyloba (no. 150), A.
pinguis (no. 174) or A. odontoloba (no. 175).
177. Aspalathus sanguinea Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 127 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2:
17 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 958 (1803);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 580 (1823); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 140 (1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 641 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 131
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
176 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 241 (1966). Type:
‘Aspalathus sanguinea’ in Thunberg’s herba-
rium (UPS, lecto.!). [In Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum.
2: 212 (1836), the name was used for A. ver-
miculata .]
Achyronia sanguinea (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
A decumbent or ascending shrub up to
more than 1 m tall, from sparingly to densely
branched. Young branches with short-villous
pubescence. Leaflets linear- vermiform, 2—11
(-15) mm long, 0,5-0, 8 mm thick, terete,
often slightly incurved, obtuse to acute, gla-
brous. Inflorescences usually unifloral, on late-
ral short-shoots, distributed along the branches
below the leafy tips. Bract visible on the basal
half of the pedicel, very small, triangular,
tooth-like, 0,1 -0,4 mm long. Pedicel slender,
2, 5-5, 8 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles tooth-
3,6: 276
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 277
like, 0,1— 0,2 mm long. Calyx tube short, cam-
panulate, glabrous; lobes linear-subulate,
1- 2,3 mm long, camose, subterete, acute or
obtuse, glabrous; purplish or green. Petals light
or bright yellow or partly rose or purple, gla-
brous except on standard base. Standard blade
4, 5-6, 7 X 3, 6-5, 7 mm, more recurved than
in Aspalathus zeyheri (no. 178), apically in-
curved and (sub-)acute. Wing blades 3, 2 -5, 2
x 1,4-2, 2 mm, glabrous with 2 or 3 longitudi-
nal rows of minute folds on basal upper parts.
Keel blades 3,4—5 x 1,8— 2,6 mm. Pistil seri-
ceous on upper parts of ovary and style base;
ovules 2. Pod lanceolate, 7,3-11 x 2, 2-3,6
mm, smooth, hairy on upper margin only.
Distributed in the coastal limestone regions of the Bre-
dasdorp and Riversdale Divisions.
The species is divisible into two subspecies, one
(subsp. foliosa) with relatively long leaflets and yellow,
relatively large petals, restricted to the coastal parts of the
Riversdale Division, the other (subsp. sanguinea ) usually
with shorter leaflets and ± rose or purplish rather small
petals, distributed along the whole range, but more inland in
the Riversdale Division.
Leaflets less than 5 mm long; petals partly purplish;
wing blades less than 4 mm and keel blades less
than 4,3 mm long 177a. subsp. sanguinea
Leaflets more than 5 mm long; petals usually
entirely yellow; wing blades more than 4 mm
and keel blades more than 4,3 mm long
177b. subsp. foliosa
177a. subsp. sanguinea.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 11 (1):
244(1966).
Decumbent to ascending shrub, up to 1 m
tall, but usually lower. Leaflets usually (1,5—)
2- 8 mm long, subterete, obtuse (-acute),
often slightly thicker on distal than on proximal
parts. Pedicel 2, 5-5, 8 mm long. Calyx lobes
1 — 1 ,7( — 2) mm long, subterete, acute-obtuse.
Petals yellow or (usually) ± rose or purple.
Standard blade 4,5— 5,7 X 3,6— 4,5 mm; wing
blades 3,2—4 x 1,4- 1,8 mm; keel blades
3, 4-4, 6 x 1,8-2, 3 mm. Pod 7,3-9 x
2, 2-3, 4 mm. Figure 92: 1-9.
Distributed throughout the range of the species, on
limestone rocks along the coastal (Tertiary to Recent) de-
posits, in calcicolous fynbos scrub. Map 81 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 2316, 2317, 2322, 4614,
4617, 4928', Esterhuysen 19546', Galpin 11355 ', Lewis 5175',
Muir 74, 1917.
177b. subsp. foliosa Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 299 (1963); ibid. 11 (1):
246 (1966). Type: Cape, 1 mile west of Blom-
bos, near the coast, Riversdale Division, Dahl-
gren & Peterson 739 (LD, holo. !).
An erect or ascending shrub 0,4-1 m tall,
with densely leafy branches. Leaflets
5 — 12( — 15) mm long, 0,5— 0,6 mm thick,
often slightly incurved, acute (-acuminate). Pe-
dicel 3-5 mm long. Calyx lobes 1,1— 2,3 mm
long, acute, green. Petals light or bright yel-
low, usually not rose-coloured. Standard blade
5— 6,7 X 4-5,7 mm; wing blades
(3,8 — )4 — 5,2 x 1,7-2, 3 mm; keel blades
4,3—5 x 2, 4-2, 6 mm. Pod 8,5—11 x
3, 2 -3, 6 mm. Figure 92: 10-15.
Restricted to the coastal region of the Riversdale Divi-
sion. Map 8 1 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 125, 126, 739; Dahl-
gren & Strid <625 , 4626; Johnson 115; Lewis 5927.
This form, rather different in habit from subsp. sangui-
nea, is connected with it by some intermediates in the
Riversdale Division which are up to 1 m tall shrubs with
6- 8 mm long leaflets and yellow petals the size of those of
subsp. sanguinea ( Dahlgren & Peterson 743; Dahlgren &
Strid 4622 ; Nordenstam 405).
178. Aspalathus zeyheri ( Harv .) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 294, 176
(1963); ibid. 11 (1): 239 (1966). Type: Cape,
above ‘Voormansbosch’, Swellendam Divi-
sion, Zeyher 2348 (K, lecto.!; P, SAM, W).
A. lactea Thunb. var. (y) zeyheri Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 132
(1962).
An erect or ascending shrub 0,3 -0,9 m
tall, rather sparingly branched, with densely
leafy, tail-like branches. Young branches with
short, dense and villous pubescence. Leaflets
Figure 91. Aspalathus pinguis subsp. pinguis (1-15); A. pinguis subsp. australis (16-23); A. pinguis subsp.
longissima (24- 29) — 1: floriferous branch; 2, 10, 16: flowers; 3, 11, 17, 25: bracts; 4, 18, 26: bracteoles (prophylls); 5:
calyx; 6: standard, side view; 7, 12, 20, 27: wing petals; 8, 13, 21, 28: keel petals; 9, 14, 22, 29: pistils; 15, 23: fruits; 19:
standard, back view; 24: short-shoot with flower and floral buds. — 1-9, 15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 735; 10—14 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 51; 16-23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 865; 24- 29 from Middlemost 1841 . — (1 X2; 2-29 x4.)
3,6: 278
Crotalarieae
Figure 92. Aspalathus sanguinea subsp. sanguinea (1-9); A. sanguinea subsp. foliosa (10-15). — 1: floriferous
branch; 2, 11: flowers; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5: standard, side view; 6, 12: wing petals; 7, 13: keel petals; 8, 14:
pistils; 9, 15: fruits; 10: leaf. — 1-9 from Galpin 11355; 10-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 126. — (1 x2; 9—15 x4;
3-8x8.)
linear to subfiliform, 5-20 mm long and
0,4-0, 7 mm thick, subterete, incurved, rather
weak, glabrous, bright or dark green, acumi-
nate-apiculate. Inflorescences consisting of
1 — 3(— 4) flowers, closely situated on lateral
short-shoots, distributed in high numbers along
the branches, but partly concealed among the
foliage. Bracts visible on the pedicel slightly
below its middle, small, tooth-like, 0,1 -0,4
mm long. Pedicel slender, (1,5-) 2,5-5 mm
long, glabrous. Bracteoles tooth-like or almost
indistinguishable, shorter than 0,2 mm. Calyx
glabrous; the tube cylindrical, 2, 2-2, 8 mm
long; lobes abruptly demarcated from calyx
tube, peg-like, subulate or triangular,
0,1 — 1 ,1( — 1 ,3) mm long. Petals light to bright
yellow (or standard and keel sometimes partly
purplish), glabrous; wing and keel claws as
long as and two-thirds the length of the blade,
respectively. Standard blade 4, 6 -5, 7 x
2,8— 4,1 mm, acute, directed forwards, almost
parallel to the keel. Wing blades only 2, 7-3, 8
x 0,8- 1,2 mm, with several rows of minute
folds on most of the outer side. Keel blades
3,1— 3,8 x (1,3— )c. 1,5 mm. Pistil subgla-
brous, with few hairs on ovary top; ovules 2.
Pod narrowly triangular-ovate, 5-6,2 x
2-2,9 mm, smooth, compressed, black when
ripe. Figure 93: 1-14.
Distributed on flats in the Swellendam and Riversdale
Divisions, growing on hard, clayey soils in association with
renosterbos. Locally subdominant in the region southwest
of Riversdale, but because of exploitation of these soils
becoming infrequent. Also growing on limestone in the
Potberg region. Map 80.
Vouchers: Acocks 14090; Barker 8906; Dahlgren &
Peterson 136, 237 A, 1436; Dahlgren & Strid 2364, 2369,
2698, 2701, 2872, 3109, 3110, 3960, 4613; Muir 3085;
Rodin 1342;Zeyher 2348.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 279
Maps 82-84.— Map 82. Aspalathus wurmbeana (triangles); A. obtusifolia (squares); A. nivea (unbroken line).—
Map 83. A. acanthoclada (triangles); A, spinescens subsp. lepida (unbroken line); A. spinescens subsp. spinescens
(squares). — Map 84. A. albens (unbroken line); A. vermiculata (squares).
3,6: 280
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 281
A minor population on limestone west of Potberg
(Dahlgren & Strid 3646) deviates strongly from the eastern
forms in having only c. 10 mm long, rather thick leaflets
and calyx lobes only 0,3 -0,5 mm long. Similar rather
short-leaved forms occur on clay in the Swellendam Divi-
sion ( Dahlgren & Strid 2364, 3109), but form larger shrubs
(the stem in one case had a diameter of 50 mm at the base).
The pedicel of this form may be as short as c. 2 mm. The
most widely distributed forms have long, incurved, slender
leaves and long-pedicellate flowers.
Closely related to A. sanguinea (no. 177) but with
more cylindrical calyx and much narrower flowers, longer
petal claws and smaller pods.
179. Aspalathus obtusifolia Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 283, 176 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 246(1966). Type: Cape, nearMos-
sel Bay, Stokoe in SAM 54751 (SAM, holo. !).
An erect, copiously branched shrub
0,5- 1,2 m tall, with slender branches and
branchlets. Young branches densely short-
tomentose or puberulous. Leaflets sausage-
shaped or oviform, only c. 1—2 mm long,
terete, obtuse or subacute. Inflorescences 1- or
2-flowered on lateral short-shoots, several or
numerous on each branchlet. Bract visible on
the pedicel near its middle, minute, tooth-like
and c. 0,1 mm long or only as a fascicle of
hairs. Pedicel slender, (1,2—) 1,5 -3, 5 mm
long, glabrous. Bracteoles similar to the bract,
situated on the pedicel some 0,5 mm below the
calyx base. Calyx glabrous, campanulate, the
tube 1,6-2 mm long, the lobes shortly triangu-
lar-semicircular, 0,1 -0,4 mm long, obtuse
(-subacute), slightly convex, green. Petals
bright yellow, glabrous (except for standard
base), wing and keel claws c. 50% and 40% of
blade length respectively. Standard blade
4. 1- 4,7 x 2, 8 -3, 6 mm, apically acute and
slightly incurved, smooth. Wing blades 3-3,8
x 1,1 — 1,4 mm, with 2 rows of irregular folds
on basal upper parts. Keel blades 3, 6 -4, 2 x
1.2— 2 mm. Pistil hairy only on top of ovary;
ovules 2. Pod lanceolate, 7,3— 8,5 x 2, 7-3, 5
mm, smooth, subglabrous. Figure 93: 23— 28.
The species grows on flats in the Riversdale and Mos-
sel Bay Divisions. The habitat is fine-grained, black soil.
Map 82.
Vouchers: Barker 8525; Dahlgren & Strid 4787,
4792; Muir 1817, 1860; Stokoe in SAM 54751 .
The forms in the Mossel Bay Division have pedicels
2, 2-3, 5 mm long, but those of specimens from the
Riversdale Division are only 1,2-2 mm long; otherwise
there is no conspicuous variation.
The species is closely allied to A. zeyheri (no. 178),
but the branches are very different, much more branched,
and with leaves (and bracts) much shorter.
180. Aspalathus recurvispina Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 287, 176 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 236 (1966). Type: Cape, sea shore
near Port Elizabeth, Haf strom & Acocks 639
(S, holo.!; PRE).
A decumbent or ascending, low, sparingly
branched shrub or shrublet with branches up to
more than 0,35 m long. Young branches
densely short- villous. Leaflets linear, (4-)
6-13 mm long, straight or slightly incurved but
apex recurved and apiculate, subterete or with a
± distinct longitudinal groove, bright green,
glabrous. Inflorescences consisting of 1-3
(-4) flowers, on lateral short-shoots, distri-
buted along the branches. Bract minute, visible
on the pedicel below its middle, tooth-like to
linear, 0,2-0, 7 mm long. Pedicel slender,
2,2— 3,5 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles mi-
nute, tooth-like, less than 0,3 mm long. Calyx
glabrous, with tube campanulate, 2-2,5 mm
long; lobes narrowly triangular, 1,3—2 mm,
acuminate, weak. Petals light yellow, turning
± purplish, glabrous; wing and keel claws c. a
third the length of the blades. Standard blade
obovate, 5, 2-7, 2 x 3, 7-4, 2 mm, apically
acute and slightly incurved, smooth. Wing
blades 3,7— 5,3 x 1,3— 1,5 mm, with 3-4
Figure 93. Aspalathus zeyheri (1-14); A recurvispina (15-22); A. obtusifolia (23 - 28). — 1, 15, 23: floriferous
branches; 2, 9, 16, 24: flowers; 3, 10: standard petals, side view; 4, 11, 19, 25: wing petals; 5, 12, 20, 26: keel petals; 6,
13, 21, 27: pistils; 7, 14, 22, 28: fruits; 8: leaf; 17: bract; 18: bracteole (prophyll). — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 136;
8-14 from Dahlgren & Strid 2365; 15-21 from Hafstrom & Acocks 639; 22 from Sidey 3104; 23-27 from Stokoe SAM
54751; 28 from Muir 1817. — (1, 15,23 x2;2-14, 16, 22, 24,28 x 4; 17-21,25-27 x8.)
3,6: 282
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 94. Aspalathus wurmbeana (1-12); A. recurva (13- 24). — 1,7, 13, 20: floriferous branches; 2, 8, 14, 21,
22, 24: flowers; 3, 9, 17: wing petals; 4, 10, 18: keel petals; 5, 11, 19: pistils; 6, 12, 23: fruits; 15: bract; 16: bracteole
(prophyll). — 1-5 from Dahlgren & Strid 5023; 6 from Dahlgren & Strid 3200; 7-11 from Drege, ‘Wupperthal’
(Clanwilliam Distr.); 12 from Dahlgren & Strid 5015; 13—19 from Dahlgren & Strid 4431; 20, 21 from Dahlgren & Strid
4947; 22 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1762; 23, 24 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1804. — (1, 7, 13, 20 X 2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 283
longitudinal rows of small folds on the basal
half. Keel blades narrowly lunate, 4, 8 -5, 4 X
2—2,2 mm. Pistil puberulous on upper part of
ovary and upper side of basal parts of style;
ovules 2. Pod lanceolate, 6,5-8 x 2,8-3 mm,
rather smooth, subglabrous. Figure 93: 15-22.
Limited to coastal regions of the Port Elizabeth Divi-
sion. Map 81.
Vouchers: Compton 13148; Hafstrom & Acocks 639;
Holland 3713; Laidley el al. 284; Potts 299; Sidey 3104.
The mentioned collections are the only ones made. The
species may be seriously threatened and the habitat should
be protected.
Group 23: Marginales
Erect or ascending shrubs or shrublets to 1( — 1 ,5) m, often with rigid and stiff, though
slender, non-thomy branches; young branches puberulous. Leaves trifoliolate, soon with axillary
brachyblasts. Leaflets small, ovoid to linear, ± terete, straight or slightly curved, acute or obtuse
(not spine-tipped), glabrous (or rarely puberulous), often successively shorter towards the branch
tips. Inflorescences uni- (or bi-)floral, on lateral short-shoots, often several on each branch or
branchlet. Flowers small or rather small. Bract simple, small, triangular or linear, accreted to the
base of the pedicel. Pedicel distinct, 0,5-3 mm, puberulous. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx
campanulate-infundibular, appressed-puberulous; lobes lanceolate or linear, basally with thick
fleshy margin, distally subterete, green, weak, acute (not spine-tipped). Petals bright yellow or
partly, sometimes nearly entirely, purplish, with very short claws; wing and keel claws free from
staminal sheath. Standard blade broadly ovate, subglabrous or pubescent only on the midrib of the
back, rarely on apical half. Wings linear, narrow, glabrous (or with few hairs), with middle part of
the margin sometimes incurved, and with 2-3 rows of (rather few) minute folds. Keel blades
narrowly lunate, obtuse, glabrous, with almost straight upper margin and distinct basal pouch.
Pistil glabrous or ± sericeous on upper side and basal parts of the ovary; ovules 2; stigma regular,
capitate. Pod rhombic-ovate, compressed, smooth, subglabrous, dark grey when ripe. Chromo-
some number: 2 n= 18.
181. Aspalathus recurva Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 642 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 132 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 176 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 230
(1966). Type: Cape, Twentyfour Rivers, Piket-
berg Division, Zeyher 419 (K, lecto. !; BM, G,
P, PRE, S, SAM)!
Achyronia recurva (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Shrublet 0, 15-0, 4(— 0,6) m tall, with
spreading (occasionally weak, ascending)
branches. Leaflets ovoid-linear, (0,5 — )1 — 3,5
mm long, acute or obtuse. Pedicel 1-3 mm,
densely white-puberulous. Bract accreted to pe-
dicel for 0,3- 1,2 mm, triangular to linear,
0,3-1 mm long. Bracteoles 0,3-1 mm long.
Calyx 1,1 — 1,7 mm long, appressedly puberu-
lous; lobes triangular-lanceolate, 0,9 -2, 2
(-2,7) mm long. Petals bright yellow, rarely
purple on standard back and wing and keel
apices; claws very short, shorter than 1,2 mm.
Standard blade ovate or elliptic or broadly so,
5,5-7,5(— 8) x 3,4— 5,2 mm, acute or acumi-
nate, puberulous on midrib and apex, rarely on
the apical half, of the back. Wing blades
5, 2-6, 8(— 7,8) x 1,1 — 1 ,7( — 2) mm, glabrous
(or with a few hairs); part of upper side some-
times incurved. Keel 5,8-6,7(-7,2) x
2,4— 3,4 mm. Pistil sericeous on the basal parts
of the ovary and on the upper side of the whole
ovary and basal half of style. Pod 6-7,5 x
3-3,5 mm, almost glabrous, dark grey or black
when ripe. Figure 94: 13-24.
Found on the coastal plains at Gordon’s Bay (Somerset
West Division) and the Villiersdorp and Houwhoek regions
(Caledon Division) and in part of the Swellendam, Malmes-
bury, Hopefield, Piketberg, Tulbagh, and Worcester Divi-
sions, at low altitudes. The species, like Aspalathus wurm-
beana (no. 182), grows on clayey ground, in a mixed fyn-
bos-renosterbos community. Map 81.
3,6: 284
Crotalarieae
Vouchers: Bachmann 829, 839, 6221; H Bolus 13093',
Dahlgren & Peterson 1762, 1764, 1803; Dahlgren & Strid
4309, 4431, 4777, 4945A, 4947, 4986; Loubser 738, 804;
Van Breda 28.
Closely related to and dubiously distinct from A.
wurmbeana (no. 182). Subspecies rank may be more appro-
priate.
182. Aspalathus wurmbeana E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 58 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 643 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 132
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
176 (1963): ibid. 11 (1): 226 (1966). Type:
Cape, Wupperthal, 400 m, Clanwilliam Divi-
sion, Wurmb sub Drege 6602 (S, lecto. !; G, K,
P, SAM, W).
Achyronia wurmbeana (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
158(1891).
Ascending or erect (rarely decumbent)
shrub 0,3— 1,5 m tall, branches often standing
in one or several horizontal planes. Young
branches often reddish or brown, puberulous or
short-villous. Leaflets linear, (1,5— )2, 5 —
7( — 9) mm long, c. 0,4 mm thick, subterete,
glabrous or sparsely puberulous, dull or dark
green, obtuse or acute. Pedicel 0,5- 1,2 mm
long, short-hairy. Bract accreted to pedicel base
for less than 0,5 mm, triangular-subulate,
0,2-1 mm long, green. Bracteoles 0,1— 0,8
mm long. Calyx tube appressed-puberulous, of-
ten reddish; lobes broadly subulate or lanceo-
late, (1,1— )1, 6— 2,8 mm long. Petals yellow or
partly to prevailingly dark purple. Standard
blade broadly ovate-elliptic, 4,5-6 x 3, 6 -5, 2
mm, acute-acuminate, with sparse, short, ap-
pressed hairs only along midrib and on apex of
back. Wing blades linear-oblong, 4-5,7 x
(1,1— ) 1,3 —1,9 mm, generally with part of up-
per margin incurved (as in Aspalathus spi-
nosa — no. 165); claw c. 1 mm long or less.
Keel blades 4,2— 5,2 x 2,3— 2,8 mm; claws
only 0,7- 1,3 mm long. Pistil glabrous or with
some pubescence on basal upper part of ovary.
Pod 5, 3-5, 6 x 2,7— 3,2 mm, dark greyish.
Figure 94: 1-12.
Distribution western, ranging between the Bellville
Division in the south and the Vanrhynsdorp Division in the
north, largely along the clayey Malmesbury Beds and other
fine-grained soils further north, entering also the Olifants
River Valley. The area is cut up into fragments by cultiva-
tion of crop (wheat). The species is largely overlooked be-
cause it flowers in February (!). Map 82.
Vouchers: Barker 8866; Dahlgren & Peterson 926;
Dahlgren & Strid 2476, 3127, 3200, 3243 , 4454, 4967,
4976 , 5001, 5009, 5010, 5011, 5012, 5015, 5016, 5022,
5023, 5025, 5026; Lewis 5118; Smith 2613.
Obviously very closely related to A. recurva (no. 181),
differing in the smaller flowers (keel blades shorter) and the
non-ciliate style base. Both species may be closely related
to A. spinosa (no. 165).
Group 24: Niveae
Erect shrub, up to 3 m, much-branched, with white-pubescent branch ends. Leaves trifolio-
late, soon with axillary short-shoots, and therefore in fascicles of 6—30 (or more) together. Leaf-
lets subterete or slightly flattened, linear, obtuse or subacute, weak, densely silvery sericeous.
Inflorescences unifloral (or rarely 2- or 3-floral), on a long, leafless peduncle arising from a lateral
short-shoot. Flowers medium-sized. Bract situated at the pedicel base, simple, linear, smaller than
a leaflet of a vegetative leaf. Pedicel sericeous. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx infundibular-
campanulate, sericeous; lobes triangular or short-linear, obtuse. Petals light yellow or standard
partly violet; wing and keel claws free from the staminal sheath. Standard blade broadly ovate,
sericeous on the back, without apical cusp. Wing blades oblong, glabrous, with c. 5 rows of minute
folds on the basal parts. Keel blades lunate, obtuse, short-sericeous; basally with distinct pucker-
ing. Pistil: ovary short-sericeous; ovules (2)3 or 4(5); stigma regular, capitate. Pod triangular-
lanceolate, somewhat compressed, dark grey, sericeous. Chromosome number: 2n= 18.
183. Aspalathus nivea Thunb., Prodr. 2: (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 161 (1832);
126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 11 (1802); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 203 (1836); E. Mey.,
FI. Cap. edn 2: 576 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 144 Comm. 1: 64 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 502
Crotalarieae
3,6: 285
Figure 95. Aspalathus nivea. — 1: part of branch with pedunculate lateral shoots; 2: bract; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4:
standard, back view; 5: keel petal; 6: wing petal; 7: pistil; 8: fruit. — All from Dahlgren & Peterson 1535. — (1, 8 X2;
2-7x4.)
(1839); Meisner in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 2: 73
(1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 655
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 141 (1862); Schltr.
in Zahlbr. Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20
(1905); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62
(1919); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20:
50 (1941); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 192 (1963); ibid. 21: 76 (1968). Type:
Cape, ‘Ad Camtousrivier, Musselbay’, Hu-
mansdorp Division, Thunberg (UPS, lecto.!).
Achyronia nivea (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
A copiously branched shrub 1 — 2,5( — 3) m
tall, branched almost from the base (basally up
to 20 mm thick). Young branches densely and
smoothly white-puberulous (-velutinous). Leaf-
lets (7 — )12 — 25 mm long, c. 0,6 mm broad
(thick), soft, densely silvery sericeous. Inflo-
rescence on a (5 — )20 — 35 mm long, sericeous
peduncle arising from a (short-) shoot, the basal
intemodes of which are ± suppressed (i.e. the
peduncles arise from leaf fascicles). Flower( s)
at end of peduncle, not subtended by vegetative
leaves. Bract 1,8-4, 5 x c. 0,5 mm, weak,
obtuse, short-sericeous. Pedicel 1,2-2 mm
long, sericeous. Bracteoles 1 — 3,5( — 4) mm
long. Calyx tube infundibular-campanulate,
with short, silvery-sericeous pubescence; lobes
sharply demarcated from tube, linear,
(0,7— )1, 3-3, 5 mm long, silvery-sericeous.
Standard blade 8-11,5 X 5— 7,5(— 8,5) mm,
subacute or acute, apically slightly incurved.
Wing blades 5-7,8 x 2,2— 3,4 mm. Keel
blades 6,8— 8,5 x 3,5— 4,6 mm, short-seri-
ceous on lower half or more, upper margins
nearly straight, basal pouch distinct. Pistil:
ovary and basal third of style sericeous. Pod
13,5-18 x 4—5,6 mm. Figure 95.
Distributed in the Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth and
Humansdorp Divisions and with one outpost in the Union-
dale Division. The species grows at low altitudes in fine-
grained, almost clayey soil, in a border vegetation between
‘the eastern province thomveld' and a fynbos element
mixed with renosterbos; it may also enter disturbed soil in
Addo bush. Map 82.
Vouchers: Burchell 4287', Compton 23352; Dahlgren
& Peterson 1515, 1534, 1557, 1559; Ecklon & Zeyher
1391; MacOwan 1056, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 724;
Schlechter 6035; Theron 687 .
In an outlier population in the Uniondale Division
(Dahlgren & Peterson 1515) the peduncles are short (less
than 4 mm) and they are also rather short (less than 20 mm)
in populations from the Humansdorp and Uitenhage Divi-
sions; these forms also, as a rule, have smaller flowers than
those with long peduncles.
The closest affinity of this species is somewhat uncer-
tain.
3,6: 286
Crotalarleae
Group 25: Spinescentes
An erect, branched shrub generally 0,6-2 m tall, with spreading branches, weak or strong
and then ending as leafy tips or thorns, respectively; young branches pubescent, glabrescent.
Leaves trifoliolate, with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets ovoid to linear, terete or subterete, obtuse or
acute (-apiculate), straight or slightly incurved, glabrous or subglabrous. Inflorescences unifloral
(or 2- or 3-floral), either (A. spinescens — no. 184) on lateral short-shoots, distributed sometimes
for considerable distances along the branches, or (A. acanthoclada — no. 185) unifloral on lateral,
puberulous, leafless peduncles 5-10 mm long. Flowers small or rather small. Bract situated at the
pedicel base, simple, small, conical, tooth-like. Pedicel 2-3,5 mm long, short-pubescent. Brac-
teoles small, tooth-like. Calyx tube campanulate, puberulous to subglabrous; lobes triangular,
short, obtuse or acute, not spine-tipped. Petals yellow (standard often tinged violet); wing and keel
claws free from the staminal sheath. Standard orbicular or broadly obovate, densely pubescent on
the back, glabrous on the front, without apical cusp. Wing blades oblong or narrowly obovate,
glabrous or slightly pubescent apically with (1 — )2 — 5 rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel
blades lunate, obtuse, pubescent, with concave or almost straight upper margins and with distinct
or indistinct basal puckering. Pistil with short stipe (or none); ovary and style base pubescent at
least above; ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate. Pod medium-sized, triangular-lanceolate, com-
pressed, sparsely puberulous, one-seeded. Chromosome number. 2n= 18.
184. Aspalathus spinescens Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 129 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2:
24 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 952 (1802); E.
Mey., Comm. 1: 60 (1836); Presl, Bot. Be-
merk. 556 (1845); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 644 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 133
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
170 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 159 (1966). Type: ‘A.
spinescens, e Cap. b. spei.’ in Thunberg’s her-
barium (UPS, lecto. !).
Achyronia spinescens (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
Aspalathus lepida E. Mey., Comm. 1: 58 (1836); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 643 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
133 (1862). Synonym of subsp. lepida, below. Achyronia
lepida (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
Cape, sand hills near Piketberg, Piketberg Division, (‘A.
lepida b’) Drege 6604 (P, lecto.!; BM, BOL, G, K, L,
PRE,S).
Aspalathus leipoldtii Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 35: 341 (1897).
Type: Cape, hills near Clanwilliam, Clanwilliam Division,
Leipoldt 256 (K, holo.!; BOL, LD, NH, PRE, SAM).
Synonym of subsp. lepida, below.
A much branched shrub (0,6-)0,8-2 m
tall, with wide circumference. Branches vary-
ing from slender and weak, with leafy ends, to
rigid, straight, spreading and ending as strong
thorns; young branches sparsely or densely pu-
berulous to glabrescent. Leaflets ovoid to lin-
ear, 1-5 (-6,5) mm long, 0,6-0, 8 mm thick,
terete (or slightly flattened), obtuse to acute,
straight (or slightly incurved), glabrous. Inflo-
rescences unifloral or 2(— 3)-flowered, on
short-shoots, generally distributed in great
numbers along considerable stretches of the
branches. Bract triangular-subulate, 0,5—1 mm
long, partly puberulous. Pedicel 2-3,5 mm
long, short-pubescent. Bracteoles 0,4-1 mm
long. Calyx tube campanulate, 2,3— 2,7 mm,
short- sericeous or puberulous or subglabrous.
Petals light or bright yellow. Standard blade
circular, 5-8 x 4, 3-7, 7 mm, rounded api-
cally, sericeous on from less than half to three-
quarters of the back (glabrous on basal-lateral
parts). Wing blades oblong, 4— 5,5(— 6) x
1,5-2, 7 mm, rounded, glabrous, with 2-5
rows of minute folds on upper basal parts. Keel
blades (3,8-) 4, 2-5, 6 x (2-) 2,5-3, 2 mm,
sericeous at least on apical lower half, some-
times on most parts; upper margin ± straight.
Pistil sericeous on upper parts of the ovary, and
upper side of basal half of the style. Pod 10—12
x 3, 5 -4, 5 mm, smooth, partly sparsely seri-
ceous, brown when ripe. Chromosome number:
2zz= 18 (both subspecies).
Distributed in the western division from Mamre region
(Malmesbury Division) in the south to the Vanrhynsdorp
and Calvinia Divisions in the north through the Hopefield,
Piketberg and Clanwilliam Divisions. The species grows in
Crotalarieae
3,6: 287
sand, marine or weathered from sandstone mountains, in
coastal and/or arenose fynbos types.
A separation into two distinct subspecies has been
made. The forms of the sand flats of the Malmesbury and
Hopefield Divisions are strongly thorny and have rather
short leaflets and small flowers, whereas the forms in the
Piketberg, Ceres, Clanwilliam, Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia
Divisions comprise (taller) shrubs with weak branches hav-
ing leafy ends, longer leaflets and larger flowers.
Branches strong, rigid, spreading, ending as thorns;
leaflets usually only c. 2 mm long or less
184a. subsp. spine see ns
Branches slender, weak, with leafy tips; leaflets
usually more than 2 mm long 184b. subsp. lepida
184a. subsp. spinescens.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
170 (1963); ibid. 11 (1): 161 (1966).
No synonyms above other than with the epithet spines-
cens refer to this subspecies.
Erect, spreading, globose shrub, usually
0,6- 1 ,5 m tall with grey, thick, strong, spread-
ing, divaricate branches ending as pungent,
leafless thorns. Leaflets subglobose or ovoid to
short-linear, usually 2 mm long or less. Bract
0,5-1 mm and bracteoles 0,7- 1 mm long. Pe-
dicel 2-3 mm long. Calyx lobes only 0,5-1
mm long. Standard blade 5—6 x 4,3— 6,2 mm,
glabrous on c. half of the back. Wing blades
4,4—5 x 2—2,5 mm. Keel blades
4,2— 5(— 5,5) x 2, 3-3, 2 mm. Pod 10-11 x
c. 3,5 mm. Figure 96: 1-8.
Restricted to (marine) sand flats in the Malmesbury
and Hopefield Divisions, locally dominant, e.g. east of
Ysterfontein. Map 83.
Vouchers: Almborn 542; L. Bolus BOL 21302; Comp-
ton 17386; Dahlgren <6 Peterson 394 —398; Dahlgren &
Strid 4338; Salter 3902.
184b. subsp. lepida ( E . Mey.) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 291, 170 (1963);
ibid. 11 (1): 163(1966).
Synonyms: Aspalathus lepida and A. leipoldtii , above.
An erect, (0,7— )1 —2 m tall shrub with
slender, sometimes slightly nodding, branches
with leafy, weak tips; rarely the branches may
be rigid, but then not ending in strong thorns.
Leaflets (ovoid-)linear, (1 — )2 — 5( — 6,5) mm
long, obtuse or acute. Bract 0,5— 1,1 mm and
bracteoles 0,4—1 mm long. Pedicel 2,5— 3,5
mm long. Calyx lobes 0,6- 1,2 mm long,
green, subglabrous. Standard blade (5,7 — )6 — 8
x 5, 0-7, 7 mm, pubescent on most parts of the
back. Wing blades 4, 1-6,2 x 1,5 -2, 5 mm.
Keel blades 4, 5-5, 6 x 2, 6-3, 2 mm. Pod
10-12 X 4,5X4, 8 mm. Figure 96: 9-17.
Sand flats north of the Berg River in the Piketberg and
Clanwilliam Divisions with outliers in the Ceres, Calvinia
and Vanrhynsdorp Divisions. Growing on sandy ground
and regionally common near Piketberg and in the Olifants
River Valley. Map 83.
A. spinescens is a distinctive species which is not
easily confused with any other. It differs from most similar
species by its pubescent keel.
185. Aspalathus acanthoclada Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 269, 195 (1963);
ibid. 21: 210 (1968). Type: Cape, 8 miles west
of Worcester, Worcester Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 347 (LD, holo. !).
An erect, amply branched shrub (0,4-)
0,6-1 m tall, with spreading, virgate, rigid
branches, the old ones light grey to ivory white,
the young ones pale yellowish, ending in
strong, rigid thorns. Young branches short-seri-
ceous or puberulous, glabrescent. Leaflets
ovoid to sausage-shaped, 1—3 (-4) mm long,
0,5—1 mm thick, terete, straight or slightly in-
curved, obtuse, glabrous (or with stray hairs).
Inflorescence unifloral, on the apex of a pube-
rulous, leafless, 5—10 mm long peduncle.
Bract conical (to broadly subulate), 0,6- 1,2 x
0,3-0, 5 mm, puberulous. Pedicel 1,5-3 mm
long, puberulous. Bracteoles slightly smaller
than the bract. Calyx campanulate, sparsely to
densely puberulous (to short-sericeous); lobes
broadly triangular, 0,4-0, 8 mm long, obtuse to
subacute, pale green, subglabrous, apices ±
incurved. Petals pale lemon or standard ± vio-
let. Standard blade broadly obovate-obtriangu-
lar, 6,3— 9,5 x 4,3— 7,5 mm, rounded-retuse at
apex, short-sericeous on the back, glabrous on
the front. Wing blades oblong to narrowly ob-
ovate, 4-6,3 X 1,5-2, 7 mm, glabrous or ±
puberulous on lower apical parts, basally with 6
or more rows of minute folds. Keel blades
5,2-8 X (2-) 2,5— 3,5 mm, slightly arched,
densely short-sericeous on lower half, upper
3,6: 288
Crotalarieae
Figure 96. Aspalathus spinescens subsp. spinescens (1-8); A. spinescens subsp. lepida (9-17); A. acanthoclada
(18-25). — 1, 9, 18: floriferous branchlets; 2, 10: flowers; 3, 11, 19: bracts; 4, 12, 20: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13, 21:
standard petals, back view; 6, 14, 22: wing petals; 7, 15, 23: keel petals; 8, 16, 24: pistils; 17, 25: fruits. — 1-8 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 397\ 9-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 881\ 17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 996 ; 18—25 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 347. — (1, 9, 18, 25 x2; all others x4.)
margin concave, basal puckering indistinct.
Pistil sericeous on upper half of ovary and style
base. Pod 11 — 12,5 x 4—4,5 mm, short-seri-
ceous on most parts. Figure 96: 18-25.
Distribution probably restricted to the Breede River
Valley in the Worcester Division, between Worcester and
Villiersdorp. The habitat is hard clayey soil, in a mixed
renosterbos-fynbos community. Map 83.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 5154; Dahlgren & Peterson 347,
1257, 1734, 181 3; Dahlgren & Strid 4944, 4950; Esterhuy-
sen 26590; Rogers 26938.
A very distinctive species possibly allied to A. nivea
(no. 183) (with the same Idnd of peduncles).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 289
Group 26: Vermiculatae
Erect shrub up to 2 m, profusely branched; young branches pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate,
with axillary short-shoots. Leaflets small, linear, terete, slightly incurved, glabrous or puberulous,
obtuse-acute (not spine-tipped). Leaf base not prominent, not produced into a spur. Inflorescences
terminal, on tips of branchlets, consisting of (1)2— 4(— 6) flowers attached at almost the same
point. Flowers small, narrow, superficially like those of the Leptanthae Group (no. 12), but
different in details. Bract situated at pedicel base, minute, tooth-like. Pedicel distinct, 1-2 mm,
pubescent. Bracteoles minute. Calyx campanulate-cylindrical, puberulous; lobes short, triangular,
acute-obtuse. Petals deep yellow, all densely pubescent on back/outside; wing and keel claws free
from the staminal sheath. Standard blade narrowly ovate-elliptic, without apical cusp. Wing blade
elongate, with 4 rows of distinct small folds on the basal parts. Keel blades lunate, obtuse, with
almost straight upper margins and prominent basal puckering. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary and style
base pubescent; ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate. Pod relatively large, triangular-lanceolate,
compressed, pubescent. Chromosome number not known.
186. Aspalathus vermiculata Lam.,
Encycl. 1: 288 (1783); DC., Prodr. 2: 141
(1825); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 496 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 651 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 138 (1862); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 181 (1963); ibid. 21:
60 (1968). Type: ‘Aspalat vermicule’ in
Lamarck’s herbarium (P, holo.).
Aspalathus thymifolia L. var. (5) vermiculata (Lam.) E.
Mey., Comm. 1: 57 (1836). Achyronia vermiculata (Lam.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 158(1891).
Aspalathus multiflora Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800);
Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2: 18 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 957
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 580 (1823). Type: ‘A.
multiflora a, Cap. b. spei’, in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto. !). [The name ‘A. multiflora' has been used for forms
of A. hispida by various authors, e.g. in DC., Prodr. 2: 140
(1825); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 57 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 495 (1839), and Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 618
(1848), because Thunberg’s 'A. multiflora P’ is a form of
A. hispida.]
Shrub (0,4-) 0,7-2 m tall. Branches
rather weak and slender; young ones white-to-
mentulose or short- villous. Leaflets linear, ±
sausage-shaped, less than 1-2,5 (-4) mm
long, sparsely puberulous or glabrous, pale
Figure 97. Aspalathus vermiculata. — 1: branchlet with inflorescences; 2: flower; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll);
5: standard, front view; 6: wing petal; 7: keel petal; 8: pistil; 9: fruit. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1380\ 9 from
Marloth 10941 . — (1 x2;2-9 x4.)
3,6: 290
Crotalarieae
green. Inflorescences terminal, comprising
clusters of 1-4 (rarely to 6) flowers attached at
almost the same point. Bract elongate, 0,3— 0,8
mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles 0,2 -0,6 mm
long. Calyx short-sericeous; lobes 0,5- 1,5 mm
long, pale green, puberulous (glabrescent). Pe-
tals bright yellow, standing at a narrow angle to
the floral axis, making the flower narrow.
Standard blade (5-) 5, 5-6, 5 X 3, 5-4, 5 mm,
subacute, short-sericeous (-tomentulose) on the
back, glabrous on the front. Wing blades linear,
4,4-5, 4 x 1,5— 1,9 mm, short-sericeous on
most of the outside, except on upper basal
parts, provided there with c. 4 rows of minute
folds. Keel blades 3,9— 4,5 x 2-2,4 mm,
short-sericeous on most parts. Pistil rather long-
sericeous on upper and lateral parts of ovary
and on style base. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
9,5-11 x 3, 5-4, 5 mm, grey-sericeous. Fig-
ure 97.
Distributed in the Swartberg Mountains (Swaitberg
Pass region), Oudtshoom Division, and from the hills near
Uniondale to the western parts of Long Kloof, Uniondale
Division. Growing in dense fynbos scrub or in more open
habitats on sand or gravel substrate. Map 84.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1380, 1381; Dahl-
gren & Strid 3007, 4851; Ecklon & Zeyher 1439; Marloth
10941; Stokoe, SAM 61802; Thorns 8.
The forms in the Uniondale Division are smaller
shrubs (0,5—1 m tall) and have shorter, more sparsely pu-
bescent leaflets than the forms in the Swartberg Mountains,
which are shrubs up to 2 m.
The closest relatives of A. vermiculata are uncertain.
Group 27: Aciculifoliae
An erect or ascending, branched shrub or shrublet 0,2-0, 8 m tall with spreading branches;
young branches slender, pale, often yellowish, short-tomentose. Leaves trifoliolate; long-shoot
leaves on prominent leaf-base tubercles; leafy short-shoots soon developed in their axils. Leaflets
terete or subterete, rigid, ± needle-like, mucronate or spine-tipped, straight to S-curved with
slightly recurved apex, green and subglabrous to grey-tomentose. Inflorescences terminal, ovate or
rarely head- or spike-like racemes, (1 -)3— 10(— 30)-flowered. Flowers small, inconspicuous, at
short intervals. Bract at the pedicel base, generally simple (occasionally the lowest trifoliolate),
similar to a leaflet of a vegetative leaf, but smaller, tomentose. Pedicel 1-1,5 mm, tomentose.
Bracteoles similar to the bract, but smaller. Calyx campanulate, sparsely to densely tomentose,
pale, sometimes ± purplish; lobes deltoid, spine-tipped. Petals pale yellow turning brownish or
rose; claws relatively long. Standard blade ovate, tomentose (to woolly) on most of the back,
glabrous on the front, without apical cusp, recurved near middle. Wing blades oblong-elliptic, ±
truncate, pubescent on most of the abaxial parts with several rows of minute folds. Keel blades
lunate, obtuse, pubescent on apical half, with prominent basal puckering. Pistil: ovary and style
base sericeous to tomentose; ovules 2; style upcurved; stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely
ovate, rather thick and hard, sericeous or tomentose. Chromosome number: 2n-\S.
187. Aspalathus albens L., Mant. 261
(1771); DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1825); E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 52 (1836); Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 556
(1845); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 648
(1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
121 (1963); ibid. 21: 24 (1968). Type: Aspala-
thus spec. no. 1 1 (LINN, lecto. !).
[The name Aspalathus albens L. has also been applied to
what is here called A. candicans Ait. f.(no. 154), viz. in
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 11
(1802) and Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 17 (1862). It has also been
used for other species.]
Achyronia albens (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157(1891).
Aspalathus armata Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 2: 12 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:954(1803);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 139 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 139
(1825); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 51 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 499 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 652
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 139 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-
Dod in Bot. Jb. 24: 254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI.
Cape Penins. 479 (1950). Achyronia armata (Thunb.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: ‘Aspalathus ar-
mata' in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. !).
Aspalathus agardhiana DC., Prodr. 2: 143 (1825). Achy-
ronia agardhiana (DC.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Type: ‘Aspalathus agardhiana , Cap de B. E.’ (G-DC.,
lecto.!).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 291
FIGURE 98. Aspalathus albens. — 1: branch with inflorescences; 2: flower; 3; bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5:
standard, side view; 6: wing; 7: keel petal; 8: pistil; 9: fruit. — All from Dahlgren & Peterson 775 (Malmesbury Distr.). —
(1 x2;2-8 x8;9 x4.)
Aspalathus albens L. var. ((3) virens E. Mey., Comm. 1;
52 (1836). Type: Cape, ‘Dassenberg’, Malmesbury Divi-
sion, Drege (S, lecto. ! ; G, P, W).
Buchenroedera teretifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 196
(1836). Type: Cape, near Berg Valley, Clanwilliam Divi-
sion (?), Ecklon & Zevher 1356 (S, lecto.!; G, L, LD, M,
P, PRE,SAM,W,Z).
Aspalathus exilis Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 136 (1862). Achyro-
nia exilis (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
Cape, ‘Blaauwberg’, Bellville Division, Drege (called ‘As-
palathus albens a’) (K, lecto.!; G, W).
Leaflets 3—10 mm long. Bract (0,7-)
1 ,5 — 3( — 5,3) mm long. Bracteoles 0,5— 2,5
mm long. Calyx lobes 1-2,7 mm long. Stand-
ard blade 3,2— 4,2 x 2,8— 4,1 mm; wing
blades 2, 3-3, 3 x 1,2-2 mm; keel blades
2, 5-3, 3 x 1,5-2, 2 mm. Pod 5-1 x 2,2-3
mm. Figure 98.
Distributed from the Cape Peninsula (Chapmans Bay
Muizenberg) through the Cape and Malmesbury Flats and
the Hopefield-Piketberg-Clanwilliam Divisions as far as
Nardouw Kloof in the north, growing on marine (or other)
sand flats and hills (together with Aspalathus ternata (no.
26), A. spinescens (no. 184) and A. quinquefolia — no. 4),
at low altitudes, rarely on low, sandy hills up to 300 m
altitude.
Vouchers: H. Bolus, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 64;
Dahlgren & Peterson 775, 782; Dahlgren & Strid 2770,
4331; Ecklon & Zeyher 1356; Salter 4004, 7447; Wilman
949; Wolley-Dod 3412.
Forms in the Paarl and Stellenbosch Divisions and on
the (mainly eastern parts of the) Cape Flats have green,
subglabrous and rather short leaflets, whereas the other
forms, in particular the northern, have grey-pubescent often
rather long leaflets. Map 84.
The closest relationships are uncertain. Characteristic
are the terminal racemes with small, pale flowers which
have a rather gross calyx in relation to the small petals.
Group 28: Astroites
Erect, ascending or rarely decumbent shrubs or shrublets, 0,1- 1,3 m tall, sparingly to
densely branched, with subglabrous or puberulous (A. abietina — no. 189) to white-tomentose (A.
astroites — no. 188) branch ends. Leaves trifoliolate; leafy short-shoots generally soon developed
in axils of long-shoot leaves; leaflets therefore in groups of 3 or generally in fascicles, up to c. 15
together. Leaflets linear to subulate-acicular, usually 3,5—20 mm long, straight or slightly curved,
3,6: 292
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 293
subterete or ± angled (forms of A. abietina ) to somewhat flattened and then up to 2 mm broad,
firm to rigid, bright green, glabrous or with sparse appressed or spreading hairs, ending in a
straight or slightly recurved apicule or ± sharp spine. Inflorescence either a head-like umbel of
( 1 — )3 — 6 flowers (A. astroites), solitary on tips of branchlets or solitary on short-shoots, then
‘scattered’ on the branches. Flowers medium-sized. Bract at the pedicel base, simple, subulate-
acicular, spine-tipped. Pedicel 1-5,5 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the bract. Calyx
tube campanulate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; lobes narrowly triangular, glabrous or subgla-
brous, spine-tipped. Petals bright yellow, often turning orange, rigid. Standard blade ovate or
broadly ovate, with midrib and base of back appressed-pubescent, otherwise glabrous; apex in-
curved and acute. Wing blades oblong-oblanceolate, glabrous, basally usually with 3—5 rows of
minute folds. Keel blades lunate to rostrate, ± upcurved, obtuse to nearly pointed, camose,
glabrous, with distinct to prominent basal puckering. Pistil: ovary and style base subglabrous but
pubescent on upper and often on lower sutures; ovules 2; style slender, upcurved or S-curved;
stigma regular, capitate. Pod broadly or narrowly lanceolate, rather hard and thick-walled, longitu-
dinally rugulose or (A. abietina ) distinctly veined, long remaining green, brown when ripe. Chro-
mosome number: 2n= 18.
188. Aspalathus astroites L., Sp. PI., edn
1: 711 (1753); Syst. Nat. edn 10: 1157 (1759);
Sp. PI. edn 2: 1000 (1763); Houtt., Nat. hist. 2:
468 (1775); Lam., Encycl. 1: 288 (1783);
Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspa-
lathus 2: 21 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 953
(1802); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 582 (1823);
DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 157 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 215
(1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 47 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 492 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 648 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
136 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S.
Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 191 (1963); ibid.
21: 176 (1968). Type: Pluk., Phytogr. PI. plate
413: 2 (1691-96); typotype in herbarium
Sloane vol. 92 p. 72 (BM).
Achyronia astroites (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
? Aspalathus speciosa Steud., in Flora 13: 544 (1830).
Type not seen, probably destroyed in B. Synonym of A.
astroites according to Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
648(1848).
An erect, densely branched shrub 0,8-1 ,3
m tall. Young branches densely white-tomen-
tose. Leaflets subulate-acicular, 6-15 mm
long, straight, rigid, ± angular to subterete,
glabrous or sparingly tomentose, ending in a
sharp, up to more than 2 mm long spine. Inflo-
rescence a terminal head-like umbel of
(1 — )3 — 6 flowers; additional 1- to few-flow-
ered inflorescences may be present below the
main inflorescence. Bract (1,5-) 2,5 -5, 5 mm
long, spine-tipped, basally sparsely pubescent.
Pedicel 2-3,5 mm long, densely tomentose.
Bracteoles 1,2—5 mm long. Calyx tube cam-
panulate, sparsely short-tomentose; lobes
2,2-4(-4,8) mm long, glabrous, sharply
spine-tipped. Standard blade 9-11 x 6,5-10
mm, with short apical cusp. Wing blades
7,5—10,5 x 3-4 mm, basally with c. 3 rows
of minute folds, few in each row. Keel blade
rostrate, 8-9,5 mm long, 3,3-4, 5 mm broad
near middle, with a tapering upcurved apex and
a strongly concave upper margin. Pistil: style
curved. Pod (9,5-) 12-14,5 x 3, 5-4, 8 mm,
subglabrous, slightly (longitudinally) rugose,
yellowish brown when ripe. Chromosome
number: 2n=\S. Figure 99: 1—9.
FIGURE 99. Aspalathus astroites (1-9); A. abietina, different forms (10-20). — 1, 10, 11, 17: branch ends with
inflorescences (some unifloral, on lateral short-shoots); 2: bract; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4: calyx; 5, 12: standard petals,
side view; 6, 13, 18: wing petals; 7, 14, 19: keel petals; 8, 15, 20: pistils; 9, 16: fruits, 16 in calyx. — 1-8 from Dahlgren
<£ Peterson 626; 9 from Schlechter 9406 ; 10 from Dahlgren <6 Peterson 570; 11-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 797; 16
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1278; 17-20 from Dahlgren & Peterson 864. — (1 X 2; 2-9 X4; 10, 11, 17 x2,5; 12-15 X5;
16x4; 18-20x6.)
3,6: 294
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 295
Distributed in the northern parts of the Cape Peninsula
and in parts of the Caledon, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester
and Malmesbury Divisions but common mainly in the
northern parts of the Peninsula (Wynberg region). A. as-
troites grows on sandy soil in fynbos vegetation. Map 85.
Vouchers: Bolus 3260 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 611,
626, 688, 1205, 1208; Dahlgren & Strid3143, 3441, 4105 ;
Schlechter 9406 ; Strey 784.
There is a great variation in the length of leaves, bracts
and calyx lobes and size of petals. The longest bracts
(4, 5-5,5 mm) and calyx lobes (nearly 5 mm) were found in
forms from the Houwhoek region (Caledon Division),
whereas these are very short, less than c. 2 mm, on the
Haalsneeuwkop Mountain (Paarl Division), not far away.
Closely related to A. abietina (no. 189) but the
relationships to other species are somewhat uncertain. Simi-
lar terminal ‘heads’, camose petals, rostrate keel and the
same pubescence pattern on the petals are met with in, for
example, A. subulata (no. 130) which, owing to the very
different shape of the leaflets, is not generally associated
with A. astroites.
189. Aspalathus abietina Thunb., Prodr.
2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2: 22
(1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 961 (1802); Thunb.,
FI- Cap. edn 2: 583 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2; 141
(1825); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862); H. Bol.
& Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Pen-
ins. 482 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 192 (1963); ibid. 21: 180 (1968).
Type: ‘ Aspalathus abietina in Thunberg’s her-
barium (UPS, lecto. !).
[The name ‘A. abietina Thunb.’ was misapplied on A.
aciphylla Harv. by E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 158 (1832); Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 48
(1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 637 (1848); etc.]
Achyronia abietina (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus filifolia E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 158 (1832);
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 487 (1839); Meisn. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 2: 71 (1843); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 646
(1848). Type: Cape, flats below Constantia, eastern side of
Table Mountain, Ecklon (S, lecto.).
Paraspalathus crocea Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 564 (1848).
Type: Cape, mountains near 'Zeekoevalley', Ecklon &
Zeyher 1397 (G, GRA, L, M, P, S, syntypes).
Aspalathus fornicata Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
646 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 134 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903). Achy-
ronia fornicata (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Type: Cape, ‘C.B.S.’, Thorn 713 (K, lecto.!).
An erect, ascending or decumbent shrub-
let, 0,1 -0,6 m tall, sparingly or moderately
densely branched. Young branches subglabrous
or puberulous. Leaflets 3 or more (‘fascicled’)
together, linear, (1,5-) 3,5-20 mm long,
straight or slightly curved, subterete or ± flat-
tened and then 0,5-2 mm broad, glabrous or
with sparse appressed hairs, ending in an often
recurved spinelet or apicule. Flowers solitary
on tips of branches or solitary on short-shoots or
both, thus ‘scattered’ on the branches in consi-
derable number. Bract 2— 4(— 5) mm long, sub-
glabrous. Pedicel 1-2 mm long, short-tomen-
tose. Bracteoles (2-)3-4,5(-5,5) mm long.
Calyx tube glabrous (or with sparse appressed
hairs); lobes 2,5-4,5(-6) mm long. Standard
blade 7 — 11 ,5( — 14) x 5,5 — 9( — 10) mm; apex
incurved, sometimes with a ‘tip’. Wing blades
5,3— 8,5 (—9,8) x 1,7— 3,4 mm. Keel blades
upcurved, somewhat rostrate but apex ±
rounded; 5, 7-9, 5 (-10,5) mm long, 2-3,5
(-4) mm broad near middle, upper side weakly
to strongly concave. Pod lanceolate, 10-13 x
c. 3 mm, subglabrous, veiny rugose, light
brown when ripe. Chromosome number :
2n=14. Figure 99: 10-20.
Distributed in the south-western divisions: the Cape
Peninsula and the Bellville, Somerset West, Caledon, Bre-
dasdorp, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Tulbagh Divisions. Grow-
ing in sand, mainly weathered from Table Mountain
Sandstone, sometimes perhaps marine, in fynbos vegetation
at low altitudes (less than 500 m). Map 86.
Vouchers: Bolus 3830; Dahlgren & Peterson 716,
725, 797, 864, 1278; Dahlgren & Strid3301, 3594, 3597,
3675 , 3917, 3973, 4025; Ecklon & Zeyher 1397; Salter
7965, 1849; Schlechter 9077; Taylor 6079.
A very variable species as regards total size, length of
leaves and length of flowers. The tallest and most large-
flowered forms are known from the French Hoek Valley
(Paarl Division) where the leaflets are up to 15 mm long or
Maps 85—90. — Map 85. Aspalathus astroites (unbroken line); A. vulnerans (broken line). — Map 86. A. abietina
(unbroken line); A. acifera (squares); A. cuspidata (triangles); A. stricticlada (rhomboids). — Map 87. A. ulicina subsp.
ulicina (unbroken line); A. ulicina subsp. kardouwensis (squares); A. glossoides (triangles). — Map 88. A. spinosissima
subsp. spinosissima (triangles); A. spinosissima subsp. tenuiflora (squares); intermediates between these (rhomboids). —
Map 89. A. aristifolia (triangles); A. proboscidea (square). — Map 90. A. leptoptera (squares); A. rostripetala (tri-
angles); A. pulicifolia (rhomboids; see also Map 54).
3,6: 296
Crotalarieae
more, the calyx lobes up to 6 mm, and the standard blade up
to 14 mm long. The forms in the south-western parts, in-
cluding the Peninsula, are medium-sized and often decum-
bent; similar but more erect forms are common in the So-
merset West region. The shortest-leaved and smallest-flow-
ered forms, which are rather decumbent, are known from
the Bredasdorp Division and adjacent parts of the Caledon
Division; their leaflets are shorter than 10 mm, the calyx
lobes 2,5—4 mm, and the standard blade, for example,
7-10 mm long only. These forms contrast greatly with the
forms in the French Hoek Valley, but taken as a whole the
variation is ± continuous.
Group 29: Terminales
Erect, ascending, decumbent, procumbent or prostrate shrubs or shrublets of variable habit,
sparingly to densely branched, sometimes diffuse, with weak and apically leafy branches or
branches (often inflorescence axes) ending in sharp thorns; young branches glabrous or usually
pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate; leafy short-shoots soon developed in axils of long-shoot leaves;
leaflets therefore generally in fascicles, (3—) several to numerous together. Leaflets subulate
(rarely ovoid), often needle-like subterete to angular, straight and rigid or more rarely curved and
weak; always ending in a prickle or (often very sharp) spinelet (acute or subobtuse only in A.
secunda (no. 204) and forms of A. corrudifolia — no. 205), glabrous or sparingly to (rarely)
densely pubescent. Inflorescences terminal on the branches or branchlets, sometimes racemose
with 2 to several flowers at distinct intervals, often unifloral, with the intemode below the single or
proximal flowers short or prolonged into a peduncle; inflorescence axis in some species (e.g. A.
acuminata — no. 202) continuing beyond the flower(s) into a pungent thorn. Flowers small or
medium-sized. Bract at the pedicel base, simple, ovate to subulate or acicular, mucronulate to
spine-tipped. Pedicel distinct, usually puberulous to tomentose, rarely glabrous (A. spinosissima —
no. 195). Bracteoles similar to the bract, but usually smaller. Calyx tube usually campanulate,
glabrous or ± pubescent; lobes triangular to subulate, mucronulate to spine-tipped. Petals pale to
bright yellow, often with purplish shades on the standard back, some species turning orange or
reddish; claws rather short. Standard blade usually broadly ovate, obovate or elliptic to circular,
glabrous to ± pubescent on the back (A. secunda also pubescent on central parts of the front side),
apically acute or rounded, without prominent apical cusp. Wing blades elliptic, narrowly elliptic,
lanceolate or oblanceolate, rounded apically, glabrous or ± pubescent on outside; basally with
3-5 (-6) rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate to rostrate, obtuse, glabrous or ± pubescent
(on rostrate keels) with or without distinct basal puckering. Pistil: ovary and style base glabrous or,
at least on upper parts, usually ± pubescent; ovules 2; style upcurved; stigma regular, capitate.
Pod obliquely triangular-lanceolate, ± compressed, smooth, glabrous or pubescent, generally one-
seeded. Chromosome number: 2n=18 (several species).
190. Aspalathus vulnerans Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 128 (1800) Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2:
20 (1802); DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 137 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 196 (1963); ibid. 21: 207
(1968). Type: ‘ Aspalathus vulnerans, ad Oly-
fants rivier in Cap. b. spei’, in Thunberg’s her-
barium (UPS, lecto. !; LD).
[The name A. vulnerans has been incorrectly applied to
A. spectabilis (no. 268) inWilld.,Sp. PI. 3: 960 (1802) and
to A. hirta in E. Mey. in Linnaea 7; 156 (1832) and Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 215 (1836), and to both species in, e.g.,
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 621 (1848).]
An erect, much branched shrub or small,
slender tree from c. 1 to more than 3 m tall,
branched near the base or with a trunk up to
more than 20 mm thick. Branches rather
slender, spreading, yellow to ferruginous and
puberulous to subglabrous on the youngest
parts. Leaflets spreading, subulate-acicular,
5-20 mm long, straight, rigid, glabrous, very
prickly, ending in a spine up to more than 1,5
mm long. Inflorescences short, compact ra-
cemes (or umbels) of 3 — 6( — 11) closely situ-
ated flowers on non-pedunculate branchlets.
Bract subulate-acicular, 1,5—4 mm long, rigid,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 297
subglabrous. Pedicel 1,2-2 mm long. Brac-
teoles 0,4—2 mm long. Calyx tube glabrous;
lobes 1,2— 2,7 mm long, tapering from a broad
base into sharp, yellow spines c. 1 — 1,5 mm
long. Petals bright yellow. Standard blade
6,3-8 X 4, 2-5, 2 mm, apically strongly in-
curved and apiculate-mucronate, short-seri-
ceous on most of the back. Wing blades 4—5,8
X 1,6— 2,1 (-2,4) mm, glabrous. Keel blades
lunate-subrostrate, 5,2-7 mm long and
2, 7 -3, 7 mm broad near the middle with taper-
ing apex and concave upper margin, short- seri-
ceous on lower-apical half or more. Pistil short-
sericeous on the ovary and style base. Pod
broadly triangular-lanceolate, 8,5-12 x 3-4
mm, short-sericeous on most parts. Chromo-
some number. 2n=18. Figure 100: 1-10.
Distributed primarily in the Clanwilliam Division with
its centre in the Olifants River Valley (where it may be
locally dominant), and with outliers in the Kardouw Pass
(Piketberg Division), the Gifberg region (Vanrhynsdorp Di-
vision) and the plateau of the Lokenburg region (Calvinia
Division). The species grows in sand accumulated in river
valleys and on mountain foothills, at low or moderate alti-
tudes. It grows in a sparse but often high, scrubby fynbos
vegetation. Map 85.
Vouchers: Acocks 15028, 18570; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 274, 277, 334, 883, 1015; Dahlgren & Strid 2510,
3206, 4267, 4466; Esterhuysen 7448, 22133; Salter 5020;
Schlechter 8568.
There may be considerable variation in the length of
the leaflets, even in the same population.
This species is one of the tallest in the genus beside A.
acuminata subsp. pungens (no. 202b) and A. kougaensis
(no. 264).
The closest relatives are probably A. spinosissima (no.
195), A. ulicina (no. 194) and some of the smaller-sized
species, such as A. cuspidata (no. 191) and A. acifera (no.
193).
191 . Aspalathus cuspidata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 276, 196 (1963).
Type: Cape, 6 miles north of Vanrhynsdorp
along the road to Springbok, Vanrhynsdorp Di-
vision, Dahlgren & Peterson 314 (LD, holo. !).
A. cuspidata Dahlg. subsp. cuspidata, Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 21: 239 (1968).
Described as 'A. acicularis c’ in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 46
(1836).
A low but rather wide, diffusely branched
shrublet, 0,15-0,3 m tall; branches slender,
weak, straight, divaricate. Young branches pale
yellow to pale orange, with sparse, half-
appressed pubescence. Leaves rather sparsely
set. Leaflets rather sparsely set. Leaflets spread-
ing, subulate-acicular, (2,5 — )3 — 6 mm long,
0,7 -0,9 mm thick at the (slightly widened)
base, glabrous, slightly recurved, ending as a
very sharp spinelet. Inflorescence terminal,
with 2 or 3 closely set flowers. Lateral long-
shoots developed in axils of uppermost 2 or 3
leaves and soon superceding the inflorescence
to form a sympodium. Flowers rather small.
Bract subulate-acicular, 1,4-2 mm long,
spine-tipped. Pedicel 1,2— 1,8 mm long, pu-
berulous. Bracteoles 1,2— 1,8 mm long. Calyx
tube with sparse, short, appressed hairs; lobes
triangular, green, glabrous, 1,9— 2,6 mm long,
tapering into sharp spinelets. Petals pale or
light yellow. Standard blade 5,8— 6,5 x 4,5-5
mm, short-sericeous on apical half or two-thirds
of the back; apex rather incurved. Wing blades
4,2— 4,5 x 1,7—2 mm, glabrous or with few
hairs on the lower parts. Keel blades upcurved
at almost right angles, 4,5-5 mm from base to
apex, c. 2,5 mm broad near middle, obtuse,
with S-curved upper margin, short- sericeous
only along the lower margin. Pistil short- seri-
ceous on the upper parts of the ovary and style
base. Pod triangular-lanceolate, c. 9 mm long
or more. Figure 100: 11-20.
Restricted to the Vanrhynsdorp Division, growing in
fine red (clayey) substrate belonging to the same formation
as the Malmesbury Beds [see Dahlgren in Bot. Notiser 121:
524-525 (1968)] in a community of mixed fynbos vegeta-
tion with Struthiola leptantha H. Bol. and renosterbos.
Map 86.
Vouchers: Acocks 14754, 19500; Dahlgren <6 Peter-
son 314; Drige, Ebenezar.
Differing from A. acifera (no. 193) in being sericeous
only on the lowermost part of the keel and in having wing
blades more than 4 mm long, and from A. stricticlada (no.
192) in having longer leaflets and an appressed-puberulous
calyx tube. These three species were treated as subspecies
of a more widely circumscribed A . cuspidata by Dahlgren
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 238 (1968).
192. Aspalathus stricticlada {Dahlg.)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, flats north-west
of Malmesbury town, Malmesbury Division,
Dahlgren & Strid 4346 (NBG, holo.!; LD).
A. cuspidata Dahlg. subsp. stricticlada Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 242 (1968).
3,6: 298
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 100. Aspalathus vulnerans (1-10); A. cuspidata (11-20); A. stricticlada (21-27). — 1, 11, 21: flori-
ferous branches; 2, 12: flowers; 3, 13, 22: bracts; 4, 14, 23: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 15: calyces; 6, 16: standard petals,
back view; 7, 17, 24: wing petals; 8, 18, 25: keel petals; 9, 19, 26: pistils; 10, 20, 27: fruits. — 1-9 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 883; 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1015 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 11-19 from Dahlgren & Peterson 314 ; 20 from
Acocks 14754 (Vanrhynsdorp Distr.); 21-27 from Dahlgren & Strid 4346 (Malmesbury Distr.). — (1, 11 x2; all others
x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 299
A low shrub, scarcely taller than 0,2 m,
with spreading, almost horizontal, straight, ri-
gid branches up to longer than 0,5 m. Young
branches pale yellowish brown or reddish,
short-tomentose or short-villous. Leaflets
subulate, short, usually 0,5-2, 5 mm long,
straight to S-curved, glabrous, ending in a short
spinelet. Inflorescences unifloral, on the ends
of lateral, leafy branchlets, with an intemode of
2-4 mm below the flower bract. Flowers rather
small, inconspicuous. Bract subulate, 1,6 -2, 4
mm, ending in a spinelet c. 0,5 mm long, adax-
ially short-ciliate. Pedicel 1 — 1,5 mm long,
short-tomentose. Bracteoles 1 , 1 — 1 ,7 mm long.
Calyx tube short-tomentose (cf. A. cuspidata
(no. 191) and A. acifera — no. 193); lobes nar-
rowly triangular, 1,1— 2,1 mm long, subgla-
brous, spine-tipped. Petals yellow to partly
brown or purple. Standard blade 5,6— 6,4 X
5-6 mm, short-sericeous at least on the apical
half; apex slightly incurved, subacute. Wing
blades 4—4,3 x c. 1,6 mm, glabrous. Keel
blades strongly upcurved (at right angles), c.
4,5 mm long from base to apex, 2—2,3 mm
broad near the middle, obtuse, with upper mar-
gin S-curved; lower-apical third tomentulose.
Pistil pubescent on upper half of the ovary and
on the style base. Pod broadly triangular-lan-
ceolate, 6,5-8 x c. 2,5 mm, partly sericeous.
Figure 100: 21— 27.
Restricted to clayey grounds of the Malmesbury Beds
near Malmesbury and the Paardeberg; growing in mixed
fynbos-renosterbos scrub. Map 86.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 872; Dahlgren &
Strid4107, 4346.
Similar to, but obviously separate from A. acifera (no.
193), A. rostripetala (no. 199) and A. cuspidata (no. 191).
193. Aspalathus acifera Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 195 (1968). Type:
Cape, eastern upper slopes of Grey’s Pass, 01 i-
fants River Mountains, Citrusdal side, Clanwil-
liam Division, Dahlgren & Strid 3848 (NBG,
holo . ! ; LD).
A. cuspidata Dahlg. subsp. humifusa Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 21: 240 (1968). Type: Cape, Algeria Val-
ley, west of Algeria Forest Stn., Cederberg Mountains,
Clanwilliam Division, Dahlgren & Strid 4272 (NBG,
holo.!; LD).
A low, decumbent or procumbent shrublet
with branches up to c. 0,6 m long or more,
reaching c. 0,15-0,4 m above the ground.
Branches rigid, rather straight, reddish brown,
sparsely appressed-puberulous, not ending in
thorns. Leaflets spreading, subulate-acicular,
1.2 — 8( — 10) mm long (the middle leaflet in
each long-shoot leaf often much longer (5-10
mm) than the lateral leaflets), 0,4— 0,8 mm
thick at the base, glabrous, straight, rigid, end-
ing in a sharp spinelet. Flowers solitary (or in
pairs) on the tips of the outermost, c. 1,5—3
mm long, intemodes of lateral branchlets. Bract
subulate, 1 ,3—2,2 mm long, ending in a spine-
let c. 0,7 mm long. Pedicel 0,8- 1,4 mm long,
puberulous. Bracteoles 0,5- 1,7 mm long.
Calyx tube with sparse, short, appressed hairs;
lobes narrowly triangular, 1,5-2, 6 mm long,
ending in spines c. 1 mm long. Petals light
yellow or partly purplish or violet. Standard
blade 5,3— 6,5 x 3,7-4, 7 mm; short-sericeous
on two-thirds to three-quarters of the back
(partly glabrous on basal parts), apex incurved,
subacute. Wing blades 2,7— 3,5 x 1,2— 1,6
mm, glabrous. Keel blades lunate, upcurved,
4. 2- 4, 5 x 2-2,3 mm, obtuse with concave
upper margin and apical-lower parts (60-80 %)
pubescent. Pistil pubescent on upper parts of
the ovary and on the style base. Pod triangu-
larly lanceolate, 9-10 x 3, 5-4, 2 mm, partly
short-sericeous. Chromosome number. 2n=\S.
Figure 101: 1-10.
Distributed with slightly different forms through the
Olifants River Mountains west of Citrusdal (Clanwilliam-
Piketberg Division border) and the central and northern
parts of the Cederberg Mountains (Clanwilliam Division).
At rather low altitudes, 500— 1 000 m, A. acifera occurs on
sandy mountain slopes with fynbos vegetation. Map 86.
Vouchers: Compton 6203; Dahlgren & Peterson 929,
948; Dahlgren & Strid 2513, 3848, 4272, 4451, 4474;
Dickson, BOL 5631; Esterhuysen 7137.
Forms on the Olifants River Mountains west and south
of Citrusdal have relatively long leaflets, the central leaflet
of the long-shoot leaf being 5-10 mm, i.e. much longer
than the other leaflets and directed at right angles to the
branchlet. Also the short flower peduncle (the intemode
below the flower) is often directed at right angles to the
branchlet which it terminates. The Cederberg forms have
leaflets 1,2-4 mm long, with all the leaflets of the long-
shoot leaves of about equal length. The flowers are quite
similar in shape and size.
A. acifera is probably closely related to A. rostripetala
(no. 199) from which it differs in the less rostrate keel,
shorter wings, and more short-sericeous standard. It is also
similar to A. stricticlada (no. 192) and A. cuspidata (no.
191) (see under the latter species).
3,6: 300
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 301
194. Aspalathus ulicina Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 205 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 656 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 142
(1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
196 (1963); ibid. 21: 197 (1968). Type: Cape,
Tulbagh Valley near Waterfall, Tulbagh Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zeyher 1407 (S, lecto.!; GRA,
P, SAM, W).
Achyronia ulicina (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157(1891).
An erect, branched shrub (0,2-)0,6— 1,5
m tall with straight, spreading branches. Young
branches yellowish or reddish, villous to
woolly; floriferous branchlets with 1-2 (rarely
more) long, peduncle-like intemodes below the
lowest (or only) flower. Leaflets spreading,
sharply subulate, 4—20 mm long, basally
0,5 -0,8 mm thick, straight (to slightly re-
curved), subterete or ± angular, rigid, tapering
into a longer than 2 mm, pungent spine; gla-
brous or often with sparse, spreading hairs. In-
florescence unifloral or more often 2— 8-flow -
ered, then comprising a terminal raceme with
the flowers at less than 1 to more than 5 mm
distance; raceme (solitary flower) terminating a
branchlet with one or two 15-50 mm long in-
temodes. Bract subulate-acicular, 2, 5-4, 5 mm
long, rigid, half the length comprising a spine-
let. Pedicel 0,8-2 mm long, sparsely pubes-
cent or subglabrous. Bracteoles 1,5-3, 5 mm
long. Calyx tube glabrous, smooth; lobes
1.5— 3 mm long, with a deltoid-triangular,
green base tapering into a sharp spine. Petals
light yellow or standard often ± violet on the
back. Standard blade 5,2—9 x 3,5-6 mm,
acute or obtuse, often with a ‘tip’; densely
short-sericeous on the back. Wing blades
4. 5- 6, 2 x 1,7 -2, 2 mm, glabrous or occasion-
ally with some pubescence on the lower parts.
Keel blades lunate, 5-8 x 2,1 -4,1 mm, ob-
tuse, sericeous on most parts, with slightly con-
cave upper margin. Pistil shortly pubescent on
top of the ovary and basal half of the style,
otherwise glabrous. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
9—12 x 3,5— 4,1 mm, smooth, yellowish grey,
with short hairs at least on apical parts. Chro-
mosome number: 2n = 18 (both subspecies).
Distributed in the Tulbagh, Ceres, Piketberg and Clan-
william Divisions, growing at 200-700 m altitude on sand
(Table Mountain Sandstone) in fynbos vegetation.
The species includes two regional races, one covering
most of the distribution area (subsp. ulicina ) and the other
restricted to the mountains near Kardouw Pass on the Piket-
berg-Clanwilliam Division border north-east of Porterville.
Standard blade more than 7,5 mm and keel blades
more than 6,5 mm long; peduncles rather rigid;
raceme with several (3-6) flowers
194a. subsp. ulicina
Standard blade less than 6,5 mm and keel blades less
than 6 mm long; peduncles slender and weak,
with 1 or 2 flowers 194b. subsp. kardouwensis
194a. subsp. ulicina.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
196 (1963); ibid. 21: 198(1968).
An erect shrub 0,8- 1,5 m tall with
straight, spreading branches, white-woolly on
the young parts. Leaflets 10-20 mm long, of-
ten with spreading hairs on basal parts. Inflores-
cences 2— 8-flowered racemes terminating
lateral branchlets with 1-2 long intemodes, the
longest below the lowest flower. Bract 2,5 -4,5
mm, bracteoles 2-3,5 mm and calyx lobes
1,5-2, 4 mm long. Standard blade 7,8-9 x
4,2-6 mm, wing blades 4, 8-6, 2 x 1 ,8—2,5
mm, and keel blades 7-8 x 3,5-4, 1 mm. Pod
9-12 x 3,5-4, 1 mm. Figure 101: 11-18.
Centred in the Tulbagh Division but with scattered
occurrences in the Ceres Division (Gydo Pass) and Piket-
berg Division (Twentyfour River Mountains). Map 87.
Vouchers: Bolus 5035; Dahlgren & Peterson 1070,
1169; Dahlgren & Strid 4147; Esterhuysen 16147; Pappe,
SAM 15331 ; Schlechter 9039, 10690.
194b. subsp. kardouwensis Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 292, 196 (1963);
ibid. 21: 200 (1968). Type: Cape, Kardouw
Pass, Clanwilliam-Piketberg Division border,
Maguire 1220 (NBG, holo. !; BOL).
FIGURE 101. Aspalathus acifera (1-10); A. ulicina subsp. ulicina (11—18); A. ulicina subsp. kardouwensis
(19-24). — 1, 4, 11, 19: branchlets with flowers; 2, 8, 15, 22: wing petals; 3, 9, 16, 23: keel petals; 5, 12: bracts; 6, 13:
bracteoles (prophylls); 7, 21: standard petals, side view; 10, 17, 24: pistils; 14: calyx; 18: fruit; 20: flower. — 1-3 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 948; 4-10 from Dahlgren & Strid 3848 (both Clanwilliam Distr. ); 11 — 17 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1070; 18 from Schlechter 9039 (Tulbagh Distr.); 19-24 from Maguire 1220 (southern part of Clanwilliam Distr.).
— (11, 19 x2; 1-10, 12-18, 20- 24 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 302
Crotalarieae
3,6: 303
An erect or spreading shrublet 0,2-0, 6 m
tall; young branches white-villous. Leaflets
usually 5-12 mm long. Flowers solitary or in
pairs on a long, slender, subglabrous peduncle
arising directly from a ‘leaf fascicle’. Bract
2—4 mm, bracteoles 1,5—3 mm, and calyx
lobes 2—3 mm long. Standard blade 5,2— 6,5
x 3,5-5 mm, wing blades 4,5— 5,5 X
1,8 — 2,3 mm, and keel blades 4,8— 5,5 x
2.2— 3,3 mm. Pod c. 9-10 x 3,5 mm. Figure
101: 19-24.
Perhaps restricted to the mountains north-east of
Porterville in the Kardouw (Dasklip) Pass region on the
Piketberg-Clan william Division border. Map 87.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3210, 3218; Maguire
1220; Zeyher416.
195. Aspalathus spinosissima Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 291 (1963); ibid.
21: 191 (1968). Type: Cape, Du Toit’s Kloof,
south-western slopes on Paarl side, Paarl Divi-
sion, Dahlgren & Peterson 1252 (LD, holo. !).
An erect, ascending or diffusely branched
shrub c. 0,3-1 m tall. Branches rigid, straight,
spreading, puberulous to partly glabrous. Leaf-
lets spreading, subulate-acicular, 3-12 mm
long, basally 0,3 -0,5 mm thick, straight or
slightly recurved, rigid, glabrous (or sub-
glabrous), tapering into sharp spines up to
longer than 1,5 mm. Inflorescences 1—3-
flowered axillary racemes on leafless, subgla-
brous, slender, peduncle-like branchlets 10-25
mm long, or on basally leafy branchlets with a
distal intemode of this kind. Bract triangular,
subulate or acicular, 0,5-3, 5 mm long,
pointed. Pedicel 1—2 mm long, glabrous.
Bracteoles triangular-subulate, 0,1 -0,5 mm
long. Calyx tube glabrous, smooth; lobes
1.3- 3, 3 mm long, glabrous, tapering from a
triangular base into sharp spines. Petals light or
bright yellow, sometimes ± reddish on stand-
ard back. Standard blade ovate, broadly ovate
or elliptic, 4, 2-7, 7 x 3, 3-4, 8 mm, from
almost glabrous (with a few hairs on the midrib)
to short-pubescent on most parts of the back;
apex incurved, pointed. Wing blades 4,3— 7,3
X 1 ,5-2,4 mm, glabrous or with some hairs on
lower parts. Keel blades lunate, 4,3-6 X 2—3
mm, slightly upcurved (beaked), sericeous on
the lower front parts, with ± concave upper
margin. Pistil short-pubescent on at least the
upper parts of the ovary and upper side of the
basal half of the style. Pod triangular-lanceo-
late, 8,5-11 X 3, 5-4, 3 mm, sparsely
appressed puberulous to subglabrous.
Ranging from the Stellenbosch Division in the south
through the Paarl and Ceres Divisions to the Middelberg
Pass on the Ceres-Clanwilliam Division border in the north.
The habitat is fynbos vegetation on sandy (Table Mountain
Sandstone) mountain slopes at 500-2 000 m.
The species is divisible into two sub-
species:
Standard blade more than 6,5 mm long, almost
glabrous; wing blades more than 5,8 mm and
keel blades more than 5,3 mm long, respec-
tively 195a. subsp. spinosissima
Standard blade less than 5,5 mm long, pubescent on
apical half or more; wing blades less than 5,3 mm
and keel blades less than 4,5 mm long
195b. subsp. tenuiflora
195a. subsp. spinosissima.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
291, 196 (1963); ibid. 21: 192 (1968).
An erect or ascending shrub up to 1 m tall.
Branches rigid, spreading, sparsely short-
sericeous on the young parts. Leaflets 5—12
mm long. Inflorescence a sparse 1— 3-flowered
spike on a slender, 1—2,5 mm long, sub-
glabrous peduncle comprising a lateral branch-
let or the distal intemode of a lateral branchlet.
Flowers , if more than 1 , then at a distance of
1-6 mm from each other. Bract 1-3,5 mm,
pedicel 1,3— 2,2 mm and bracteoles 0,1— 0,5
mm long. Calyx lobes 1,8— 3,3 mm long.
Petals bright yellow. Standard blade
6,3— 7, 7x3, 6— 4,8 mm, back usually almost
glabrous, with appressed hairs along the
midrib. Wing blades 5, 5-7, 3 x 2-2,4 mm.
Figure 102. Aspalathus spinosissima subsp. spinosissima (1-8); A. spinosissima subsp. tenuiflora (9-16); A.
glossoides (17-26). — 1, 9, 17: floriferous branches; 2, 10, 18: flowers; 3, 11, 19: bracts; 4, 12, 20: bracteoles (pro-
phylls); 5, 13, 23: wing petals; 6, 14, 24: keel petals; 7, 15, 25: pistils; 8, 16, 26: fruits; 22: standard, back view. — 1—7
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1252; 8 from Compton 10170 (Paarl Distr. ); 9-15 from Pillans 9612; 16 from Thorne, SAM
52034 (Ceres Distr.); 17-26 from Dahlgren & Peterson 982 (Piketberg Distr.). — (1, 9, 17 x2, all others X4.)
3,6: 304
Crotalarieae
Figure 103. Aspalathus rostripetala (1-7); A. aristifolia (8-16); A. proboscidea (17-23). — 1, 8, 17: floriferous
branchlets; 2, 9, 18: bracts; 3, 10, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 13, 20: wing petals; 5, 14, 16, 21: keel petals; 6, 15, 23:
pistils; 7: fruit; 11: calyx; 12: standard, back view; 22: keel petal, inside. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Strid 3845 (Olifants
River Mts, Clanwilliam Distr. ); 8-15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 921 (same region); 16 from Van Breda 1005 (Piketberg
Distr.); 17-23 from Dahlgren & Strid 3290 (Vanrhynsdorp Distr.). — (All x4.)
Keel blades 5,3— 6,2 x 2,4-3 mm. Ovary
glabrous on lower parts. Pod (8,5 — )10 — 11 x
3, 8-4, 3 mm. Figure 102: 1-8.
Distributed on mountains of the Stellenbosch and Paarl
Divisions and (somewhat different forms) in part of the
Ceres Division, at altitudes of 500 to 1 300 m. Map 88.
Vouchers: Compton 10170; Dahlgren & Peterson
1252; Dahlgren & Strid 3596, 4365; Esterhuysen 4114;
Kensit, BOL 10602; Pillans 8392; Van Rensburg 382.
Somewhat transitional between subsp. spinosissima
and subsp. tenuiflora are some forms from Skurweberg
(Schlechter 10029 ) and the Middelberg Pass (Acocks
19860), both in the Ceres Division, which have shorter
petals than in most specimens of subsp. spinosissima. They
are also lower and more diffusely branched.
195b. subsp. tenuiflora Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 292, 196 (1963);
Crotalarieae
3,6: 305
ibid. 21: 194 (1968). Type: Cape, Skurweberg
[Schurfteberg] , Ceres Division, Pillans 9612
(BOL, holo.!).
A low, spreading, decumbent to ascend-
ing, diffusely branched shrublet with rigid
branches, subglabrous or puberulous on the
young parts. Leaflets 3—10 mm long, some-
times persistent even when dry and dead.
Flowers rather small, solitary or in pairs on tips
of glabrous branchlets which have a peduncle-
like distal intemode. Bracts 0,5- 1 ,2 mm, pedi-
cel c. 1 mm long, and bracteoles 0,1 -0,3 mm
long. Calyx lobes 1,3-2 mm long. Petals light
yellow or standard with dark shades. Standard
blade broadly obovate or ovate, 4, 2 -5, 5 x
3, 3-3, 8 mm, short-sericeous on at least apical
half of the back. Wing blades 4, 3 -5, 3 x
1,5 — 1,7 mm. Keel blades c. 4,4 x 2—2,6 mm,
the keel densely puberulous on lower apical
parts. Pod 8,5-9 x 3,5-4 mm. Figure 102:
9-16.
Restricted to the Cold Bokkeveld and Skurweberg re-
gions in the Ceres Division, recorded from altitudes of up to
2 000 m. Map 88.
Vouchers: Pillans 9612', Schlechter 10200; Thorne,
SAM 52034.
For intermediates between the subspecies, see under
subsp. spinosissima.
196. Aspalathus aristifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 271, 196 (1963);
ibid. 21: 206 (1968). Type: Cape, Olifants
River Valley, 14 miles south-east of Paleisheu-
wel, Clanwilliam Division, Dahlgren & Peter-
son 921 (LD, holo.!).
A procumbent to prostrate shrublet with
main branches up to longer than 1 m. Branch-
lets ascending or spreading, densely villous-to-
mentulose, closely leafy. Leaflets spreading,
subulate-acicular, 1,5— 4(-5) mm long,
0,3-0, 5 mm thick at the base, straight (or
slightly recurved), rigid, glabrous or sparsely
tomentose, tapering into a sharp, yellow spine-
let 1 mm long or more. Flowers solitary or in
pairs on the tips of densely leafy branches.
Bract subulate-acicular, 2, 3-3, 2 mm long, ±
puberulous basally, tapering into a c. 1 mm
long spinelet. Pedicel c. 1 mm long, white-vil-
lous. Bracteoles 1,4— 2,8 mm long. Calyx tube
c. 1,5 mm long, white-tomentulose; lobes nar-
rowly triangular, 1,4— 3,3 mm long, ending in
a 0,5 — 1,6 mm long, yellowish spinelet. Petals
lemon-yellow or ± violet on keel and standard
back. Standard blade 5, 5-7, 5 x 3, 8-5, 5 mm,
apically slightly incurved, acute, densely white-
tomentulose on the back. Wing blades 3,3— 4,5
x (1,2—) 1 ,4- 1 ,8 mm, with some tomentulose
pubescence on the lower part. Keel lunate,
4,5— 5,5( — 6,2) x 2,2— 2,8 mm, obtuse (but
sometimes with a little ‘tip’ below the apex),
white-tomentulose (to partly sericeous) on most
parts, with slightly convex upper margin. Pistil
pubescent on upper parts of the ovary and style
base. Pod triangular-lanceolate, 6,8-8 x
2, 7-3, 7 mm, tomentose (-villous) on most
parts. Chromosome number. 2n—\%. Figure
103:8-16.
Distributed in the Piketberg and Clanwilliam Divi-
sions, mainly the Piketberg and Olifants River Mountains.
Growing on sandy, usually exposed slopes of sandstone
(Table Mountain Sandstone) mountains in sparse and low
fynbos vegetation. Map 89.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 921, 974; Dahlgren
& Strid 3214 , 3841, 3864 , 4251; Esterhuysen 17882,
17929; Pillans 8767; Van Breda 1005.
The forms on the Piketberg Mountains have very
densely pubescent petals and sparsely pubescent young fo-
liage; the keel in these forms may have a little ‘tip’ below
the apex, which is lacking in the more eastern forms.
A. aristifolia is superficially very similar to A. laeta
(no. 144), but the latter has larger petals (especially wings
and keel) and the pod is strikingly different: rhombic, gla-
brous, hard and thick- walled. Perhaps, the similarity is due
to convergence.
The most closely allied species are probably A. rostri-
petala (no. 199), A. proboscidea (no. 197), A. glossoides
(no. 198), A. pulicifolia (no. 201) and A. leptoptera (no.
200).
197. Aspalathus proboscidea Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 202 (1968). Type:
Cape, flats c. 4 miles west of Nieuwoudtville
along the road to Vanrhynspas, Vanrhynsdorp
Division, Dahlgren & Strid 3290 (NBG,
holo.!; BOL, LD, PRE, S).
A procumbent to decumbent, rather close-
ly branched shrublet. Branches up to 0,5 m
long; branchlets ascending, short- villous. Leaf-
lets linear to sausage-shaped, 1,5-3 mm long,
3,6: 306
Crotalarieae
0,4— 0,7 mm thick, slightly incurved (not
spreading), subterete, sparsely puberulous, gla-
brescent, apically mucronulate. Flowers soli-
tary (or in pairs) on the tips of densely leafy
branchlets (sometimes soon appearing lateral by
the development of a branchlet in the axil of the
uppermost leaf). Bract subulate, 1,8 -2, 4 mm
long, adaxially canaliculate, puberulous,
mucronulate. Pedicel c. 1 mm long, white- vil-
lous. Bracteoles slightly smaller than the bract.
Calyx tube broadly campanulate, with dense,
white, spreading pubescence; lobes narrowly
triangular, c. 2 mm long, ± puberulous, ending
in spinelets c. 0,6 mm long. Petals bright or
light yellow, turning ± violet when fading.
Standard c. 8 x 5,5 mm, apically incurved and
acuminate; short-tomentulose on the back.
Wing blades rectangular-elliptic, c. 3,4 x 1,7
mm, puberulous along lower margin. Keel
blade lunate, tomentulose, c. 5 x 2,5 mm ex-
cluding an apical, linear, 1,7-2 mm long pro-
cess attached slightly below the keel apex; keel
apically rounded, with slightly concave upper
margin. Pistil pubescent on basal and upper
parts of the ovary and style base. Ripe pods not
seen. Figure 103: 17-23.
Known only from the Nieuwoudtville area, Vanrhyns-
dorp Division, where the species grows on a sandy high
plateau in fynbos vegetation. Map 89.
Voucher: Dahlgren & Strid 3290.
Resembling A. glossoides (no. 198), but procumbent-
prostrate and much more compact, with less prickly and
spreading leaflets and puberulous calyx. Probably most
closely allied to A. aristifolia (no. 196) which may have a
slight ‘tip’, but not a proboscis, below the keel tip; differing
also from this in the less spreading and less prickly leaflets.
198. Aspalathus glossoides Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 279, 196 (1963);
ibid. 21: 201 (1968). Type: Cape, west of Sta-
welklip on the Piketberg Mountain, Piketberg
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 982 (LD,
holo.!).
An erect or ascending, amply and diffusely
branched shrublet up to c. 1 m tall, with slender
branches. Young branches sparsely short-pu-
bescent. Leaflets spreading, subulate-acicular,
3—8 mm long, and 0,5- 1 mm thick at the base;
straight, rigid, subterete-angular, bright green,
glabrous, ending in a spinelet up to longer than
1,2 mm. Flowers solitary (or in pairs) on the
tips of leafy branches. Bract subulate-
acicular, 1,2-2, 2 mm long, subglabrous, api-
cal half comprising a spine. Pedicel 0,7- 1,7
mm long, short-pubescent. Bracteoles 0,5- 1,4
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, smooth,
glabrous; lobes triangular, 2—3 mm long, gla-
brous, ending in a spinelet more than 1 mm
long. Petals partly yellow, partly sombre vio-
let. Standard blade broadly ovate, 6, 5 -8, 5 x
4-5,3 mm, apically slightly incurved, with a
blunt tip; back densely white-tomentose-seri-
ceous. Wing blades ovate, 3, 4 -4, 3 x 1,7— 2,2
mm, tomentose on lowermost parts. Keel
blades lunate, 5-7,3 x 2, 5 -3, 4 mm excluding
an apical, linear, 0,6— 1,3 mm long process
attached just below the keel apex (hence the
specific name), upper margin slightly concave,
densely tomentose-sericeous on most parts. Pis-
til pubescent on upper parts of ovary and style
base. Pod lanceolate, 10—11,5 x 3,9—4 mm,
sparsely sericeous on most parts. Figure 102:
17-26.
Restricted to the Piketberg Mountain Plateau, growing
in sand in fynbos vegetation. Map 87.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 982; Dahlgren &
Strid 4255; Johnson 288.
Obviously closely allied to A. proboscidea (no. 197)
and A. aristifolia (no. 196) which both may have a similar
keel process, but also to /l. vulnerans (no. 190), A. ulicina
(no. 194) and A. acifera (no. 193).
199. Aspalathus rostripetala Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 244 (1968). Type:
Cape, Olifants River Valley, c. 7 miles north of
Citrusdal, Clanwilliam Division, Dahlgren &
Strid 3845 (NBG, holo. !; LD).
A decumbent or ascending shrublet
0,3 — 0,6( — 1 ) m tall, sometimes loosely and pa-
tently spreading on the ground. Branches rather
slender, copiously branched. Young branches
reddish, short- villous. Leaflets spreading, subu-
late-acicular, 1,5-4, 5 mm long, 0,5-1 mm
thick, straight, rigid, green, glabrous, ending in
a sharp, yellow, 0,4-1 mm long spinelet.
Flowers solitary or 2 or 3 on tips of branchlets,
when more than one then at a distance of less
than 2,5 mm from each other. Bract subulate,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 307
2-3,2 mm long, abaxially glabrous, apical half
comprising a spinelet. Pedicel 1 — 1,3 mm long,
white-puberulous. Bracteoles 1,7-2, 7 mm
long. Calyx tube tomentulose; lobes triangular,
2—3 mm long, green, subglabrous, ending in a
spinelet c. 1 mm long. Petals light yellow,
especially standard turning brown when fading.
Standard blade 6-7 X 5—5,5 mm, apically
slightly incurved, sericeous on the back. Wing
blades 4,4—5 x 1,4— 1,7 mm, broadest at the
base, tapering, somewhat hairy on lower basal
parts; with only 1-2 diffuse rows of small folds
on basal upper parts. Keel blades rostrate,
curved upwards and tapering, subacute, c.
4, 7-5, 5 mm long, 2, 2-2,4 mm broad near
middle, sericeous at least on the lower half.
Pistil pubescent on upper part of ovary. Pod
triangular-ovate, c. 8x 4 mm, sericeous to to-
mentose at least on apical and basal parts. Fig-
ure 103: 1-7.
Probably restricted to the eastern slopes of the Olifants
River Mountains, Clanwilliam Division, growing at low
altitudes on sandy ground. Map 90.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson IONA; Dahlgren &
St rid 3845.
Characterized by the combination of a strongly rostrate
and sericeous keel, in which it is approached by the less
prickly and wholly prostrate A. leptoptera (no. 200). Pro-
bably closely allied to A. aristifolia (no. 196) and forms of
A. divaricata (no. 206).
200. Aspalathus leptoptera H. Bol. in J.
Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 160 (1889); De Wild., PI.
Nov. Herb. Hort. Then. 1: plate 18 (1904);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 199
(1963); ibid. 21: 246 (1968). Type: Cape, foot
of mountains near Ceres, H. Bolus 7313 (BOL,
holo.!; K, SAM).
Prostrate shrublet with main branches up
to longer than l m, radiating from a common
centre and forming circular mats on the ground,
rather densely leafy. Leaflets subulate-botuli-
form, 1 — 2( — 3) mm long, 0,3-0, 4 mm thick,
subterete, usually curved, especially apices of-
ten recurved, light green, glabrous, ending in a
c. 0,3 mm long mucro. Flowers solitary or in
pairs on the tips of densely leafy branchlets.
Bract lanceolate-subulate, 1,4-2, 5 x 0,3-0, 8
mm, subglabrous, mucronate. Pedicel (0,5-)
1,5—2 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles 1—2,2
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, densely pu-
berulous; lobes deltoid-triangular, 1,2-2 mm
long, green, subglabrous, ending in an (often
incurved) cusp c. 0,3 mm long. Petals light
bright yellow. Standard blade broadly ovate,
(5,5-)6-7,5 x (4,7-)5-6,2 mm, rounded
(but with a ‘point’), short-sericeous on most of
the back. Wing blades narrowly elliptic, (2,7-)
3-4,1 X 1,6-2 mm, glabrous or with some
hairs on lower parts. Keel blades lunate, 5-6,2
x 2-2,6 (-2,8) mm, apically somewhat taper-
ing (not squarish) but obtuse, upper side con-
cave; sericeous on lower half or more. Pistil
sericeous on upper parts of ovary and style
base. Pod ovate, 4,3— 5,5 x 2,7-3 mm, short-
sericeous on most parts. Figure 104: 17-23.
Restricted to mountains in the Ceres Division, mainly
to the Skurweberg and its environs, growing in almost white
sand (from Table Mountain Sandstone) accumulated be-
tween rocks, and forming large mats where the ground is
bare. Map 90.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 7313; Dahlgren & Peterson 1113,
1787; Dahlgren & Strid4135; Pillans 9599.
Distinct by the prostrate habit, the densely leafy
branches which are non-thomy, the sericeous keel with al-
ternate apex, and the rather short pods. Probably most
closely allied to A. divaricata (no. 206) and A. horizontalis
(no. 209).
201. Aspalathus pulicifolia Da/z/g. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 286, 198 (1963);
ibid. 21: 235 (1968). Type: Cape, top of Bot-
terkloof Pass, Calvinia Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 961 (LD, holo.!).
An erect or suberect shrub, 0,2-0,5(-l)
m tall, rather densely branched, occasionally
almost cushion-like. Branches strong, rigid,
spreading, when old then persisting as pungent
thorns; young branches puberulous. Leaflets
short, linear-oblong to oviform, conical or
subglobose, 0,5 — 3( — 5) mm long, terete,
apiculate to mucronate, glabrous to grey-pu-
berulous. Flowers solitary or in pairs near the
tips of branches (ending beyond the flower in a
thorn) or on the tips of short, sometimes almost
leafless, lateral branchlets. Bract and brac-
teoles ovate to subulate, small, 0,8- 1,8 mm
long, apiculate-mucronulate, subglabrous or
puberulous. Pedicel (1,1 — )1 ,5 — 2 mm long,
short-pubescent. Calyx tube campanulate,
densely puberulous; lobes triangular, 1,2-2
3,6: 308
Crotalarieae
Figure 104. Aspalathus pulicifolia (1-16); A. leptoptera (17-23). — 1, 2, 10, 17: floriferous branches; 3, 11, 18:
bracts; 4, 12, 19: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13: flowers; 6: calyx; 7, 20: standard petals, back view; 8, 14, 21: wing petals;
9, 15, 22: keel petals; 16, 23: pistils. — 1-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 961 (Calvinia Distr. ); 10-16 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 312 (Little Namaqualand); 17-23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1113 (Ceres Distr.). — (1, 2, 10 X2; all others
x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 309
mm long, greenish, puberulous to subglabrous,
ending in a sharp spinelet. Petals pale yellow,
turning sombre violet when fading. Standard
ovate, (6,4-)8,2- 10,4 x (4,2-)4,6-6,5
mm, ± recurved at the base; apex incurved,
acute; sides ± incurved; back densely short-se-
riceous. Wing blades very short, ovate-elliptic,
(l,5-)2,4-4,6 x (1,2 — )1 ,7 — 2,1 mm, with
some pubescence on lower parts and 5-6 rows
of minute folds covering most of outer side.
Keel ‘boomerang- shaped’, angled, relatively
large, (5,5-)6,5 -9,2 x (2,3-)2,6-3 mm,
apically obtuse, sericeous on most of outside
(upper, concave margin glabrous). Pistil pubes-
cent on upper parts of ovary and style base.
Ripe pods not seen. Figure 104: 1-16.
Occurring on mountains and high plateaux in the Van-
rhynsdorp, Calvinia and Little Namaqualand Divisions.
Growing in fynbos communities bordering on the karoo.
The substrate may be gravelly, granite rock (near Leliefon-
tein), or shale slopes (near Steinkopf). Maps 54 and 90.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 298, 305, 312, 323,
961; Dahlgren & Strid 3297; Nordenstam 1577; Pearson,
P. Sladen Mem. Exp. 5682, 6301 .
A characteristic species closely related to A. acuminata
(no. 202).
202. Aspalathus acuminata Lam., En-
cycl. 1: 287 (1782); DC., Prodr. 2: 138 (1825);
E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 156 (1832); Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 220 (1836); E. Mey., Comm.
1: 46 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 501 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 650 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 137 (1862); H. Bol. & Wol-
ley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254
(1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins.
482 (1950). Type: ‘A. acuminata enc., Sonne-
rat’, branch ‘D’ in Lamarck’s herbarium (P,
lecto.!).
Achyronia acuminata (Lam.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus pungens Thunb., Prodr. 2: 129 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 2: 24 (1802); FI. Cap. edn 2: 584 (1823);
E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 156 (1832; as synonym of A. acumi-
nata); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 220 (1836); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 649 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 137
(1862); Schltr. in Zahlbr. in Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20:
20 (1905). This is here treated as subsp. pungens. Achyro-
nia pungens (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Type: 'Aspalathus pungens 1, e cap. b. spei’ in Thunberg’s
herttarium (UPS, lecto. !).
Aspalathus acuminata Lam. var. ((3) inermis E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 46 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 502 (1839). A.
inermis (E. Mey.) Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 650
(1848). A. divaricata Thunb. var. (y) inermis (E. Mey.)
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 138 (1862). Type: Cape, Paarlberg, Paarl
Division, Drege (S, lecto.!; BOL, L, PRE, W).
An erect or ascending shrub 0,15 — 2( — 5)
m tall, from much to rather sparingly branched,
with straight, spreading, rigid (rarely rather
slender and weak) branches terminating in
sharp, leafless thorns, simultaneously repre-
senting the inflorescence axes. Young branches
yellowish, short-tomentose, ending in naked,
glabrous, pointed thorns. Leaflets spreading,
from ovoid to linear-subulate, 0,8-4(-6) mm
long, terete or angular, often slightly recurved,
light green, glabrous, from mucronulate to
rather sharply spine-tipped. Inflorescence a
1 -5-flowered terminal spike, the axis of which
ends in a thorn continuing beyond the most dis-
tal flower. Bract narrowly ovate, lanceolate or
subulate, 0,5-2,5(-3) x 0,4-1 mm, glabrous
on the abaxial side, spine-tipped. Pedicel
1.2— 2,8 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles
0,3-2(-2,7) mm long. Calyx tube either ap-
pressedly puberulous or short-ciliate; lobes del-
toid to narrowly triangular, 0,27-2,8 mm long,
green, spine-tipped. Petals light yellow, bright
yellow or orange, the standard sometimes with
violet shades. Standard blade 4, 8-9, 2(— 10,6)
x 3,8 — 7,5( — 8,7) mm, short- sericeous on most
of the back, glabrous on the front, apex ±
incurved. Wing blades 2,6 — 8,5( — 10) x
1 .3— 3( — 3,7) mm, glabrous or with some pu-
bescence on lower parts. Keel blades upcurved
at almost right angles, 4-8(-8,7) mm long
(measured straight from base to apex), 1,8-3, 6
mm broad at middle, obtuse, upper margin
strongly concave, apical-lower half or more
short-sericeous. Pistil sericeous on at least up-
per half of the ovary and style base. Pod triang-
ular-lanceolate, 5,7-12 x 2, 4-4, 5 mm, seri-
ceous on most parts. Chromosome number. 2 n
= 18 (both subspecies).
Distributed from the northern parts of the Cape Penin-
sula in the south-west, eastwards to near Albertinia in the
Riversdale Division mainly south of the Langeberg Moun-
tains, and northwards to Little Namaqualand. The species
(especially subsp. acuminata) is very variable both in size
and ecological requirements growing in sand as well as in
clayey soil, usually in the lowlands or on lower mountain
slopes.
3,6:310
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6:311
The variation is very complex, but the species is divi-
sible into two subspecies, possibly worthy of species rank.
A. acuminata subsp. magniflora Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 270 (1963) and 21: 233 (1968) is here
treated as a separate species: A. tulbaghensis (no. 203).
Keel blades c. 6 mm long or less (measured straight
from base to apex); calyx appressedly short-
puberulous; shrubs usually less than 0,6 m tall
202a. subsp. acuminata
Keel blades more than 6 mm long; calyx ± villous;
shrubs usually more than 0,6 m tall
202b. subsp. pungens
202a. subsp. acuminata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
196 (1963); ibid. 21:221 (1968).
The synonymy and literature agree with that of the spe-
cies above, except for the names with the epithet pungens.
An erect, ascending (or rarely decumbent)
shrub or shrublet, 0,15— 0,6 m tall, some pale-
flowered forms up to 1,5 m. Branches straight,
spreading and usually very rigid, but in some
forms (e.g. in the Olifants River) rather slender
and weak; lateral branches always ending in
naked, pointed thorns. Leaflets oviform to lin-
ear or subulate, from shorter than 0,5 mm to
more than 3 mm (rarely 7,5 mm) long. Bract
0,5— 2,5(— 3) mm and bracteoles 0,3-2(-2,7)
mm long. Calyx tube usually appressed-puberu-
lous; lobes 0,7 — 2,2( — 2,6) mm long including
the apical spinelets. Petals bright yellow or in
some populations light (or pale) lemon-yellow;
standard sometimes partly violet; petal pubes-
cence more appressed than in subsp. pungens.
Standard blade 4,8-8 x 3,8-6 mm, wing
blades 2, 6-5, 3 x 1,3— 2,3 mm, and keel
blades 4-6,3 x 1,8-3 mm. Pods 5,7-11,5 x
2, 4-3, 7 mm. Figure 105: 1-14.
Distribution covering the whole area of the species,
partly sympatric with that of subsp. pungens, these two in
some regions rather different, in others approaching. Like
A. spinosa subsp. spinosa (no. 165a), A. acuminata subsp.
acuminata is highly variable and its populations are differ-
ent in the preference of soils. Maps 54 and 91 .
One population, characterized by large total size and
light lemon-coloured flowers (see below) grows on sand in
the Olifants River Valley (Clanwilliam Division). It merges
into stiffer and lower forms on sandy and clayey substrates.
Forms near Strand and Gordon’s Bay (Somerset West Divi-
sion) grow on veritable sand dunes on the coast, and some
forms grow on marine sand substrate near Piketberg, south
of Worcester, near Bredasdorp, near ‘Darling Bridge’, in
the Wolseley region, etc. all on sandy substrate.
Other forms grow on clayey substrate, e.g. in the
Breede River Valley (Worcester Division) and in the Mal-
mesbury and Riviersonderend regions, where the vegetation
is a mixed fynbos scrub/renosterbos rather than Cape fyn-
bos.
Vouchers: Acocks 19770; H. Bolus 8083; Compton
21169; Dahlgren & Peterson 302, 785, 1724, 1755, 1800;
Dahlgren & Strid 3266, 3480, 3625, 4310, 4462, 4786,
4951; Esterhuysen 7681; Fourcade 5247; Schlechter 7527 .
A. acuminata subsp. acuminata is highly variable.
Some forms, such as those in the eastern parts, in the
Riversdale-George Divisions, are closely branched, occa-
sionally almost cushion-like, with short leaflets (1-2 mm
long) and relatively small flowers, with short, deltoid calyx
lobes. Similar forms occur in other parts, e.g. in the Somer-
set West Division. However, most forms in the south-west,
in the Cape Peninsula and in the Paarl, Wellington, Caledon
and Bredasdorp Divisions have longer leaflets (1,5—4 mm
long) and somewhat larger flowers, and taller forms, up to
0,8 m tall with linear, weak leaflets up to 6 mm long occur
in the Genadendal region (Caledon Division). In the Wor-
cester Division the variation is great, some forms being
dense and small-flowered, other forms having medium-
sized flowers, some of them, e.g. on sandy habitats near
Wolseley, with slender branches.
Forms of subsp. acuminata on the Piketberg Mountain
plateau vary between 0,25 and 1 m in height and have pale,
spreading branches and light yellow flowers. They are
widely different from the forms of subsp. pungens in the
same area.
A very distinctive population of subsp. acuminata,
resembling that on the Piketberg, occurs in sandy parts of
the Olifants River Valley, Clanwilliam Division. They
comprise shrubs 0,6- 1,5 m tall with slender, pale yellow,
ascending branches, bearing, below the slender spines, 3-6
flowers in a sparse racemule. The leaflets are often short,
0,6— 2(— 4) mm long, and mucronulate, the flowers, which
are medium-sized for subsp. acuminata, have light (to pale)
yellow petals, the standard often with greyish or greenish
shade. (Vouchers of this form series are Dahlgren & Peter-
son 885, 886, 927, 958; Dahlgren <6 Strid 4460.) Forms in
the Clanwilliam region may be more rigid and pungent, and
Figure 105. Aspalathus acuminata subsp. acuminata (1-14); A. acuminata subsp. pungens (15-23); A. tulbag-
hensis (24—31). — 1, 8, 15, 24: floriferous branches (inflorescence axes = branch thorns); 2, 9, 16: flowers; 3, 10, 17, 25:
bracts; 4, 11, 18, 26: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12, 20, 29: wing petals; 6, 13, 21, 30: keel petals; 7, 14, 23: fruits; 19, 28:
standard petals, side view; 22, 31: pistils; 27: calyx. — 1—7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1427 (Mossel Bay Distr. ); 8—13
from Dahlgren & Peterson 1203; 14 from Salter 7165 (Cape Flats); 15-22 from Dahlgren & Peterson 965; 23 from
Dahlgren & Strid 2496 (Piketberg Distr.); 24-31 from Dahlgren & Peterson 710 (Tulbagh Distr.). — (1,8, 15, 24 X 2; all
others x4.)
3,6: 312
Crotalarieae
Maps 91-95. — Map 91. Aspalathus acuminata subsp. acuminata (unbroken line; see also Map 54). — Map 92. A.
acuminata subsp. pungens (unbroken line); A. tulbaghensis (squares). — Map 93. A. corrudifolia (unbroken line); A.
secunda (square). — Map 94. A. divaricata subsp. divaricata (unbroken line). — Map 95. A divaricata subsp. gracilior
(triangles); A. leptocoma (squares).
Crotalarieae
3,6:313
the Olifants River Valley forms tend to become ill-defined
both southwards and northwards. Rather tall weak shrubs
up to 0,8 m high occur in Little Namaqualand. They have
pale yellow branches, rather large flowers for the subspe-
cies but short wing petals (short wings also occur in other
populations). The wings are not as short as those in A.
pulicifolia (no. 201) which otherwise could easily be con-
fused with A. acuminata in this region.
202b. subsp. pungens (Thunb.) Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 270, 196(1963);
ibid. 21: 230 (1968). Type: ‘ A . pungens 1’ in
Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. !).
A. pungens Thunb.; see literature etc. under the species,
above.
An erect shrub 0,6-2(— 5) m tall, with a
distinct trunk, rarely up to more than 40 mm
thick. Branches straight, rigid, the lateral end-
ing in sharp, reddish to pale orange, brown or
yellowish thorns; young branches, below the
thorns, short-villous. Leaflets subulate,
1 — 4( — 6) mm long, often recurved, ending in a
0,2-0, 6 mm long spinelet. Flowers larger than
in subsp. acuminata, solitary or up to 5 on the
thorny ends, the most distal flower usually c. 10
mm below the thorn apex. Bract and bracteoles
caducous, 1,2—2 mm long, basal half lanceo-
late, distal half a spine. Pedicel 1,3-2, 5 mm
long, villous or tomentose. Calyx tube usually
with short, ± spreading (‘villous’) or more
rarely half-appressed pubescence; lobes trian-
gular, 1,4— 2,8 mm long including apical spine-
lets. Petals bright yellow to orange-yellow.
Standard blade (6,5-)7,5— 9,2(- 10,5) x
(5,3 — ) 5,5 — 7,5 ( — 8,7) mm, short-tomentose
(-sericeous) on the back. Wing blades 5, 2 -8, 5
(-10) xl,8-3(-3,7) mm, glabrous or rarely
with some pubescence on the lower parts. Keel
blade 6-8(-8,7) x 2,6-3,6(-4,3) mm. Pod
(8,5-) 9,5-12 x (3,2— )3,6— 4,2(— 4,5) mm.
Figure 105: 15-23.
Distributed mainly on the hills and mountains from
Mamre (Malmesbury Division) in the south-west via the
Piketberg Mountain, where the subspecies is regionally fre-
quent, to the Olifants River Mountains and Cederberg
Mountains, with a somewhat deviating population in the
Nardouw region (the last three areas in the Clanwilliam
Division). The species grows on reddish sandy soil with a
considerable clay content. It grows in fynbos communities
or mixed fynbos-renosterbos communities. Map 92.
The two subspecies are partly sympatric; yet they seem
to keep reasonably distinct. Therefore species rank, as ori-
ginally applied, may be justified, though distinction is
sometimes difficult. The collections from north of the Ce-
derberg Mountain (the Nardouw region) are more or less
intermediate between subsp. acuminata and pungens.
Vouchers: Bolus 8438, 13542; Compton 6974, 22972;
Dahlgren & Peterson 255, 258, 767, 958, 979; Dahlgren
& Strid 2478, 2480, 2525, 2784, 2792, 3236, 3872, 4958,
4961 ; Howes 220; Schlechter 7988.
The largest-flowered forms occur on the Piketberg
Mountain (Piketberg Division), where the subspecies is
common in the Stawel Klip-Moutons Vlei region. Here the
shrubs become 3 — 4(— 5) m tall; their calyx has spreading
pubescence and the petals are rather orange-yellow. Other
forms in the Piketberg Division have somewhat smaller
petals; such forms also occur in the Olifants River-Ceder-
berg Mountains (Clanwilliam Division). The forms of the
Mamre-Darling region (Malmesbury Division) comprise
shrubs 0,6- 1,5 m tall, often with a distinct trunk. These
meet subsp. acuminata, which is here lower, more densely
branched, and has thinner branches and smaller flowers,
without the formation of obvious intermediates. The north-
ernmost forms, from the Nardouw region and southwards to
the northern end of the Cederberg Mountains are transition-
al between subsp. pungens and those tall, pale-flowered
forms of subsp. acuminata centred in the Olifants River
Valley.
A. acuminata is closely similar to the larger- flowered
A. tulbaghensis (no. 203) and toA. pulicifolia (no. 201), A.
cuspidata (no. 191), A. acifera (no. 193) and A. rostripe-
tala (no. 199), all with pubescent keel. It is also closely
allied to A. secunda (no. 204), which differs in having the
standard pubescent on the front.
203. Aspalathus tulbaghensis Dahlg.,
nom. et stat. nov. Type: Cape, 3 miles south of
Wolseley on road to Wellington, Tulbagh Divi-
sion, Dahlgren & Peterson 1084 (LD, holo. !).
A. acuminata Lam. subsp. magniflora Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 270, 198 (1963); ibid. 21: 233 (1968).
Type as the preceding.
An erect, 0,6— 1,2 m tall shrub, much
branched, with straight, rigid, spreading
branches. Lateral branchlets divaricate, strong,
straight, rigid, thorny, reddish yellow, white -
tomentose or villous on most parts but with a
sharp, glabrous, pale yellowish apex. Leaflets
subulate, 2—6 mm long, subterete or somewhat
angular, straight or apically recurved, rigid,
glabrous, light green, tapering into a sharp spi-
nelet. Inflorescence a terminal raceme the axis
of which comprises a pungent thorn; raceme
with 1-3 (4) flowers, the distal one situated
10-25 mm from the thorn apex; distance be-
tween flowers short. Flowers larger than those
in A. acuminata (no. 202), but similar in most
3,6:314
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 315
respects. Bract lanceolate-subulate, 2—3 x
0,8— 1,2 mm, abaxially glabrous, spine-tipped.
Pedicel 1-2 mm long, white-tomentose. Brac-
teoles 1, 6-3,4 mm long, green base abruptly
narrowing to become subulate and spine-tipped,
the spines c. 1 mm long or more and yellowish.
Petals light to bright yellow. Standard blade
10,5—13,5 x 9,5x11,5 mm, somewhat re-
curved, acute or obtuse but with a tip, densely
sericeous on the back but glabrous on the front.
Wing blades lunate, upcurved, 10,2—12,3
x3,2-4,3 mm, glabrous, rigid. Keel blades
rather rostrate, upcurved at right angles near
middle (‘boomerang-shaped’), 9,0-9, 6 mm
long (measured straight from base to apex) and
3, 2-4, 3 mm broad at broadest point, apex ob-
tuse, lower half densely sericeous. Pistil seri-
ceous on upper parts of ovary and on style base,
ciliate on upper side of basal half of style. Pods
not seen. Figure 105: 24— 31.
Restricted to the Wolseley area on the lowlands of the
Breede River Valley, Tulbagh Division, growing on hard
sandy substrate in fynbos scrub. The species was locally
subdominant in patches between Romans River and Botha
Railway Station in 1965 but may be threatened by extinc-
tion. (It is otherwise obviously favoured by burning and
clearing of the ground!) Map 92.
Vouchers: Bolus 5029; Dahlgren & Peterson 710,
1084; Dahlgren & Strid 3978.
Previously included in A. acuminata (no. 202), which
it resembles, but so completely distinctive in size and de-
tails that specific rank is justified.
204. Aspalathus secunda E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 47 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 649 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 137
(1836; as synonym of A. pungens ); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 199 (1963); ibid.
21: 217 (1968). Type: Cape, Riebeek-Kasteel
[‘Riebekskasteel’], Malmesbury Division,
Drege (S, lecto.!; G, K, L, P, PRE).
A strong, erect (? metres high), shrub with
spreading, straight, rigid branches terminating
in strong thorns; lateral branches ending as axes
of the inflorescences (racemes). Leaflets linear-
subfiliform, slender, (3—) 5 — 12( — 15) mm
long, weak, ± curved, subterete, green, sub-
glabrous, acute to mucronulate (mucro up to
0,3 mm long). Inflorescences terminating the
branches (their axes later forming the branch
thorns), racemose, (1)2 or 3(4)-flowered, the
flowers up to 4 mm from each other. Bract
subulate, 0,6 — 1,2 mm long, rigid, pointed, ad-
axially puberulous, otherwise glabrous. Pedicel
c. 1,5 mm long, densely short-tomentose.
Bracteoles 0,5— 0,8 mm long. Calyx tube pu-
berulous; lobes triangular, 1 — 1,5 mm long,
green, subglabrous, spine-tipped. Petals rather
large, bright yellow, partly pubescent on both
front (inside) and back (outside). Standard
blade obovate, 8, 2-9, 2 x 6,0— 6,5 mm, with
narrow base and retuse-rounded apex; sericeous
on most of the back and also on the central
(most) parts of the front. Wing blades oblong -
spathulate, 6,4-7 x c. 2 mm, ± sericeous on
lower half. Keel blades ‘boomerang-shaped’,
forming an angle of c. 100 °, 7-7,5 x 2—2,3
mm, upper-apical part rounded, upper margin
concave; sericeous on most parts. Pistil seri-
ceous on upper parts of ovary and style base;
ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate. Ripe pods
not seen. Figure 106: 14-20.
Limited to the Riebeek-Kasteel Mountain in the Mal-
mesbury Division, growing on hill slopes at c. 250 m alti-
tude. Map 93.
Vouchers: Drege, Riebekskasteel; Pillans 6809.
Very distinct by the standard which is pubescent on
most of the front. Otherwise closely related to A. tulbaghen-
sis (no. 203) and A. acuminata (no. 202).
205. Aspalathus corrudifolia Berg.,
Descr. PI. Cap. 207 (1767); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 191 (1963); ibid. 21: 213
(1968). Type: Cape, ‘Cap. b. sp. Grubb; Aspa-
lathus mihi corrudifolia’ in Bergius’ herbarium
(SBT, holo.!).
Between 1767 and 1963 the name A. corrudifolia Berg,
was never used for this species, but for various others, e. g.
for A. setacea in DC., Prodr. 2: 130 (1825) and Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216 (1836). Later this species was some-
FlGURE 106. Aspalathus corrudifolia (1-13); A. secunda (14-20). — 1, 10, 14: floriferous branches; 2, 11:
bracts; 3, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, back view; 6, 11a, 18: wing petals; 7, 12a, 19: keel blades; 8, 13, 20:
pistils; 9: fruit; 15: flower; 16: standard, side view; 17: same, front view. — 1-8 from Dahlgren <6 Peterson 709 (Ceres
Distr.); 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 162 (Tulbagh Distr.); 10-13 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1259 (Worcester Distr.);
14-20 from Pillans 6809 (Malmesbury Distr.). — (1, 10, 14 x2; all others x4.)
3,6:316
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 107. Aspalathus divaricata subsp. divaricata. — 1, 9: floriferous branches; 2, 10: bracts; 3, 11: bracteoles
(prophylls); 4, 12: calyces; 5, 13: wing petals; 6, 14: keel petals; 7, 15: pistils; 8: fruit. — 1—8 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1209 (Table Mt, Cape Peninsula); 9—15 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1094 (Cape Flats). — (All x4.)
times cited as ‘A. corrudifolia DC., non Berg.’ Similarly
‘ Achyronia corrudaefolia OK.’ in Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 (1891) was based on ‘Aspalathus corrudaefolia' (sic!)
‘Berg. em. DC.’ and should not be enumerated in the syn-
onymy of A. corrudifolia Berg.
Aspalathus genistoides L., Mant. 261 (1771); Lam., En-
cycl.: 289 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 128 (1800); Diss. Bot.
Aspalathus 2: 18 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 959 (1802);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 581 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 140
(1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 650 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 157 (1862). Achyronia genistoides (L.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: 'Tulbagh 29’, on
which this was based has not been traced. A Thunberg
specimen, ‘T 387’ in LINN is selected as neotype.
The name ‘A. genistoides L.’ has been misused for
other species, e.g. for A. taricifolia in Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2:214(1836).
A slender, erect shrub 1-3 m tall, spar-
ingly to rather richly branched, often lanky,
with an up to more than 1 m long trunk, but
sometimes branched from the base. Branches
slender (sometimes pendulous), sparsely to
Crotalarieae
3,6:317
densely short-tomentose. Leaflets linear-fili-
form, 4-10 mm long, weak, subterete, ±
curved, glabrous or subglabrous, bright green,
acute to acuminate. Inflorescence a terminal ra-
ceme of 2—12 rather large flowers situated
some mm from each other; rarely pairs of close-
ly situated flowers. Bract and bracteoles linear,
(1,2 — )1 ,6 — 2,4 mm long, almost glabrous, api-
culate or mucronulate. Pedicel 1 — 3( — 4,5) mm
long, puberulous. Calyx broadly campanulate,
glabrous, sparsely appressed-puberulous; lobes
triangular, 0,8— 1,6 mm long, glabrous, green,
mucronate. Petals bright yellow. Standard
blade 9,5-11,5 x 7,5— 9,5 mm, sericeous on
the base of the back and often also very sparsely
sericeous on its apical half or more. Wing
blades 7-8,7 x 2,9— 3,9 mm, glabrous. Keel
blades lunate-rostrate, 7,5— 9,7 x 3-4 (-4,5)
mm, the apical part prolonged and rounded or
tapering; glabrous or often very sparsely ap-
pressed-puberulous on apical lower parts; upper
margin slightly concave. Pistil sericeous on
ovary and style base. Pod broadly triangular-
lanceolate, 9— 1 1 x 4—4,5 mm, sparsely short-
sericeous on most parts. Chromosome number.
2n=18. Figure 106: 1-13.
Distributed often on steep mountain slopes in the Tul-
bagh, Ceres, Worcester and Robertson Divisions. Growing
in well-drained sandy soil in fynbos vegetation. Map 93.
Vouchers: H. Bolus 5031; Bolus & Wolley-Dod,
Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 57; Dahlgren & Peterson 709,
1099, 1162, 1259, 1783; Dahlgren & Strid 3464; Esterhuy-
sen 10951, 14260, 16714, 22245, 26604.
This species is very variable. The shrubs of the popula-
tion in the Tulbagh-Ceres Divisions are characterized by
their large size, up to 2 m or more; they are slender, often
with pendulous branches, puberulous calyx and sparsely
sericeous standard back and keel apex. The Worcester-Rob-
ertson Divisions (Keeromsberg-Langeberge) are inhabited
by shrubs which are usually lower, and which have slightly
more spreading branches and subglabrous calyx and petals.
The keel in these forms is curved near the middle (closer to
the base in the previous forms) and is more acute.
A. corrudifolia in several features approaches A. au-
rantiaca (no. 211) and A. biflora (no. 212) but is larger in
total size and as a rule has several-flowered racemes and
larger flowers.
206. Aspalathus divaricata Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 2:
21 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 961 (1802);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2, 582 (1823); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Steud. in Flora 13: 547
(1830); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 158 (1832);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 204 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 502 (1839; as synonym of A. acu-
minata var. (P) inermis); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 651 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
138 (1862; pro parte); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod
in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 482
(1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
200 (1963; pro parte); ibid. 21: 247 (1968; pro
parte). Type: ‘ Aspalathus divaricata' in Thun-
berg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto. ! ; LD).
Achyronia divaricata (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). Aspalathus divaricata Thunb. var. (a) thunbergii
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 138(1862).
A. divergens Willd. var. ((3) racemulosa E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 45 (1836). Type: Cape, near Tokay and on Table
Mountain, Cape Peninsula, Ecklon 87 (K!). Synonym of
subsp. divaricata.
[A. divaricata Thunb. subsp. horizontalis Dahlg. and
subsp. brevicarpa Dahlg. are here treated as separate spe-
cies.]
A procumbent, ascending or erect shrub or
shrublet, from less than 0,1 to more than 1 m
tall, with branches spreading and straight to
slender, weak and diffusely branched; branches
often reddish, from subglabrous to short-seri-
ceous or short-villous on the young parts; flori-
ferous branches leafy, sometimes with rather
long intemodes, but only rarely somewhat
‘peduncle-like’. Leaflets (ovoid-) linear or
subulate, usually 1-5 mm long and 0,25-0,7
(—0,9) mm thick, green, glabrous, mucronulate
to sharply spine-tipped. Inflorescences termi-
nal, head-like or elongate, or unifloral to few-
flowered or with up to 10 flowers, situated on
leafy branches; flowers sometimes at intervals
of up to more than 5 mm, sometimes radiating
from almost one point (the branch apex). Flow-
ers small or moderate in size. Bract conical,
tooth-like, lanceolate or subulate, (0,3 — )1 — 2,5
(-3,2) mm long, glabrous at least on the adax-
ial side, mucronate to spine-tipped. Pedicel
0,5-2(-2,5) mm long, short-pubescent. Brac-
teoles (0,4— )0,8— 2,5(— 3) mm long. Calyx
tube usually glabrous, sometimes sparsely
puberulous; lobes triangular or narrowly trian-
gular, (0,5 — )0,7— 2( — 2,6) mm long, glabrous,
green, ending in a mucro or spinelet sometimes
making up more than half the lobe length.
Petals light or bright yellow, or partly purplish
3,6:318
Crotalarieae
24
Crotalarieae
3,6:319
or violet on the standard back. Standard blade
(4 — )4,5 — 8( — 9) x (3— )3,5— 6,5 (-7) mm,
short-sericeous at least on apical third (often on
two-thirds) of the back. Wing blade narrowly
ovate or narrowly elliptic, (2,2 — )2,6 — 7( — 8,5)
x (0,8 — )1,2 — 2,3 mm, glabrous. Keel blades
upcurved at almost right angles near the middle,
(3,3-) 3,5 — 6,5( — 7) mm long (measured
straight from base to apex), glabrous, obtuse,
apical-upper part ± squarish, upper side
strongly convex in the middle part, with or
without prominent basal puckering. Pistil
pubescent at least on upper parts, often most, of
the ovary and the style base. Pod triangular-lan-
ceolate, 6-11,5 x 2,7 -4,2 mm, smooth, ±
sericeous.
Distributed in western Cape, from the Cape Peninsula
in the south-west to the Riviersonderend Mountains (Cale-
don Division) and the Hex River Pass region (Worcester
Division) in the east, and the Gifberg (Vanrhynsdorp Divi-
sion) in the north. The species grows on mountain slopes, in
sandy or rocky habitats (mainly Table Mountain Sandstone
ground) at up to 1 300 m altitude (rarely up to 2 000 m), in
mountain fynbos.
A. divaricata, even with A. horizontalis (no. 209) and
A. brevicarpa (no. 208) excluded, is extraordinarily vari-
able and includes regional races which are very characteris-
tic and different from each other. It is here divided into 2
subspecies according to the following key:
Flowers very small, on gracile, subfiliform branch-
lets; standard blade usually less than 5 mm and
keel blades less than 3,6 mm long
206b. subsp. gracilior
Flowers not as small, on slender to rather thick
branches; standard blade usually more than 5 mm
and keel blades more than 4 mm long
206a. subsp. divaricata
206a. subsp. divaricata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
200(1963); ibid. 21: 254 (1968).
Literature, synonyms etc. see under the species, above.
The description of A. divaricata largely
applies to subsp. divaricata, although with a
few limitations. Habit variable, a procumbent
shrublet to erect shrub up to 1 m tall. Leaflets
linear or subulate, rarely ovoid, from less than 1
to more than 5 mm, when long then sharply
spine-tipped. Inflorescences uni- to multiflo-
rous, up to c. 10-flowered, sometimes subglo-
bose, when few-flowered then sometimes at in-
tervals of up to 8 mm on the branch ends.
Bracts and bracteoles 0,4— c. 3 mm long. Pedi-
cel 0,5 -2,5 mm long, pubescent. Calyx tube
usually glabrous, rarely sparsely appressed-
puberulous; lobes 0,5-c. 2,5 mm long, deltoid
to narrowly triangular, with short or long and
sharp apical spine. Standard blade (4,5 — )5 — 8
(—9) x (3,5 — )4 — 6,5( — 7) mm. Wing blades
narrowly elliptic or ovate, obovate or oblong,
3,5 — 7( — 8,5) x 1,3— 2,3 mm. Keel blades
(3,6 — )4 — 6,5( — 7) x (1,5 — )1 ,8 — 2,8( — 3) mm,
variable in shape but usually with S-curved up-
per margin, and ± squarish upper- apical part,
occasionally with a few hairs near the apex,
with or without distinct basal puckering. Ovary
short-sericeous on upper parts. Pod 6-11,5 x
2. 7- 4, 2 mm, from subglabrous to short-seri-
ceous on most parts. Chromosome number:
2«=18 (several collections). Figures 107 &
108: 1-16.
Distribution area largely coinciding with that of the
species (see above), subsp. gracilior representing some
ecologically and geographically rather restricted popula-
tions. Subsp. divaricata only rarely occurs above 1 400 m.
Map 94.
A brief account will here be given of the form series in
the different parts of the distribution area.
(1) On the northern part of the Cape Peninsula,
especially in the Newlands region, the subspecies is repre-
sented by erect shrubs up to 1 m tall with straight, spreading
branches white-villous on the young parts. The leaflets are
spreading and sharp, 2-4 mm long and the flowers occur,
2-10 together, in racemules. They are rather large, bright
yellow and have up to 2,5 mm long calyx lobes. Standard
blades 6,5-8 x 5, 5-6, 5 mm. Wing blades 5, 5-8, 5 X
1. 8- 2,4 mm. Keel blades 5-7 X 2,3-3 mm. Pods 9- 1 1
mm long.
Vouchers: Acocks 3428; Dahlgren & Peterson 1209;
Salter 7913, 7968; Wolley-Dod 3332.
FIGURE 108. Aspalathus divaricata subsp. divaricata (1-16); A. divaricata subsp. gracilior (20- 27); a transi-
tional form between the subspecies (17—19). — 1, 2, 3, 11, 17, 20: floriferous branchlets; 4, 12, 22: bracts; 5, 13, 23:
bracteoles (prophylls); 6, 25: standard petals, back view; 7, 15, 18, 26: wing petals; 8, 16, 19, 27: keel petals; 9: pistil; 10:
fruit; 14, 24: calyces; 21: branch. — 1 from Dahlgren & Peterson 701; 2 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1088 (Worcester
Distr. ); 3-10 from Compton 6204 (Clanwilliam Distr.); 11-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1293 (Cape Town Distr.);
17-19 from Esterhuysen 15959 (Worcester Distr.); 20-27 from Compton 15642 (Paarl Distr.). — (1-8, 10-27 x4; 9
X8.)
3,6: 320
Crotalarieae
(2) Forms that occur between Devil’s Peak and the
Muizenberg Mountain, resemble the previous but have
lower growth, white- villous branches, more densely
arranged and shorter, less prickly leaflets, and shorter bracts
and calyx lobes, although the petals are only slightly small-
er than in the previous forms.
Vouchers: Barker 2082 ; Bolus 4701; Salter 7870.
(3) In the other parts of the Cape Peninsula the shrubs
are generally much smaller and more diffusely branched,
the leaflets are 2-3 mm long, and the flowers fewer, some-
what smaller and sometimes solitary.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1293; Schlechter
7316; Wolley-Dod 911 .
Forms similar to these occur on the Hottentots Holland
Mountains and Kogelberg down to Cape Hangklip. They
often have quite succulent leaflets ending in a fine, sharp
spinelet.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 566; Dahlgren &
Strid 3316; Parker 4311.
(4) In connection with the forms of subsp. divaricata
growing on the eastern side of Table Mountain, forms
should be mentioned which grow in marine sand on the
Cape and Malmesbury Flats as far north as the Hopefield
Division. Similar forms may also occur on the southern
parts of the Cape Peninsula (e.g. Dahlgren & Strid 5000).
The branches are decumbent, up to more than 1 m long,
white-villous, often with closely set and rather succulent,
often incurved, mucronate leaflets and subglobose inflo-
rescences which are smaller and have shorter calyx lobes
than the Newlands forms mentioned above.
Vouchers: Compton 9396; Dahlgren & Peterson 678,
778; Dahlgren & Strid 4096, 4326, 4933; Moss 9062.
(5) Forms in the Paarl, Wellington, Worcester, Tul-
bagh and Ceres Divisions are decumbent to ascending, dif-
fusely branched, 0,2-0, 6 m tall, with slender branches
puberulous on the young parts. The leaflets are thinner than
in most forms previously mentioned and end in a fine spine-
let. The flowers are medium-sized for the species or rather
small, and solitary or up to 3, at some distance from each
other on the axis. The pods are smaller than on the Penin-
sula, sometimes only half the length.
Vouchers: Bolus 2761; Dahlgren & Peterson 701,
799, 1082, 1088, 1114, 1790; Dahlgren & Strid 2808,
3136, 3164, 3976, 4007, 4117, 4937; Esterhuysen 3799,
15959, 17664.
Among these some forms are quite slender and gracile,
approaching, but not as extreme as, subsp. gracilior ( Ester-
huysen 21060), others are compact, low and rather similar
to A. brevicarpa (no. 208), but less postrate and with longer
pods (Compton 12075).
Although in some regions, such as Bain’s Kloof and
Badsberg, there are transitional forms between A. lepto-
coma (no. 207) and A. divaricata, these two species occur
in the Tulbagh region and seem distinct there.
(6) In the northern part of the Hottentots Holland
Mountains, Caledon Division (e.g. near Sir Lowry’s Pass)
some forms of subsp. divaricata occur which are similar to
those in, for example, Paarl Division, and are rather large-
flowered. There are more slender forms approaching subsp.
gracilior in the Riviersonderend Mountains ( Esterhuysen
21060). Similar forms, with camose leaflets, occur in the
Hex River Mountains (Worcester Division) (Esterhuysen
75959) (Figure 108: 17-19).
(7) On the Piketberg Mountain the subspecies grows to
a height of 1 m but it is generally lower, the branches,
virgate to procumbent, are straight, rather rigid, and the
leaflets short, succulent and mucronulate. The flowers, soli-
tary or in pairs, are rather small. The standard may end in a
short spinelet (as in Dahlgren & Strid 3878).
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 970, 980; Dahlgren
& Strid 2500, 3857, 3878; Pillans 7232.
(8) On the Olifants River Mountains, the same divi-
sion, the shrubs may also be 1 m tall and wide (2 m across)
with small flowers (Dahlgren & Strid 3235), but there is
great variation both in habit, total size and floral size in
these mountains.
(9) A similar variation is found in Cederberg Range
(Clanwilliam Division). The shrubs are generally low and
diffuse, but may be up to 0,7 m tall (Dahlgren & Strid
3249). The branches are generally spreading, puberulous or
glabrescent on the young parts, the leaflets slender (occa-
sionally more than 5 mm long, as in Dahlgren & Peterson
1039), and the petals are variable in size, sometimes rather
large, as in the Algeria Valley, but proportionally narrow.
The keel is often rather narrow, angled and apically some-
what extended. An extreme form of the kind is Esterhuysen
7466, which has an appearance more or less transitional
between A. divaricata and A. leptocoma (no. 207).
Vouchers: Compton 6204, 12491, 16785; Dahlgren &
Peterson 902, 1000, 1013, 1024, 1039; Dahlgren & Strid
3249, 3260, 4268; Leipoldt 3390; Pillans 8795 .
206b. subsp. gracilior Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 277, 200 (1963); ibid. 21:
266 (1968). Type: Cape, Louwshoek Peak,
Worcester Division. Esterhuysen 17644 (BOL,
holo.!).
A low, diffusely but amply branched
shrublet, with up to more than 0,5 m long
branches with a multitude of very slender,
partly subfiliform, subglabrous, or sparsely se-
riceous or puberulous branchlets. Leaflets
spreading, linear-subulate, 1,2-4 mm long,
0,25-0,4 mm thick, straight or slightly curved,
tapering into a fine sharp spinelet. Inflores-
cences usually unifloral, on the tips of thin,
slender branchlets with fairly (up to c. 4 mm)
long intemodes. Flowers small, inconspicuous.
Bract subulate, 0,3-1 x 0,2-0, 3 mm. Pedicel
0,8- 1,5 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles
0,15—0,6 x 0,1x0, 2 mm. Calyx tube 1,5-2
mm long, glabrous; lobes triangular-subulate,
0,8—2 mm long, most of the length comprising
Crotalarieae
3,6: 321
the spine. Petals rather light yellow; often with
dark shades on the standard. Standard blade
4-5 x 3,1— 4,4 mm, short-sericeous on at
least apical half of the back. Wing blades
2,6— 3,6 x 0,8- 1,5 mm. Keel blades 3, 3-3,6
x 1,2-2 mm, with oblique or truncate- square
apex. Ovary sericeous on upper and apical
parts. Pod triangular-lanceolate, 6, 5-7, 5 x c.
3 mm. Figure 108: 20— 27.
Concentrated on the mountains between the Grabouw
region (Caledon Division) in the south, through mountains
in the Stellenbosch and Paarl Divisions to the mountains
south-west of the Breede River Valley in the Worcester
Division. The subspecies grows at altitudes of up to 1 700
m but is generally found at much lower altitudes. Map 95.
Vouchers: Compton 5810, 15642; Esterhuysen 11112,
17644 ; Galpin 12339', Morris 37; Stokoe, SAM 61768 and
61867.
Fairly distinct by the gracile branches and solitary,
very small flowers. Transitional forms between subsp. gra-
cilior and subsp. divaricata occur in mountains near Bain’s
Kloof ( Compton 8135), Du Toit’s Kloof ( Esterhuysen
21000) and Hex River Valley ( Esterhuysen 15959), as well
as the French Hoek Valley (Dahlgren & Strid 4937), all
forms which are here treated under subsp. divaricata (see
above).
207. Aspalathus leptocoma Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 205 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 493 (1839; as synonym of A. divergens
Willd.). Type: Cape, mountain slopes in the
Tulbagh Valley near ‘Waterfalls’, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1402 (S, lecto. !; LD, M, W).
A. divaricata Thunb. subsp. leptocoma (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 277 , 200 (1963);
ibid. 21:267(1968).
[This is different from ‘A. leptocoma Pappe’ mentioned
in Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 135 (1862) as a synonym of A. retro-
flexa var. (y) parviflora; this, in fact, belongs to A. crassi-
sepala (no. 237).]
A decumbent (or procumbent) shrublet
with branches up to about 2 m long, much
branched with slender, often reddish, short-vil-
lous branchlets. Leaflets oviform to broadly lin-
ear, 1 — 2,5( — 3,5) mm long, 0,4-0, 7 mm
thick, terete, succulent, with a 0,4 -0,7 mm
long apical mucro. Inflorescences unifloral on
the ends of leafy branchlets. Bract lanceolate,
succulent, ( 1 ,2 — )1 ,5 — 2,3 x 0,3-0, 7 mm.
Pedicel 0,6— 1,6 mm long, short-pubescent.
Bracteoles 0,7— 2,5 x 0,3-0, 7 mm. Calyx
tube with short, spreading, sparse to rather
dense pubescence; lobes triangular, (0,7-)
1 ,2— 2,2(— 2,6) mm long, green, subglabrous,
± camose, tipped with spines c. 0,5 mm long
or more. Petals yellow or the standard partly
purplish. Standard blade 5,2-6,7(-7,2) X
3,7 — 5( — 5,3) mm, obtuse, densely sericeous
on at least apical half of the back. Wing blades
short, ovate-elliptic, (2,2-) 2,5— 3,2 x 1,4-
1,9 mm, most parts covered with rows of mi-
nute folds. Keel blades strongly upcurved,
4,4-5 mm long (straight from base to apex)
and 1,8-2, 4 mm broad near middle, with api-
cal upper part somewhat prolonged, squarish;
basal bulge indistinct. Pistil pubescent only on
upper parts of ovary and style base. Pod 7-8 x
c. 3 mm. Figure 109: 1 - 15.
Distribution restricted mainly to the mountains north
and south of the Nieuwe Kloof, Tulbagh and Worcester
Divisions, growing on low, sandy slopes at altitudes of c.
900 m or less. Map 95.
Vouchers: Bolus 5034 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 667;
Dahlgren & Strid 2442 , 3119, 3154, 3181, 3832 , 4710;
Ecklon & Zeyher 1402; Schlechter 7468, 10246; Zeyher
2865.
Characterized by short wings, puberulous calyx, the
glabrous sides to the ovary and short leaflets. The forms in
the Bain’s Kloof region approach subsp. divaricata.
208. Aspalathus brevicarpa {Dahlg.)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, Middleberg Pla-
teau, central part of the Cederberg Range, Clan-
william Division, Esterhuysen 7190 (BOL,
holo.!; GRA, PRE).
A. divaricata Thunb. subsp. brevicarpa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 276, 200 (1963); ibid, 21: 250
(1968).
A prostrate, dense, often mat-like shrublet
with main branches up to c. 1 m long (basally
sometimes up to 10 mm thick), often lax; young
branches reddish to pale yellowish, short-vil-
lous or puberulous. Leaves densely set. Leaflets
linear, 1,5-5 mm long, 0,3-0, 5 mm thick,
subterete, light green, glabrous, curved (usually
incurved), weak, acute, apiculate or spine-
tipped. Inflorescence unifloral, on leafy
(usually not peduncle-like) branchlet ends.
Flowers rather small. Bract short, ovate-subu-
late, 1,0— 1,8 x 0,3-0,6(-0,8) mm, mucro-
nulate or ending in a short spinelet. Pedicel
0,8-2, 5 mm long, short-pubescent. Bracteoles
0,8 — 1 ,5( — 1 ,8) mm long. Calyx tube glabrous
or usually puberulous; lobes triangular,
3,6: 322
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 323
1 — 1 ,9( — 2,7) mm long, tipped with a short
spinelet. Petals bright yellow. Standard blade
5— 6,8(— 7,7) x (4,3 — )5 — 6( — 7) mm, obtuse
or subacute, short-sericeous on apical half of
most of the back. Wing blades oblong- or nar-
rowly obovate, (3-)3,8-4,7(-5,5) x 1,5-
2,2 mm, broadest distally, glabrous. Keel blade
curved at almost right angles near the middle,
4, 1-5,8 mm (measured straight from base to
apex), 1,8-2, 5 mm broad near middle, gla-
brous, obtuse, with S-curved upper margin.
Pistil short-stipitate, pubescent on upper half of
the ovary and style base. Pod ovate, short,
(4 — )4,5 — 6,2( — 7) x 2,7— 3,3 mm, short-seri-
ceous on most parts. Figure 109: 23-30.
Distributed on mountains of the Tulbagh, Piketberg
(Twenty-Four River Mountains), Ceres and Clanwilliam
Divisions, at altitudes of 1 000 - 2 000 m. Some forms
seem to be more pronouncedly ‘alpine’ than others, grow-
ing on wind-swept summits and upper slopes, where the
substrate is sandy, and the species forms mats in a sparse
low fynbos community (cf. A. horizontalis (no. 209), grow-
ing on clay). Map 96.
Characterized by the ± prostrate growth, the yellow
petals (often without shades of orange, red or purple), the
short bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes, the closely set,
bright green leaves, and (especially) the short pods. In the
Cederberg Mountain specimens the pods are only 4-5,5
mm long, and in these regions the species has a dense
growth and small flowers. Larger flowers characterize
forms in the Cold Bokkeveld (Ceres Division) and relatively
large flowers, similar to those of A. horizontalis (no. 209),
occur in specimens from the Matroosberg, Hex River
Mountains but also from the Witzenberg (Ceres Division)
and the mountains in the Tulbagh Division. The pods in
some of these forms are up to 6,5 mm long and they
approach those of A. divaricata (no. 206), to which this
species is very similar, and from which, in absence of pods,
it is sometimes difficult to separate.
Another species, A. leptoptera (no. 200), is very simi-
lar in habit to A. brevicarpa in the matted habit and the
yellow flowers as ps as the short, ovate pods, but it has a
pubescent keel of a more pointedly lunate shape.
209. Aspalathus horizontalis ( Dahlg .)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, 6 miles north of
Malmesbury, Malmesbury Division, Dahlgren
& Strid4247 (NBG, holo.!; LD, PRE, S).
A. divaricata Thunb. subsp. horizontalis Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 252 (1968).
A prostrate, mat-like, densely branched
shrublet with main branches up to c. 1 m long,
rather rigid and strong (rarely almost thorny but
not ending in a point). Branchlets minutely pu-
berulous. Leaflets oblong-ovoid (-conical),
1 — 2( — 3) mm long, 0,5-0, 7 mm thick, subte-
rete or slightly canaliculate above, green, gla-
brous, often slightly curved, ending in a short
mucro. Flowers solitary on the tips of short,
densely leafy branchlets; intemode just below
flower c. 1 mm long or more. Floriferous
branches often close (the mats sometimes being
virtually covered with yellow flowers). Bract
and bracteoles 0,6- 1,2 x 0,2-1 mm long,
oblong-lanceolate, mucronulate, subglabrous.
Pedicel 1,5-2, 3 mm long, densely appressed-
puberulous. Calyx tube sparsely appressed-pu-
berulous (to subglabrous); lobes triangular,
1,5— 2,1 mm long, green, glabrous, ending in a
c. 0,4 mm long spinelet. Petals bright yellow
(or standard back slightly violet). Standard
blade 6,2-7, 1 x 5, 1-6,5 mm, short-sericeous
on apical half of back. Wing blades oblanceo-
late-oblong, 4,3— 4,7 x 1,7-2, 3 mm, apically
rounded, glabrous, with c. 3 rows of (few) folds
at the base. Keel boomerang-shaped, 4, 3-5, 3
x 2, 2-2, 6 mm, curved at right angles, apically
rounded, glabrous, without distinct basal puck-
ering. Pistil sericeous on upper parts of the
ovary and style base. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
c. 7,5 x 3,3 mm, sericeous. Chromosome
number : 2 n = 18. Figure 109: 16—22.
Restricted to the Melkbosch-Malmesbury region, Bell-
ville-Malmesbury Divisions, growing in clayey soil of the
Malmesbury Beds. The species forms circular mats on
cleared ground. Map 96.
Vouchers: Barker 10365 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 874;
Dahlgren <6 Strid 3879, 3880, 4247; Ecklon & Zeyher
1495 pro parte; Pillans 8699.
Distinct from A. divaricata (no. 206) by its habit, soil
preference and in minor characters, but undoubtedly a de-
rivative of the variable A. divaricata complex.
Figure 109. Aspalathus leptocoma (1-15); A. horizontalis (16-22); A. brevicarpa (23 - 30). — 1, 8, 16 , 23:
floriferous branchlets; 2, 17, 24: bracts; 3, 18, 25: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 13, 19, 27: wing petals; 5, 14, 20, 28: keel
petals; 6: staminal sheath with pistil enclosed; 7, 15, 21, 29: pistils; 11: calyx; 12: standard, back view; 22, 30: fruits; 26:
standard, side view. — 1-7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 667 (Tulbagh Distr. ); 8-15 from Esterhuysen 7466 (Clanwilliam
Distr.); 16-21 from Dahlgren <6 Strid 3879; 22 from Dahlgren & Strid 5003 (Malmesbury Distr.); 23-29 from Phillips
1934 (Ceres Distr.); 30 from Esterhuysen 4280 (Clanwilliam Distr.). — (1—5, 8-14, 16-30 x4; 6, 7, 15 x8.)
3,6: 324
Crotalarieae
Maps 96-99.— Map 96. Aspalathus brevicarpa (unbroken line); A. horizontalis (squares); A. attenuata (tri-
angles).—Map 97. A. serpens (unbroken line); A. aurantiaca (squares).— Map 98. A. microphylla (encircled); A.
lenticula (square).— Map 99. A. biflora subsp. biflora (dots); A. biflora subsp. longicarpa (squares).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 325
210. Aspalathus serpens Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1) : 289, 200, 202
(1963); ibid. 21: 269 (1968). Type: Cape, 3
miles east of Pringle Bay, Hangklip region, Ca-
ledon Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 844 (LD,
holo.!).
‘ Aspalathus suffruticosa ’ auct. non DC. in H. Bol. &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903) and
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 484 (1950). A. suffru-
ticosa (Burm. f.)DC., typified by a very poor branchlet at
G, does not seem to belong in Aspalathus at all.
A procumbent shrublet with creeping
branches up to 1,5 (rarely up to 3) m long,
sparsely or sometimes much, but loosely,
branched; young branches slender, yellowish,
sparsely puberulous (—short-sericeous), gla-
brescent; floriferous branches peduncle-like
(see below). Leaflets subulate-acicular, 2-7
mm long, subterete, straight, rigid, glabrous,
bright green, ending in a very sharp spinelet.
Flowers small, solitary, on the ends of lateral,
leafless, sparsely puberulous-subglabrous, sub-
filiform (but rigid), 6-17 mm long peduncles,
arising from short-shoots. Bract subulate,
0,6-2, 3 mm long, subglabrous, spine-tipped.
Pedicel 1,2— 3,5 mm long, glabrous or puberu-
lous. Bracteoles 0,3— 1(— 1,4) mm long. Calyx
tube glabrous, with distinct longitudinal ridges;
lobes narrowly triangular, (0,9-) 1,2 -2,7 mm
long, glabrous, tapering into a sharp spinelet
(sharper than in A. biflora — no. 212). Petals
pale to bright yellow. Standard blade 5—7,5 X
3,5— 5,6 mm, obtuse or acute, laterally ± in-
curved, back short- sericeous on most parts.
Wing blades (2,8 — )3,2 — 4,7(— 5,6) x 1, 2-2,1
mm, glabrous. Keel lunate, 3,5-5 x 1,7-2, 5
mm, glabrous, upper apical parts slightly squar-
ish, (but not as protracted as in A. micro -
phylla — no. 213); upper margin S-curved. Pistil
pubescent on upper parts of the ovary and upper
side of basal half of style. Pod triangular-lan-
ceolate, 9-13 x 3,5 — 4,3 mm, sparsely short-
sericeous on most parts. Chromosome number:
2 n = 18. Figure 110: 1-10.
A south-western species ranging from the Cape Penin-
sula (mainly the southern parts) to the western parts of the
Bredasdorp Division but not further north than Houwhoek
and the Swartberg Mountain (Caledon Division). The
habitat is sandy and rocky (Table Mountain Sandstone)
mountain slopes at low altitudes with sparse fynbos vegeta-
tion. Map 97.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 514 , 844, 1231,
1242; Dahlgren & Strid 3108, 3306, 3723, 3902 , 4215,
4316, 4529, 4684; Rodin 3108; Salter 7828; Schlechter
7313, 7386, 9445.
The forms in the north-eastern parts (Swartberg,
Shaw’s Mountain) in the Caledon Division have thicker and
more camose leaflets than other forms.
A distinct species, but often confused with other spe-
cies and therefore overlooked; most similar to A. biflora
(no. 212).
211. Aspalathus aurantiaca Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 272, 195, 202
(1963); ibid. 21: 281 (1968). Type: Cape,
south-western foot of Du Toit’s Peak, c. 700 m,
Esterhuysen 17636 (BOL, holo.!).
A procumbent, decumbent or ascending
shrub, occasionally up to 1 m tall, loosely
branched, with spreading, rather slender
branches short- sericeous on the young parts.
Leaflets spreading, linear-subulate, 2,5—8 x
0,6-0, 8 mm, subterete or slightly flattened,
straight or slightly recurved, glabrous, mucro-
nulate (mucro 0,2-0, 4 mm long). Flowers
solitary or up to 3, on branchlet tips, when 2 or
3 then at some distance from each other; flo-
riferous branches often with up to 10 mm long,
almost peduncle-like intemodes, the flower(s)
at some distance from the nearest vegetative
leaf. Bract oblong-linear, 0, 8-2,1 x 0,3-0, 6
mm, subglabrous, mucronulate. Pedicel
1,2— 2,7 mm long, ± puberulous. Bracteoles
(0,3 — )0,7 — 1,6 mm long. Calyx infundibular-
campanulate, glabrous; lobes deltoid-triangu-
lar, 1—2,4 mm long, green, mucronate. Petals
bright yellow, becoming orange or orange-red
when fading (hence the specific name). Stand-
ard blade obovate, 8,8-10 x 5,2— 8,2 mm,
apically obtuse-retuse, short-sericeous on apical
half or two-thirds of the back. Wing blades
oblong, (4,5— )5— 8,5 x (1,6— )2— 3,3 mm,
glabrous. Keel lunate, with obliquely squarish
upper-apical parts, 7-8 x 3,5-4 mm, gla-
brous, rigid, with concave upper margin; basal
puckering barely distinct. Pistil sericeous on
ovary and style base. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
c. 12 x 4 mm, sparsely short-sericeous. Figure
110:11-23.
Distributed on the mountains from Du Toit’s Kloof
(Paarl Division) in the south to mountains east of Citrusdal
(Clanwilliam Division) in the north, in the Paarl, Worces-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 326
Crotalarieae
3,6: 327
ter, Ceres and Clanwilliam Divisions. The habitat is rocky
slopes at altitudes of up to 1 700 m with mountain fynbos.
Map 97.
Vouchers: Bolus 8358; Compton 12480; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1151; Dahlgren & Strid 4396; Esterhuysen
17636, 19221, 20959, 23429a; Leighton 3343.
Probably most closely related to A. biflora (no. 212)
from which it differs in the slightly thicker leaves and the
flowers which are usually larger and orange-coloured when
fading. A. biflora subsp. longicarpa matches A. aurantiaca
in floral size, but has longer pods and different keel shape.
212. Aspalathus biflora E. Mey., Comm.
1:64 (1836); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund
9 (1): 200 (1963); ibid. 21: 273 (1968). Type:
Cape, Bethelsdorp and Van Stadensberg, Ui-
tenhage Division, Drege (P, lecto.!). Treated
by Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 645
(1848) and Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 140 (1862) as a
synonym of A. pedunculata L’Herit.
‘ Aspalathus suffruticosa' auct. non (Burm.f.) DC.; in
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 205 (1836) and in Benth. and
Harv. (see above).
A decumbent to ascending shrublet, from
sparsely to rather much branched, with slender
but rigid and often straight branches; young
branches densely puberulous; floriferous
branchlets often with 1—2 long (sometimes
peduncle-like) intemodes. Leaflets linear,
2-12 mm long, terete, often broadest apically,
straight or slightly curved, glabrous, mucronu-
late (not very prickly). Inflorescence terminal,
consisting of 1-3 (—5) flowers, when several
then sometimes separated by intemodes up to
4 mm long. Bract minute, ovate to broadly
linear, 0,5- 1,7 x c. 0,3 mm. Pedicel 1 -3 mm
long, puberulous or subglabrous. Bracteoles
0,4—1 mm long. Calyx tube glabrous, rather
smooth; lobes triangular, usually deltoid,
0,3- 1,7 mm long, glabrous, green, mucronate
or mucronulate (not with a sharp spine as in A.
serpens — no. 210). Petals pale or light yellow,
orange-coloured or ferruginous, often darkish
on standard. Standard blade 5,3— 8,5 (-9,3) x
(3,5-)4-7(-7,5) mm, obtuse or acute, short-
sericeous on most of the back. Wing blades
narrowly obovate, 3— 5,8( — 6,7) X 1,2-2, 3
mm, glabrous. Keel blade lunate, upcurved, the
upper part apically usually squarish (subsp.
biflora ) rarely subrostrate (subsp. longicarpa)-,
4— 5,7(— 7) x 2—2,8 (-3,3) mm, glabrous (or
with some hairs apically); basal puckering
indistinct or lacking. Pistil pubescent on upper
parts of ovary and on style base; ovules 2-6.
Pod triangular-lanceolate, (8— )9,5 — 21 ,5 x
(2,8 — )3,5 — 4,8 mm, smooth, sparsely short-
sericeous.
Widely distributed from the Cape Peninsula in the west
through Port Elizabeth Division to Albany Division in the
north-east, concentrated largely on the lower (to middle)
slopes and hills of the mountain range but also extending
over coastal hills and flats, at altitudes of about
1 000- 1 200 m. A. biflora grows in sand (Table Mountain
Sandstone), rarely in clay, in fynbos communities.
It is divisible into two subspecies, one representing a
restricted, regional form series with longer leaflets, larger
petals and, especially, longer pods.
Standard blade 5-7 x 3, 5-5, 5 mm; upper apical part
of keel squarish; pods shorter than 18 mm
212a. subsp. biflora
Standard blade 7, 2-9, 3 x c. 7—7,5 mm; upper apical
part of keel obtusely triangular (tapering); pods c.
18 mm long or more 212b. subsp. longicarpa
212a. subsp. biflora.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 274
(1968).
Literature, type and synonymy as above.
Branchlet decumbent-ascending, often
rather much branched. Leaflets 1,5-8 mm
long, mucronulate-mucronate. Bract 0,5- 1,7
mm and bracteoles 0,4- 1(- 1 ,7) mm long. Ca-
lyx lobes (0,3 — )0,6 — 1,5 mm long. Petals rela-
tively small: standard blade 5-7 X 3, 5-5, 5
mm, wing blades 3-4,8 x 1,2— 2,3 mm, and
keel blades 4—5,7 x 2—2,6 mm, apical upper
parts of the keel extending and square (as in A.
microphylla — no. 213); keel blades rarely
somewhat pubescent on lower apical parts.
Ovules 2. Pod 9,5-18 mm long. Figure 111:
1-23.
FIGURE 110. Aspalathus serpens (1-10); A. aurantiaca (11-23). — 1, 5, 11, 18: floriferous branches; 2, 8, 14,
21: wing petals; 3, 9, 15, 22: keel petals; 4, 17: fruits; 6, 12, 19: bracts; 7, 13, 20: bracteoles (prophylls); 10, 16, 23: pistils.
— 1-4 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1765 (Somerset West Distr. ); 5-10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 844 (Caledon Distr.);
11-17 from Esterhuysen 17636 (Worcester Distr.); 18-23 from Compton 12480 (Clanwilliam Distr.) — (1-10, 12-17,
19-23X4; 11, 18x2.)
3,6: 328
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 329
Extending over the whole distribution range of the
species, including the Cape Peninsula and the Somerset
West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Caledon, Robertson,
Swellendam, Riversdale, Ladismith, Oudtshoom, George,
Knysna, Uniondale, Humansdorp, Uitenhage, Port Eliza-
beth, Albany and Alexandria Divisions. Map 99.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1819, 4891, 4897;
Dahlgren & Strid 1513, 3909; Duthie 1556; Ecklon &
Zeyher 1405; Johnson 1087; Long 876; MacOwan 1089;
Rogers 1053; Schlechter 2308, 7291 pro parte.
The easternmost forms have more prominently mucro-
nate calyx lobes than the other forms, and the keel is
slightly sericeous on the lower-apical parts. Floriferous
branches with 1-2 rather peduncle-like intemodes charac-
terize certain populations in the Caledon-Riversdale
Divisions. Relatively large-flowered forms, approaching
subsp. longicarpa, occur in the Humansdorp-Port Elizabeth
Division.
Most characteristic are the short, deltoid calyx lobes,
the glabrous calyx tube and the square keel curved at right
angles. The leaves are spreading but not very prickly.
212b. subsp. longicarpa Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 278 (1968). Type:
Cape, near Brenton, western tongue of the
Heads, Knysna, Knysna Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 164 (NBG, holo. !; LD).
Decumbent or procumbent, with branches
up to 1 m long or more. Leaflets (3 — )6 — 12 mm
long, weak, mucronulate. Flowers relatively
large, usually solitary, on slender, peduncle-
like branchlet ends, but floriferous branchlets
usually basally leafy. Bract 0,6- 1,2 mm long
and bracteoles 0,4— 0,8 mm long. Calyx lobes
0,7— 1,7 mm long, mucronate. Petals pale yel-
low with sombre violet shades on standard.
Standard blade 7,2— 9,3 X (6,4— )7— 7,5 mm;
wing blades 4-6,7 x 1,6— 2,1 mm; fee/blades
(5,2 — >5,5 — 7 x 2,6— 3,3 mm. Keel glabrous,
with tapering upcurved (not square) apex.
Ovules (2-)4— 6. Pod (14,5— )18— 21 ,5 x
4—4,8 mm. Chromosome number : 2 n = 18.
Figure 111: 24-31.
Distribution coastal, ranging from the Bredasdorp
Division (Baardskeerdersbos) to the Humansdorp Division;
growing on coastal sand hills or flats in fynbos vegetation.
Map 99.
Vouchers: Acocks 21460; Dahlgren & Peterson 164;
Dahlgren & Strid 4524, 4662; Galpin 3933; Sidey 1688;
Van Niekerk 207.
The eastern forms (George-Humansdorp Divisions)
have longer fruits (18-21,5 mm) and shorter wings (c.
5,5 mm) than the forms in the Bredasdorp Division, which
also have leafless floriferous peduncles, as in A. serpens
(no. 210).
213. Aspalathus microphylla DC.,
Prodr. 2: 143 (1825); E. Mey. in Linnaea7: 158
(1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 204 (1836);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 650 (1848);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 195,
205 (1963); ibid. 21: 284 (1968). Type: ‘A.
microphylla, Herb. Delessert, 1815’ (G,
lecto.!). [A. microphylla Steud. in Flora 13:
545 (1830) is a synonym of A. steudeliana
Brongn. (no. 169).]
A. divergens Willd. , Comm. 1: 45 (1836); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 651 (1848; as a synonym of A.
microphylla DC.). Type: 'A. divergens', herbarium Willde-
now no. 13207 (B, hoio.!).
A. divergens Willd. var. (y) microphylla (DC.) E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 45 (1836). A. divaricata Thunb. var. ((3) micro-
phylla (DC.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 138 (1862); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950).
A. microphylla DC. var. (P) mutica Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 205 (1836). Type: Cape, near ‘Doomhoogde’,
Bellville Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1401 pro parte (p) (S,
lecto.!; SAM).
A decumbent or ascending, loosely and
sparingly branched shrublet, with often straight
and spreading, but slender branches, 0,3—
more than 1 m long. Young branches densely
set, the long-shoot leaves of young branches
with unequal leaflets, the middle often 2-3
times as long as the lateral, all ± erect, tightly
pressed against the stem; older branches gener-
ally with ± spreading (short-shoot) leaflets.
Axillary leafy short-shoot soon developed.
Leaflets conical to linear, 0,6-4 (-6) mm
long, terete or ± angular, mucronulate,
straight, rigid, glabrous. Flowers solitary or in
pairs (rarely 3) on the branch tips, if more than
1 then from ± the same point. Bract caducous,
Figure 111. Aspalathus biflora subsp. biflora (1-23); A. biflora subsp. longicarpa (24-31). — 1, 16, 24:
floriferous branches; 2, 9, 17, 25: flowers; 3, 10, 18, 26: bracts; 4, 11, 19, 27: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12, 20, 28: wing
petals; 6, 13, 21, 29: keel petals; 7, 14, 22, 30: pistils; 8, 15, 23, 31: fruits. — 1-7 from Barker 3943 (Cape Peninsula); 8
from Wasserfall 752 (Paarl Distr.); 9- 14 from Long 876 (Port Elizabeth Distr.); 15 from Johnson 1087 (Alexandria Distr.);
16—23 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1513 (Uniondale Distr.); 24-31 from Dahlgren & Peterson 164 (Knysna Distr.). — (1,
16, 24 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 330
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 331
lanceolate, subulate, 1,3— 3,5 mm long, api-
cally spine-tipped, subglabrous, deeply
grooved adaxially. Pedicel 0,7-2, 3 mm long,
white-pubescent. Bracteoles 1,1— 3,2 mm
long. Calyx tube longitudinally ridged, ± ap-
pressed-puberulous; lobes triangular-lanceo-
late, subglabrous, (0,7-) 1-3 mm long includ-
ing an apical spinelet c. 0,5 mm long. Petals
yellow or partly violet, with short claws. Stand-
ard blade 5 — 7( — 7,8) x 4,5-6 (—6,5) mm,
obtuse (-subacute), laterally ± incurved, short-
sericeous at least on apical part of the back.
Wing blades 3,5— 5(— 5,5) x 1,5-2, 7 (-3,3)
mm, apically rounded, glabrous. Keel glabrous
(rarely slightly puberulous apically), strongly
upcurved (at c. 100-120 degrees), upper-api-
cal part exserted, square, length c. (4 — )4,5 —
5,5 mm, greatest breadth 2, 2-2, 8 mm, with
distinct or indistinct basal puckering. Pistil
densely short-sericeous on upper parts of ovary
and style base. Pod triangular-lanceolate,
7,5-10 x 3-4 mm, sparsely short-sericeous
on upper and apical parts. Chromosome
number: 2n=18. Figure 112: 1-10.
Distributed in the south-western divisions from (and
including) the Cape Peninsula, eastwards through the Bell-
ville, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Paarl, Caledon and
Bredasdorp Divisions as far as the Swellendam region in the
east. A. microphylla normally grows in sand, usually
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone, but often
coastal sand, in fynbos communities. Map 98.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 760, 1290, 1743,
1758, 1793; Dahlgren & Strid 2157, 4061, 4097, 4498,
4527, 4566a; Esterhuysen 11681; Galpin 12549; Mac-
Owan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 60; Salter 43 13; Schlechter
7405 ;Wolley-Dod 280.
The species is variable in coarseness of branches and in
leaf and calyx lobe length, etc., but the variation is not
conspicuous and does not follow a clear geographic pattern.
The species is distinct from A. divaricata (no. 206). Most
closely related are perhaps A. lenticula (no. 215), A. atten-
uata( no. 214) and A. biflora (no. 212).
214. Aspalathus attenuata Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 272, 202 (1963);
ibid. 21: 291 (1968). Type: Cape, Houw Hoek,
Caledon Division, Wall (LD, holo.!; S).
A procumbent to ascending, rather spar-
sely branched shrublet with straight, rigid,
spreading branches 0,3-0, 8 m long; young
branches densely short-villous. Leaflets spread-
ing (not pressed against the branches), linear,
1 ,5 — 2,5(— 3,5) mm long, succulent, 0,4-0, 7
mm, convex, succulent, abaxially glabrous,
mucronulate. Pedicel 1,5— 2,2 mm long, short-
tomentose. Bracteoles 0,4-1 mm long. Calyx
tube c. 2 mm long, subglabrous or with scat-
tered short hairs; lobes triangular, 1 — 1,8 mm
long including an apical cusp c. 0,5 mm long,
glabrous, green, slightly camose. Petals light
yellow or standard partly violet. Standard blade
5,8-8 x 3, 2—6, 3 mm, apically rounded to
acute, short-sericeous on apical half and on
base of back. Wing blades 2, 9-4, 7 x 1,4-2
mm, glabrous. Keel rostrate, attenuate (hence
the specific name), 5-6 mm long, 2, 1-2,8
mm broad at middle, apically prolonged but
obtuse, glabrous. Pistil short-sericeous on up-
per parts of ovary and upper side of style base;
style slender, curved. Pod broadly triangular-
lanceolate, 7,5— 8,5 x 3—3,2 mm, very
sparsely appressed-puberulous on most parts.
Figure 112: 11-19.
Known only from the Houwhoek region in the Caledon
Division, the Sir Lowry’s Pass region in the Somerset West
Division and the Klapmuts-Wellington regions in the Paarl
Division. Growing in sand (Table Mountain Sandstone pro-
ducts) at rather low altitudes. Map. 96.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 653; Dahlgren &
Strid 4773; Maguire 1237; Meebold 13426; Schlechter
7291 pro parte; Thomson, Wellington.
Closely related to A. lenticula (no. 215), A. micro-
phylla (no. 213) and other species around A. divaricata (no.
206).
215. Aspalathus lenticula H. Bol. in
Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 24: 456 (1897); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 202, 203 (1963);
ibid. 21: 289 (1968). Type: Cape, Nieuwe
Kloof, Tulbagh Division, Schlechter 7525
Figure 1 12. Aspalathus microphylla (1-10); A. attenuata (11-19); A. lenticula (20- 30). — 1, 11, 20: floriferous
branches; 2: part of stem showing leaves with leaflets of unequal length; 3, 13, 21: bracts; 4, 14, 22: bracteoles (prophylls);
5, 12, 23: flowers; 6, 16, 26: wing petals; 7, 10, 17, 27: keel petals; 8, 18, 29: pistils; 9, 19, 30: fruits; 15, 24: calyces; 25:
standard, back view; 28: staminal sheath with pistil enclosed. — 1-6, 8, 10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 760 ; 7 from
Esterhuysen 26473 ; 9 from Leighton 374; 11-18 from Maguire 1237; 19 from Dahlgren & Strid 4773; 20-30 from
Schlechter 7525. — (1, 11,20 x2;2-10, 12-19,21-27,30 x4;28,29 x8.)
3,6: 332
Crotalarieae
(BOL, lecto.!; BM, G, GRA, K, P, PRE, S,
Z).
A decumbent or ascending (?) rather
closely branched shrublet, with branches up to
c. 0,5 m long, rigid, straight, spreading; young
branches partly puberulous, partly glabrous.
Leaves rather densely set; long-shoot leaves ±
erect, tightly pressed against the branches; then-
central leaflet 1-2 mm long, oviform to ob-
long, terete, mucronate; lateral leaflets subglo-
bose-ovoid, 0,3 -0,7 mm long, leaflets of axil-
lary short-shoots generally c. 0,7 mm long or
less. Flowers solitary at the branchlet tips.
Bract subulate-lanceolate, 1,2— 1,6 x 0,4 mm,
subglabrous, mucronate. Pedicel 0,8 -1,2 mm
long, puberulous. Bracteoles 0,8— 1,5 mm
long. Calyx tube puberulous; lobes triangular,
1 — 1,5 mm long, including their apical c. 0,3
mm long spinelets; green, marginally somewhat
thickened. Petals light yellow (or standard
partly violet) with short claws. Standard blade
6,2-7 x 5—5,8 mm, acute, with ± incurved
sides; back short- sericeous except on the base.
Wing blades very short, rectangular-elliptic, c.
2,8 x 1,7 mm, glabrous. Keel blades rostrate,
abruptly upcurved near the base and produced
into a rather narrow apex, 5,5-6 mm long, c.
2,2 mm broad, glabrous, with indistinct basal
puckering. Anthers markedly different in size
(Figure 112: 28). Pistil short-sericeous on the
upper parts of the ovary; style narrow, curved.
Pod broadly triangular-ovate, 3,5—4 x c. 3
mm, sparsely short- sericeous on most parts.
Figure 112: 20-30.
Known only from the mountains west of Tulbagh, in
the Nieuwe Kloof, at 230 m altitude. Map 98.
Voucher: Schlechter 7525.
Very extreme in its rostrate, prolonged keel, small
wings and appressed, erect leaflets. A similar prolongation
of the keel and short wings occur in A. attenuata (no. 214)
and A. pulicifolia (no. 201), the former being obviously
closely related to A. lenticula. Similar erect leaflets tightly
pressed against the branches occur in A. microphylla (no.
213).
Group 30: Tereticarpae
From low, rarely prostrate, and then occasionally ± matted or decumbent, to ascending or
erect, rarely up to 1,5 m tall and spreading shrublets or shrubs, generally with weak and apically
leafy but rarely (in A. acicularis — no. 216) with spreading, finally sometimes ± thorny branches.
Leaves trifoliolate; long-shoot leaves soon with axillary leafy short-shoots; leaflets thereby gener-
ally in fascicles, 3 to numerous together. Leaflets terete to ± distinctly flat, from straight, slightly
S-curved and rigid to soft and weak, sometimes ± recurved and sausage-shaped, glabrous or short-
and white-pubescent, when glabrous then often glaucous, obtuse-acute, or when rigid then often
ending in a sharp point (A. aristata (no. 218) and A. rigidifolia — no. 219). Inflorescences race-
mules of 1 — 10 flowers on the branch tips (A. acicularis ) to 5-flowered on branch tips, or 1- to 2-
flowered on lateral short-shoots. Bract at the pedicel base, small and triangular to linear- subulate,
less than 2 mm long, weak or rigid, obtuse to pointed. Pedicel (0,5 — )1 — 5( — 7) mm long, gener-
ally glabrous or puberulous, merging into the calyx base. Bracteoles similar to the bract, small, c.
0,8 mm long or less (rarely up to 1 ,2 mm). Calyx funnel-shaped to campanulate, usually glabrous
(short-pubescent in A. acicularis subsp. planifolia only); lobes triangular to subulate, usually
pointed and often rigid and spine-tipped. Petals pale or light yellow or, at least partly, rose or
mauve to purple (especially keel and standard back); claws rather short. Standard blade elliptic to
circular, puberulous on one-fifth to nearly all of the back; apex ± incurved with short apical ‘tip’ or
none. Wing blade narrowly ovate, glabrous with several rows of minute folds. Keel blades gla-
brous, or rarely (forms of A. rigidifolia) ± sericeous, obtuse, with upper margin convex or
concave and basal puckering distinct. Pistil glabrous or (rarely) partly pubescent on upper parts
only; ovules 2(-5); stigma regular, capitate. Pod lanceolate-ovoid, glabrous or subglabrous, rather
turgid, hard, often greyish or with rose-coloured tinge. Chromosome number: 2n=\6 (3 subspecies
counted).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 333
216. Aspalathus acicularis E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 46 (1836; only ‘ A . acicularia)\
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 649 (1848);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 188
(1963); ibid. 21: 133 (1968). Type: Cape, Kha-
miesbergen, between Pedroskloof and Leliefon-
tein, Little Namaqualand Division, Drege (P,
lecto.!; S).
Treated by Drege (in Linnaea 19: 636; 1847) as a syno-
nym of A. pungens and by Harvey (FI. Cap. 2: 137; 1862)
as a synonym of A. vulnerans (no. 190). In both cases other
material than ‘A. acicularis a’ was obviously concerned.
'A. acicularis b’ in E. Mey. (Comm. 1: 46; 1836) belongs
to A. vulnerans.
An erect, branched shrub or shrublet,
0,25-1,5 m tall, usually with rigid, straight,
spreading branches, often ending as naked
pungent thorns, sometimes weaker and non-
thomy; young branches pale yellow, shortly
and sparsely sericeous. Leaflets slightly to dis-
tinctly flat, linear-oblanceolate, 1-7 x 0,5-1
mm, acute, apiculate or acuminate, glabrous or
short- and white-sericeous. Inflorescences ter-
minal on branches, unifloral or a 2— 10-flow-
ered raceme, inflorescence axis then often ex-
serted as a thorn, flowers closely set or usually
at distances of 0,4-4 mm. Bract caducous,
subulate-oblong, 0,8-2 mm long, subglabrous
or pubescent. Pedicel 0,8-2, 3 mm long, gla-
brous or tomentose. Bracteoles 0,3- 1,2 mm
long. Calyx glabrous or puberulous; lobes del-
toid-triangular to triangular-subulate, 0,5-2, 5
mm long, acute-acuminate. Petals pale yellow
or standard and keel partly rose-coloured.
Standard blade 4,5 — 6( — 7) x 3, 5-5, 3 mm,
short-sericeous on apical quarter to three-quar-
ters of the back. Wing blades (2,7 — )3,3 — 5 x
1, 5-2,1 mm, with c. 5 rows of minute folds.
Keel blades (3,5— )4,5— 6 x 2-3,5 mm, with
straight or slightly convex upper margin. Pistil
glabrous or with some pubescence on upper
basal part of ovary; ovules 2. Pod broadly lan-
ceolate, 9,5-12,5 x 3, 5-4,5 mm, grey or of-
ten with rose-coloured tinge.
One of the most widespread species growing in dry
regions bordering on the Great Karoo. Found in Little
Namaqualand in the north-west and in the Laingsburg, Mur-
raysburg, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock and Middelburg Divi-
sions in the Cape, and in the Maluti Mountains in Lesotho.
It grows on hill-slopes (and flats), in karroid scrub with a
weak fynbos element, often at considerable altitudes (in
Lesotho at 2 600 m!), in other regions at 1 000 to 1 800 m.
A population in the Middelburg Division deviates so
much in its flat, weak, silvery sericeous leaves and puberu-
lous calyx, that it has been distinguished as a separate
subspecies.
Leaflets glabrous or subglabrous; calyx glabrous or
subglabrous 216a. subsp. acicularis
Leaflets relatively short and broad, with short-seri-
ceous pubescence; calyx entirely puberulous
216b. subsp. planifolia
216a. subsp. acicularis.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
188 (1963); ibid. 21: 134(1968).
Synonymy as above.
Description as above with the following
limitations: Leaflets linear or subulate, slightly
flat, 2-7 x 0,5— 0,9 mm, glabrous or subgla-
brous, pale green, acute or apiculate. Calyx
tube 2, 2-2, 7 mm long, glabrous or basally pu-
berulous; lobes narrowly triangular (to nearly
subulate), 1—2,5 mm long, glabrous. Standard
blade 5— 6(-7) x 3, 5-5, 3 mm, short-seri-
ceous only on apical parts of the back. Wing
blades 3,5—5 x 1,7— 2,1 mm. Keel blades
4,8-6 x 3-3,5 mm. Ovary glabrous or pu-
berulous on upper basal parts. Pod 10—12,5 x
4—4,5 mm. Figure 113: 1 — 14.
Covering the whole distribution area mentioned above,
except the Middelburg Division. Probably often over-
looked. Maps 78 & 100.
Vouchers: Acocks 17509; Barker 7089; Bolus 169;
Compton 8129; Cooper 570; Dahlgren & Peterson 284;
Henrici 5009; Nordenstam 1956, 1966; Staples 99.
The variation is so considerable that the homogeneity
of the subspecies could be questioned, although it is reason-
ably coherent and all forms are similar in habitat and cli-
matic endurance. The forms from Little Namaqualand have
strong, thorny branches. They include the type. Similar are
the populations in the Laingsburg and Murraysburg Divi-
sions, in the latter of which the spikes are up to 10-flowered
and the pedicels puberulous. In the forms in the Graaff-
Reinet and Cradock Divisions the branches are hardly
thorn-like, yet straight, and the leaflets short (2-4 mm) and
only slightly flat. The base of the calyx tube may be puberu-
lous and the calyx lobes are short, in which they agree with
subsp. planifolia. A collection by Drege (6611), without
locality statement, seems to belong to this population. The
Lesotho collection (Staples 99) resembles the forms in the
Graaff-Reinet and Cradock Divisions, having weak, only
slightly thorn-like branches and small, only slightly flat-
tened leaflets, short calyx lobes, and puberulous pedicel and
calyx base, although the petals are relatively large. There is
some doubt about the accuracy of the locality statement, the
3,6: 334
Crotalarieae
Figure 113. Aspalathus acicularis subsp. acicularis (1-14); A. acicularis subsp. planifolia (15-23). — 1, 8, 15:
parts of branches with floriferous branchlets; 2, 9, 16: bracts; 3, 10, 17: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11, 18: flowers; 5, 12, 20:
wing petals; 6, 13, 21: keel petals; 7, 14, 22: pistils; 19: calyx, median lobe in the centre; 23: fruit. — 1-7 from Staples 99
(Lesotho); 8—14 from Compton 8129 (Laingsburg Distr. ); 15-22 from Theron 940; 23 from Gill 38 (Middelburg Distr.).
— (1, 9, 15 x2; all others x4.)
geographical interval being considerable, but the occur-
rence in Lesotho is not unlikely.
216b. subsp. planifolia Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 269, 188 (1963); ibid. 21:
137 (1968). Type: Cape, Grootfontein, Middel-
burg Division, Theron 940 (PRE, holo. !; K).
A rigid, branched shrub 0,3— 0,8 m tall;
old branches strong and spreading but not end-
ing in a point. Leaflets (1 — )2 — 4(— 5) X 0,5-1
mm, flat, linear to oblanceolate, acute (-subob-
tuse), covered with short silky-sericeous pubes-
cence on both sides (midvein with a groove on
each side). Inflorescence a racemule of
1 — 3( — 4) flowers, these (if more than 2) at in-
tervals of 1-3 mm from each other. Bract
broadly linear, 1 x c. 0,4 mm, puberulous.
Pedicel 0,8- 1 ,3( — 2) mm, puberulous. Brae-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 335
FIGURE 114. Aspalathus pedicellata. — 1, 10: floriferous branchlets; 2, 12: bracts; 3, 11: bracteoles (prophylls); 4:
calyx, upper two lobes to the left; 5: standard, front view; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 14: keel petals; 8, 15: pistils; 9, 16: fruits.
— 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1269', 9 from Esterhuysen 28733', 10 — 16 from Esterhuysen 13461 . — (1-10, 16 X 4;
11-15 x8.)
teoles 0,5 -0,8 mm long, puberulous. Calyx
short-sericeous; lobes deltoid-triangular,
0,5-1, 5 mm long, puberulous. Standard blade
4. 5 - 5, 5 X 4—4,5 mm, short-sericeous at least
on apical half. Wing blades (2,7—) 3,3-4 X
1.5- 2 mm; keel blades (3,5-)4,5-5,2 x 2-3
mm. Ovary glabrous. Pod 9,5-11 x 3,5-4
mm. Figure 113: 15-23.
Restricted to the Middelburg Division, growing in red
soil at altitudes of 1 300- 1 700 m. Maps 78 & 100.
Vouchers: L. Bolus, BOL 14092; Gill 38; Theron 940;
Thorne, SAM 51834; Verdoorn 1741, 1755.
217. Aspalathus pedicellata Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 135 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 188 (1963); ibid. 21: 138
(1968). Type: Cape, field near Tulbagh, Tul-
bagh Division, Pappe 245 (TCD, lecto. !;
SAM).
A decumbent, procumbent or prostrate
shrublet, growing in loose clumps or sometimes
almost matted, with slender or basally some-
times rather thick branches, densely or rather
sparsely branched; young branches glabrous or
± densely appressed-puberulous. Leaflets lin-
3,6: 336
Crotalarieae
Maps 100- 102. — Map 100. Aspalathus acicularis subsp. acicularis (triangles; see also Map 78); A. acicularis
subsp. planifolia (rhomboids); A. pedicellata (unbroken line); A. rigidifolia (squares). — Map 101. A. aristata (unbroken
line); A. ramosissima (rhomboids); A. pedunculata (triangles); A. digitifolia (square). — Map 102. A. tenuissima (dots);
A. lanceicarpa (square).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 337
ear, 1,5—5 (—6,5) x 0,2— 0,8 mm, subterete
or slightly compressed, acute, apiculate to
mucronulate, straight or ± incurved, light or
pale green (to nearly glaucous), glabrous. Inflo-
rescences consisting of 1 or 2 (-5) flowers on
branchlet tips, if more than 1 then attached al-
most at the same point. Bract subulate,
0,4- 1,5 mm long, acuminate or apiculate,
subglabrous. Pedicel 1—2,7 mm long, glabrous
or puberulous. Bracteoles 0,3 -0,9 mm long.
Calyx externally glabrous, pale to ± purplish;
lobes narrowly triangular, 1,5-3 mm long,
green or ± purplish, with acuminate, not spiny
apex. Petals light to bright yellow or standard
back ± purple. Standard blade 4,8— 7,5
5 — 8( — 8,5) mm, densely (rarely sparsely) seri-
ceous on the back. Wing blades (3,1 — )3,7— 5,5
x 1 ,5-2,7 mm, with c. 4 rows of minute folds.
Keel blades 4,5 — 6(— 6,5) x 2, 3-3, 4 mm,
with convex upper margin. Pistil usually short-
hairy only on the upper side of the ovary (rarely
also on its sides); ovules 2-4. Pod narrowly
and obliquely ovate, 9-10,5 x 3, 5-4, 4 mm,
subglabrous, pale or dark grey. Chromosome
number: 2n= 16. Figure 114.
Very common on the mountains north of the Breede
River Valley in the Worcester, Ceres, and Tulbagh Divi-
sions, growing at altitudes of 1 000-2 200 m, sometimes
in subalpine habitats (then matted). It is generally growing
in clay on shale bands, in a vegetation of fynbos, sometimes
(at lower altitudes) mixed with renosterbos. Map 100.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1108, 1152, 1269;
Dahlgren & Strid 4144, 4371, 4389; Esterhuysen 1510,
3944, 8407, 13461, 14206, 14747, 14909, 20946, 24071,
27438, 27561, 28733, 29452; Marloth 2275, 2374;
Schlechter 8858, 10193.
On the summits of the Hex River and Kwadouw
Mountains (Worcester Division) the species occurs as c. 10
mm thick mats on the soil surface and has fresh-green
leaves. The flowers, closely inserted in the mat, are on
average larger than those in forms from lower altitudes. In
the Cold Bokkeveld, Witzenberg and Skurweberg regions
the forms may also be ± matlike, but often have a looser,
ascending growth and sparser leaves. Their flowers are
smaller and the standard has shorter pubescence. A form
from Visgat, Ceres Division ( Esterhuysen 13461), is excep-
tionally small-flowered.
Often mixed with forms of the A. divaricata (no. 206)
complex, differing in the non-spiny leaflets and calyx lobes,
and the glabrous, smooth, more turgid pods.
218. Aspalathus aristata Compton in
Compton & Bond in J1 S. Afr. Bot. 6: 56
(1940); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
188 (1963); ibid. 21: 146 (1968). Type: Cape,
Roodeberg, Worcester Division, Compton 8408
(NBG, holo.!; BOL).
A decumbent, procumbent or ± prostrate
shrublet, reaching up to c. 0,3 m above the
ground, sparsely or densely branched. Young
branches glabrous (or partly puberulous). Leaf-
lets subulate or needle-like, (2 — )4 — 8( — 11)
mm long, recurved or more or less S-curved
with recurved apex, subterete, greyish green or
glaucous, glabrous, ending in a fine, sharp
spine up to 1,5 mm long. Inflorescence uniflo-
ral, on tips of branchlets; sometimes, by growth
of a branch in the axil of the uppermost leaf,
seemingly lateral. Bract broadly subulate,
0,5- 1,7 mm long, acute or mucronulate, sub-
glabrous. Pedicel 0,5- 1,5 mm long, glabrous,
merging into the calyx. Bracteoles 0, 2-0,6
mm long. Calyx narrowly campanulate, gla-
brous, smooth; lobes subulate-acicular,
(1,9— )2, 5— 5,1 mm long, tapering, aristate or
cuspidate, ± upcurved. Petals pale yellow or
usually ± purplish or rose-coloured, often two-
coloured: pale yellow and purple. Standard
blade 4,8-7 x 4— 6(— 7) mm, rounded but
with a ‘tip’, short-sericeous on the back except
the base. Wing blades 3,8 — 5( — 5,3) x
1,5— 2,5(— 3) mm. Keel blades (4— )4,5— 6 x
2, 3 -3, 5 mm, with S-shaped upper margin con-
cave in the middle. Pistil glabrous; ovules 2.
Pod broadly lanceolate or narrowly ovate,
(7— )8 — 10 X 3,5— 4,2 mm. Chromosome
number: 2n=16. Figure 115: 14-25.
Distributed on the mountains of the Clanwilliam and
Ceres Divisions and in the northern parts of the Worcester
Division. Growing in sand (weathered from Table Moun-
tain Sandstone), often in sandy (? or clayey) pans or basins
in the mountains, at altitudes of 1 000 to 2 000 m, in fynbos
vegetation. Map 101.
Vouchers: Compton 8408; Dahlgren & Peterson
1150; Dalgren & Strid 4266, 4439; Esterhuysen 1560,
3677, 4183 , 7461, 10830, 13486, 17092, 30960; Pillans
9615; Schlechter 10139; Taylor 6086.
Forms at high altitudes, especially in the Cederberg
Mountains, are often closely matted, otherwise the species
may be ± loosely branched. Typical are the slightly to
strongly recurved, aristate, often glaucous leaflets, the often
± rose flowers and the smooth pods.
3,6: 338
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 339
219. Aspalathus rigidifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 288, 188 (1963);
ibid. 21: 142 (1968). Type: Cape, Swartberg
Pass, Prince Albert Division, Dahlgren & Pe-
terson 1374 (LD, holo. !).
Ascending or erect, occasionally low and
nearly matted shrub, c. 0,05-1 m tall, closely
or sparingly branched, with spreading branches
densely beset with prickly leaves. Young
branches white-villous; short-shoot tubercles
semi-globose, villous. Leaflets spreading, lin-
ear, needle-like, 4—11(1 — 14) mm long, and
0,4— 0,8 mm thick, subterete, straight, rigid,
glabrous, pale green to glaucous, ending in a
0,3— 1,2 mm long, sharp spine. Flowers soli-
tary or in pairs, either on tips of very short
branchlets or on lateral short-shoots. Bract
triangular-subulate, 0,2- 1,2 mm long. Pedicel
(0,6 — )1 — 5( — 7) mm long, glabrous, slender.
Bracteoles shorter than 0,7 mm. Calyx cam-
panulate, smooth, glabrous; lobes broadly to
narrowly triangular, (0,8 — )1 ,2—3 mm long,
acute or acuminate. Petals pale yellow or ±
purple, at least on standard and keel. Standard
blade (4,2-)5,5-8 X (4,5 — )4,8 — 7,5 mm,
rounded apically, sericeous on the back except
on the basal marginal parts. Wing blades
(3,7— )4, 2— 6,5 x (1,3 — )2,4 — 3,2 mm, gla-
brous (or with a few hairs on lower parts). Keel
blades (3,8-)4,5-6,7 x (1 ,3— )2,4— 3,2 mm,
glabrous or often puberulous on lower parts;
upper margins slightly concave. Pistil glabrous
(or somewhat hairy on basal upper parts of
the ovary); ovules 2-5. Pod lanceolate,
(8,2 — )9,5 — 15( — 18) x (3,7-)4-5,5 mm, gla-
brous or subglabrous, pale violet, grey or
greenish. Chromosome number. 2n=l6. Figure
115: 1-13.
Distributed in mountains of the Montagu, Worcester,
Ceres, Laingsburg, Ladismith and Prince Albert Divisions,
mainly in the mountains north and west of the Little Karoo.
Map 100.
Vouchers: Bolus 11469, 11471; Compton 12905;
Dahlgren <6 Peterson 77 , 1374, 1722; Dahlgren & Strid
2247, 3474; Esterhuysen 28830; Levyns 194; Lewis 2499;
Marloth 9030; Taylor 371.
A very variable species, which may need to be divided
into two or more subspecies. The forms in the Montagu area
are large shrubs up to 1 m tall with ± glaucous and spine-
tipped leaflets, and rather large flowers situated on short-
shoots. The calyx lobes are broadly triangular. Most other
forms are smaller, totally and in leaves and flowers. There
is a gradual variation, however, and forms at Karoo Poort
(Worcester Division) resemble those in the Montagu area.
Lower forms, with glaucous prickly leaflets on ‘barbed
wire-like’ branches and almost hidden, relatively small
flowers occur on the Anysberg (Dahlgren & Peterson 77),
whereas in the Witteberg Mountains the leaflets are often ±
recurved and the flowers even smaller. The Swartberg
Mountain population consists of shrubs which vary from
prostrate to ascending and 0,5 m tall, with purplish, rather
small flowers having 4- or 5-ovuled ovaries. These resem-
ble A. aristata (no. 218), but have shorter calyx lobes,
longer pedicels, and coarser, woolly branches.
Group 3 1 : Digitifoliae
Erect, ascending or rarely decumbent or procumbent shrubs or shrublets, usually fairly
branched; young branches pubescent to glabrescent. Leaves small, trifoliolate; short-shoots soon
developed in axils of long-shoot leaves. Leaflets terete or subterete, linear or subulate, acuminate,
acute or obtuse, not spine-tipped, often slightly incurved, glabrous, puberulous or silvery seri-
ceous. Leaf base not developed as a spur or a spine, sometimes tubercular. Inflorescence terminal
on branchlets, generally unifloral (sometimes bifloral), subtended by the uppermost leaves; excep-
tion: A. tenuissima (no. 229), with unifloral inflorescences on lateral leafless, thin, Filiform,
leafless peduncles emerging from the short-shoots. Flowers always small. Bract situated at the
pedicel base, small and tooth-like to linear- subulate. Pedicel distinct, pubescent. Bracteoles simi-
lar to the bract. Calyx tube campanulate, ± pubescent, lobes usually subulate, subterete, obtuse to
acuminate, not spine-tipped. Petals yellow to ferruginous or dark red; wing and keel claws not
adnate to the staminal sheath. Standard blade elliptic, orbicular or broadly obovate, generally
sericeous on the back (glabrous in A. ramosissima (no. 222) and A. lanceicarpa — no. 225), without
3,6: 340
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 341
apical cusp. Wing blades oblong or narrowly obovate, usually glabrous (partly pubescent in A.
pedunculata — no. 220), with 2 to several rows of minute folds on the basal parts. Keel blades
lunate, obtuse, pubescent or glabrous, with almost straight to slightly convex upper margins and
with distinct basal pouch. Pistil short-stipitate; ovary ± pubescent at least on upper side; ovules 2
or in A. ramosissima 4 or 5; stigma regular, capitate. Pod narrowly triangular-ovate, compressed,
± pubescent, one-seeded. Chromosome number: 2/7= 1 8.
220. Aspalathus pedunculata Houtt.,
Nat. hist. 2: 475 (1775), non L’Herit. (1792),
see below; Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 181 (1963); ibid. 21: 70 (1968). [The later
homonym, A. pedunculata L’Herit., Sert.
Angl. 21 (1792) is a synonym of A. bracteata
Thunb.] Type: ‘ Aspalathus pedunculata Houtt.,
herbier Delessert, coll. Burman’ (G, lecto.!).
A. argyraea DC., Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 203 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 499
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 644 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 133 (1862); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv.
S. Afr. 20: 49 (1941). Achyronia argyraea (DC.) Kuntze,
Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type: 'Aspalathus argyraea —
Cap. Mr. Agardh, 1824’ in herbarium De Candolle (G,
holo.!).
An erect, much branched shrub 1-2 m
tall. Young branches slender, densely short-
and white-velutinous. Leaflets linear. 3-5 mm
long, c. 0,6 mm thick, terete or very slightly
flattened, obtuse, soft, densely short-sericeous
or white-puberulous. Bract narrowly triangular
to oblong, 0,5 — 1,5 mm long, obtuse, puberu-
lous. Pedicel 1—2,2 mm long, short- and
white-pubescent. Bracteoles similar to the
bract, 0,4- 1,2 mm long. Calyx campanulate,
densely short-sericeous or puberulous; lobes
triangular-linear, (0,7-) 1 — 1,5 mm long, ob-
tuse, white-puberulous. Petals light or pale yel-
low. Standard blade broadly ovate or elliptic,
6-7,5 x 4,5— 6,2 mm, obtuse-acute and
slightly incurved apically, short-sericeous on
the back. Wing blades very narrowly elliptic,
5,5-7 x 2, 2-2,8 mm, short-sericeous on
lower half or less. Keel 5-5,7 x 3-3,6 mm,
sericeous on lower third or half, with ± straight
upper half of ovary and on style base; ovules 2.
Pod obliquely lanceolate, 12-15 x 4, 2-5, 2
mm, densely silky sericeous on most parts.
Chromosome number: 2n=18. Figure 116:
10-17.
Distributed only on the Outeniqua Mountains and on
the hills near Oudtshoom in the Mossel Bay (?), George and
Oudtshoom Divisions. The species occurs mainly on the
northern slopes of these mountains at 500 - 800(- 1 000) m
altitude, on somewhat clayey soil, in fynbos mixed with
renosterbos. Map 101.
Vouchers: Bolus 11777; Dahlgren & Peterson 201,
202, 1385; Dahlgren & Strid 2915, 2921, 2937; Ecklon &
Zeyher 1393; Esterhuysen 19500.
Probably closely allied to A. pilantha (no. 223), A.
ramosissima (no. 222) and A. rubens (no. 224).
221 . Aspalathus digitifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 68 (1968). Type: Cape,
lower part of Robinson Pass, c. 1 mile north of
Ruitersbos, Mossel Bay Division, Dahlgren &
Strid 2888 (NBG, holo.!; LD).
A decumbent to ascending, much branch-
ed shrublet; branches up to 1 m long; young
branches often zig-zag, reddish brown, puberu-
lous, glabrescent. Leaflets linear or linear- fu-
siform, 3-5 x c. 0,7 mm, terete, slightly in-
curved, tapering, mucronulate, densely short-
tomentose (but glabrous on apex) to glabres-
cent. Bract subulate, 0,6-1 mm long, subgla-
brous. Pedicel c. 1,5 mm long, short-pubes-
cent. Bracteoles subulate-linear, 0,5-0, 8 mm.
Calyx densely short-sericeous; lobes linear-su-
bulate, 1, 8-2,1 mm long, subterete, acute,
slightly incurved, only apically glabrous. Petals
light yellow, turning ± reddish. Standard blade
elliptic, c. 5,5 x 4,5 mm, obtuse, glabrous
except on the apical puberulous parts of the
back. Wing blades oblong, c. 5,2 x 2 mm,
FIGURE 116. Aspalathus ramosissima (1-9); A. pedunculata (10-17); A. pilantha (18-25); A. digitifolia
(26 -32). — 1, 10, 18, 26: floriferous branches; 2: flower; 3, 11, 19, 27: bracts; 4, 12, 20, 28: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13:
calyces; 6: standard, side view; 7, 14, 22, 29: wing petals; 8, 15, 23, 30: keel petals; 9, 16, 24, 31: pistils; 17, 25, 32: fruits;
21: standard, back view. — 1-9 from Stokoe, SAM 68903; 10-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 191 ; 18-25 from Esterhuy-
sen 28641; 26-32 from Dahlgren & Strid 2937. — (1, 10 x 2; all others X4.)
3,6: 342
Crotalarieae
glabrous, with 2-3 rows of minute folds on the
base. Keel blade c. 4,3 x 2,5 mm, glabrous
except for some appressed hairs on lower apical
parts, with slightly convex upper margin. Pistil
distinctly stipitate, pubescent on ovary and on
base and upper side of basal half of style; ovules
2. Pod lanceolate, 10—12 x 4—4,5 mm, with
very convex lower margin, short-sericeous on
most parts. Figure 116: 26-32.
Known only from the southern slopes of the western
parts of the Outeniqua Mountains in the Mossel Bay Divi-
sion, growing on sand or gravel (Table Mountain Sandstone
products) and spreading on rocks. The vegetation is moun-
tain fynbos. Map 101.
Voucher: Dahlgren & Strid 2888.
Known only from the mentioned collection. Possibly
conspecific with A. rubens (no. 224), from which it differs
by its glabrous keel and wings and nearly glabrous standard.
222. Aspalathus ramosissima Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 287, 181 (1963);
ibid. 21: 67 (1968). Type: Cape, Swartberg
Pass, Prince Albert Division, Hutchinson 1152
(BOL, holo.!; PRE).
In Hutchinson, Botanist in S. Afr. 207 (1946) described
as ‘ Aspalathus thymifolia L. var. albiflora Sond.’
An erect shrub up to about 2 m tall, co-
piously branched, with densely puberulous
branches. Leaflets linear-subulate, 1—2,5 mm
long, and c. 0,5 mm thick, terete, acute,
straight or slightly incurved, glabrous. Inflores-
cences unifloral, terminal on branchlets (inter-
nodes long and peduncle-like). Flowers rather
small. Bract subulate, 0,5 -0,7 mm long, dark,
glabrous on the abaxial, puberulous on the ad-
axial side. Pedicel 0,3-1 mm, pu-
berulous. Bracteoles subulate or tooth-like,
0,5 -0,8 mm long. Calyx tube infundibular-
campanulate, with sparse, short, adpressed
hairs; lobes linear, 0,8- 1,4 mm long, terete,
subacute (-obtuse), green, subglabrous. Petals
white or yellow (?), with darker shades on
standard back. Standard circular or broadly
ovate, 4,4— 5,2 x 3,8— 4,6 mm, apically
slightly incurved and with a blunt ‘tip’, gla-
brous except on the base of back and front.
Wing blades oblong or narrowly elliptic,
3,3— 4,3 x 1,5—2 mm, glabrous. Keel
3, 9-4, 5 x 2, 4-2, 7 mm, glabrous, with ±
straight upper margin. Pistil puberulous on up-
per half of ovary; ovules 4 or 5. Pods not seen.
Figure 116: 1—9.
Only two samples known, both from the Swartberg
Pass, on the Prince Albert-Oudtshoom Division border, at
about 1 700 m altitude. Map 101 .
Vouchers: Hutchinson 1152; Stokoe, SAM 68903.
Obviously very closely allied to A. pedunculata (no.
220), which has silvery grey pubescence; perhaps to be
regarded as a very small-flowered, subglabrous derivative
of this, or of the closely similar A. digitifolia (no. 221).
223. Aspalathus pilantha Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 285 (1963); ibid. 21:
73 (1968). Type: Cape, Matroosberg, slopes
above De Dooms, Worcester Division, Ester -
huysen 28641 (LD, holo.!; BOL).
An ascending or erect shrublet 0,3— 0,6 m
tall, amply branched. Young branches rather
slender, densely short-villous (to white-veluti-
nous). Leaflets linear (or ‘sausage-shaped’),
1-2,5 mm long, c. 0,5 mm thick, terete, acute,
straight or slightly incurved, clear green, gla-
brous. Bract subulate, 0,6-0, 9 x 0,25 mm,
with some minute pubescence. Pedicel
0,5-0, 7 mm long, short- villous. Bracteoles
tooth-like, 0,4-0, 6 mm long. Calyx tube cam-
panulate, short- and white- villous, partly pur-
plish; lobes deltoid-triangular, 0,8- 1,1 mm
long, green or partly purplish, acute, subgla-
brous. Petals light yellow or pubescent, partly
red-purple along middle of standard back.
Standard blade broadly elliptic or obovate,
5-5,8 x 3, 9-4, 3 mm, obtuse, densely short-
tomentose (-sericeous) on most of the back, gla-
brous on the front. Wing blades oblong, 4-5 x
1.3- 1,7 mm, rounded apically, glabrous ex-
cept for some pubescence on lower middle
parts. Keel blades upcurved, 4, 4-4, 7 x 1 ,8-2
mm, short-hairy on lower half, with concave or
S-curved upper margin. Pistil hairy on upper
parts of ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod
broadly triangular-lanceolate, 7, 5 -8, 5 x
3. 3 - 3, 7 mm, sericeous or partly tomentose on
most parts. Figure 116: 18-25.
Known only from the type collection, from slopes of
the Matroosberg above De Dooms (Hex River Valley side)
at an altitude of c. 700 m on rocky and stony soil.
Voucher: Esterhuysen 28641.
224. Aspalathus rubens Thunb., Prodr.
2: 126 (1800); Diss. Bot. Aspalathus 1: 11
Crotalarieae
3,6: 343
(1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 966 (1802); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 142 (1825); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 54
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 500 (1839);
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 648 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 136 (1862); Schltr. in
Zahlbr. in Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20
(1905); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62
(1919); Fourc., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50
(1941); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
189 (1963); ibid. 21: 156 (1968). Type: ‘ Aspa -
lathus rubens ’ in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto.!).
Achyronia rubens (Thunb.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
‘ Aspalathus gracilis Garab.’ nom. nud. in Fourc., Mem.
bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50 (1941).
A rather loosely (to densely) branched,
procumbent (rarely prostrate) or decumbent
shrublet, not reaching more than c. 0,25 m
above the ground but with branches up to c. 0,8
m long or more. Young branches and branchlets
ascending, minutely tomentose or puberulous.
Leaflets linear, (1 — )1 ,5 — 5 mm long, 0,3-0, 5
mm thick, subterete, straight or slightly in-
curved, acute, glabrous, glabrescent or very of-
ten densely silvery sericeous. Bract minute, ob-
long or linear, 0,5- 1,2 x 0,2-0, 3 mm,
pointed, ± puberulous. Pedicel 0,3- 1 ,0( — 1 ,3)
mm long. Bracteoles 0,3 — 1 ,0( — 1 ,3) mm long.
Calyx tube short-tomentose; lobes linear or su-
bulate (0,6— )0,8— 2(— 2,5) mm long, acute, of-
ten subterete, slightly incurved, glabrous or pu-
berulous on most parts. Petals varying from
yellow or orange to red or dark red; when dry
then ferruginous or dark red (hence the epithet
‘ rubens ’). Standard blade broadly ovate, ellip-
tic or obovate, (3,6-)4-6,5(-7,3) x (2,5-)
3-5,5 mm, apically subacute and slightly in-
curved, sericeous on the back and glabrous on
the front. Wing blades oblanceolate-oblong,
(3,3— )3,8— 5,5(— 6) x 1,3— 2(— 2,4) mm, api-
cally rounded, basal parts short-tomentose or
sericeous; basal upper parts with c. 3 longitudi-
nal rows of small folds. Keel blades 3-5 x
2—3,2 mm, with clearly convex upper margin,
sericeous at least on the lower parts, sometimes
only slightly, sometimes on most parts. Pistil
pubescent on upper half or more of the ovary
and on upper parts of style base; ovules 2. Pod
triangular-lanceolate, (6,5— )8— 12,4 x (3-)
3,6-6 mm, brown or almost black, sparsely
short-sericeous on most parts. Figure 117:
1-16.
A common and widespread species between Port
Elizabeth in the east and the Swellendam Division in the
west, occurring in the mountains both north and south of the
Little Karoo, being most plentiful in the George, Knysna,
Uniondale and Humansdorp Divisions. Beyond Port Eliza-
beth there is a record from Sidbury, Albany Division. The
species occurs on sandy, gravelly or rocky ground, mainly
in the mountains. It clearly prefers acid Table Mountain
Sandstone products, and only rarely ascends more than
1 300 m, except on the Kamanassie Mountains where it
grows as an alpine mat-plant at more than 2 000 m.
Map 103.
Vouchers: Acocks 20776 ; Bolus 6330; Compton 4566,
8587; Dahlgren & Peterson 1391 — 1394; Dahlgren & Strid
4865; Esterhuysen 4524, 6536; Schlechter 2272, 6005;
Story 2462; Zeyher 2325.
A highly variable species, especially as regards the
pubescence. The most typical forms have rubescent flowers
and silvery grey foliage, but mainly western forms, from
the Swellendam Division (e.g. Tradouw Pass) to the Hu-
mansdorp Division in the east, and also in the Swartberg
Mountains north of the Little Karoo, have glabrescent
(subglabrous) leaves and are therefore rather unlike the sil-
very ones. Floral details are concordant, however, although
the flowers of the glabrescent forms tend to become ferrugi-
nous rather than dark red in old stage. An alpine population
in the upper parts of the Kamanassie Mountains (Uniondale
Division) consists of mat-like plants with leaflets only
0,7- 1,5 mm long and small fruits, only c. 6,5 x 3 mm.
These are markedly different from A. rubens at lower alti-
tudes of the same mountain, and may represent a separate
(new) species.
225. Aspalathus lanceicarpa Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 281, 189 (1963);
ibid. 21: 154 (1968). Type: Cape, Van Stadens
near Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth Division,
Paterson 604 (BOL, holo. !; PRE).
A procumbent or decumbent shrublet with
branches up to c. 0,6 m long or more, reddish
brown, diffusely branched, with slender
branchlets partly appressed-puberulous, partly
glabrous. Flowers solitary on slender lateral
branches with a peduncle-like 4-12 mm long
intemode between a ‘leaf fascicle’ and the up-
permost vegetative leaf which is situated close
to the flower (cf. the different condition in A.
tenuissima — no. 229). Bract linear-subulate,
0,4— 0,8 mm long. Pedicel c. 1 mm long, ap-
pressed-puberulous. Bracteoles subulate,
0,3-0, 7 mm long. Calyx infundibular-cam-
Crotalarieae
3,6: 344
Crotalarieae
3,6: 345
panulate, with the tube appressed-puberulous;
lobes broadly subulate, c. 1,2 mm long, subte-
rete, green, glabrous, acute. Petals yellow to
ferruginous or partly red. Standard blade
broadly obovate or circular, c. 4, 5-4, 8 x
4,7-5 mm, glabrous (some pubescence present
at base of front; apex swollen, greenish, acute.
Wing blades elongate, 4, 2-4, 5 x c. 1,5 mm,
glabrous. Keel blades 4,6—5 x c. 2,2 mm,
glabrous, with nearly straight upper margin.
Pistil puberulous on upper parts and on style
base, otherwise glabrous; ovules 2. Pod
fusiform-lanceolate, more than 15 x 3,7 mm,
very sparsely appressed-puberulous, smooth
(quite ripe pods not seen). Figure 117: 17-24.
Known only by one find from the Van Stadens Moun-
tains near Port Elizabeth. Map 102.
Voucher: Paterson 604.
Possibly closest to A. rubens (no. 224) from which it
differs in the glabrous petals, longer and differently shaped
pods, and peduncle-like intemode. The pods are also differ-
ent from those in A. tenuissima (no. 229) and other similar
species, and, provisionally, the species seems to be distinct.
226. Aspalathus wittebergensis Compton
& Barnes in Compton in Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr.
19: 293 (1931); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 21: 166 (1968). Type: Cape, Witteberg,
1 500 m, Laingsburg Division, Compton 2795
(BOL, holo. !; K).
A. wittebergensis Compton & Barnes subsp. wittebergen-
sis, Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 189(1963).
An ascending or erect, more or less closely
branched shrub 0,2— 0,5 m tall, with rather
slender, non-thomy branches; young branches
short- villous (patent-puberulous). Leaflets lin-
ear-subulate, 2,5 — 5 mm long, 0,4-0, 6 mm
thick, subterete or ± angular, often slightly
recurved, acute to mucronulate, bright green,
glabrous or with sparse, scattered hairs. Flow-
ers rather small. Bract linear, (l,6-)2,2-4,2
x c. 0,3 mm, straight or slightly incurved,
green, pointed, glabrous abaxially, short-pu-
bescent adaxially. Pedicel 0,5-1 mm long,
short-pubescent. Bracteoles (1,7 — )2 — 5 mm
long. Calyx tube with sparse, spreading, tomen-
tose pubescence; lobes subulate, 1,8— 3,6(-4)
mm long, green or purplish, glabrous or subgla-
brous, acute-acuminate. Petals bright yellow,
orange or generally becoming ± ferruginous;
claws rather short. Standard blade circular,
(4,6— )5— 7,5(— 8) X 5,3— 8,5 mm, apically
retuse but usually with a little ‘tip’, with distinct
basal lobes, sericeous (-tomentose) on the back.
Wing blades narrowly ovate-elliptic,
(3,3 — )3,8 — 5,5 x (1,5 — )1 ,7 — 2,5( — 2,8) mm,
glabrous. Keel blades 4,1-6 x 2-3 mm, gla-
brous, with slightly concave upper margin. Pis-
til pubescent on upper and apical parts of the
ovary; ovules 2. Pod broadly and obliquely lan-
ceolate, 6-6,5 x 2,7-3 mm, pubescent on
most parts. Figure 118: 1—8.
Distributed in Laingsburg, Ceres and Clanwilliam
Divisions, along the Witteberg-Bonteberg-Swartruggens-
Cederberg-Bidouw Mountains, largely on dry mountain
slopes at 800-1 600 m and to a great extent on clayey
substrate, in mixed fynbos-renosterbos communities.
Map 104.
Vouchers: Compton 2766, 2795, 3574, 7963 , 9934,
12878, 13941, 15209, 15216; Dahlgren & Strid 4434;
Esterhuysen 3678, 3718, 3748; Marloth 91 19; Nordenstam
3472.
The Witteberg forms are closely branched and have
green foliage and relatively large flowers; the forms in the
Ceres and Clanwilliam Divisions have smaller flowers and
approach A. Jlorulenta (no. 228) slightly.
A. wittebergensis, A. intricata (no. 227) and A.floru-
lenta (no. 228) seem to make up a group of closely allied
taxa, the status of which is somewhat difficult to estimate.
Their relationships to other species in the genus are uncer-
tain.
227. Aspalathus intricata Compton in J1
S. Afr. Bot. 10: 8 (1944); Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 21: 168 (1968). Type: Cape,
Witteberg, Whitehill, Laingsburg Division,
Compton 13937 (NBG, holo. !).
A. wittebergensis Compton & Barnes subsp. intricata
(Compton) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 294,
190(1963).
Figure 117. Aspalathus rubens (1-16); A. lanceicarpa (17-24); A. florulenta (25-31). — 1, 9, 17, 25: florifer-
ous branches; 2, 10, 18, 26: bracts; 3, 11, 19, 27: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 12, 20: standard petals, different views; 5, 13,
21, 29: wing petals; 6, 14, 22, 30: keel petals; 7, 15, 23, 31: pistils; 8, 16, 24: fruits; 28: calyx. — 1-7 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1529 (grey-hairy form; Humansdorp Distr.); 8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1465; 9- 16 from Dahlgren & Peterson
1393 (glabrescent form; George Distr.); 17-24 from Paterson 604 (Port Elizabeth Distr.); 25-31 from Esterhuysen 7458
(Clanwilliam Distr.). — (1-25 x4; 26-31 x8.)
3,6: 346
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 347
A. oxyclada Compton in J1 S. Afr. Bot. 10: 9 (1944).
Treated as subsp. oxyclada here. A. wittebergensis Comp-
ton & Barnes subsp. oxyclada (Compton) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 294, 190 (1963). Type: Cape,
Witteberg near Bantams, Laingsburg Division, Compton
12183 (NBG, holo.!).
A. wittebergensis Compton & Barnes subsp. anthosper-
moides Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 293 (1963).
Type: Cape, southern slope of Witteberg Mountain, 16
miles west-south- west of Laingsburg, Dahlgren & Peterson
1718 (LD, holo.!).
A decumbent to ascending or erect,
densely or sparingly branched, low shrub, up to
0,3 m tall. Branches usually straight, spread-
ing, ultimately almost thorny. Young branches
short-pubescent, usually pale yellowish. Leaf-
lets linear or subulate, ( 1 — )2 — 5( — 7) mm long,
subterete or slightly flat or angular, sometimes
with a longitudinal adaxial groove, straight or
apically ± recurved, acute-mucronulate or acu-
minate, dull or pale green, glabrous or sparsely
to densely grey-pubescent. Inflorescences uni-
floral or, more rarely, bifloral, on the tips of
short branchlets, or unifloral and on lateral
short-shoots. Flowers rather small, inconspicu-
ous. Bract (triangular-) linear or subulate,
0,4-4 x 0,15-0,4 mm, subglabrous or ±
pubescent, pointed. Pedicel 0,5- 1,7 mm long,
pubescent. Bracteoles 0,3—3 mm long. Calyx
tube with sparse to rather close tomentose or
sericeous pubescence; lobes linear or subulate,
0,5— 1,7 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles
0,3—3 mm long. Calyx tube with sparse to
rather close tomentose or sericeous pubescence;
lobes linear or subulate, 1,2— 3,5 mm long,
subglabrous or with sparse, spreading hairs,
acute-acuminate, straight or slightly incurved.
Petals light lemon-coloured or standard partly
with violet tinge. Standard blade broadly
obovate or circular, 4,6-7, 5 x 4,5— 7(— 7,5)
mm, obtuse or retuse (rarely with a very short
‘tip’ ), with ± distinct basal lobes; back short-
sericeous or short-tomentose on most parts;
front glabrous. Wing blades narrowly ovate or
elliptic, 3, 5-5,5 x 1,5-2, 3 (-3) mm, gla-
brous. Keel blades 4,2—7 x 2-3,5 mm, gla-
brous, with ± straight or slightly convex upper
margin. Pistil stipitate; pubescent at least on
upper parts of ovary and style base; ovules 2.
Pod broadly triangular-lanceolate, sericeous to
densely white-villous on most parts.
Distributed mainly on the Witteberg and westwards to
the Ceres region, in the Laingsburg and Ceres Divisions;
growing on mountain slopes at 1 000- 1 500 m, at least
often on shale bands in more or less clayey soil with margi-
nal fynbos.
The species is variable and in need of closer population
analysis. Three subspecies are recognized according to the
following key:
la Bract and bracteoles less than 1 mm long
227c. subsp. anthospermoides
lb Bract and bracteoles more than 1 ,5 mm long:
2a Leaves rather densely short-pubescent, greyish;
calyx ± woolly hairy 227a. subsp. intricata
2b Leaves glabrous or sparsely (and rather long-)
pubescent; calyx with sparse, spreading or half-
appressed pubescence 227b. subsp. oxyclada
227a. subsp. intricata.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 170
(1968). Type and literature, see above under the
species.
A low, sometimes decumbent shrublet,
0,15-0,3 m tall, densely or sparingly
branched; branches straight, sometimes becom-
ing almost thorny with age; young branches
generally slender, tomentose. Leaflets 1-4
(—7) mm long, 0,3 -0,5 mm broad (thick),
greyish, short-pubescent. Bract and bracteoles
l,7-2,6(-4,5) mm long. Calyx tube ± pur-
plish, sparsely tomentose or sericeous; lobes
l,6-2,6(-4) mm long, pale green or purplish,
± pubescent. Petals pale yellow or standard
partly purplish. Standard blade 4,8— 5,6(-7,5)
x 5-6 mm; wing blades 3,2-4,4(-5,5) x
1 ,5 — 2,3( — 3) mm; keel blades 4,2— 4, 7(— 5,7)
x 2,4-2, 8(-3, 5) mm. Pods c. 6 x 3,5 mm.
Chromosome number. In = 16. Figure 118:
9-15.
Known from one population on the Witteberg Moun-
tain (Laingsburg Division) and one in the Gydo Pass region
(Ceres Division). Map 103.
Vouchers: Compton 2686. 5922. 8015, 13937. 15190;
Dahlgren & Strid 3988, 4131; Leighton 223.
Maps 103 & 104. — Map 103. Aspalathus rubens (unbroken line); A. florulenta (squares); A. intricata subsp.
intricata (rhomboids); A. intricata subsp. anthospermoides (dots). — Map 104. A. intricata subsp. oxyclada (triangles);
A. wittebergensis (squares).
3,6: 348
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 349
The Witteberg population has rather small flowers and
rigid branches, the Gydo Pass forms have larger flowers and
weaker branches. There is great variation even in the same
locality.
227b. subsp. oxyclada ( Compton ) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 172 (1968).
Type, synonyms and literature see under the
species, above.
A low, spreading shrub let with straight,
rigid branches ultimately becoming thorn-like.
Young branches straight, pale yellowish, some-
times sulcate, often with long intemodes, short-
pubescent on the tips, glabrescent. Leaflets lin-
ear-subulate, 2— 4(— 7) mm long, 0,3— 0,7 mm
thick (broad), acute-acuminate, subterete or
slightly flattened, straight or apically recurved,
pale green, subglabrous or sparsely sericeous
when young. Bract and bracteoles 1,4 -2, 7 X
0,15—0,4 mm. Calyx tube with sparse and
rather long, sericeous pubescence; lobes
2,0— 3,5 mm long, subglabrous on apical half
at least. Standard blade 5, 6-7, 5 x 5,4— 6,8
mm; wing blades 4, 4-5, 6 x 1, 8-2,1 mm, and
keel blades 5,5— 6,9 x 3—3,5 mm. Pods not
seen. Figure 118: 16-23.
Distributed in the eastern part of the Ceres Division
(Laken Vlei region) and in the Laingsburg Division: Pieter
Meintjes and Bantams. Map 104.
Vouchers: Compton 12183; Marloth 9962; Olivier,
Laken Vlei; Rogers 16317.
The form near Laken Vlei (Ceres Division) is some-
what intermediate between subsp. oxyclada and subsp. in-
tricata in having long pubescence on petals and calyx.
227c. subsp. anthospermoides {Dahlg.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 174
(1968). Synonym and type see under the
species above.
A low spreading shrublet up to c. 0,35 m
tall, with straight, rigid branches ending as
strong thorns; young branches straight and ri-
gid, somewhat sulcate, short-pubescent on dis-
tal parts. Leaflets linear, 2,5-6 mm long,
0,4-0, 7 mm broad (thick), subterete or longi-
tudinally grooved on the adaxial side, mucronu-
late, glabrous or (when young) short-puberu-
lous. Flowers relatively small, solitary on late-
ral short-shoots. Bract 0,4— 0,8 mm and brac-
teoles less than 0,6 mm long. Calyx tube short-
sericeous; lobes triangular-subulate (0,8-)
1,3—2 mm long, acute, subglabrous or with
sparse appressed short hairs. Petals pale yellow
or standard with violet shades. Standard blade
4, 6-5, 3 x 4,5-5 mm; wing blades 3, 5-4, 3
X 1,5 — 1,8 mm, and keel blades 4, 3-4, 5 X
2—2,5 mm. Pod c. 7 x 2,8 mm. Figure 118:
24-31.
Known only from the Witteberg Mountains, Laings-
burg Division; growing at altitudes of 1 000- 1 500 m.
Map 103.
Vouchers: Compton 5906, 12179; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1718; Taylor 1249.
Included either in A. intricata or A. oxyclada by
Compton. The subspecies differs from both in the shorter
bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes, the more strongly thorny
branches, the subglabrous leaves and the small flowers.
A. intricata most closely resembles A. wittebergensis
(no. 226) and A. Jlorulenta (no. 228).
228. Aspalathus florulenta Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 278, 189 (1963);
ibid. 21: 164 (1968). Type: Cape, Lokenburg,
ridges and plateau north of dam, 800 m, Acocks
17461 (K, holo.!; PRE).
A decumbent, rather closely branched
shrublet, ascending 0,25—0,5 m above the
ground. Young branches glabrous, puberulous
only on the very tips and shortest branchlets.
Leaflets linear, 2,5-5 mm long, c. 0,5 mm
thick, subterete (thickest in apical half), straight
or slightly curved, glabrous or sparsely puberu-
lous, acute to apiculate. Flowers very small,
solitary on the tips of short lateral branchlets or
(these being suppressed) in short-shoots. Bract
conical or tooth-like, c. 0,3— 0,5 mm long, pu-
berulous. Pedicel 0,7- 1,3 mm long, puberu-
lous. Bracteoles conical, 0,1— 0,3 mm. Calyx
tube sparsely puberulous; lobes subulate.
Figure 118. Aspalathus wittebergensis (1-8); A. intricata subsp. intricata (9—15); A. intricata subsp. oxyclada
(16-23); A. intricata subsp. anthospermoides (24- 31). — 1, 9, 17, 24: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 19, 26: bracts; 3, 12,
20, 27: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 10, 18, 25: flowers; 5: standard, side view; 6, 13, 21, 28: wing petals; 7, 14, 22, 29: keel
petals; 8, 15, 23, 30: pistils; 16: old branch; 31: fruit. — 1-8 from Compton 15216 ; 9-15 from Compton 13937 ; 16 from
Marloth 9962; 17-23 from Compton 12183; 24-31 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1718 (all from the Witteberg region,
Laingsburg Distr. ). — (1, 9, 16, 17, 24 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 350
Crotalarieae
Figure 119. Aspalathus tenuissima. — 1, 10: branchlets with pedunculate laterals: 2, 11: flowers; 3: bract; 4:
bracteole (prophyll); 5: standard, front view; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 12: keel petals; 8: pistil; 9, 14: fruits. — 1-8 from Van
Niekerk 48,9 from Zinn, SAM 54839; 10 -14 from Compton 24405. — (1, 10, 14 x2;2-9, 11-13 x4.)
1,2— 1,7 mm long, obtuse or subacute, sub-
terete, slightly incurved, subglabrous. Petals
light yellow or standard ± violet. Standard
blade circular, 3,4—4 x 3,5-4 mm, rounded
apically, short- sericeous on most of the back
(glabrous at the base). Wing blades oblong-el-
liptic, c. 2,8 x 1,5 mm, glabrous. Keel blades
3,1— 3,6 x c. 1,9 mm, glabrous, with very
slightly convex upper margin. Pistil pu-
berulous on upper side of ovary and on basal
half of style, otherwise glabrous; ovules 2. Ripe
pods not seen . Figure 1 1 7 : 25 - 3 1 .
Very inconspicuous and probably largely overlooked.
Known only from two finds, in the Clanwilliam and Van-
rhynsdorp Divisions, where it grows on mountain slopes or
plateaux. Map 103.
Vouchers: Acocks 17461; Esterhuysen 7458.
Perhaps most closely related to A. pedicellata (no.
217) or to A. intricata (no. 227) or A. wittebergensis (no.
226).
229. Aspalathus tenuissima Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 292, 189 (1963);
ibid. 21: 151 (1968). Type: Cape, Ruytersbos,
above Brak River, Van Niekerk 48 (BOL,
holo.!; LD).
A procumbent, rather sparingly branched
shrublet, with branches up to more than 1 m
long with short, lateral, ascending branchlets
with white-tomentose or short-villous pubes-
cence. Leaflets linear, (1 — )1,5 — 3 mm long,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 351
0,3 -0,4 mm thick, subterete, straight or
slightly incurved, acute-apiculate, dull green,
glabrous. Flowers small, solitary, on the end of
a 12—30 mm long, slender and filiform pedun-
cle. Bract broadly subulate, 0,4-1 x 0,2— 0,3
mm, acute or subobtuse. Pedicel 0,6- 1,6 mm
long, glabrous or sparsely puberulous. Brac-
teoles 0,3— 0,6 mm long. Calyx tube campanu-
late, 1,7 x 2,7 mm long, with spreading pu-
berulous pubescence; lobes lanceolate, ovoid to
semicircular, 0,5- 1,7 mm long, succulent,
acute or obtuse, glabrous. Petals yellow to
orange or red-purple on standard back, turning
dark red when fading. Standard blade broadly
obovate, 5-7,5 x 5—7 mm, rounded, short-
sericeous on most of the back (except the base),
rarely only on the apical parts. Wing blades
elliptic or (ob-)ovate, 4-5,5 x 2-3,2 mm,
obtuse, glabrous. Keel blades 3, 5 -5, 7 x
2, 7 -3, 4 mm, glabrous, with ± convex upper
margin. Pistil puberulous on ovary (lower side
glabrous) and upper side of style base; ovules 2.
Pod obliquely lanceolate, 8,5 — 12 X 3, 5-4, 2
mm, almost black, sparsely short- sericeous.
Figure 119.
Distributed in the southern divisions between the Mos-
sel Bay Division in the west and the Clarkson region of the
Humansdorp Division in the east, through the Oudtshoom,
George, Knysna and Uniondale Divisions. The habitat is
sandy ground on hills and mountain slopes at altitudes of up
to 1 000 m, in fynbos vegetation. Map 102.
Vouchers: Bolus 11778; Dahlgren & Strict 2889,
2924, 2944, 2950, 2967; Schlechter 5914; Thode A800;
VanNiekerk48.
The smallest-flowered forms with rounded, almost
subglobose calyx lobes occur on the Outeniqua Mountains
in the George and Knysna Divisions. These are connected
by intermediates with the other forms with larger flowers
having more elongate and pointed calyx lobes.
Possibly related to A. rubens (no. 224). Very distinct
by the almost filiform peduncles, glabrous keel and succu-
lent calyx lobes.
Group 32: Teretilobae
Erect, ascending or, more often, decumbent, procumbent or prostrate shrubs, when erect then
lower than 0,8 m; branches of prostrate shrubs sometimes slack; young branches pubescent; lateral,
floriferous branchlets sometimes with long, peduncle-like intemodes. Leaves trifoliolate, those on
the long-shoots soon with axillary short-shoots; leaflets therefore several to numerous, in fascicles.
Leaflets linear-subulate, subterete to terete, acute to sharply spine-tipped, glabrous to sparsely
pubescent (forms of A. empetrifolia — no. 232), straight or slightly incurved, green to glaucous.
Inflorescences terminal on the branches (only rarely on short-shoots), usually unifloral or bifloral,
rarely a several-flowered capitulum; flowers subtended by the uppermost leaves even if on a
peduncle. Bract not fused to the pedicel base, simple, linear to ovoid, subterete but adaxially flat to
concave, succulent, ± similar to a leaflet of the vegetative leaves though smaller. Pedicel short (to
non-existent). Bracteoles similar to the bract, but usually narrower. Calyx tube glabrous or ±
puberulous; ± distinctly longitudinally sulcate; lobes succulent, subterete or terete, ± similar to
the leaflets, linear to ovate, glabrous. Petals weak to stiff and camose, yellow or partly violet to
purple or crimson; claws not adnate to staminal sheath. Standard ovate to ± circular, obtuse to
acuminate or apiculate, sometimes ending as a subterete greenish cusp (A. crassisepala (no. 237),
A. potbergensis — no. 240) or callus (A. concava — no. 235), glabrous or ± pubescent on the
marginal part and/or on the midrib, rarely (A. marginalis (no. 234), forms of A. retroflexa — no.
230) on nearly all of the back; sides ± incurved (except at least in A. marginalis and A. conden-
sata — no. 245). Wing petals elliptic or linear-oblong, usually glabrous, with 3 to several rows of
minute folds on basal parts. Keel blades lunate or angled (boomerang-shaped), obtuse, glabrous,
often rigid, and stiff with ± distinct puckering at the base. Pistil usually pubescent only on upper
side of ovary and style base, rarely completely glabrous or ovary completely pubescent; ovules 2,
3,6: 352
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 353
rarely (A. humilis — no. 236) 4(or 5); stigma regular, capitate. Pod triangular-ovate to triangular-
lanceolate, rigid, glabrous or ± pubescent, often remaining green rather long, usually 1 -seeded.
Chromosome number: 2n— 18 or (in A. chrysantha — no. 244) 2n= 16.
230. Aspalathus retroflexa L., Sp. PI.
712 (1753); Syst. Nat. edn 10: 1 157 (1759); Sp.
PI. edn 2: 1001 (1763); Houtt., Nat. hist. 2: 473
(1775); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 2: 20 (1802); FI. Cap. edn 2:
582 (1823); DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 646 (1848); Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 135 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod
in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903);
Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 484
(1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
183 (1963); ibid. 21; 82 (1968). Type: the
Aspalathus sheet no. 53 in Linnaeus’s her-
barium (LINN, neo.!). Comments, see Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 86 (1968).
Achyronia retroflexa (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus galioides Berg., Descr. PI. Cap. 210 (1767);
Lam., Encycl. 1: 289 (1783); DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825);
Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 204 (1836); E. Mey., Comm. 1:
48 (1836; also for A. juniperina — no. 243); Walp. in Lin-
naea 7: 493 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 646
(1848; as synonym of A. retroflexa). Type: ‘Aspalathus
mihi galioides’ in herbarium Bergius (SBT, holo.!). 'A.
galioides' as used in L., Mant. 260 (1771) and in Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 646 (1848) and since then, corre-
sponds to A . juniperina Thunb.
A. bicolor Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 205 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 504 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7:
647 (1848). A. retroflexa L. var. (p) bicolor (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 135 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-
Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903); Adamson
& Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 484 (1950). Type: Cape flats at
‘Doomhoogde’, Bellville Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1404
(S, lecto. ! ; BOL).
A. galioides Berg. var. (fi)foliosa E. Mey., Comm. 1: 48
(1836). Type: Cape, Du Toit’s Kloof, Paarl Division,
Drege (S, lecto.!; G, K, P, W).
A. galioides Berg. var. (y) brevifolia E. Mey., Comm. 1:
48 (1836). Type: sine loco, Drege 6624 (P, lecto. !).
A. retroflexa L. subsp. amoena Dahlg. and A. retroflexa
L. subsp. empetrifolia Dahlg. are here elevated to species
rank and treated as A. amoena (no. 231) and A. empetrifo-
lia, (no. 232) respectively.
A procumbent, decumbent or rarely half-
ascending shrublet with branches up to 1 m long
or more, sparingly branched; young branches
short- and white-villous, tomentose or puberu-
lous; lateral, floriferous branchlets leafy, with
few, sometimes long, intemodes (but rarely
consisting of one peduncle-like intemode).
Leaflets linear-subulate, (1 — )2 — 7,5( — 10) mm
long, subterete, acute to apiculate, often curved
near the apex, weak, rather slender, glabrous
(rarely ± pubescent, not prickly). Inflores-
cences unifloral (rarely bifloral and flowers
then close together) at the tips of the branchlets,
closely subtended by the most distal two leaves
(and their axillary short-shoot leaves). Bract
subulate (or narrowly lanceolate), 1,5-3
(-3,5) x 0,3-0, 6 mm, green, acuminate,
subglabrous or with sparse hairs. Pedicel
(0,5— )1 -2,5 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles
2— 4(— 5) mm long. Calyx tube campanulate,
often partly reddish with short, tomentose, of-
ten sparse pubescence; lobes narrowly lanceo-
late or broadly subulate, (1,7 — )2— 4( — 5) mm
long, green, camose, acuminate, glabrous or
with few scattered hairs, sometimes ± reflexed.
Petals yellow, or the standard and parts of
wings and keel dark violet, purple or red, the
yellow and purplish colour often contrasting;
claws relatively short, usually c. a third or (of-
ten much) less the length of the blades. Stand-
ard blade broadly ovate or elliptic, 6- 10,5 x
(3,2 — )3,5 — 7 mm, glabrous or often tomentose
on upper and central parts; apex pointed, often
green and slightly camose. Wing blades
(5,3 — )5,5 — 9,5 x 2-4,5(-4,8) mm, very nar-
rowly obovate, glabrous or rarely tomentose on
lower apical parts with 4-5 rows of minute
folds on upper basal parts. Keel blades lunate,
(4,8 — )5,5 — 7,5( — 8) x 3-4,5 mm, obtuse (ap-
proaching acute), glabrous, with slightly con-
cave upper margin. Pistil pubescent on upper
Figure 120. Aspalathus retroflexa subsp. retroflexa (1-8); A. retroflexa subsp. angustipetala (9-17); A. retro-
flexa subsp. bicolor (18-26). — 1, 9, 18: floriferous branches; 2, 10: flowers; 3, 11, 19: bracts; 4, 12, 20: bracteoles
(prophylls); 5, 13, 22: standard petals, back view; 6, 14. 23: wing petals; 7, 15, 24: keel petals; 8, 16, 25: pistils; 17, 26:
fruits. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 556 (Gansbaai, Caledon Distr.); 9—17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 940 (Clanwil-
liam Distr.); 18-26 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1197 (Cape Flats). — (1, 9, 18, X2; all others X4.)
3,6: 354
Crotalarieae
Crotalarjeae
3,6: 355
half of ovary and basal parts of the style; ovules
2. Pod lanceolate to narrowly triangular-ovate,
(9— )12 — 15( — 19) X 4-5,5 mm, rather thick
and hard, rather sparsely tomentose to lanate on
most parts, becoming dark.
A highly variable species distributed in the western
divisions from near Cape Agulhas (Bredasdorp Division) in
the south-east and the southern parts of the Cape Peninsula
in the south-west to as far as Du Toit’s Kloof (Paarl Divi-
sion) in the north, then with some scattered, small-flowered
forms (subsp. angustipetala) in the Ceres and Clanwilliam
Divisions. There is strong geographical and ecological dif-
ferentiation in the species; a particular form series (subsp.
bicolor) on the sandy Cape Flats is intercalated between the
montane forms (subsp. retroflexa ) on the Cape Peninsula
and the forms on the mountains of the Paarl, Caledon and
Bredasdorp Divisions.
The species is subdivided as follows:
la Standard back and part of wings and keel dark
blue-violet; calyx lobes ± strongly reflexed at
the base (branches always procumbent)
230b. subsp. bicolor
lb Standard back yellow and/or purplish; calyx
lobes generally not more than slightly recurved
at the base (habit variable):
2a Standard blade 5—8 mm broad; wing blades
2, 7-4, 5 mm broad 230a. subsp. retroflexa
2b Standard blade 3,2— 4,5 mm broad; wing blades
2—2,4 mm broad 230c. subsp. angustipetala
230a. subsp. retroflexa.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 86
(1968).
Synonyms as enumerated for the species except names
with the epithets bicolor and angustipetala.
Branches decumbent, procumbent (or rare-
ly prostrate), up to longer than 1 m; lateral
branches slender, often with one or more long
intemodes. Leaflets (2 — )3,5 — 7,5( — 10) mm
long. Flowers rather large. Bract 1,5-3, 5
(-4,5) mm, bracteoles 2-4(— 5) mm long and
calyx lobes (1 ,7 — )2 — 5 mm long, straight or
apically ± incurved, sometimes slightly re-
curved at the base. Petals varying from entirely
light yellow to ± rose, purple or crimson, often
a combination of yellow/reddish. Standard
blade 6,5 — 10 x 5-8 mm, glabrous or tomen-
tose on the apical (rarely on most) of the back.
Wing blades (5,5-)6-9,5 x (2,2-)2,7-4,5
mm, glabrous or with some pubescence on
lower apical parts; the two wings sometimes
connate apically in front of the keel apex. Keel
blades 5,5 — 7,5( — 8) X (2,7— )3— 4,5 mm. Pod
(10 — )12,5 — 19 x 4—5,5 mm. Figure 120:
1-8.
This comprises the commonest and most widespread
forms of the species and occurs on the Cape Peninsula and
in the Bredasdorp, Caledon, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Bell-
ville Divisions, but is rare in the last three of these. It leaves
a gap for the Cape Flats, where it is substituted by subsp.
bicolor. Subsp. retroflexa occurs in sand weathered from
Table Mountain Sandstone and grows in mountain fynbos.
It is common on the Cape Peninsula and in the western parts
of the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions. Map 105.
Vouchers: Dahlgren <6 Peterson 483, 527, 556, 640,
795, 1224; Ecklon & Zeyher 1403; Esterhuysen 20840;
MacOwan, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 61; Schlechter 143,
5607; Van Niekerk 150; Wolley-Dod 1994.
Forms in the Cape Hangklip and Gansbaai regions
(Caledon Division) and in part of the Bredasdorp Division
(e.g. at Baardskeerdersbos) to some extent connect subsp.
retroflexa with subsp. bicolor. They have relatively short
leaflets closely set on the branchlets, the calyx lobes are
often somewhat reflexed at the base. The leaves in these
forms may be pubescent, and in a form on the sandy flats
south of Soetanysberg, west of Cape Agulhas, they are
grey- villous. The petals are relatively large and vary from
light yellow to ± purplish, and the standard may be ±
pubescent.
230b. subsp. bicolor ( Eckl . & Zeyh.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 288
(1963); ibid. 21:84(1968).
Synonyms and type, see above.
Procumbent, with branches up to longer
than 1 m, youngest branches often reddish or
purplish and villous; floriferous branches
slender and fine, with one to a few long, almost
peduncle-like intemodes. Leaflets usually
1 — 4( — 5,5) mm long, green or partly violet.
Flowers solitary (rarely in pairs), rather large.
Bract and bracteoles 1 ,7 — 3,0( — 3,5) mm long.
Maps 105-109. — Map 105. Aspalathus retroflexa subsp. retroflexa (unbroken line); A. retroflexa subsp. bicolor
(squares); A. retroflexa subsp. angustipetala (dots); A. chrysantha (triangles). — Map 106. A. humilis (triangles); A.
concava (asterisk); A. repens (rhomboid); A. potbergensis (dot); A. cordicarpa (squares). — Map 107. A. crassisepala
(unbroken line); A. condensata (squares); A. hypnoides (rhomboid). — Map 108. A. juniperina subsp. juniperina (un-
broken line); A. juniperina subsp. grandis (squares). — Map 109. A. amoena (dots); A. empetrifolia (squares); A. oliveri
(rhomboid); A. marginalis (triangles).
3,6: 356
Crotalarieae
Figure 121. Aspalathus empetrifolia (1-19); A. amoena (20 - 28). — 1, 11, 20: floriferous branches; 2, 12, 21:
flowers; 3, 13, 22: bracts; 4, 14, 23: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: calyx; 6: standard, side view; 7, 16, 25: wing petals; 8, 17,
26: keel petals; 9, 18, 27: pistils; 10, 19, 28: fruits; 15, 24: standard petals, back view. — 1-9 from Stokoe, SAM 63804
(Ceres-Tulbagh Div.); 10 from Esterhuysen 13490\ 11-19 from Schlechter 10130 (Ceres Distr . ); 20—27 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 703 ; 28 from Esterhuysen 22254 (Worcester Distr.). — (1, 20 x 2; 2-12, 19, 21 — 28 x 4; 13—18 x8.)
Crotalarieae
Pedicel white- villous, 1,2-2, 5 mm long. Ca-
lyx tube short-tomentose, usually partly or en-
tirely violet; lobes lanceolate, rather short,
2-3,5 mm long, strongly reflexed at the base.
Petals generally dark violet on most parts, gla-
brous or subglabrous, but with light yellow
stripes on each side of the standard midrib, on
upper basal third of wings and on basal upper
parts of keel (hence the epithet bicolor). Stand-
ard blade 8—10,5 x 3,5— 7,5 mm; wing blades
8-9 x 3— 4,3(— 4,8) mm, and keel blades
6,5-8 x 3,2-4 mm. Pod 12-14 x 4,5-5, 2
mm. Figure 120: 18—26.
Restricted mainly to the Cape Flats, ranging from tht
sandy plains on the Muizenberg-Steenberg plateau through
the sandy plains of the Cape Flats to sandy lowlands south
of Mamre. Growing in marine rather than mountainous
sands in coastal fynbos. The genuine forms on the Cape
Flats are seriously threatened by building and cultivation as
well as by exotic Acacia species. Map 105.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1197, 766, 1752',
Dahlgren & Strid 4098, 4325; Ecklon & Zeyher 1404 ;
Salter 4247, 4994; Schlechter 341;Wilman 955.
Intermediates between subsp. bicolor and subsp. retro-
flexa, besides those mentioned under subsp. retroflexa
(above), occur on the Muizenberg-Steenberg plateau and
near Kraaifontein.
230c. subsp. angustipetala Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 288 (1963); ibid. 21:
94 (1968). Type: Cape, Cederberg Mountains,
2 miles west of Algeria Forest Stn, Clanwilliam
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 940 (LD,
holo.!).
A decumbent to ascending shrub let, up to
0,6 m tall, rather closely branched; young
branchlets puberulous to short- villous, glabres-
cent, slender, those on some branches with in-
ternodes up to longer than 10 mm. Leaflets
1- 3,5 mm long, c. 0,3 mm thick, acuminate,
glabrous, often slightly curved. Flowers smal-
ler than in the other subspecies, solitary. Bract
and bracteoles 2—3 x c. 0,4 mm. Pedicel c.
0,5 mm long, often slightly incurved, glabrous
(not reflexed at the base). Petals small, narrow,
subglabrous; pale yellow and often ± purple.
Standard blade ovate (6,0 — )6,7 — 8 x 3, 2-4, 5
mm, ovate, tapering, acuminate and slightly
incurved at the apex; wing blades 5,3-6, 2 x
2- 2,4 mm; fcee/blades4,8-5,4 x 3-3,5 mm.
3,6: 357
Pod narrowly triangular-ovate, 9-10 x 4-4,7
mm. Figure 120: 9—17.
Found on Mitchell Peak, Ceres Division, and in the
Algeria Valley of the Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam
Division, growing on sandy and stony mountain slopes, at
c. 400- 1 000 m altitude, in fynbos vegetation. Map io5.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 940; Esterhuysen
14755, 1 5201; Salter 7567 B.
The forms in the Ceres Division have shorter petals
and more compact branches than those in the Clanwilliam
Division.
231. Aspalathus amoena {Dahlg.)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, sandy ground
near ‘Darling Bridge’ at Breede River, Worces-
ter-Tulbagh Division border, Dahlgren & Pe-
terson 1087 (LD, holo.!).
A. retroflexa L. subsp. amoena Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9(1): 288, 183(1963); ibid. 21:92(1968).
An erect, rather closely branched shrub
0,3 -0,7 m tall, up to c. 10 mm thick at the
base. Young branches light yellowish, slender,
puberulous or partly glabrous; floriferous
branchlets ascending, subfiliform, with one (or
two) up to 30 mm long, peduncle-like inter-
node(s). Leaflets therefore in fascicles,
3 — 9( — 15) together, linear, 2-5 mm long, sub-
terete, weak, straight or slightly incurved,
acute-subobtuse, glabrous. Inflorescences uni-
floral, on the tips of peduncle-like branchlets
(see above), subtended by 1 or 2 vegetative
leaves (and their axillary short-shoots). Bract
linear-subulate, 2— 3(— 3,5) x 0,4-0, 7 mm,
acute, green, glabrous (on abaxial side). Pedi-
cel 0,4 -0,8 mm long, white-puberulous. Brac-
teoles similar to the bract, 2, 7-3, 5 x 0,5— 0,8
mm. Calyx tube campanulate, pale, short- and
white-tomentose; lobes linear-lanceolate or
broadly subulate, 2,5 — 4( — 4,5) mm long, car-
nose, acuminate, green and glabrous. Petals
light yellow, without violet or purple shades,
subglabrous or glabrous. Standard blade ovate,
6. 5- 8, 5 x (4,3— )5— 6,5 mm, glabrous (ex-
cept at the base of the front), margins below
middle incurved, apex ± green, thick, camose
and acute. Wing blades oblong, (5 — )6 — 8,2 x
2.5— 3,2(— 4) mm, glabrous, with c. 5 rows of
3,6: 358
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 122. Aspalathus humilis (1-9); A. oliveri (10-19). — 1, 10, 11, 12: floriferous (or fruiting) branchlets; 2,
14: flowers; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5: calyx; 6: standard, back view; 7, 16: wing petals; 8, 17: keel petals; 9, 18:
pistils; 13: branchlet with leaflets; 15: standard, side view; 19: fruit. — 1-9 from Guthrie 315; 10-19 from Oliver 5574.
— (1, 10-12 x2; 2-9, 13-19 X4.)
small folds on upper basal parts. Keel petals
lunate, (4,5-)5,2-6,5(-7) x 2, 7-3, 6 mm,
with slightly concave or S-curved upper mar-
gin. Pistil tomentose on upper parts of ovary
and style base; ovules 2; stigma regular, capi-
tate. Pod lanceolate, 11-14,5 x 4, 5-5, 5 mm,
hard, sparsely tomentose (-sericeous), brown
when ripe. Figure 121: 20-28.
Distributed on plains in the Breede River Valley, in the
area Wolseley-Bree River Station in Tulbagh and Worcester
Divisions. The species grows in sand accumulated on the
banks of the river and in adjacent sandy areas, growing
associated with other sclerophyll scrub including A. quin-
quefolia subsp. virgata (no. 4b). Map 109.
Vouchers: Bolus 5032; Compton 12492; Dahlgren &
Peterson 703, 1087, 1782; Dahlgren & Strid3365, 3977;
Ester huy sen 22254; Isaac 3351 .
Closely allied to A. retroflexa (no. 230) but so distinct
in its erect growth and floriferous one-intemode-peduncle
branchlets that it is better treated as a separate species.
Another outlier of the A. retroflexa complex reminiscent of
this species is A. oliveri (no. 233).
232. Aspalathus empetrifolia ( Dahlg .)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, Cold Bokke-
veld, Tweefontein, Ceres Division, Schlechter
10130 (S, holo.!; BM, BOL, G, K, L, PRE,
W).
A. retroflexa L. subsp. empetrifolia Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 288, 183 (1963); ibid. 21: 96 (1968).
A procumbent, branched shrublet with
branches up to 0,5 m long or longer, with short,
ascending, densely leafy, tomentose branchlets.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 359
Long-shoot leaves with axillary leafy short-
shoots on the thicker but not on the youngest
branchlets. Leaflets linear or sausage-shaped,
0,7— 2, 5(— 3) mm long and 0,4-0, 5 mm thick,
terete, acute or subobtuse, glabrous or sparsely
villous. Flowers smaller than in A. retroflexa
(no. 230) and A. amoena (no. 231), solitary on
the branchlet tips. Bract fusiform or linear,
2-2,5 mm long, c. 0,6 mm thick, acute, abax-
ially glabrous, adaxially ciliate. Pedicel shorter
than 0,5 mm, white-villous. Bracteoles similar
to the bract. Calyx tube c. 1,5 mm long, short-
tomentose; lobes broadly subulate or lanceo-
late, 1,3— 2,2 x 5-0,7 mm, acute, glabrous or
sparsely pubescent. Petals yellow or ± purple,
with rather short claws. Standard blade 5-5,6
x 3,8— 4,4 mm, subglabrous or tomentose on
apical parts (less than a quarter) of the back;
apex somewhat thickened and sometimes
slightly incurved, acute. Wing petals narrowly
elliptic, 4, 3-5, 2 x 1,6— 2,3 mm, glabrous,
with 3-5 rows of minute folds on basal half.
Keel blades lunate, 3, 6-4, 5 (-5) x 2,3-3
mm, upper apical parts squarish, glabrous or
with some pubescence on lower-apical marginal
parts, upper margin S-curved. Pistil rather
long-tomentose on upper parts of ovary and on
style base; ovules 2. Pod triangular-ovate,
5,5— 6,5 x c. 3 mm, rather thick and hard,
tomentose on most parts. Figure 121: 1-19.
Possibly limited to the mountains of the Ceres Divi-
sion, growing on mountain slopes at 1 500 - 2 000 m. Map
109.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 13490; Schlechter 10130 ;
Stokoe, SAM 63804.
The Schlechter collection (type) has more hairy leaves
than the others and partly hairy standard and keel apex, and
the petals are also relatively small.
The species is closely allied to A. retroflexa (no. 230),
but has smaller leaflets and flowers and a differently shaped
keel.
233. Aspalathus oliveri Dahlg. inS. Afr.
J. Bot. 3: 259 (1984). Type: Cape, north-west
of Tierberg, northern side, Swartberg, 1 250 m,
Oliver 5574 (STE, holo.!).
An erect or ascending, copiously branched
shrub up to 0,75 m tall, with grey branches.
Young branches very slender, light yellowish.
with short, tomentose pubescence. Axillary
leafy short-shoots rapidly developed in the axils
of the long-shoot leaves; leaflets therefore in
clusters, 3— 6(— 9) together. Leaflets succulent,
sausage-shaped or ovoid, 1-2 mm long, c. 0,6
mm thick, terete, obtuse (to subacute), light
green, glabrous. Inflorescences unifloral on tips
of branchlets; each flower c. 0,5 mm beyond
the nearest leaf. Bract broadly oblanceolate-ob-
long, c. 2,5 x 1,2 mm, obtuse-subacute, gla-
brous. Pedicel c. 0,5 mm long, puberulous.
Bracteoles fusiform-oblong, 2,5 — 3,5 x c. 1
mm. Calyx tube campanulate, 2,5—3 mm long,
thinly short-tomentose; lobes triangular to very
broadly subulate, 1,5-2 mm long, green,
thick, camose, glabrous, subacute. Petals light
yellow, glabrous. Standard with blade ovate,
9-10 x 7-8 mm, apically incurved and ob-
tuse-subacute; claw c. 1,5 mm long. Wing
blades very narrowly elliptic, c. 6,5 X 2,2 mm,
rounded, without prominent upper-basal ear,
with c. 4 rows of minute folds; claws c. 1 ,6 mm
long. Keel blades rounded-arcuate, c. 7,5 mm
long and c. 3 mm across (broadest part), with
rounded apex and concave upper margin; claws
c. 1,5 mm long. Pistil puberulous on ovary and
style base; ovules 2. Fruit narrowly triangular-
ovate, c. 7 x 3,3 mm, Finely grey-sericeous.
Figure 122: 10-19.
Known only from the northern slope of Swartberg, in
the Tierberg area, where the species occurs at c. 1 250 m
altitude on grassy slopes. Map 109.
Voucher: Oliver 5574.
Probably most closely related to A. retroflexa (no.
230), A. amoena (no. 231) and A. empetrifolia (no. 232),
also showing some resemblance to A. marginalis (no. 234).
234. Aspalathus marginalis Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 213 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 493 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 647 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 136
(1862); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62
(1919); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
181 (1963); ibid. 21: 74 (1968). Type: Cape,
fields near Swartkops River, Uitenhage Divi-
sion, Ecklon & Zeyher 1445 (S, lecto. !; BOL,
G, K, L, M, P, PR, SAM, W).
Trineuria marginalis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Be-
merk. 561 (1845). Achyronia marginalis (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
3,6: 360
Crotalarieae
Figure 123. Aspalathus marginalis. — 1, 9: floriferous branches; 2, 10: flowers; 3: bract; 4: bracteole (prophyll); 5:
wing petal; 6: keel petal; 7: pistil; 8: fruit. — 1-7 from Peterson 2170; 8-10 from Maguire 534. — (1, 9 x2; 2-8,
10 x4.)
An erect or ascending shrub 0,15-0,7 m
tall, with spreading, rather slender branches;
young branches densely white-tomentose or
puberulous. Leaflets linear, 3—8 mm long,
weak, terete, straight or slightly curved, acute,
pale green, glabrous. Inflorescence usually
unifloral; on tips of the branches, by rapid
growth of lateral branch in uppermost axil
seemingly emerging lateral to the branch. Bract
subulate, 1-2,2 X 0,2-0, 3 mm long, densely
puberulous. Bracteoles 0,7— 1,7 mm long. Ca-
lyx tube campanulate, pale, short-tomentose or
puberulous; lobes lanceolate, 1,8 -3, 3 mm
long, acuminate, conspicuous by their promi-
nent, thick, green, camose margins. Petals yel-
low. Standard blade broadly obovate, 6—7,5 x
4,7— 6,4 mm, rounded-obtuse (but often with a
‘tip’), short-sericeous on most of the back, gla-
brous on the front (except for a basal hair tuft).
Wing blades oblong, 5-6 x 2-2,3 mm, gla-
brous, upper basal parts with some rows of
small folds. Keel blades lunate, 5, 5-6, 5 x
2, 8-3, 2 mm, glabrous, with nearly straight up-
per margin. Pistil short sericeous on the ovary
and style base; ovules 2. Pod lanceolate, c.
9-11 X 3,5-4 mm, densely short-sericeous.
Figure 123.
Distributed on mountain slopes in the Uitenhage, Port
Elizabeth and Albany Divisions as far north-east as Gra-
hamstown. Reported, in some cases, from ‘grassy hills’.
The Albany Division records are from altitudes of 600-
700 m. Map 109.
Vouchers: Bolus 2289; Ecklon 38; Ecklon & Zeyher
1445; MacOwan 1452; Maguire 534; Peterson 2170; Sidey
1361; Zeyher 2349.
Rare, and incompletely known as to details. Possibly
most closely related to A. retroflexa (no. 230), A. oliveri
(no. 233) or A. recurva (no. 181).
Crotalarieae
3,6: 361
235. Aspalathus concava H. Bol. in
Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 24: 455 (1897); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 184 (1963); ibid.
21: 108 (1968). Type: Cape, Houw Hoek, Cale-
don Division, Schlechter 7432 (BOL, holo.!;
G, K, SAM, Z).
A procumbent, copiously branched shrub-
let with reddish branches up to 0,4 m long;
young branches and branchlets short-tomen-
tose. Leaflets ovoid, 0,6— 1,6 mm long,
0,4— 0,6 mm thick, succulent, terete, bright
green, glabrous, acute (-apiculate). Inflores-
cences unifloral, on tips of densely leafy
branchlets. Bract obovate, succulent, 0,7— 1,1
x c. 0,5 mm, abaxial side glabrous, convex;
adaxial side concave, puberulous; apex acute.
Pedicel c. 0,5 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
similar in size and shape to the bract. Calyx
tube c. 1,5 mm long, campanulate, sparsely
short-tomentose, partly reddish; lobes ovoid,
0,7- 1,0 mm long, subterete, glabrous, acute.
Petals mainly yellow, but apically ± purplish,
glabrous, or subglabrous, with rather short
claws. Standard blade obovate, c. 5 X 4,5 mm,
glabrous, the sides incurved, the apex green,
camose, acute. Wing blade ovate, c. 4,2 x 2,2
mm, glabrous, with c. 4 rows of minute folds
on basal half. Keel blades upcurved, c. 4 x 2,2
mm, upper apical part squarish, upper side
strongly concave near the middle, S-curved.
Pistil tomentose on upper parts of ovary and
style base; ovules 2. Ripe pods not seen. Figure
124:9-17.
Known only from the type collection, which is from
Houwhoek, Caledon Division, at 800 m altitude. This re-
gion is mountainous with acid, Table Mountain Sandstone
ground. Map 106.
Voucher: Schlechter 7432.
Distinct by the short, ovoid leaflets and calyx lobes
and the small flowers; allied to A. juniperina (no. 243) and
A. batodes (no. 242).
236. Aspalathus humilis H. Bol. in J.
Linn. Soc. Bot. 25: 160 (1889); H. Bol. &
Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14:
254 (1903); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Pen-
ins. 477 (1950); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 193 (1963); ibid. 21: 186 (1968).
Type: Cape, summit of Table Mountain, c.
1 100 m, H. Bolus 3728 (BOL, holo. !; K).
A procumbent (-decumbent) shrublet with
sparingly branched branches up to 0,35 m long
or longer, radiating from a short ± subterranean
stem; young branches villous or short- woolly.
Leaflets in clusters, usually 6-15 together, lin-
ear, sausage-shaped, (1 — )2 — 4) mm long,
0,5— 0,8 mm thick, terete, ± incurved, gla-
brous, acute to apiculate or mucronulate, with
incurved apex. Inflorescence a subglobose head
with 4-12 rather small flowers. Bract oblan-
ceolate (-obovate), 2,5—4 x 0,6- 1,6 mm,
keeled, succulent, S-curved in lateral view,
with ± incurved margins and apex; green (pale
at the base), ciliate on the margins, otherwise
glabrous, acute (-acuminate). Pedicel 1-2 mm
long, villous. Bracteoles similar to the bract,
2,5-4 x 0,3-0, 8 mm. Calyx tube 1,7-2 mm
long, sparsely tomentose; lobes 1,5-2, 8 mm
long, succulent, green, glabrous, with incurved
acute apex. Petals pale or light yellow or partly
turning red when fading. Standard blade
broadly ovate, 5, 5-6, 5 x 4,5-6 mm, gla-
brous except for scattered hairs along the midrib
of the back; apex incurved, obtuse, but often
with a little ‘tip’. Wing blades narrowly oblong-
elliptic, 5-6,5 x 1,8-2, 3 mm, glabrous, with
c. 5 rows of minute folds on outer side. Keel
blades lunate, 4, 7-5, 4 x 2,6— 3,4 mm, with
almost straight upper margin. Pistil almost gla-
brous, with some minute pubescence on top of
the ovary; ovules 4( — 6); style glabrous. Ripe
pods not seen. Figure 122: 1 —9.
Previously thought to be endemic to Table Mountain,
Cape Peninsula, but found in 1983 at Jonkershoek, Stellen-
bosch Division, at c. 1 000 m altitude (Goldblatt 6822).
The species grows in sand or on rocks at 600—1 100 m
altitude. Map 106.
Vouchers: Bolus 3728; Esterhuysen 31444. 31445;
Goldblatt 6822; Guthrie 315.
Possibly most closely related to A. concava (no. 235)
which has, however, solitary flowers, more succulent calyx
lobes, a keel with squarish upper-apical parts, and a more
pubescent ovary with only 2 ovules.
237. Aspalathus crassisepala Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 275, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 98 (1968). Type: Cape, coastal sandy
3,6: 362
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 363
plains c. 3 miles north of Blombos, Riversdale
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 749 (LD,
holo.!).
A. retroflexa L. var. (y) parviflora Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 135
(1862). Type: Cape, between the Breede and Duiwenhoks
Rivers, Swellendam Division, Pappe (S, lecto.!; SAM).
A procumbent or decumbent, rarely almost
prostrate, shrublet with branches up to 1 m long
or longer; lateral branchlets generally rather
short, ascending, brown or reddish, puberu-
lous. Leaflets 3-20 together, linear-subulate,
(1 — )2 — 5 mm long, 0,3— 0,7 mm thick, succu-
lent, subterete, straight or often slightly
recurved, glabrous, rigid, mucronulate to spine-
tipped (prickly). Inflorescences small dense
groups (heads) of 2-4(-6) flowers, emerging
close together on the branchlet tips, closely sub-
tended by the uppermost vegetative leaf. Bract
tooth-like to linear-subulate, 0,5-2(-2,8) mm
long, subterete, glabrous on abaxial parts, with
acute-mucronulate, sometimes recurved apex.
Pedicel almost lacking. Bracteoles similar to
the bract, 0,4-l,4(-2,2) mm long. Calyx tube
campanulate, 1,5— 1,8 mm long, subglabrous
to short- pubescent, often partly purple, with
5( — 10) ± prominent longitudinal ridges; lobes
linear- subulate, (1,4 — )1 ,7 — 3,2 mm long, sub-
terete, green, camose, glabrous, acuminate to
sharply mucronulate, generally recurved.
Petals light yellow or often ± violet or rose on
standard back and keel bottom, glabrous or
subglabrous, with short claws. Standard blade
ovate, 4,6-6 x 3,3-5 mm, glabrous or with
some basal pubescence, rigid, with a green,
camose, mucronate, 0,2-1 mm long, apex.
Wing blades oblong, often broadest apically,
2.7— 4(— 5) x 0,9- 1,6 mm, glabrous, with c.
4 rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel
blades lunate, 3,3-4,4(-4,8) x 2-3 mm, api-
cal-upper part squarish. Pistil pubescent on up-
per edge of ovary and basal half of style; ovules
2. Pod triangular-ovate, (4,5— )5— 8,5 x
2.7— 4,8 mm, laterally compressed, smooth,
hairy along the upper suture, otherwise gla-
brous or with very sparse and appressed hairs.
Figure 125: 1—5.
Distributed in the Caledon (eastern part), Bredasdorp,
Swellendam, Riversdale and Mossel Bay Divisions, grow-
ing on the sandy flats and foothills, mostly in limestone
regions, often growing on limestone rocks. Certain aberrant
forms in the Langeberg Mountains are doubtfully included.
Map 107.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 467, 749, 1323,
1347, 1433; Dahlgren & Strid 2351, 3400, 3619, 3773,
4196, 4508, 4522, 4566, 4589, 4598, 4611, 4628, 4681,
4899; Esterhuysen 19555; Schlechter 7703; Van Breda
1526.
The forms in the Swellendam region have rather
straight (not recurved) calyx lobes and solitary or paired
flowers, and the leaflets are less prickly.
238. Aspalathus cordicarpa Dahlg., sp.
nov.
Fruticulus procumbens ( vel prostratus),
ramosus, dense foliosus , ramulis puberulis. Fo-
liola fasciculata, subulata, c. 2— 3 mm longa,
0,4— 0,5 mm crassa, glabra, subteretia, acumi-
nata, plerumque ± incurva vel recurva. Flores
solitarii (vel bini) in medio gregio foliorum,
subsessiles. Bracteae et bracteolae minutae,
0,4— 0,6 mm longae, subulatae, ciliatae. Tubus
calycis glaber, sulcatus, lobi subulati, ±
crassi, 2,4— 3,2 mm longi, acuti, subteretes,
glabri, plerumque ± recurvi (vel incurvi). Co-
rolla glabra, lutea vel in parte ± purpurea.
Lamina vexilli c, 5,5 X 4,0 mm, in margine
incurva, apice acuminato. Laminae alarum c.
4,0 X 1,4 mm. Laminae carinae lunatae,
4,0— 4,2 x c. 2,2 mm, obtusae. Ovarium supra
et apicaliter pilosum; ovula 2. Legumen ova-
tum, cordatum, ± planum, sparse et breviter
puberulum, 7,8— 8,5 X 4,3— 4,5 mm, maturi-
tate subnigrum.
Type: Cape, lower slopes of Langeberge at
Garcia Pass Forest Stn, Riversdale Division,
Esterhuysen 17215 (BOL, holo. !).
Figure 124. Aspalathus cordicarpa (1-8); A. concava (9-17); A. batodes subsp. batodes (18-26); A. batodes
subsp. spinulifolia (27-36). — 1, 9, 18, 27: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 20 , 28: bracts; 3, 12, 21, 29: bracteoles
(prophylls); 4, 14: standard petals, back view; 5, 15, 23, 33: wing petals; 6, 16, 24, 34: keel petals; 7, 17, 25, 35: pistils; 8,
26, 36: fruits; 10, 19, 30: flowers; 13, 31: calyces, the upper two lobes to the right; 22: standard, front view; 32: standard,
side view. — 1-8 from Esterhuysen 17215; 9-17 from Schlechter 7432; 18-25 from Zinn, SAM 53685; 26 from
Dahlgren & Strid 3894; 27-35 from Compton 20443; 36 from Dalgren & Strid 4211. — (1, 9, 18, 27 x2; 2-8, 10,
19- 26, 28 -36 X 4; 11-17x8.)
3,6: 364
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 365
A procumbent, much branched shrublet
with up to more than 0,5 m long branches bear-
ing densely puberulous and fairly densely leafy
branchlets. Leaflets fascicled, numerous to-
gether (or on branchlet ends, 3 together), subu-
late, 2-3 mm long and 0,4-0, 5 mm thick,
subterete or slightly angular, acuminate, weak,
glabrous, often slightly incurved or recurved,
dull green. Flowers subsessile, solitary (rarely
in pairs) on lateral short-shoots or on very short
lateral branchlets. Bract subulate, 0,4-0, 6 mm
long, marginally ciliate. Bracteoles c. 0,4 mm
long, similar to the bract. Calyx externally gla-
brous; tube funnel-shaped; lobes subulate,
2, 4 -3, 2 mm long, tapering, not stiff, often
somewhat in- or recurved, acuminate, not
pungent. Petals yellow or partly reddish or
purplish, glabrous. Standard blade obovate, c.
5,5 x 4 mm, with ± incurved margins, apically
tapering into a pointed (but not fleshy) tip c. 0,5
mm long. Wing blades c. 4,0 x 1,4 mm, with
3(— 4) rows of wrinkles on basal-upper parts.
Keel blades lunate, obtuse, 4, 0-4, 2 x c. 2,2
mm, with S-curved upper margins. Pistil pu-
bescent on style base and upper and apical parts
of the ovary; ovules 2. Fruit cordate, 7, 8 -8, 5
x 4,3 -4,5 mm, flat, cordate, dark, sparsely
puberulous on most of the sides. Figure 124:
1-8.
Probably restricted to the Langeberg Mountains above
Garcia’s Pass in the Riversdale Division, growing at modest
altitudes in a substrate of sand or sandstone gravel.
Map 106.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 16992, 17215.
This species, included by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 21: 102 (1968) in A. crassisepala (no. 237), has a
habit transitional between the latter and A. hypnoides (no.
239), and is distinct from both in its cordate, relatively large
and flat pods, which are puberulous on most parts.
239. Aspalathus hypnoides Dahlg., Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 104 (1968). Type: Cape, Hermitage
Kloof, Langeberg Mountain, Swellendam Divi-
sion, Stokoe s. n. (SAM, holo.!).
A prostrate, densely matted shrublet with
branches up to more than 0,3 m long; young
branches densely short-pubescent and very
densely leafy. Leaflets numerous together in
fascicles, very slender, subfiliform-acicular,
2-5 mm long, c. 0,2 mm thick, terete, gla-
brous, weak, acuminate. Inflorescences uni-
floral, on the apices of short leafy branchlets.
Bract subulate, c. 0,7 X less than 0,2 mm,
abaxially glabrous, adaxially with short hairs.
Pedicel very short. Bracteoles only c. 0,4 X
0,1 mm. Calyx tube c. 1,5 mm long, longitudi-
nally ridged, purplish, sparsely puberulous or
subglabrous; lobes linear-subulate, 2,2— 2,6 x
c. 0,2 mm, subterete, acuminate, weak, green,
glabrous. Petals yellow (or ± purplish), gla-
brous. Standard blade broadly obovate, c. 4,6
mm long (including an apical, subulate, c. 0,6
mm long cusp, emerging slightly below the
apex on the back), c. 3,6 mm broad. Wing
blades oblong, c. 3,1 x 2,2 mm, apically
rounded and slightly widened, with 2 ± distinct
rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel lunate,
c. 3,4 x 1,6 mm, with slightly S-curved upper
margin. Pistil pubescent on upper side of ovary
and basal half of the style; ovules 2. Pod
broadly ovate-subcordate, c. 6 x 4,3 mm, later-
ally compressed, smooth, dark brown to almost
black, glabrous except for some pubescence
along the upper suture. Figure 125: 6 - 13.
Perhaps restricted to the Langeberg Mountains above
Swellendam, where the species is said to grow on the lower
slopes. Map 107.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 27887’, Stokoe, SAM (without
number).
Undoubtedly closely related to A. crassisepala (no.
237), and especially to A. cordicarpa (no. 238), which
occurs in the same region: in the Langeberg Mountains
north of Riversdale, but differing from these in the even
more slender leaflets, the narrower calyx lobes, the smaller
pods and the different pod shape.
240. Aspalathus potbergensis Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 102 (1968). Type:
Figure 125. Aspalathus crassisepala (1-5); A. hypnoides (6-13); A. potbergensis (14-21); A. repens (22-30).
— 1, 6, 14, 22: floriferous branches; 2, 10, 18, 27: wing petals; 3, 11, 19, 28: keel petals; 4, 12, 20, 29: pistils; 5, 13, 21,
30: fruits; 7, 15, 23: bracts; 8, 16, 24: bracteoles (prophylls); 9, 26: standard petals, side view; 17: standard, back view; 25:
calyx. — 1 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1323’, 2-4 from Dahlgren & Peterson 749’, 5 from Maguire 467\ 6-12 from
Stokoe, ‘Hermitage KlooF (Swellendam Distr.); 13 from Esterhuysen 27887’, 14-21 from Dahlgren & Strid 3643’, 22-30
from Esterhuysen 19567. — (1, 5, 6, 13-30 X 4; 2-4, 7-12 X 8.)
3,6: 366
Crotalarieae
Cape, west part of Potberg Mountain, above
Potberg Farm, Bredasdorp, Swellendam Divi-
sion Border, Dahlgren & Strid 3643 (NBG,
holo.!; BOL, LD, PRE, S).
A prostrate, matted shrublet, densely
branched, with rather coarse branches up to 0,6
m long or longer; young branches densely
white- villous. Leaves rather densely set; leaflets
3-9 (or more) together, subulate, 4—7 mm
long, c. 0,5 mm thick, straight, terete, rigid,
glabrous, glaucous, rigid, tapering into a sharp
apical spine. Inflorescences unifloral (-biflo-
ral), on the ends of short branchlets, surrounded
by the uppermost leaves. Bract small, subulate,
0,8— 1,3 mm long, ciliate. Pedicel extremely
short, villous. Bracteoles similar to the bract
but only 0,5-0, 8 mm long. Calyx glabrous ex-
ternally, with short tube with 5 (—10) ridges;
lobes subulate, 3,7— 4,3 mm long, straight, si-
milar to the leaflets, subterete, glabrous, glau-
cous, tapering into a sharp spinelet. Petals pale
yellow, glabrous, sometimes partly with violet
shades, with short claws. Standard blades
broadly ovate, 5,2—6 x c. 4,5 mm, back with
prominent middle ridge, greenish towards the
apex and ending in a pointed, green-brown cusp
0,7—1 mm long. Wing blades narrowly obovate
or elliptic, 3, 2 -3, 5 x c. 1,5 mm, with two
distinct rows of small folds on basal half. Keel
blades lunate, 3,2— 3,5 x c. 1,5 mm with up-
per-apical parts squarish. Pistil pubescent on
upper side of ovary and basal half of style;
ovules 2. Pod triangular-ovate, c. 6 x 3,8 mm,
strongly compressed, smooth, ciliate on upper
suture. Figure 125: 14-21.
Probably restricted to the upper parts of the Potberg
Mountain, at 400-500 m altitude, where it may grow in
local abundance on sandstone rocks. Map 106.
Vouchers: Compton 19530 ; Dahlgren & Strid 3643.
Probably most closely related to A. repens (no. 241)
and A. batodes (no. 242), differing from the former in the
much longer and more spiny leaflets and calyx lobes, and
from the latter in the glaucous leaves, the smaller bracts, the
smaller wings and keel blades, and the less attenuate apical
parts of the pod.
241. Aspalathus repens Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 288, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 106 (1968). Type: Cape, foot of hills
near Bredasdorp, Esterhuysen 15567 (BOL,
holo.!; PRE).
Similar in many respects to A. juniperina
(no. 243) and A. potbergensis (no. 240) but
with ovoid, mucronulate calyx lobes, and a pre-
ference for calcareous ground. A prostrate,
matted shrublet with branches up to 0,5 m long
or longer, slack, rather densely branched;
young branches short-villous. Leaflets in fas-
cicles, more than 3 together, linear,
1,5— 3,5(— 4,5) mm long, c. 0,5 mm thick,
subterete, acute, straight or apically slightly in-
curved, light green, glabrous. Inflorescences
unifloral, on tips of short, ± densely leafy
branchlets. Bract and bracteoles small, linear,
I, 2— 2,7 x 0,3— 0,4 mm, acute, short-ciliate.
Pedicel very short. Calyx tube subglabrous,
with low and indistinct longitudinal ridges;
lobes ovoid, 1,3— 2,5 x 0,7 x 1,2 mm, car-
nose, subterete, green, glabrous, acute-apicu-
late. Petals light yellow, sometimes with red
shades, glabrous, with short claws. Standard
blade broadly elliptic, 6,5-7 x 5,5-6 mm,
smooth, with apiculate apex. Wing blades nar-
rowly obovate, 4—5,2 x 1,8— 2,2 mm, with
4—5 rows of minute indistinct folds on basal
half. Keel strongly upcurved, c. 5,5 mm long,
2,5 mm broad at broadest part, rounded api-
cally, with strongly concave upper margin. Pis-
til pubescent on upper side of ovary and basal
half of the style; ovules 2. Pod triangular-ovate,
4, 8-5, 5 x 2, 4-2, 7 mm, smooth, almost gla-
brous, brown-yellow when ripe. Figure 125:
22-30.
Restricted in its distribution to the Bredasdorp region,
growing in mats on limestone outcrops or clayey soil asso-
ciated with limestone. Map 106.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3618, 4178 ; Esterhuysen
19567.
Similar to A. potbergensis (no. 240) but with light
green, not glaucous foliage, and with less pungent leaves
and shorter calyx lobes. Resembling also A. concava (no.
235) but with longer leaflets and calyx lobes and smaller
and narrower bracts and bracteoles. The most similar taxon
is perhaps A. batodes subsp. spinulifolia (no. 242b) which
has, however, more spiny leaflets and calyx lobes and
larger bracts and bracteoles.
242. Aspalathus batodes Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 215 (1836); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 637 (1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 184 (1963); ibid. 21: 111
(1968). Type: Cape, Swartberg [Zwarteberg]
Crotalarieae
3,6: 367
Mountain, Caledon Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1455 (S, lecto.!;GRA, SAM).
A. aciphylla Harv. var. ((3) nana Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 129
(1862).
A. munita H. Bol. in Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 24: 456 (1897).
Type: Cape, near Houw Hoek, 700 m, Caledon Division,
Schlechter 7435 (BOL, holo. !).
Erect, ascending, procumbent or prostrate,
from low and matted up to 0,5 m tall shrub or
shrublet, with rigid or (in prostrate forms) slack
branches. Young stems white-villous. Leaflets
3— c. 15 together, linear or subulate, 2-8 mm
long, 0,6-1 mm thick, succulent, subterete,
light green, glabrous, abruptly or gradually ta-
pering into an apical mucro or sharp spinelet.
Inflorescences unifloral or densely 2 or 3-flow-
ered, on branch or branchlet tips. Bract subu-
late-lanceolate, 2-6,5 x 0,3-0, 8 mm, spine-
tipped, trigonous, subglabrous. Pedicel almost
lacking. Bracteoles 2,5—6 mm long. Calyx ex-
ternally glabrous; the tube with 5 (or 10) longi-
tudinal ridges continuing into the midveins of
the lobes; lobes subulate or linear, 3-8 mm
long, succulent, green, glabrous, spine-tipped.
Petals light or bright yellow, sometimes partly
reddish, rigid, glabrous (except for some basal
pubescence on standard inside), with short
claws. Standard blade broadly ovate, 5-8,3 x
4, 1-6,8 mm, the sides incurved, the apex pro-
duced into a pointed (not camose) cusp. Wing
blades linear-oblong or oblanceolate, 4, 1-6,4
x 1,3-2, 5 mm, apically rounded, basally with
several rows of minute folds. Keel blades
strongly angular, upcurved, 3,7— 5,7 x 2-3,4
mm, upper- apical part squarish, upper margin
S-curved, basal part with inconspicuous puck-
ering. Pistil only slightly pubescent on the up-
per side of the ovary (and sometimes of the
style base); ovules 2. Pod triangular-ovate, api-
cally attenuate and slightly upcurved, 5,5-7 x
3, 3-3, 5 mm, subglabrous, smooth.
Limited to the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions,
growing on low mountains and hills with sand weathered
from Table Mountain Sandstone, in fynbos communities.
A. batodes is divisible into two subspecies. One com-
prises erect shrubs with rather long, more subulate and
pungent leaflets and calyx lobes, the other comprising pro-
strate or procumbent shrublets with slack branches and suc-
culent, linear, mucronate leaflets and calyx lobes. These are
vicarious.
Calyx lobes more than 5 mm long; standard blade c.
7 mm long or more; keel blades more than 5 mm
long; plant erect, rigid 242a. subsp. batodes
Calyx lobes less than 4,5 mm long; standard blade less
than 6 mm long; keel blades less than 4,5 mm
long; plant procumbent, prostrate, with slack
branches 242b. subsp. spinulifolia
242a. subsp. batodes.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
184 (1963); ibid. 21: 1 1 1 (1968).
Synonymy and types as under the species above. No
literature or names refer to subsp. spinulifolia.
A rigid erect shrub or shrublet 0,35-0,5 m
tall with thick robust, rigid branches. Leaflets
subulate, 2,5-8 mm long, tapering into a spine
up to longer than 1 mm. Flowers usually paired
on the branch tips. Bract 4, 5-6, 5 mm long;
bracteoles 4-6 mm long. Calyx lobes subulate,
tapering, (4,5-)5,5-8 mm long, spine-tipped.
Standard blade 7—8,3 x 5,8— 6,8 mm, (if un-
folded); apical cusp 0,5- 1,5 mm long; wing
blades 5-6,4 X 2-2,5 mm; keel blades 5-5,7
x 3-3,4 mm. Pod c. 8 X 5 mm. Figure 124:
18-26.
Distributed in the western and central parts of the Cale-
don Division between Cape Hangklip-Houwhoek and the
Swartberg- Klein River Mountains. The subspecies grows at
altitudes of 200 - 700 m. Map 1 10.
Map 110. — Aspalathus juniperina subsp. gracilifo-
lia (rhomboids); A. juniperina subsp. monticola (tri-
angles); A. batodes subsp. batodes (squares); A. batodes
subsp. spinulifolia (unbroken line).
3,6: 368
Crotalarieae
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 3894; Ecklon & Zeyher
1455; Guthrie 2243, BOL 6246; Schlechter 7435; Stokoe,
SAM 52216; Zinn, SAM 53685.
242b. subsp. spinulifolia Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 272, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 112 (1968). Type: Cape, c. 8 miles
north-west of Elim, between the Elandskloof
and Bredasdorp Mountains, Bredasdorp Divi-
sion, Dahlgren & Peterson 867 (LD, holo. !).
Procumbent or prostrate shrublet with up
to about 0,8 m long, sometimes mat-like
branches, rather densely branched, slack. Leaf-
lets 2 — 5( — 7) mm long, ending in a rather short
(rarely up to 1 mm long) mucro. Flowers small,
solitary or often in pairs on the branchlet tips.
Bract 2, 0-4, 7 x c. 0,6 mm; bracteoles
2. 5- 4, 5 mm long. Calyx lobes 3-4,8 mm
long, mucronate. Petals bright yellow, turning
reddish. Standard blade 5 — 5,8( — 6,5) x
4,1— 5,5 mm; wing blades 4,1—5 x 1, 3-1,9
mm; keel blades 3, 7-4, 5 x 1,9-2, 4 mm. Pod
5. 5- 7, 9 x 3,3— 3,5 mm. Figure 124: 27-36.
Limited to the western part of the Bredasdorp Division
and a comer of the Caledon Division near Gansbaai. Grow-
ing in sand or in fissures of sandstone rocks. Map 1 10.
Vouchers: Compton 19012, 20443; Dahlgren & Peter-
son 551, 867; Dahlgren & Strid 2104, 3390, 3676, 4211;
Maguire 41; Rycroft 2398; Schlechter 10454 pro parte;
Stokoe, SAM 61759.
A. batodes, in spite of the prickly leaves (rather similar
to A. aciphylla — no. 146) is undoubtedly most closely re-
lated to A. juniperina (no. 243) (especially its subsp. gran-
dis) and A. chrysantha (no. 244).
243. Aspalathus juniperina Thunb.,
Prodr. 2: 128 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 2:
22 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 961 (1802);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 583 (1823); DC.,
Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); Steud. in Flora 13: 545
(1830); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 637
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 135 (1862; as syno-
nym of A. galioides); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 187 (1963); ibid. 21: 114
(1968). Type: ‘Aspalathus juniperina’ inThun-
berg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto.!).
A. gracilifolia Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
279, 188 (1963). A. juniperina Thunb. subsp. gracilifolia
(Dahlg.) Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 124(1968).
Type: Cape, southern part of Skurweberg [Schurfteberg], 3
miles south-west of Gydo Pass, Ceres Division, Dahlgren
& Peterson 1 136 (LD, holo.!).
‘ Aspalathus galioides' auct. non Berg., in L., Mant. 260
(1771); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 647 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 135 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 254 (1903); Schltr. in Zahlbr.
in Annin naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 20 (1905); Adamson &
Salter, FI. Cape Penins. 483 (1950). Often cited as Aspala-
thus galioides L., but Linnaeus (Mant. 260, 1771) referred
it back to A. galioides Berg.
A procumbent, prostrate or decumbent
shrublet, from sparingly to very densely
branched, sometimes matted, in the soil sur-
face, with branches 0,2 — 0,7( — 2) m long;
young branches short- villous. Leaflets linear to
subulate, occasionally subfiliform, 2 — 8( — 12)
mm long, 0,25—0,8 mm thick, terete, acute or
acuminate to mucronulate, straight or ± in-
curved, glabrous, clear green to pale green or
glaucous. Inflorescences terminal on branch-
lets, with one, two or three (-five) flowers, on
the tips of leafy, non-pedunculate branchlets.
Flowers small or moderate in size. Bract linear,
oblanceolate or subulate, 1,3 x 0,2— 0,6 mm,
acuminate, glabrous abaxially, ciliate. Pedicel
very short (shorter than 0,5 mm). Bracteoles
1-3 x 0,2— 0,5 mm. Calyx tube glabrous,
with ± prominent, zig-zag veins; lobes linear
(-lanceolate) or subulate, 2,5-6 mm long, car-
nose, acuminate or apiculate, glabrous, green
(-glaucous), basally with prominent midvein,
apically subterete. Petals glabrous, light or pale
yellow, or partly to prevailingly red to purplish.
Standard blade elliptic-ovate, (4,5—)
5-8(-9,2) x 4-7(-7,8) mm; apex with a
short, acute-acuminate tip up to 0,6 mm long;
the sides ± incurved. Wing blades rounded-ob-
lanceolate, (3,5— )4— 7,5(-8,8) x 1,5-2, 7
(-3,3) mm, with 2-several rows of minute
folds on basal parts. Keel blades strongly up-
curved, lunate to broadly boomerang- shaped,
3,7 — 5,5(— 5,8) X 1,8— 2,8(— 3) mm, with S-
curved upper margin. Pistil subsessile, glabrous
or with some apical pubescence on the ovary;
ovules 2. Pod triangular-ovate to triangular-lan-
ceolate, smooth, glabrous, greenish grey or
partly purplish.
Distributed from Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agul-
has in the south to the Piketberg Division (Piketberg) and
Ceres Division in the north, but not further than Bredasdorp
in the east. The species grows on sandy ground mainly
weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone rock, in fynbos
vegetation.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 369
A. juniperina is highly variable in total size and the
size of the flowers, leaflet length and thickness and colour
of the foliage. It is subdivided as follows:
la Standard blade c. 8 mm long or more; branches
0,6 — 1 ,5( — 2) m long, sparingly ramified, pro-
cumbent 243d. subsp. grandis
lb Standard blade usually 7 mm long or less; often
with closely ramified branches up to 0,8 m long:
2a Leaves glaucous (and rather thick and camose);
petals pale yellow; growing exposed at rather
high elevations 243b. subsp. monticola
2b Leaves light or bright green (not glaucous),
slender or rather camose; petals bright yellow
or ± reddish:
3a Leaflets slender, only 0,25—0,4 mm thick,
those near the branch ends up to 7 mm long
or more; branch ends densely white-villous
243c. subsp. gracilifolia
3b Leaflets if 7 mm long or more, then usually
thicker than 0,4 mm, very variable in size;
branch ends short-villous
243a. subsp. juniperina
243a. subsp. juniperina.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 116
(1968).
Literature etc. see under the species, where all names
refer to subsp. juniperina except combinations with the
epithet gracilifolia.
Procumbent or prostrate, sometimes form-
ing dense mats, sometimes decumbent or
spreading. Branchlets rather densely leafy,
short- villous. Leaflets 2-12 mm long and
0,3— 0,9 mm thick, acute to apiculate or mucro-
nulate, not glaucous; when more than 6 mm
long then usually more than 0,4 mm thick.
Flowers rather small. Bract and bracteoles 1-5
mm long. Calyx lobes subulate, 2, 5-5, 2 mm
long. Petals bright yellow or ± reddish. Stand-
ard blade (4,5— )5— 7 x (3,6-)4-6 mm, api-
cal tip 0,1 -0,5 mm long; wing blades
(3,5— >4— 5,6 x 1,5— 2,1(— 2,4) mm; basal
part with 3 or more rows of minute folds; keel
blades (straight from base to apex) (3,7-)4-5
x 1,8— 2,4 mm. Pod 6,8—10 x 3,5—5 mm.
Chromosome number: 2 n = 18. Figure 126:
1-16.
Ranging from Cape Agulhas (Bredasdorp Division)
and the Cape Peninsula in the south to the Bredasdorp and
Riviersonderend Mountains (Caledon Division) in the east,
and to the southern parts of the Olifants River Mountains
(Ceres Division) and the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg
Division) in the north, but not beyond the Breede River
Valley in the north-east. The subspecies grows mainly in
mountainous regions, but at moderate altitudes. It is com-
mon on the Cape Peninsula and in the mountains from Her-
manus and Hangklip to Bain’s Kloof. Map 108.
Vouchers: H. Bolus, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 65;
Dahlgren & Peterson 593, 643, 841; Dahlgren & Strid
3581, 3870, 40009, 4068, 4230, 4415, 4921, 5004; Ecklon
(U.l) 55; Esterhuysen 20985; Galpin 3953; MacOwan,
Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 63; Schlechter 7248, 7494; Wol-
ley-Dod, BOL 27068.
The subspecies is variable in coarseness of leaflets,
floral size, and length of calyx lobes. Straight, rigid, c. 0,4
mm thick leaflets characterize most forms in the south-west.
The forms on the Piketberg Mountain (Piketberg Division)
are prostrate and small-flowered with narrow leaflets and
white, rather long pubescence on the branches. (They are
very different from A. chrysantha — no. 244.) A form in the
Malmesbury Division, in spite of having almost glaucous
leaves, is very different from subsp. monticola ; its leaflets
are small and rigid. Thicker leaflets occur in the Caledon
Division near Cape Hangklip and eastwards to the Herma-
nus region, where they appproach subsp. grandis. Certain
such forms also occur in the Bredasdorp Division. Long-
leaved but small-flowered forms occur in the Riviersonder-
end Mountains (Caledon Division).
243b. subsp. monticola Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 122 (1968). Type:
Cape, Roodeberg, western side, 2 000 m,
Ceres Division, Esterhuysen 20931 (BOL,
holo.!; K, LD).
A prostrate or at least rather compact and
low shrublet with branches 0,2-0, 6 m long;
young branches densely villous and closely
leafy. Leaflets 4- 10 mm long, c. 0,7-0, 9 mm
thick, terete, thickest in the distal half, apicu-
late or mucronulate, glaucous. Flowers solitary
or paired. Bract and bracteoles 1-2,2 mm
long, linear. Calyx lobes 2,5-4 mm long, car-
nose, glaucous. Standard blade 4,5— 5,5 x
3,7—5 mm; wing blades 3, 5-4, 8 x 1,5-2, 2
mm, with c. 5 rows of minute folds on basal
parts; keel blades 3,7-5, 2 X 1,8-2, 4 mm.
Pod triangular-ovate, 5,5-6 x c. 3 mm. Figure
126: 17-25.
Distributed in the mountains from Roodeberg (west of
Matroosberg) in the Ceres Division and the Keeromsberg-
Naudesberg Mountains (Worcester-Montagu Divisions) and
to the Swartberg Mountains near Ladismith in the east;
growing on mountain slopes between 1 000 and 2 000 m
altitude. It has been reported from shale bands and may be
restricted to clay. Map 1 10.
Vouchers: Barker 5688; Dahlgren & Peterson 1264;
Esterhuysen 10895, 18544, 20931, 22849a, 26630, 26728.
3,6: 370
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
Subsp. monticola is geographically and ecologically,
as well as morphologically, distinct from the other sub-
species.
243c. subsp. gracilifolia ( Dahlg .) Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 124 (1968).
Type: Cape, southern part of Skurweberg
[Schurfteberg], 3 miles south-west of the top of
Gydo Pass, Ceres Division, Dahlgren & Peter-
son 1136 (LD, holo. !).
A. gracilifolia Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
279, 188(1963).
A procumbent or prostrate shrublet with
rather long (c. 1 m) main branches and short,
ascending lateral branchlets; these very closely
leafy and clothed with white-villous (or almost
woolly) pubescence. Leaflets narrowly linear or
subfiliform, 4— 8(— 1 1) mm long and 0,25-0,4
mm thick, slender, weak, straight or slightly
curved, light green. Flowers solitary or paired
on branchlet tips. Bract and bracteoles 2,2 — 3
mm long, 0,3 -0,4 mm thick. Calyx lobes
subulate, 5—6 mm long. Petals light yellow or
partly red (-ferruginous). Standard blade 6-8
X 4, 5-6, 5 mm; the apex with a tip 0,2-0, 5
mm long; wing blades (4,5— )5,5— 7 x 1,7-2
mm, with 1 -2 rows of transverse folds on basal
part; keel blades 4,5-5,5 x 2, 1-2,5 mm. Pod
c. 10 x 3,5 mm. Figure 126: 26-32.
So far known only on the Skurweberg and Witzenberg
Mountains in the Ceres Division; growing in sand accumu-
lated between rocks (Table Mountain Sandstone) at alti-
tudes of c. 1 000 m. Map 1 10.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1136; Dahlgren &
Strid 4379; Esterhuysen 23391 .
A distinct regional form which is obviously close to
subsp. juniperina. It was treated as a separate species by
Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 279 (1963),
which may prove more appropriate. It is very distinct from
subsp. monticola.
243d. subsp. grandis Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 21: 125 (1968). Type: Cape,
sand flats c. 7 miles east of Stanford, Caledon
3,6: 371
Division, Dahlgren & Strid 3670 (NBG,
holo.!; LD, K).
A procumbent shrub with rather sparingly
branched, 0,8—1 ,5(— 2) m long main branches;
lateral branches ascending, rather short,
sparingly leafy, short-villous. Leaflets linear,
2.5 — 7( — 10) mm long, 0,6-1 mm thick,
succulent, spreading, mucronulate, bright
green. Flowers 1-3 together on branchlet tips.
Bract and bracteoles 1,1— 2,4 mm long, linear
to oblanceolate, ± convex. Calyx lobes linear,
3,7— 5(— 5,7) mm long, camose, subterete,
acuminate-mucronate. Petals bright yellow,
turning orange when fading. Standard blade
8-9,2 x 6, 2-7, 8 mm, with apical tip 0,2— 0,4
mm; wing blades (6,3-)6,8-8,8 x (2,2-)
2.5— 3,3 mm, with several rows of minute folds
on basal half; keel blades 5-5,8 x 2,3— 3,2
mm. Ripe pods not seen. Figure 127: 1-9.
Distributed in the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions,
on sandy, low hills and sandstone mountains, in fynbos
vegetation. Map 108.
Vouchers: Acocks 1752; Dahlgren & Peterson 428,
429, 559, 859A; Dahlgren & Strid 3402, 3670, 3731,
3734; Morris 285; Nordenstam 1413.
A population near Elim, Bredasdorp Division, may be
regarded as transitional between subsp. juniperina and
subsp. grandis. Other, transitional forms occur in the Ceres
Division ( Dahlgren & Strid 3335, 3559), and some forms
of subsp. juniperina in these divisions may approach this
otherwise very striking subspecies in various respects.
A. juniperina in various features agrees with A.
chrysantha (no. 244), A. condensata (no. 245), A. batodes
(no. 242), A. concava (no. 235), A. repens (no. 241), A.
potbergensis (no. 240) and other species and takes a central
position in this group.
244. Aspalathus chrysantha Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 274, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 128 (1968). Type: Cape, near top of
Versfeld Pass, Piketberg Mountain, Piketberg
Division, Dahlgren & Peterson 971 (LD,
holo.!).
FIGURE 126. Aspalathus juniperina subsp. juniperina (1-16); A. juniperina subsp. monticola (17-25);
A. juniperina subsp. gracilifolia (26—32). — 1, 10, 17, 26: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 18, 27: flowers; 3, 19: bracts; 4,
20: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 21, 28: standard petals; 6, 15, 22, 29: wing petals; 7, 15, 23, 30: keel petals; 8, 16, 24, 31:
pistils; 9, 25, 32: pods. — 1-10 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1216 (Cape Peninsula); 11-16 from Levyns 10809 (Robertson
Distr.); 17-24 from Esterhuysen 20931 (Worcester Distr. ); 25 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1264; 26-32 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1 136 (Ceres Distr.) — (1, 10, 17,26 X 2; all others x4.)
FIGURE 127. Aspalathus juniperina subsp. grandis (1-9); A. chrysantha (10-18); A. condensata (19-27). — 1,
10, 19: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 20: flowers; 3, 12, 21: bracts; 4, 13, 22: bracteoles (prophylls); 5: calyx, upper two
lobes to the left; 6, 14, 23: standard petals, side view; 7, 15, 24: wing petals; 8, 16, 25: keel petals; 9, 17, 26: pistils; 18, 27:
fruits. — 1-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 429 (Bredasdorp Distr. ); 10-18 from Dahlgren & Peterson 971 (Piketberg
Distr. ); 19-27 from Esterhuysen 28667 (Stellenbosch Distr.). — (1, 10, 19 x2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 373
A decumbent or ascending, rather
sparingly branched shrublet with main branches
up to more than 1 m long, young branches
densely short-tomentose or short- villous. Leaf-
lets linear, 2— 6(— 7) mm long, subterete,
straight or slightly incurved, glabrous, light
green, mucronulate (or acute). Inflorescences
consisting of 2 or 3(4) subsessile flowers
radiating from the tips of leafy, non-peduncu-
late branches. Bract linear-subulate, 3,5—5 x
0,5 -0,7 mm, acuminate-mucronulate, gla-
brous abaxially, hairy adaxially on basal half.
Pedicel extremely short. Bracteoles 3,5-6 x
0,5-1 mm. Calyx tube 2,5—3 mm long, exter-
nally glabrous, with 5 prominent longitudinal
ridges continuing into the midveins of the lobes;
these broadly subulate, (4,5 — )5 — 7 mm long,
1,2-2, 5 mm broad at the base, acuminate,
green, glabrous. Petals largely glabrous, light
to bright yellow (rarely with red or brown
shades). Standard blade broadly ovate or ellip-
tic, 7,5—9 x 7, 2-8, 5 mm, glabrous (except
for a basal hair tuft), the sides firmly incurved,
the apex acute-acuminate, slightly incurved,
not thickened. Wing blades oblong or narrowly
elliptic, 7—7,8 x 2, 8-3, 9 mm, with c. 3 rows
of few minute folds at the base (fewer than in A .
juniperina — no. 243). Keel lunate, 5, 8-6, 6 x
3—3,6 mm, apically somewhat upcurved and
subacute, with concave upper margin and
prominent basal pouch. Pistil hairy on upper
side of ovary only; ovules 2. Pod broadly
triangular-lanceolate, 9-10,5 x 4-4,5 mm,
compressed, smooth, greyish green to greyish
brown. Chromosome number: 2n=\6. Figure
127: 10-18.
Restricted to the Piketberg Mountain complex, Piket-
berg Division, growing on sandy and gravelly ground
(Table Mountain Sandstone products) at altitudes above c.
450 m, in fynbos vegetation. Map 105.
Vouchers: Bolus 8434; Compton 23007; Dahlgren &
Peterson 971; Dahlgren <5 Strid 2490, 3865, 4253;
Maguire 435 , 1183; Martin 657, 863; Schlechter 5252.
Typical in being rather ascending and having a more
pointed carina, and fewer, more restricted folds on the wing
bases.
245. Aspalathus condensata Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 275, 184 (1963);
ibid. 21: 130 (1968). Type: Cape, Somerset
West, Sneeuwkop, 1 000-3 000 m, Stellen-
bosch Division, Esterhuysen 28667 (LD,
holo. !; BOL).
A prostrate, ± mat-like shrublet with
branches up to longer than 0,4 m, densely
branched, densely leafy, and, on the young
parts, reddish and densely short-tomentose.
Leaflets 3— many together, linear, 1,5— 4(— 5)
mm long, c. 0,5 mm thick, terete or slightly
depressed, often slightly incurved, acuminate
or mucronulate (not rigid or prickly), glabrous.
Inflorescences usually unifloral, on the tips of
quite short, densely leafy, lateral branchlets.
Bract linear, 2— 3,5(— 3,7) x 0, 4-0,6 mm,
green, tapering, acuminate, almost trigonous,
glabrous on abaxial side, ± tomentose ad-
axially on basal half. Pedicel very short. Brac-
teoles 2-4 x 0,4-0, 5 mm. Calyx tube c. 2,5
mm long, externally glabrous, with 5 prominent
ridges continuing into the midveins of the lobes;
lobes linear-subulate, (3,7—) 4-6 mm long,
acute to acuminate, camose, glabrous. Petals
intensely lemon-yellow, with very short claws.
Standard blade elliptic-ovate, 9—11 x
7, 5-8, 5 mm, obtuse (-acute) but without dis-
tinct apical tip, the sides flat or somewhat re-
curved (not incurved as in nearly all similar
species), back with few, scattered appressed
hairs along the midrib and puberulous on the
base. Wing blades oblong, 6, 5-7, 5 x 2—
2,6 mm, broadest on apical half, glabrous, with
c. 5 rows, with several minute folds each, on
basal upper parts. Keel blades upcurved at al-
most right angles, 6-6,7 x 2,5—3 mm, gla-
brous, obtuse-rounded, with upper margin con-
cave near the middle. Pistil hairy on upper side
of ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod narrowly
triangular-ovate, 6,5-7 x 3, 2-3, 5 mm, com-
pressed, smooth, subglabrous, dark. Figure
127: 19-27.
Restricted to the mountains from the Somerset
Sneeuwkop in the south to the Slanghoek Mountains in the
north-east, in the Stellenbosch and Worcester Divisions.
The species grows on steep, stony and wind-swept slopes at
altitudes of 1 000 - 2 000 m. Map 107.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 8537, 23999, 28667.
Characterized especially by the standard, which is not
camose nor pointed apically and which is laterally recurved,
not incurved as in related species.
3,6: 374
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 128. Aspalathus gerrardii (1 — 19); A. frankenioides (20 — 28). — 1, 9, 20: floriferous branches; 2, 21:
flowers; 3, 10, 22: bracts; 4, 11, 23: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12, 24: standard petals, front view; 6, 13, 25: wing petals; 7,
14, 26: keel petals; 8, 15, 27: pistils; 16, 19, 20: fruits; 17, 18: fruits with calyx. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1640
(Port Edward region); 9-18 from C. MacClean 355 (Murchison Flats region; notice variation in calyx lobe length!); 19
from Wylie (Ngoye); 20- 28 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1597 (Albany Distr. ). — (1, 9, 20 x2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 375
Group 33: Calcicolae
Prostrate or decumbent to erect or ascending shrublets and shrubs, low or up to 0,8 m 04.
gerrardii (no. 247) even up to more than 1 ,2 m tall), ± densely branched, with short-tomentose to
densely villous or woolly pubescence; old branches often with prominent, knotty short-shoots.
Leaves often closely set, trifoliolate; leafy short-shoots soon developed in axils of long-shoot
leaves; leaflets therefore several together in fascicles. Leaflets linear to needle-like, subterete,
weak (somewhat rigid in A. calcarea — no. 248), glabrous, sericeous or tomentose, usually acute.
Floriferous branchlets rarely with 1 or 2 pedunculate intemodes, 2 or more trifoliolate, vegetative
leaves then subtending the 1 or 2 flowers of the inflorescence. Inflorescences 1- or 2-flowered,
usually on lateral short-shoots, single or few to several on each branch end, or 1 or 2 on lateral
pedunculate branchlets (see above). Flowers medium-sized or rather small. Bract situated at the
pedicel base (pedicel sometimes obsolete), simple, linear-acicular or tooth-like, ± pubescent.
Pedicel short, from obsolete to c. 2 mm, pubescent. Bracteoles subfiliform or tooth-like, often
similar to the bract, but smaller. Calyx campanulate (-subinfundibular), sericeous to tomentulose;
lobes subulate or linear, generally soft, pointed, pubescent. Petals light yellow or partly rose or
purple to brownish; claws relatively short. Standard blade broadly ovate or obovate-obtriangular to
circular, retuse to rounded at the apex but often with an acute point (not with a cusp); sericeous to
tomentose on two-thirds to most of the back (glabrous basally); glabrous or pubescent on the
apical-marginal parts of the front side. Wing blade narrowly elliptic, lanceolate or oblanceolate,
apically rounded, glabrous, basally with 4-6 rows of minute folds. Keel blades lunate, obtuse,
glabrous, with upper margins straight or ± convex, basally with distinct puckering. Pistil stipitate;
ovary and basal half of style pubescent at least on upper parts; ovules 2; stigma regular, capitate.
Pod obliquely ovate or rhombic-ovate, ± compressed, smooth, ± sericeous. Chromosome
number: 2n= 18 (known in 3 species).
246. Aspalathus frankenioides DC.,
Prodr. 2: 139 (1825); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 627 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121
( pro parte ) (1862); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany
Bathurst: 57 (1960); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 178 (1963); ibid 21: 43 (1968).
The name was used for forms of A. ericifolia L.
in Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 207 (1836) and
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 499 (1839), for A. inter-
media Eckl. & Zeyh. in E. Mey., Comm. 1: 53
(1836), etc. Type: Cape, at Soutar’s Post
between Riebeek East [Riebeck East] and
Grahamstown, Albany Division, Burchell 3473
(G, lecto . ! ; K, L, M, P, PRE, W).
Paraspalathus frankenioides (DC.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk.
560 (1845). Achyronia frankenioides (‘ frankeriodes ’) (DC.)
Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891).
Aspalathus albanensis Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 211
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13; 500 (1839). Paraspalathus
albanensis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 560
(1845). A. frankenioides DC. var. (y) albanensis (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862). Type: Cape, ‘Zwarte-
hoogdens’ near Grahamstown, Albany Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1435 pro parte (S, lecto.!; G, K, L, M, P, SAM,
W).
A. albanensis Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (P) multiflora Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 211 (1836). Type; Cape, ‘Bothasberg’
near Fish River, Albany Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1435
(S, lecto.!; M,W).
A. tomentosa E. Mey., Comm. 1: 55 (1836). Type;
Cape, Zuurebergen, Somerset East Division, Drege (S,
lecto. !;G,K, P, W).
A decumbent or usually ascending to erect
shrublet 0, 2-0,5 m tall, rather closely
branched, with spreading, soft, white- villous
branches. Leaflets linear, ( 1 ,2 — )2 — 4,5 mm
long and 0,3 -0,5 mm thick, weak, slightly in-
curved, densely white- or grey-puberulous or
short-tomentose. Flowers solitary on lateral
short-shoots, one or few on each branchlet.
Bract linear-subulate, 1,5-3, 8 x c. 0,3 mm,
weak, densely pubescent. Pedicel 0,2— 0,8 mm
long, short-tomentose. Bracteoles 1,4 -3, 9 mm
long. Calyx short-tomentose (rarely sericeous);
lobes narrowly triangular or short-subulate,
0,6-2, 7 mm long, obtuse-acute, ± densely pu-
bescent. Petals light lemon-yellow, sometimes
with purplish shades. Standard blade circular,
5-9 x 5,5— 9,5 mm, obtuse (-retuse), densely
3,6: 376
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 377
tomentose (or short-sericeous) on the back and
on marginal parts of front. Wing blades 3,6-
6,2 X 1,4-2, 6 mm. Keel blades 4, 7-6, 4 x
2,4— 3,6 mm, with ± straight upper margin.
Pistil tomentose on ovary and on upper side of
basal half of style. Pod obliquely ovate,
(4— )4,5— 6,3 x (2,6 — )3,2 — 4,2 mm, ± dark,
smooth, tomentose on most parts. Chromosome
number: 2n=18. Figure 128: 20—28.
Distributed in the Albany Division and entering some
adjacent divisions (Somerset East, Port Elizabeth, Bathurs
and Keiskammahoek Divisions). The habitat is rocky and
sandy mountain slopes (Table Mountain Sandstone rock) at
altitudes of 300-1 000 m, in fynbos scrub. Map 113.
Vouchers: Burchell 3473; Cooper 1501; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1550, 1566, 1573, 1585, 1592; Dahlgren & Strid
3078, 3084, 3086, 3094, 4301; Ecklon & Zeyher 1435;
MacOwan 341; Schonland 1560.
Deviating forms from the region around the Suurberg
Pass (Uitenhage-Somerset East Division border) have short
leaflets (c. 2 mm) with grey-tomentose pubescence and
rather small flowers (‘A. tomentosa E. Mey.’); and one
collection from Mount Thomas, Keiskammahoek Division
(Story 3432) has slender, green and only sparsely hairy
leaves and calyx lobes and rather large flowers with the
standard quite glabrous on the front.
247. Aspalathus gerrardii H. Bol. in J.
Bot., Lond. 34: 20 (1896); J. M. Wood in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 18: 143 (1908);
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 178,
180 (1963); ibid. 21: 47 (1968). Type: Natal,
near Murchison, Port Shepstone Division, J.
M. Wood (BOL, lecto. !; BM, K).
An erect, straight, rather sparingly
branched shrub 0,4- 1,3 m tall, with branches
long and tail-like, covered with white-hairy,
densely situated leaflets. Young branches
white- woolly (rarely sericeous). Leaflets linear,
(3,5 — )5 — 1 1 mm long, c. 0,3-0, 4 mm thick,
subterete, soft and flexible, acute, densely cov-
ered with white, half-spreading long hairs (ra-
rely short- sericeous). Inflorescences unifloral,
on lateral short-shoots, often numerous, scat-
tered along the branches. Bract filiform,
1,5-3, 5 x 0,1 -0,2 mm, weak, ± pigmented,
with long hairs. Pedicel 0,3-1 mm long,
white-woolly. Bracteoles 1,2-3 mm long. Ca-
lyx covered with dense, white, sericeous pubes-
cence; lobes sharply demarcated from tube, lin-
ear, (1 ,5— )3,5— 5,5 mm long, weak, pointed,
densely pubescent. Petals pale lemon-yellow.
Standard blade circular, (4,5 — )5 — 7,8 X
5-8,3 mm, obtuse-retuse, densely white-to-
mentose on the back, glabrous (or sparsely pu-
berulous at upper margin) on the front. Wing
blades (0,3— )3, 7— 5,6 X 1,2—2 mm. Keel
blades (3,4— )4,3— 6,5(— 7) x (2— )2,6—
3,5(— 4) mm, with slightly convex upper mar-
gin. Pistil woolly to sericeous on most parts of
the ovary and on upper side of the basal three-
quarters of the style. Pod obliquely and broadly
ovate, 4,5—6 x 3—4 mm, dark, glabrous on
lower, sericeous to woolly on other parts. Fig-
ure 128: 1-19.
Distributed in coastal regions of Pondoland and Natal,
from Port St Johns in the south to the Hlabisa Division
(Zululand) in the north-east (Port St Johns, Lusikisiki, Port
Shepstone, Mtunzini, Lower Umfolozi and Hlabisa Divi-
sions). It is found in grass vegetation, often together with A.
chortophila (no. 262), in sandy soil weathered from acid
sandstone rock, in grass or fynbos rudiments. Map 78.
Vouchers: Acocks 13355; Bolus 8847; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1640, 1642; Fealy, Tinley & Ward 21; Galpin
10966; Huntley 761; Lawn 1526; MacClean 355; Wood
2346, 3000, 3023, 8485, 9318.
A rather densely long-pubescent form from near Lake
Bangazi in Zululand (Fealy, Tinley & Ward 21) has the
smallest petals seen in the species, with a standard, for
example, only 4,5 x 5,5 mm and wing and keel blades 3
and 3,5 mm long, respectively. Appressedly sericeous,
grey-green rather than white-pubescent leaves are found in
forms in the Lusikisiki, Port St Johns and Port Shepstone
Divisions, sometimes, as near Murchison, together with
white-hairy forms; so this difference may not have great
significance.
The species, judging from petals and pods, is undoubt-
edly most closely related to A.frankenioides (no. 246).
248. Aspalathus calcarea Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 273, 178 (1963);
ibid. 21: 39 (1968). Type: Cape, Poort Hills,
Bredasdorp Division, Compton 9105 (NBG,
holo.!).
MAPS 111-113. — Map 111. Aspalathus longipes (squares); A. karrooensis (triangle); A. aciloba (rhomboids); A.
candidula (dots). — Map 112. A. incurvifolia (triangles); A. florifera (asterisks); A. longifolia (rhomboid); A. glabres-
cens (squares). — Map 1 13. A. frankenioides (unbroken line); A. calcarea (squares); A. grobleri (triangles).
3,6: 378
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 129. Aspalathus candidula (1-8); A. calcarea (9-16); A. aciloba (17-25). — 1, 9, 17: floriferous
branches; 2, 10, 18: flowers; 3, 11, 19: bracts; 4, 12, 20: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13, 23: wing petals; 6, 14, 24: keel
petals; 7, 15, 25: pistils; 8, 16: fruits; 21: calyx; 22: standard, side view. — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1324
(Riversdale Distr.); 9-15 from Compton 9105 ; 16 from Van Niekerk 423 (these from Bredasdorp Distr.); 17-25 from
Leipoldt 3192 (Bredasdorp Distr.). — (1,9, 17 x2; all others x4.)
A. remota L. Bol. (nom. illeg.) in Ann. Bolus Herb. 1:
187 (1915); [non Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 1: 218 (1836)].
Type: Cape, hills near Mierkraal, Bredasdorp Division,
Schlechter 10497 (BOL, lecto.!; G, K, L, PRE, W, Z). The
older homonym, A. remota Eckl. & Zeyh., is a synonym of
A. spicata Thunb.
An (decumbent-)ascending or erect shrub-
let 0,2-0, 6 m tall, with rather thick, sparingly
ramified branches closely short- and white-
woolly on the young parts, with semiglobose
short-shoot tubercles. Leaflets linear-subulate,
needle-like, 2-6 (generally c. 4) mm long, c.
0,35 mm thick, subterete, acute, ± incurved,
glabrous, pale green. Inflorescences unifloral,
on lateral short-shoots, few to numerous on
each branch. Bract small, subulate-filiform,
Crotalarieae
3,6: 379
0,7— 2,2 x 0,1— 0,2 mm, acute, ± puberulous.
Pedicel 0,5 — 1 mm long, densely tomentose.
Bracteoles minute, 0,1 -0,3 mm. Calyx tube
campanulate, densely short-tomentose; lobes
sharply demarcated, subulate (leaflet-like),
(1,2— )1 ,7 — 2,5(— 3) mm long, glabrous or
subglabrous, green, pointed, slightly incurved.
Petals pale or light yelow. Standard blade
broadly ovate-circular, (4,6— )5 -6,2 x
(4— )4,5— 6,5 mm, subacute, often ending as a
short ‘tip’, generally short-tomentose on the ap-
ical parts of the back, otherwise glabrous. Wing
blades 3,7— 4,5 x 1,7— 2,1 mm. Keel blades
(3,8-)4,2-4,7 x 1,8 -2, 4 mm, upper margin
S-curved or concave. Pistil tomentose on ovary
and ciliate above on basal third of style. Pod
obliquely ovate, 4, 8-5, 2 X 2, 5-3, 2 mm,
sparsely tomentose to partly sericeous (not
woolly). Figure 129: 9-16.
Distributed on limestone ground in the Bredasdorp and
Riversdale Divisions. The species is rather constantly pre-
sent on limestone rock in these divisions and may be used as
an ‘indicator species’ for this kind of calcicolous low fyn-
bos. Map 113.
Vouchers: L. Bolus, BOL 20534; Dahlgren & Strid
2312, 2346, 2355, 3397, 3620, 4195, 4200, 4618; Lewis
5138; Schlechter 10497.
Distinct by the rather robust, short-woolly branches
and glabrous leaves, the (sub-)glabrous subulate calyx lobes
and the almost glabrous standard.
249. Aspalathus aciloba Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 269, 178 (1963);
ibid. 21: 41 (1968). Type: Cape, near Cape
Agulhas, Bredasdorp Division, Leipoldt 3192
(BOL, holo.!; K, PRE).
A procumbent or decumbent shrublet
rather sparingly branched; main branches stout,
creeping on (or below) soil surface, basally up
to 5 mm thick. Young branches ascending,
short- and white-villous (more slender than in
A. calcarea — no. 248), with prominent, vil-
lous, short-shoot tubercles. Leaflets linear-su-
bulate, narrow, 2,5-5 mm long, glabrous, sub-
terete, ± incurved, tapering, apically acicular.
Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots,
few together near branch ends. Bract subulate,
0,3-1 x c. 0,1 mm, puberulous. Pedicel
0,6- 1,5 mm long, short-tomentose. Bracteoles
tooth-like, up to 0,2 mm. Calyx tube campanu-
late, c. 2 mm long, ± purplish, short-tomen-
tose; lobes distinctly demarcated from tube,
narrowly subulate, 2, 2-4, 5 mm long, c. 0,25
mm thick (near middle), glabrous, slightly in-
curved, tapering. Petals yellow or ± rose.
Standard blade broadly elliptic, 6,5—8 x
6—7,5 mm, acute to acuminate with a ± dis-
tinct ‘tip’, sparsely puberulous on apical half of
back. Wing blades 3, 5-5, 3 x 1,8-2, 4 mm.
Keel blades lunate, 5,5— 6,3 x 2, 8-3, 6 mm,
with ± straight upper margin. Pistil densely
sericeous on ovary and ciliate on upper side of
basal half. Pods not seen. Chromosome
number: 2w=18. Figure 129: 17—25.
Probably limited to limestone outcrops in the Bredas-
dorp Division. Map 111.
Vouchers: Barker 8470; Dahlgren & Strid 3621,
4 179; Leipoldt 3 192.
Probably related to A. calcarea (no. 248) and A. candi-
dula (no. 251).
250. Aspalathus grobleri Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 21: 37 (1968). Type: Cape,
clay flats in Bontebok National Park, 2-3
miles south of Swellendam, Swellendam Divi-
sion, Marais in STE 30018 (STE, holo.!; BOL,
LD, NBG, PRE, S).
A prostrate, closely ramified shrublet with
branches up to 0,5 m long or longer; young
branches short-tomentose. Leaflets linear,
slender, 3— 7(— 9) mm long and 0,2-0, 3 mm
thick, weak, slightly S-curved (with recurved
apex), tapering apically, rather sparsely short-
sericeous, often ± violet. Inflorescences bi- or
unifloral, on the tips of short lateral branchlets
(perhaps, sometimes, with a long, peduncle-
like intemode). Bract linear-subulate, 1,2—2 x
c. 0,2 mm, puberulous-sericeous. Pedicel very
short. Bracteoles 0,8- 1,2 mm. Calyx closely
silky-sericeous; the lobes linear, (3— )3,5— 4,5
mm long, subterete, slender, weak, silky-seri-
ceous (similar to the leaflets). Petals light yel-
low or ± purplish, dark purple when fading.
Standard blade broadly obovate, 6,5-7 x
7, 2-7, 8 mm, obtuse or acute and with a short
‘tip’, sericeous on most of the back, glabrous
on the front. Wing blades (2,7— )3, 7— 4,3 x
1,7-2, 3 mm. Keel blades 5,4-6, 1 x 3, 3-3, 7
mm, with slightly convex upper margin. Pistil
sericeous on upper half of ovary and upper side
3,6: 380
Crotalarieae
Crotajlarieae
of the basal half of the style. Pod obliquely
ovate, 6-7 x c. 3 mm, short- sericeous. Figure
130: 17-30.
Perhaps restricted to the clayey flats in the Swellendam
region, growing ± matted, in a low mixed renosterbos-fyn-
bos vegetation. Map 113.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Strid 4562; Liebenberg 7199;
Marais in STE 30018.
Forms similar to A. grobleri, but with the long,
peduncle-like intemodes of A. longipes (no. 252), may best
be treated in A. grobleri. They include Liebenberg 6526,
Dahlgren & Strid 4553 from the Bontebok Park, Swellen-
dam Division and, for example Ferguson in SAM 49309,
from Riversdale Division.
251 . Aspalathus candidula Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 273, 177 (1963);
ibid. 21: 36 (1968). Type: Cape, 17 miles west
of Still Bay, Riversdale Division, Dahlgren &
Peterson 1324 (LD, holo.!).
A prostrate or decumbent shrublet, with
0,2— 0,5 m long branches. Young branches
short- and white- villous. Leaflets linear, 3-5
mm long, 0,4 mm thick, terete, ± incurved,
obtuse-acute, weak, densely short-sericeous (or
tomentulose). Inflorescences unifloral, on later-
al short-shoots, several along the branches
towards the ends. Bract linear-subfiliform,
0,8- 1,2 x 0,1 -0,2 mm, puberulous. Pedicel
c. 1 mm long, pubescent. Bracteoles 0,2-0, 4
mm long. Calyx campanulate, short- sericeous
(-tomentulose); lobes linear-subulate, sharply
demarcated from tube, 1 ,2— 2(— 2,7) mm long,
weak, sericeous. Petals light yellow (but stand-
ard back ± purplish). Standard blade circular,
5,5-6 x 5,5-6 mm, with a short apical tip,
puberulous to short-sericeous on most of the
back, glabrous on the base of the back and on
the front (except, sometimes for some apical
marginal hairs). Wing blades 3,4-4 x c. 2
mm. Keel blades 4,8— 5,2 x 2,7—3 mm, with
slightly convex upper margin. Pistil sericeous
on upper half of ovary and upper side of style
along nearly all its length. Pod obliquely and
3,6: 381
narrowly rhombic-ovate, c. 7 X 3,5 mm, seri-
ceous. Figure 129: 1-8.
Probably restricted to limestone outcrops in the coastal
regions of the Riversdale Division, growing in low calcico-
lous fynbos. Map 111.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 1320, 1324; Dahl-
gren & Strid 2345, 4632.
Obviously very closely allied to A. grobleri (no. 250)
and A. calcarea (no. 248), the former with silky sericeous
leaves and flowers and growing on clayey flats in the Swel-
lendam Division, the latter with glabrous leaves and, like A.
candidula, growing on limestone. The latter is sympatric
with A. candidula.
252. Aspalathus longipes Harv., FI. Cap.
2: 141 (1862); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 177 ff. (1963); ibid. 21: 32 (1968).
Type: Cape, Caledon Division, mountain
slopes near Riviersonderend, Zeyher 2324
(TCD, lecto.!; K, P,S,SAM).
Achyronia longipes (Harv.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
'Aspalathus albens' auct. non L. in Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2:204(1836).
An erect or ascending, rather much
branched shrublet 0,3 -0,8 m tall. The young-
est branches, including the ‘peduncles’, tomen-
tose (-woolly); lateral floriferous branchlets
with one (or two) prolonged, peduncle-like in-
temodes, 5—35 mm long, but distally with at
least two short leaves situated close to the
flower(s). Leaflets linear or subfiliform, 3-10
(-12) mm long, slender, weak (flexible),
acute, with dense, rather short, tomentose, grey
or white pubescence. Inflorescences consisting
of (1 -)2— 4 closely set flowers on the apices of
the peduncle-like branchlets, subtended by two
or more vegetative leaves. Bract linear or fili-
form, 2—4 x 0,1— 0,2 mm, flexible, pointed,
pubescent, often pigmented. Pedicel 0,5-2
mm long, densely pubescent. Bracteoles
1,5-4, 5 x less than 0,2 mm. Calyx (woolly-)
tomentose; lobes linear, (2— )3— 6 mm long,
soft, acute, sericeous or tomentose. Petals pale
or light yellow on most parts but part of keel
Figure 130. Aspalathus karrooensis (1-8); A. longipes (9-16); A. grobleri (17 - 30). — 1, 9, 17, 23: floriferous
branches; 2, 10, 24: bracts; 3, 11, 25: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 26: flowers; 5, 12, 19: standard petals, back view; 6, 13,
20, 27: wing petals; 7, 14, 21, 28: keel petals; 8, 15, 22, 28: pistils; 16, 30: fruits; 18: calyx. — 1-8 from Esterhuysen
17202 ; 9-15 from Wilman 979 ; 16 from Zeyher 2324; 17-22 from Bolus 6793; 23-30 from J. Marais, STE 30018. — (1,
9, 17, 13 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 382
Crotalarieae
and standard often ± purplish. Standard blade
5.5 — 8( — 9) x (5,5 — )6 — 8 (-10) mm, acute to
retuse with a ‘tip’ (shorter than 0,4 mm), back
tomentose on most parts (glabrous on base).
Wing blades 3,5— 5(— 5,5) x (1,3— )1,5— 2
(—2,5) mm. Keel blades 5— 6,2(— 7) x
2. 5 - 3, 5 mm, with slightly convex to slightly
concave upper margin. Pistil long-hairy on
most parts of ovary. Pod ovate, 4—5 x
2, 5 -3, 5 mm, tomentose or sericeous on most
parts. Chromosome number : 2n=18. Figure
130:9-16.
Distributed in the Riviersonderend and Langeberg
Mountains, in the Caledon, Robertson, Montagu, Swellen-
dam and Riversdale Divisions, with outliers on the Elim
Hill, Bredasdorp Division. The commonest, grey-tomen-
tose forms, in the mountains, seem to grow in sand
(weathered from Table Mountain Sandstone) in fynbos
vegetation. Map 111.
Vouchers: Bolus 6793 ; Burchell 7188, 7572; Dahlgren
& Strid 4399, 4406, Leipoldt 3755; Wilman 979; Zeyher
2324.
Forms on clayey flats near Swellendam and
Riversdale, with sericeous pubescence on leaves, calyx and
standard and with lower growth, have the peduncle-like
floriferous branches so characteristic of A. longipes, but
may rather be conspecific with A. grobleri (no. 250).
253. Aspalathus karrooensis Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 281, 177 (1963);
ibid. 21: 30 (1968). Type: Cape, southern
slopes of Roodeberg, Ladismith Division,
Esterhuysen 17202 (BOL, holo.!; PRE).
An erect or ascending shrublet 0,5 -0,8 m
tall, fairly closely branched. Young branches
densely white-woolly. Leaflets linear, 6-12 x
0,7 mm, slightly flattened, densely white-
tomentose or short- woolly, but apices dark, gla-
brous, acute. Inflorescence terminal on short
branchlets, unifloral(or bifloral), the flower(s)
partly surrounded by the upper leaves. Bract
subfiliform, 2-3 mm long, weak, often pig-
mented, clothed with long white hairs. Pedicel
very short (almost obsolete). Bracteoles tooth-
like, minute, c. 0,3 mm long, hairy. Calyx
entirely and densely white-woolly; lobes linear,
weak, 4-6 mm long, acuminate, long-hairy.
Petals pale yellow or purplish when fading but
lower part of keel always purple. Standard
blade broadly obovate, 8-8,5 x 8,5-9 mm,
emarginate; back woolly on distal two-thirds,
glabrous on basal third. Wing blades c. 5,5 x
2,6 mm. Keel blades 5,5—6 x 3,5 mm with
slightly S-shaped upper margin. Pistil closely
long-woolly on upper parts of ovary and on
style base. Pods not known. Figure 130: 1-8.
Perhaps restricted to the Ladismith Division, where it
has been collected only once, on the Roodeberg (Rooiberg)
Mountain in the Little Karoo. Map 111.
Voucher: Esterhuysen 17202.
Similar in many respects to A. longipes (no. 252),
from which it differs in the very white-woolly pubescence
and the lack of peduncle-like intemode(s) on the lateral,
floriferous branchlets.
Group 34: Laterales
Decumbent to erect, small to 3( — 5) m tall shrublets or shrubs, often with stiff and coarse but
sometimes weak branches, densely or often sparsely branched; shrubs sometimes virtually un-
branched, rod-like and beset with short-shoots only; short-shoots often prominent, knotty; branch
ends tomentose, sericeous or villous. Leaves trifoliolate, sometimes on prominent leaf base
tubercles, these occasionally (forms of A. alopecurus — no. 258) prolonged, stalk-like. Leafy
short-shoots soon developing in leaf axils; leaflets therefore several to numerous together, in
fascicles. Leaflets usually needle-like, linear-acicular, subterete to slightly angular, glabrous to
sericeous or tomentellous, rigid or weak, straight or slightly incurved, acute to sharply spine-
tipped. Inflorescences unifloral or rarely with up to 3 or 4 flowers, on lateral short-shoots, often
scattered in considerable numbers along the branches. Flowers medium-sized to large. Bract
situated at the pedicel base, simple, usually subulate or linear-acicular, pointed, ± pubescent at
least adaxially. Pedicel short, obsolete, to 3 (in A. teres (no. 266) to 4,5) mm long, pubescent.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 383
Bracteoles similar to the bract but usually slightly smaller, sometimes tooth-like, rarely lacking.
Calyx tube campanulate, tomentose, sericeous or woolly (subglabrous in A. incurvifolia — no.
257); lobes triangular to linear, generally pubescent, soft or rigid, apically spiny or not. Petals light
or bright yellow; the claws free from the staminal sheath and usually short or moderately long,
relatively long in the first four species of the group. Standard blade circular or broadly elliptic,
ovate or obovate, generally pubescent on most or all of the back, except in A. joubertiana (no. 275)
(pubescent mainly on the midrib and margins) and A. shawii (no. 274) (pubescent on half to four-
fifths) and glabrous or marginally pubescent on the front except for some basal pubescence; apical
cusp present only in forms of A. setacea (no. 259). Wing blades very narrowly elliptic or lanceo-
late, rounded, glabrous or pubescent on the lowermost parts (in A. fourcadei (no. 265) on part of
the inner side), with (3 — )5 — 8 or more rows of (numerous) minute folds on the basal upper parts.
Keel blades lunate and obtuse to rostrate and then sometimes nearly pointed, glabrous or ±
pubescent; the non-rostrate keels with prominent basal puckering. Pistil with short or obsolete
stipe; ovary and style base with ± long pubescence, at least on upper parts; ovules usually 2, rarely
up to 6; style upcurved; stigma regular, capitate. Pod obliquely ovate or lanceolate, densely
tomentose, sericeous or woolly, on most or all parts. Chromosome number : 2n = 18 (perhaps in
some cases In = 20).
The first four species, A. florifera, A. glabrescens, A. longifolia and A. incurvifolia, which have relatively small
flowers, have petal claws longer in relation to the blades than in the other species; the basal lobes (‘ears’) of the petals are
also more prominent, and the leaf pubescence, when present, is soft and sericeous. These form a coherent subgroup which
is connected with the other species by the likewise small-flowered A. alopecurus (no. 258), A. setacea (no. 259) and
A. cliffortiifolia (no. 260).
254. Aspalathus florifera Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 278, 140 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 216 (1965). Type: Cape, western
side of Kaaiman’s Gat, George Division, Bur-
chell 5786 (K, holo. !).
A. glomerata Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 623
(1848), non L. f.; Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 199 (1862); Fourcade,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50 (1941). Type as for
A. florifera, above. A. glomerata L. f., Suppl. 321 (1781),
is a synonym of A. capitata L.
An erect or ascending, branched shrub,
0,8-2 m tall, with densely short-tomentose or
sericeous branch ends. Leaves on inconspicu-
ous, semi-globose leaf base tubercles. Leaflets
piniform, (15 — )20 — 35 mm long, slender,
slightly incurved, yet somewhat rigid, silvery
sericeous (-tomentose), except on the spine-
tipped or mucronate apex. Inflorescence with
1—3(4) flowers together on lateral short-shoots,
these distributed along the branches, often in
fairly great number. Flowers rather small.
Bract caducous, subulate or filiform, weak,
1,3— 1,8 mm long, sericeous. Pedicel 1,5 -2, 5
mm long, sericeous. Bracteoles 1 — 1,6 mm
long. Calyx tube cylindrical-campanulate,
partly dark or purplish, sericeous; lobes nar-
rowly triangular, 0,8- 1,3 mm long, sericeous,
tapering basally into a subulate, narrow, weak
apex. Petals light, lemon-yellow or apical part
of standard ± violet; wings and keel with claws
somewhat shorter than the blades. Standard
blades almost circular, 6,8-8 x (6,2— )7— 7,5
mm, obtuse to retuse, with triangular-obtuse
ears at the base, silky sericeous on the back,
glabrous on the front. Wing blades 6-7 x
2-2,5 mm, glabrous, broadest at the base, with
few rows of small folds on the basal half. Keel
blades lunate, 5,2-6 x 2,3-3 mm, obtuse,
glabrous, with ± straight upper margin. Pistil
sericeous to tomentose on ovary and style base
and also on upper basal two-thirds of the style;
ovules 2. Pod rhombic-lanceolate, 10,5—11,5
x 4, 8-5, 3 mm, white-tomentose. Figure 131:
9-17.
Distributed in the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains
from the Riversdale Division in the west to the Knysna
Division in the east. The habitat is steep, sandy slopes at
100 - 300 m altitude. Map 112.
Vouchers: Burchell 5786; Dahlgren & Peterson 118,
161, 192, 1339; Marloth 12637; Muir 657, 3156; Levyns
769; Parker 4427.
Similar to A. glabrescens (no. 255) but with longer,
more silvery leaflets, longer pedicels, less prominent basal
ears on the standard blade and shorter, more pointed calyx
lobes.
3,6: 384
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 385
255. Aspalathus glabrescens Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 278, 140 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 217 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121:
516 (1968). Type: Cape, Zebra, near top of
Outeniqua Pass, Barker 8194 (NBG, holo. !).
An erect, branched shrub 0,8- 1,8 m tall,
with ascending, rather sparsely ramified
branches, short- sericeous on the young parts.
Leaflets piniform, (6 — )8 — 16 mm long, 0,4
mm thick, subterete, straight or slightly curved
rather rigid and apically acuminate, pale green,
sparsely sericeous to glabrous, often glabrous at
least on apical parts. Inflorescences uni- or bi-
floral, on lateral short-shoots, distributed along
the branches. Bract subulate, 1,8— 2,2 mm
long, weak, ± hairy. Pedicel shorter than 1
mm, sericeous. Bracteoles subulate, 0,5— 1,7
mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, white-to-
mentose (-sericeous); lobes triangular-subulate,
2, 2-2,8 mm long, tomentose or sericeous.
Petals pale yellow. Standard blade circular,
7.5— 9 x 8—8,5 mm, obtuse-retuse, short-to-
mentose to sericeous on most of the back, gla-
brous on the front, without distinct basal ears.
Wing blades 5,7— 6,5 x 2—2,2 mm, glabrous,
with few rows of minute folds on the basal half.
Keel blades lunate, 4,5-5 x 2,5-3 mm, ob-
tuse, glabrous, with ± straight upper margin.
Pistil tomentose on the ovary and base of the
style; ovules 2. Pod obliquely lanceolate,
9.5- 10 x 3, 8-4, 2 mm, tomentose (-woolly).
Figure 131: 1-8.
Distributed in the Outeniqua Mountains of the George
and Uniondale Divisions, where it grows at altitudes of
600- 800 m in a vegetation of fynbos scrub mixed with
renosterbos (?clayey soil). See Dahlg. in Bot. Notiser 121:
516(1968). Map 112.
Vouchers: Barker 8194; Dahlgren & Peterson 184,
186, 1396; Dahlgren & Strid 2943, 4656 , 4874, 4878,
4881 . Lewis 3943.
The forms in the Uniondale Division have shorter leaf-
lets than those in the George Division.
256. Aspalathus longifolia Be nth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 624 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 120 (1862); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv.
S. Afr. 20: 50 (1941); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc.
bot. Lund 9 (1): 140 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 220
(1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 516 (1968). Type:
Cape, C. B. S., Scholl (K, holo.!; W).
Achyronia longifolia (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An erect or ascending shrub, 0,8 -1,5 m
tall, rather sparingly branched, with tail-like
leafy branches, covered with spreading, short-
woolly pubescence and with subglobose old
short-shoots. Leaflets piniform, 25-40 mm
long, 0,4-0, 5 mm thick, subterete, slightly in-
curved, rather rigid, acuminate and slightly
pungent, with short, grey-tomentose pubes-
cence. Inflorescences mainly unifloral, on
lateral short-shoots, dispersed along consider-
able length of the branches. Flowers relatively
small. Bract linear-subulate, 2, 2-3, 5 mm
long, pubescent. Pedicel c. 1 mm long, rather
thick, densely tomentose. Bracteoles subulate,
2-3 mm long, pubescent. Calyx short, cam-
panulate, densely tomentose to sericeous; lobes
very short, triangular, c. 0,5 mm long or less,
acute, sericeous. Petals light yellow, wings and
keel claws about as long as the blades. Standard
blade almost circular, 5,5—7 x 5-7 mm, ob-
tuse-retuse, sericeous-tomentose on the back
except the (glabrous) base, and with prominent,
± incurved basal ears. Wing blades 4-4,5 x c.
1 ,7 mm, glabrous, with 2 or 3 longitudinal rows
of small folds on basal half or more. Keel
blades lunate, 4—4,5 x 2—2,3 mm, obtuse,
glabrous, with slightly convex upper margin.
Pistil long-woolly on ovary and style base;
ovules 2. Pod narrowly ovate, 10 — 11 x
3,6-4, 3 mm, with long, white-woolly pubes-
cence. Figure 131: 18-24.
Confined to the northern slopes of the Outeniqua
Mountains north of the Garcia’s Pass region, in the
Riversdale Division, at c. 400 m altitude. Map 112.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 101, 1358; Dahlgren
& Strid 2588, 3972, 4900; Middlemost 2012.
Figure 131. Aspalathus glabrescens (1-8); A. florifera (9-17); A. longifolia (18-24). — 1, 9: floriferous
branches; 2, 10: flowers; 3, 11: bracts; 4, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 14, 21: wing petals; 6, 15, 22: keel petals; 7, 16, 23:
pistils; 8, 17, 24: fruits; 13: base of standard, front view; 18: branch; 19: standard, front view; 20: standard, lateral view. —
1—7 from Barker 8194; 8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1396 ; 9—16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 118; 17 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1339; 18, 24 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1358; 19-23 from Scholl, sine loco. — (1, 9, 18 X2; all others x4.)
3,6: 386
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 387
257. Aspalathus incurvifolia Vogel ex
Walp. in Linnaea 13: 497 (1839); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 628 (1848); Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 122 (1862); L. Bol. in Ann. Bolus
Herb. 1: 188 (1915); Muir, Mem. bot. Surv. S.
Afr. 13: 64 (1929); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 140 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 213
(1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 516 (1968). Type:
Cape, hills near Bredasdorp, Bredasdorp Divi-
sion, H. Bolus 6971 (BOL, neo.!; K, LD,
NBG, NH, Z). The original Kunth material was
obviously destroyed in Berlin, but the identity
of the species is uncontroversial.
Achyronia incurvifolia (Walp.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An ascending (or decumbent) shrublet
usually 0,3—1 m tall, sparingly branched, with
rather long, tail-like, erect or bending, densely
leafy branches. Young branches short- and
white-villous. Short-shoots on pubescent,
semiglobose tubercles. Leaflets linear-filiform,
(5 — )8 — 18 mm long and c. 0,5 mm thick, ±
incurved and weak (not very prickly), green,
glabrous (or with sparse hairs on the base), acu-
minate. Inflorescences unifloral, on lateral
short-shoots, distributed on often long parts (up
to 0,2 m or more) of the branch ends. Bract
subulate, 0,7 — 1 ,2(— 1 ,6) mm long, ciliate,
otherwise glabrous. Pedicel very short (less
than 0,5 mm). Bracteoles usually lacking,
when present then small, subulate, almost con-
cealed in the pubescence of calyx base. Calyx
tube campanuiate-cylindrical, 3,5-4 mm long,
often short-tomentose on base and on distal
half, sometimes quite glabrous; lobes shortly
deltoid to narrowly triangular, 0,5 — 1( — 1 ,2)
mm, acute, ± convex, glabrous or subglabrous.
Petals light yellow, wing and keel petals with
claws as long as blades. Standard blade broadly
ovate, 4,1— 5,3 x 5-6 mm, obtuse-retuse,
basally cordate-auriculate, tomentose on apical
third. Wing blades 3, 6-4, 5 x 1,4— 2,1 mm,
glabrous, with several rows of minute folds on
basal half. Keel blades lunate, 3, 2 -3, 9 x
1,6-2, 3 mm, glabrous, obtuse, with slightly
convex upper margin. Pistil long-hairy on up-
per part (most) of ovary and on style base;
ovules 2. Pod narrowly and obliquely ovate,
6, 8-8, 6 x 3—3,7 mm, densely sericeous or
woolly. Figure 132: 1-10.
Distributed between the western parts of the Bredas-
dorp Division and eastern part of the Riversdale Division,
growing on the southern lowlands either on limestone rocks
or, obviously, in sand or on sandstone rock (Potberg) or in
marine sand (more details are given by Dahlgren in Bot.
Notiser 121: 516; 1968). Map 1 12.
Vouchers: Bolus 6971', Burchell 6754', Dahlgren &
Peterson 128, 133', Dahlgren & Strid 2620, 2628, 2639,
2646, 3412, 3642, 4180, 4199a, 4202, 4536, 4582, 4586,
4616, 4619, 4631, 4683 , 4784' Muir 630', Nordenstam
1462, 1538, Pillans 9488.
Of the limestone forms, those in the Riversdale
Division are characterized by rather small pods with short,
appressed pubescence, those in the Bredasdorp Division by
slightly larger, woolly pods. Long-leaved forms (13-18
mm) with short-triangular calyx lobes, occur in the western
and central parts of the Bredasdorp Division. The species is
regionally very common.
The closest relationships of A. incurvifolia are not fully
understood.
258. Aspalathus alopecurus Burch, ex
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 628 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 122 (1862); Muir, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 13: 64 (1929); Fourcade, Mem.
bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 49 (1941); Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 64, 136 (1963); ibid.
10 (1): 195 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 514
(1968). Type: Cape, between Knysna River
Ford and Goukamma River, Knysna Division,
Burchell 5561 (K, lecto. !).
Achyronia alopecurus (Benth.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
An ascending to erect, rarely decumbent,
sparingly branched shrub 0,2— 0,7 m tall, with
ascending, little branched, densely leafy, tail-
like branches up to more than 10 mm thick at
base. Young branches densely white-woolly or
FIGURE 132. Aspalathus incurvifolia (1-11); A. alopecurus (12-31). — 1, 12: floriferous branches; 2, 16, 24:
flowers; 3, 14, 25: bracts; 4, 15: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 17: calyces; 6, 26: standard petals, front view; 7, 18, 27: standard
petals, side view; 8, 19, 28: wing petals; 9, 20, 29: keel petals; 10, 21, 30: pistils; 11, 22, 31: fruits; 13, 23: long-shoot
leaves from inflorescence region. — 1 — 10 from Bolus 6971 ; 11 from Botul 459 ; 12—21 from Dahlgren & Peterson 131,22
from Dahlgren & Peterson 167', 23 , 24, 26- 30 from Dahlgren & Peterson 153', 25 from Acocks 15404', 31 from Story
3099. — (1, 12 x2; all others x4).
3,6: 388
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 389
villous. Leaves of long-shoots with prominent
leaf base tubercles, leaf bases on distal parts of
branches often up to 3 mm long, pubescent, ±
woody, stalk-like. Leaflets linear, ± needle-
like, 5 — 15( — 18) mm long, 0, 2-0,4 mm thick,
terete, acuminate or spine-tipped, sometimes
straight, rigid and pungent, sometimes weak,
flexible and often slightly incurved, with
sparse, spreading hairs or glabrescent. Inflores-
cences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots (in axils
of sometimes stalked leaves), distributed in
considerable number along the branches. Flow-
ers rather small, not projecting from the dense
foliage surrounding them. Bract acicular or
subfiliform, rigid or weak, 0,2- 3, 5 x less than
0,2 mm, sparsely hairy. Pedicel lacking. Brac-
teoles up to 1,8 mm long, or lacking. Calyx
tube sericeous- villous; lobes linear or acicular,
weak or rigid, 3,7-6 mm long, c. 0,2 mm
thick, subterete, almost straight, acuminate,
green, glabrous or sparsely sericeous. Petals
yellow. Standard blade broadly ovate to circu-
lar, 4, 7-6, 2 x 5-6,5 mm, slightly lobed at
the base, rounded-obtuse at apex, densely
short- sericeous on the back. Wing blades 3,3—5
x 1, 3-2,1 mm, glabrous or with some pubes-
cence on lower parts; with 4 or 5 rows of
transverse minute folds on more than half of the
outside. Keel blades lunate, 3, 3-4, 8 x
1,9-2, 7 mm, obtuse, sericeous on apical third,
with upper margin slightly S-curved. Pistil
long-hairy on most parts of the ovary and style
base (glabrous below); ovules 2. Pod elliptic-
lanceolate, 7,5-10 x 2, 7 -3, 8 mm, short-
woolly on most parts, green until almost ripe.
Figure 132: 11—31.
Distributed on the southern lowlands in the Bredas-
dorp, Riversdale, Mossel Bay, George and Knysna Divi-
sions; growing mainly in marine sand. The different forms
of the species appear to have different ecological preferen-
ces (see below). The vegetation is coastal fynbos. Map 1 16.
Vouchers; Acocks 15404; Burchell 5561, 5650, 5690',
Compton 14726 ; Dahlgren & Peterson 131, 153, 167,
1335; Dahlgren & Strid 2642; Esterhuysen 19584;
Fourcade 150;Muir631; VanBreda499, 1103.
Forms with soft, weak leaves dominate in the species;
the forms with rigid, needle-like, prickly leaves are
restricted to the Mossel Bay Division and Albertinia region
(Aasvogelberg) in the Riversdale Division; the latter seem
to occur mainly on sandstone ridges, the soft-leaved forms
on marine sand in limestone regions.
A. alopecurus is probably allied to A. cliffortiifolia
(no. 260), A. incurvifolia (no. 257) and A. setacea (259),
resembling the last species, especially in pod shape and
pubescence.
259. Aspalathus setacea Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 216 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 497
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 628
(1848); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62
(1919); Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20:
50 (1941); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany Bathurst
57 (I960); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9
(1): 136 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 200 (1965). Type:
Cape, Van Stadens River Mountains,
Uitenhage Division, Ecklon <& Zeyher 1462
(S, lecto.!; K, L, M, P, PRE, SAM, W).
Achyronia setacea (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 (1891). Aspalathus setacea Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (a)
ecklonii Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 122 (1862).
Aspalathus corrudifolia Berg. var. (P) pubescens Eckl.
& Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216 (1836). Type: Cape, Addo [Adow],
Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1461 pro parte (S,
lecto.!; BOL,W).
A. rigescens E. Mey., Comm. 1: 52 (1836); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 622 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 19
(1862); Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 61 (1919);
Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50 (1941).
Trineuria rigescens (E. Mey.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 561
(1845). Type: Cape, Port Elizabeth, Drege (‘A. rigescens
a’) (S, lecto.!; BOL, K, L, P, PRE, W).
A. echinata E. Mey., Comm. 1: 51 (1836); Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 622 (1848). A. rigescens E. Mey.
var. (P) echinata (E. Mey.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 119 (1862);
Schonl., Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 61 (1919). Type:
Cape, Du Toit’s Kloof (incorrect statement), Drege
(S, lecto. !;K,P,W).
A. alopecuroides E. Mey., Comm. 1: 52 (1836); Benth.
in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 628 (1848; as synonym of
A. setacea). Type: Cape, Van Stadensberg, Uitenhage Divi-
sion, Drege (S, lecto.!; K, L, P, W).
? A. eriophylla Walp. in Linnaea 13: 499 (1839). Type:
Krebs (not seen; lost ?). Not identifiable with certainty.
? A. setacea Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (a) canescens Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 497 (1839). Said to be based on an Ecklon
collection (not specified). Type probably destroyed.
? A. setacea Eckl. & Zeyh. var. ( P) arachnoidea Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 497 (1839). ? A. arachnoidea (Walp.)
Maps 114—116. — Map 114. Aspalathus chortophila (unbroken line: more or less continuous distribution area;
triangles: scattered occurrences). — Map 115. A. setacea (unbroken line). — Map 1 16. A. alopecurus (triangles); A. inter-
media (squares); A. cliffortiifolia (rhomboids).
■.-Cp''
3,6: 390
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 391
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 628 (1848). Type not
traced.
A. gillii Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 627 (1848).
A. setacea Eckl. & Zeyh. var. (P) gillii (Benth.) Harv., FI.
Cap. 2: 122 (1862). Type: Cape, ‘Cafferland’, Gill
(K,holo .!).
‘ Aspalathus corrudifolia' auct. non Berg., in DC., Prodr.
2: 139 (1825); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 216 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 498 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 622 (1848; treated as a synonym of A. echinata).
An erect or ascending shrub usually
0,25 — 1( — 2) m tall, sparsely or densely
branched; young branches short- villous to
woolly or sericeous. Leaves dull green. Leaflets
spreading or ascending, linear, (2 — )3 — 15
(-18) mm long, 0,3 -0,5 mm thick, subterete,
straight or slightly incurved or recurved, rigid
or rather weak, (acute-) spine-tipped, glabrous
or short- to long-sericeous. Inflorescences
unifloral on lateral short-shoots, several to nu-
merous along leafy branch ends. Flowers rather
small. Bract linear or subulate-acicular,
0,5 -4,5 mm long, 0,1 -0,2 mm broad (thick),
sparsely sericeous, acuminate or cuspidate. Pe-
dicel 0,2- 1,5 mm long, villous. Bracteoles
lacking or present, rarely up to more than 3 mm
long. Calyx tube broadly globose-campanulate,
short-villous to velutinous, sometimes seri-
ceous; lobes narrowly triangular to linear,
(1 — )2 — 8,5 mm long, pointed (sharply acumi-
nate to spine-tipped), when short then flat and
subglabrous to puberulous, with ± distinct mid-
vein, when long then sericeous. Petals pale to
bright yellow, often turning brownish. Stand-
ard blade broadly elliptic-obovate, 6,5-10 x
5 — 8( — 9,5) mm, rounded to retuse, sericeous
or partly tomentose on the back, glabrous or ±
short-sericeous on apical-marginal parts of
front; apex with a straight tip or cusp 0,1-2
mm long. Wing blades 5-8 x 1,7— 2,5(— 3)
mm, tomentose or sericeous on the lower parts,
glabrous on most parts; with c. 4 rows of mi-
nute folds on the basal half. Keel blades lunate,
4,5-7 x 2,2-3,5(-4) mm, (tomentose or) se-
riceous on most parts except along upper mar-
gins: this from nearly straight to, and usually,
± S-curved. Pistil densely hairy on ovary and
style base; dvules 2. Pod convex-lanceolate,
7.5- 11 X 3-4,5 mm, greyish tomentose or
partly sericeous. Figure 133.
Distributed in the southern and eastern parts of the
Cape Province from the Knysna Division in the west,
through the Uniondale, Willowmore, Humansdorp, Uiten-
hage, Port Elizabeth, Albany, Alexandria, Peddie, East
London, Komgha, King William’s Town, Stutterheim,
Cathcart and Queenstown Divisions to, perhaps, the
Lusikisiki Division in the north-east. The species prefers
low altitudes, and seems to occur on variable kinds of sub-
strate, but often on sand. It may grow in fynbos or (in the
east) in mixed’scrub and grassland. Map 1 15.
The variation amplitude is very great and division into
two or more subspecies would seem desirable. However,
the variation is so gradual that this is difficult. The form
series are described below with vouchers for each.
(1) The shortest-leaved forms of the species occur in
the Humansdorp Division, where the shrubs are 0,3-0, 5 m
tall, the branchlets short-villous and the leaflets glabrous or
almost glabrous, spreading, 2-5 mm long, dull green,
apically often slightly recurved and acute to mucronate. The
calyx tube is short-villous and the lobes flat and triangular,
1— 4,5 mm long. The standard blade is 7, 5-9, 5 x 6-7,5
mm (its tip short), the wing blades 5-7 x 2-3 mm and the
keel blades 6— 7( — 8) X 3-4 mm. The pod is 7, 5-9,5 x
3.5— 4,3 mm.
Vouchers: Compton 23461, 24075; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1533, 1536, 1537 ; Fourcade 3641 pro parte,
6348; Nordenstam 2152 ; Schlechter 6046.
(2) Forms in the Humansdorp and Knysna Divisions
have longer (5-15 mm) leaflets which are ± incurved,
sparsely sericeous to glabrous, and acuminate-mucronate;
the calyx lobes are (2,5 — )4 — 7 mm long, and the petals are
slightly smaller than those in the previous form, and the
standard lacks or has a short (less than 0,5 mm) cusp.
Vouchers: Acocks 21124; Almborn 219; Compton
7155; Fourcade 1386, 4811; Keet 453; Schonland 3625;
Thode A801 .
(3) The Suurberg Mountain (Alexandria Division) and
Addo region (Uitenhage Division) are inhabited by forms
0,3-0, 8 m tall, sparingly branched with straight, rigid,
3-8 mm long, spine-tipped, grey-sericeous leaflets,
flowers with villous to woolly calyx tube and rather short,
2— 3,5 mm long, triangular calyx lobes; the petals are pale
or light yellow and of about the same size as those in the
previous forms.
Vouchers: Acocks 4963, 21250; Bolus 9121; Dahlgren
& Peterson 1547; Holland 25; Nordenstam 315, 342.
Figure 133. Aspalathus setacea, variation. — 1,9, 15, 20: floriferous branches; 2, 10, 16, 17, 21: flowers; 3, 11, 22:
bracts; 4: standard, side view; 5, 12: wing petals; 6, 13: keel petals; 7, 14: pistils; 8: fruit; 18: leaf; 19, 24: standard petals,
front view; 23: bracteole (prophyll). — 1-8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1540 (Uitenhage Distr.); 9-14 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1563 (Alexandria Distr.); 15, 16 from Mogg 4666 (Port Elizabeth Distr.); 17-19 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1569
(Albany Distr.); 20— 24 from Compton 24075 (Humansdorp Distr.). — (1,9, 15,20 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 392
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
(4) Forms generally treated as ‘ A . rigescens' because
of their rigid leaflets and calyx lobes occur in the regions
around Port Elizabeth (Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth, Albany
Divisions). They are shrubs up to 0,8 m high, with straight,
rigid, sharply spine-tipped leaflets 6-12 mm long, varying
from subglabrous to rather densely short-sericeous. The
flowers are medium-sized for the species, with flat, nar-
rowly triangular calyx lobes 2-6,5 mm long, standard
blade 6,5-8 x 5-6,2 mm, wing blades 5-6,3 x 1,8-2, 2
mm and keel blades 4, 3-5, 5 X 2,3-3 mm, the standard
generally has a pointed, subterete cusp 0,5- 1,8 mm long
and the pods are 9— 10 x c. 4 mm.
Vouchers: Burchell 3320; Galpin 6349; Long 496,
678; Martin 657; Mogg 4666; Zeyher 1111.
(5) In the Albany Division and part of the Uitenhage
Division the species is represented by some forms that may
be called ‘A. setacea, sensu stricto' . They are shrubs
0,3-0, 8 m tall with linear leaflets 6- 18 mm long, silvery
sericeous, with sharply spine-tipped apex; the flowers have
a densely velutinous-sericeous calyx with 3, 5 -8, 5 mm
long lobes. Their standard blade is 6, 5-8, 2 x 5-7,8 mm,
the wing blades 5-7 X 1,7-2, 3 mm and the keel blades
4,5— 5,5 mm. Their pubescence is partly tomentose and the
standard cusp 0,5- 1,5 mm long.
Vouchers: Bolus 10632; Britten 2644; Dahlgren &
Peterson, 1540, 1569, 1575, 1586, 1601;Ecklon & Zeyher
1462; Galpin 221, 3100; Glass, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr.
I604;MacOwan54, 111, 3074; Story 2703 .
(6) Similar forms continue up to the Queenstown and
Komgha Divisions, though not as far as Natal. Most of
them, in and around Albany, have silvery sericeous leaflets,
which vary from weak to rigid. The Queenstown Division
forms have glabrous, pungent, c. 12 mm long leaflets.
Vouchers: Acocks 10987, 20075; Comins 1620; Comp-
ton 19277; Dahlgren & Peterson 1563, 1603; MacOwan
3066; Sidey 3625; Sim 4028.
(7) A montane form series in the Humansdorp and
Willowmore Divisions, more inland and at higher altitudes
than the previous, are taller shrubs, up to 2 m high, with
larger flowers. The branches are villous to sericeous, the
leaflets 6-18 mm long, slightly incurved, spine-tipped, and
subglabrous to densely silvery sericeous (the sericeous
forms in the first three divisions mentioned, the glabrous
ones in the Uitenhage Division). The calyx lobes are 4-9
mm long and densely hairy. The standard blade is 7, 5-9, 5
x8-9,5 mm, the wing blades 6,5-8 x 2, 5-3, 5 mm and
the keel blades 6-7 x 3,5-4 mm. The pod is 8-9,5 x
3,2-4 mm.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 27155; Fourcade 5206; Fries,
Norlindh & Weimarck 1061; Long 1375; Taylor 399;
Zeyher 2368.
3,6: 393
A. setacea may be most closely related to A. cliffortii-
folia (no. 260) and A. alopecurus (no. 258).
260. Aspalathus cliffortiifolia Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 274, 136 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 194 (1965). Type: Cape,
Humewood, Port Elizabeth Division, Paterson
2170 (PRE, holo.!).
An ascending, rather sparingly branched
shrublet, c. 0,2-0, 5 (?) m tall, with densely
leafy branches (resembling cats’ tails). Young
branches densely short- villous. Leaflets linear,
needle-like, 3—7,5 mm long, 0,3-0, 4 mm
thick, terete, straight or slightly incurved or S-
curved (apex recurved), acuminate, glabrous,
green, not very rigid. Inflorescences unifloral,
distributed along up to 50 mm of the branch
ends. Bract subulate, 1, 2-2,1 x 0,2-0, 3 mm,
glabrous abaxially, puberulous adaxially.
Pedicel 0,5—1 mm long, tomentulose. Brac-
teoles 0,2— 0,7 x 0,1— 0,2 mm, triangular-su-
bulate. Calyx densely tomentulose; lobes
broadly subulate, 1,2—2 mm long, acuminate,
subterete, subglabrous, green or purplish. Pe-
tals rather small, yellow. Standard blade ellip-
tic, 5—5,5 x 3, 8-4, 2 mm, obtuse (without a
‘tip’), densely tomentulose on the back. Wing
blades 3,8-4 x c. 1,5 mm, pubescent along
the lower margin, with 3-4 rows of minute
folds on upper basal parts. Keel blades lunate,
3, 5-3, 7 x c. 2,1 mm, obtuse, tomentulose on
most parts except along the upper, ± straight
margin. Pistil densely pubescent on the ovary;
ovules 2; style glabrous. Ripe pods not seen.
Figure 134: 1—9.
Probably confined to the Port Elizabeth Division,
perhaps now extinct. Map 116.
Vouchers: Kemsley 130; Paterson 2170.
Probably closely related to A. alopecurus (no. 258),
but with much shorter calyx lobes, shorter calyx pubes-
cence, and differently shaped keel blade. Probably close
also to A. setacea (no. 259), but without apical standard
cusp and with subterete calyx lobes.
FIGURE 134. Aspalathus cliffortiifolia (1-9); A. intermedia (10-18); A. chortophila (19-27). — 1, 10, 19:
floriferous branches; 2, 11, 20: bracts; 3, 12, 21: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 13: flowers; 5, 14, 22: standard petals, front
view; 6: standard, side view; 7, 15, 23: wing petals; 8, 16, 24: keel petals; 9, 17, 25: pistils; 18, 27: fruits; 26: fruit with
calyx. — 1—9 from Kemsley 130; 10—18 from Barker 6956; 19—27 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1572 (Albany Distr.). —
(1, 10, 19 x2; all others x4.)
3,6: 394
Crotalarieae
mm
Wmm
Figure 135. Aspalathus chortophila (1-9); A. congesta (10-17). — 1, 10: floriferous branches; 2, 11: bracts; 3,
12: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: calyx; 5: base of standard, front view; 6, 14: wing petals; 7, 15: keel petals; 8, 16: pistils; 9,
17: fruits; 13: standard, front view. — 1-8 from Rogers 17232 (Pinetown Distr., Natal); 9 from Mogg 13507 ; 10-17 from
Taylor 1092 (Prince Albert Distr.). — (1, 10 x2; 2-9, 11-17 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6: 395
261. Aspalathus intermedia Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 211 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 500 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 626 (1848); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 136 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 191
(1965). Type: Cape, between ‘Krakakamma’
and Van Stadens River Mountains, Uitenhage
Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1437 (S, lecto. !; G,
K, L, M, P, PRE, SAM, W).
Paraspalathus intermedia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, Bot.
Bemerk. 560 (1845). A. frankenioides DC. var. ((B) inter-
media (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862).
A. hiatuum Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 212 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 500 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 626 (1848). A. frankenioides DC. var. (E) alpina Harv.,
FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862). Type: Cape, near Elands River,
Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1438 (S, lecto.!; M,
SAM, W).
A. poliotes Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 213 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 500 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 627 (1848); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany Bathurst 57
(1960). A. frankenioides DC. var. (6) poliotes (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862); Schonl., Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 1: 62 (1919). Type: Cape, Van Stadens River
Mountains, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1446
(S, lecto. !;M,P, SAM, W).
A. leptothriaEckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 213 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 500 (1839; as synonym of A. poliotes).
Type: Cape, between ‘Krakakamma’ and Van Stadens
River Mountains, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1447 pro parte (S, lecto.!; M, SAM, W).
An ascending, sparingly or moderately
branched shrublet, probably 0,35-0,6 m tall,
villous on the young branches. Leaflets linear,
1 ,2 — 3( — 5) mm long, (0,3-)0,4— 0,5 mm
thick, subterete, acute to subobtuse, straight or
slightly incurved, non-rigid, sombre green,
with sparse, ± spreading short hairs. Flowers
solitary or in pairs on each brachyblast; distri-
buted along 20 to more than 60 mm long dis-
tances of the branches below leafy branch tips.
Bract subfiliform or narrowly linear, 0,7 — 1,6
X 0,1—0,25 mm long. Pedicel 0, 6x1,2 mm
long, pubescent. Bracteoles 0,1 -0,6 x c. 0,1
mm. Calyx tube with very short, villous or to-
mentose pubescence; lobes subulate, 0,7— 2,3
mm long. Petals yellow. Standard blade
broadly obovate or circular, 5,6— 6,7 x
5,9— 7,2 mm, retuse or emarginate at apex,
densely sericeous (to tomentose) on the back,
glabrous (or rarely with few marginal hairs) on
the front. Wing blades 4, 2-5, 2 x 1,4- 1,8
mm, with some pubescence along lower mar-
gin; with c. 6 rows of lunulate folds covering
more than half of the outside. Keel blades
4,1—5 X 2, 1-2,5 mm, with nearly straight
upper margin, pubescent on most parts. Pod 7,8
x c. 3,2 mm, densely woolly on most parts.
Figure 134: 10—18.
Distributed in the Humansdorp, Uitenhage, Port
Elizabeth, Albany and East London Divisions, recorded
from plains or low mountain slopes, probably on sandy
ground, at low altitudes. Map 116.
Vouchers: Barker 6956 ; H . Bolus 1595; Compton
17816 ; Dix 168 ; Ecklon & Zeyher 1437, 1438, 1446, 1447;
Fourcade 3641; Long 118, 517;Zeyher 714, 2329.
In the population of the Uitenhage-Port Elizabeth
Divisions the calyx lobes are only c. 1,5 mm long; in a
collection from the Albany Division (Sidbury) and in forms
in the East London Division they are 2-2,5 mm long and
the leaflets are also longer.
This geographically rather restricted species with a
limited morphological variation was described as several
separate new species by Ecklon & Zeyher. In fact it agrees
in most respects with A. chortophila (no. 262) (syn.
A. hilaris ), although A. intermedia has considerably smaller
flowers and is thus technically easy to distinguish, but may
not merit species rank.
262. Aspalathus chortophila Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 211 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea
13: 500 (1839; as a synonym of A. intermedia)',
Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 626 (1848).
Type: Cape, grassy hills between ‘Bosjesmans’
and ‘Karrega’ Rivers, Albany Division, Ecklon
& Zeyher 1436 (S, lecto.!; SAM).
A. frankenioides DC. var. (a) chortophila (Eckl. &
Zeyh.) Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862). A. chortophila Eckl.
& Zeyh. subsp. chortophila, Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9(1): 136 (1963); ibid. 10(1): 182(1965).
A. hilaris Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 214 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 493 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot.
7: 626 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 120 (1862; as synonym of
A. laricifolia var. ((B) sericantha). Type: Cape, Van Stadens
River Mountains, Uitenhage Division, Ecklon & Zeyher
1451 (S, lecto. !; M, P, SAM).
A decumbent, ascending or erect shrub or
shrublet, 0,1— 0,6( — 1 ) m tall, sparingly to
rather densely branched with weak, leafy
branch ends. Young branches densely tomen-
tose to white-villous. Leaflets spreading, linear,
(1 — )1,5 — 6( — 8) mm long, 0,3-0, 5 mm thick,
subterete, almost straight or slightly incurved,
not rigid, acute or acuminate, green, glabrous
or with scattered spreading hairs. In-
florescences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots,
3,6: 396
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
distributed few or several along the branches
below leafy branch ends. Flowers medium-
sized. Bract, at pedicel base, linear-subulate,
only 0,2-2, 2 mm long and c. 0,1 mm broad,
pubescent. Pedicel 0,5 — 1 ,5( — 2) mm long, pu-
bescent. Bracteoles 0,1 — 0,8( — 1,3) mm long.
Calyx tube short- villous or short-tomentose;
lobes subulate, (1,2 — )1,5— 3,5(— 4,5) mm
long, straight or slightly recurved, subterete
from near the base, acute-acuminate, glabrous
at least on the apical parts. Petals bright yellow
or partly orange, red or purplish. Standard
blade broadly obtriangular-obovate-circular,
8 — 11( — 12) X 8,5— 11, 5(— 13) mm, emargi-
nate-obcordate, sometimes with a short apical
‘tip’, densely tomentose or sericeous on the
back, glabrous on the front or sometimes with
short appressed hairs on apical-marginal parts
of the front. Wing blades narrowly
(-6)6, 5-8, 5(— 9,5) x 2 — 3( — 3,5) mm, pu-
bescent on lower parts (only one-fifth or less).
Keel blades lunate, (6,5-)7-9(-9,5) x
3,2 — 4( — 4,5) mm, obtuse, with ± straight or
slightly convex upper margin; sericeous
(-tomentose) on most parts. Pistil tomentose on
ovary and style base; ovules 2. Pod obliquely
and narrowly triangular-ovate, 9—10,5 x
3,5-5 mm, densely villous to woolly. Figures
134: 19-27 & 135: 1-9.
An eastern species, distributed from the Uitenhage-
Port Elizabeth Divisions in the south-west through the
Albany Division and coastal Transkei and Natal up to
Mahlabatini and Lower Umfolozi Divisions in Zululand.
The species grows in sand and on sandstone ground in fyn-
bos or in grassland with more or less pronounced fynbos
elements. Map 1 14.
The species is variable and includes three more or less
characteristic ‘form series’.
(1) The south-western of these occurs mainly in the
Cape Province, in the Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth, Alexan-
dria, Albany, Bathurst and East London Divisions, but also
near Port Edward in the Port Shepstone Division of Natal. It
consists of decumbent to ascending shrubs 0,3— 0,6( — 1) m
tall with curved branches with relatively short,
( 1 — )1 ,5— 3(— 5) mm long, glabrous (rarely grey-hairy)
leaves. The flowers are generally few (1 — 8) per branch
end; bracts and bracteoles are small (0,2- 1 mm), the calyx
lobes short (1,2- 2,5 mm) and the petals bright orange-
yellow, often with reddish dots at the base of the standard
3,6: 397
blades which are ± recurved apically and obtriangular in
shape. The type belongs to this form series.
Vouchers: Acocks 11124, 12101; Comins 934, 961',
Dahlgren & Peterson 1571, 1572, 1576, 1582, 1587, 1641',
Fourcade 3668; Huntley 710; Long 120, 517, 530, 621;
Paterson 483; Zeyher2358.
(2) Other forms in the eastern divisions, mainly in the
Cape Province beyond Albany, in the East London, King
William’s Town, Stockenstroom, Stutterheim, Komgha,
Engcobo, Umtata, Port St Johns and Maclear Divisions, are
characterized by longer and narrower leaflets than those in
the previous form, by more numerous flowers distributed in
a more spike-like fashion along the erect or ascending
branch ends, and by longer calyx lobes. They have bright
yellow petals generally without the red shades found in the
preceding forms.
Vouchers: Acocks 20427; Barker 3475; Bolus 8848;
Flanagan 47; Galpin 1727, 6603, 7097; Sim 4027, 4036;
Tyson, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 854.
(3) In the coastal divisions of Natal and some of the
divisions of north-eastern coastal Cape, the forms become
even more pronouncedly erect, long- and narrow-leaved,
and the floral ‘pseudospikes’ even longer. The shrubs are
0,25-0,5 m tail, the main stem more regularly ramified,
and the branches erect, slender and often unbranched; the
leaflets are spreading, 3— 6(— 8) mm long and 0,3-0,4 mm
thick, and often bear sparse, spreading hairs. The flowers
may vary between 8 and 20 on each branch, the calyx lobes
are 2—4,5 mm long, and the petals are bright yellow and
rather large for the species. The pods are woolly and fairly
narrow.
Vouchers: Baur 585; Dahlgren & Peterson 1634;
Lawn 1791; M.-Wood 388, 390, 4749, 9682, 10190,
11965, 12518; Rudatis 560; Sidey 3195; Tyson 1641 .
These forms reach further to the north-east than any
other taxon of the genus Aspalathus.
A. chortophila is closely related to the smaller- flow-
ered A. intermedia (no. 261), with which it should perhaps
be united, and with A. kougaensis (no. 264), A. congesta
(no. 263) and, perhaps, also A. fourcadei (no. 265) and A.
cliffortiifolia (no. 260).
A greatly misunderstood species confused in the litera-
ture with A. laricifolia (no. 269), A. frankenioides (no.
246), A. setacea (no. 259) and other species.
263. Aspalathus congesta ( Dahlg .)
Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, Swartberg,
summit, ridges between Kliphuisvlei and
Plaatsberg, 1 500-1 650 m, Taylor 1092
(SAM, holo.!).
A. chortophila Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. congesta Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 274, 136 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
180(1965).
Maps 117-119. — Map 117. Aspalathus hystrix (unbroken line); A. lamarckiana (squares); A. laricifolia subsp.
canescens (broken line). — Map 118. A. kougaensis (encircled); A. congesta (squares). — Map 119. A. fourcadei (tri-
angles); A. spectabilis (squares); A. teres subsp. teres (dots); A. teres subsp. thodei (asterisks).
3,6: 398
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 399
A dense, low, decumbent to semiprostrate,
densely branched shrublet with horizontal
branches up to 0,3 m long or longer and with
ascending, short, densely leafy branchlets.
Young branches shortly villous. Leaves densely
set. Leaflets linear, 3—8 (often c. 5) mm long
and c. 0,5 mm thick, subterete, slightly in-
curved, acute-mucronulate (not pungent), pale
green, glabrous. Inflorescences unifloral, on la-
teral short-shoots. Flowers similar to those of
A. chortophila (no. 262). Bract subulate-
filiform, 1—3 mm long, pubescent. Pedicel
1—2 mm long, short-villous. Bracteoles fil-
iform-acicular, 0,6—2 mm long. Calyx villous;
lobes subulate, 2, 3-3, 2 mm long, with terete,
pointed, subglabrous apices. Petals yellow.
Standard blade broadly obovate, (6,5 — )7 — 10
X 7,5-10,5 mm, apically emarginate, with a
short ‘tip’; densely sericeous to tomentose on
the back, glabrous or with few hairs near the
apex on the front. Wing blades 5,4— 7,6 x
1 ,7-2,7 mm, pubescent on the lowermost part.
Keel blades lunate, 5, 5-7, 8 x 3-4 mm, with
rounded apex, short-sericeous except on margi-
nal parts; upper margin slightly convex. Pistil
woolly on the ovary; ovules 2; style glabrous.
Ripe pods not seen. Figure 135:10-17.
Restricted to the Swartberg Mountains (Ladismith-
Oudtshoom-Prince Albert Divisions), growing on the sum-
mits or higher slopes at altitudes of 1 250-1 750 m. Map
118.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen, Swartberg; Stokoe, SAM
61788; Taylor 1092; Thorne, SAM 50182.
The species was included in A. chortophila by Dahl-
gren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 130 (1963) and 10
(1): 181 (1965); this species is now divided into the three
species: A. chortophila (no. 262), A. kougaensis (no. 264)
and the alpine A. congesta which occurs far west of A.
chortophila. It probably comes closest to A. kougaensis and
may represent a high-mountain derivative of this, with gla-
brous foliage. It is quite distinct.
264. Aspalathus kougaensis ( Garab . ex
Dahlg.) Dahlg., stat. nov. Type: Cape, 11
miles west of Kareedouw on Uniondale Road,
Long Kloof, Humansdorp Division, Dahlgren
& Peterson 1503 (LD, holo.!). The name ‘A.
kougaensis S. Garab. ms.’ was used as a nomen
nudum by Fourcade, Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr.
20: 50(1941).
A. chortophila Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. kougaensis Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 274, 136, 137 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 173 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 514 (1968).
The present species has been greatly misunderstood in the
past and was treated as ‘A. eriophylla mihi’ by Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 499 (1839) and by Schltr. in Zahlbr. in Annin
naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 19 (1905); as ‘A. argyraea Cand.’ in
E. Mey., Comm. 1: 51 (1836), and as 'A. canescens L.’ by
Hutch., Botanist inS. Afr. 221 (1946).
An ascending-erect, rarely decumbent,
fairly branched shrub or shrublet, from low, c.
0,2 m to 2 (or even 4!) m tall; young branches
ascending or spreading, villous to lanate. Leaf-
lets linear, 2—12 mm long, subterete, rather
weak or rarely rigid, straight or more often in-
curved, covered with grey, short pubescence
(occasionally glabrescent). Inflorescences
unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, few to several
on each branchlet. Flowers medium-sized to
rather large. Bract linear-subulate, 0,8—3 mm
long, pubescent, acuminate. Pedicel 0,5— 2,5
(—3) mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
(0,5— )0, 8— 2,2 mm long. Calyx campanulate-
globose, usually white-villous; lobes triangular,
1,5— 3( — 3,5) mm long, with broad, pubescent
base and puberulous-glabrescent, tapering acu-
minate or acute or mucronulate apex. Petals
light (lemon-)yellow. Standard blade broadly
elliptic to circular, 7— 11(— 12) x (5,5-)
7 — 11 ,5( — 1 2,5) mm, rounded-retuse at apex
(without a ‘tip’), densely short- or long-pubes-
cent (sericeous to tomentose) on the back, and
frequently puberulous on the apical-marginal
parts of the front. Wing blades 5,5 — 8,7( — 9,5)
x 1,7— 3 ,5( — 4) mm, tomentose on the lower-
most parts. Keel blades lunate, 6— 8,5(— 9,5) x
3—4, 5( -5) mm, obtuse, pubescent (sericeous-
tomentose) on most parts; upper margin nearly
straight. Pistil densely pubescent on the ovary
and style base, and ciliate above on basal half of
the style; ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceolate,
Figure 136. Aspalathus kougaensis, variation. — 1, 10, 19: floriferous branches; 2, 11, 20: bracts; 3, 12, 21:
bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 22: calyces; 5, 14: standard petals, front view; 6, 15, 25: wing petals; 7, 16, 24: keel petals; 8, 17:
pistils; 9, 18, 26: fruits; 23: standard, apical parts of front. — 1-9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1503 (Humansdorp Distr. );
10-17 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1452 (Uniondale-Knysna Distr.); 18 from Fourcade 3380 (Uniondale-Knysna Distr.);
19-26 from Esterhuysen 6325 (Slypsteenberg, Uniondale Distr.). — (1, 10, 19 X2;all others X4.)
3,6: 400
Crotalarieae
FIGURE 137. Aspalathus teres subsp. teres (1-9); A. fourcadei (10-16). — 1, 10: floriferous branches; 2, 11:
bracts; 3, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: calyx; 5: standard, front and side views; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 15: keel petals; 8, 16:
pistils; 9: fruit; 14: wing petals, inside. — 1-9 from Story 261 8\ 10—16 from Fourcade 3057. — (1-10 x 2; 11-16 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:401
9,5-12 X 3, 5-4, 7 mm, woolly villous on
most parts but the base short-tomentose. Chro-
mosome number : 2 n = 18. Figure 136.
Distributed from the Mossel Bay and Ladismith Divi-
sions in the west through the Prince Albert, Oudtshoom,
George, Knysna, Willowmore, Uniondale and Humansdorp
Divisions as far as Assegaibosch and Clarkson in the east,
with some outliers in the George Division. A. kougaensis
occurs on sandy and rocky mountain slopes (mainly Table
Mountain Sandstone) at altitudes of 200 to 750 m, in fynbos
vegetation. Map 118.
Vouchers: Acocks 20783; Dahlgren & Peterson 1495,
1503, 1509; Dahlgren & Strid 4647; Esterhuysen 6325,
6679, 6944, 10612; Fourcade 1704 , 4140; Hutchinson
1306; Lewis 5400.
A very variable species. Erect, 0,7 — 2( — 4) m tall
shrubs (or trees) are common in the Long Kloof region. The
leaflets are 5-12 mm long, often sligthly incurved and
densely grey-pubescent (‘silvery’)- These forms have rather
large flowers, with broad calyx, a standard 8,5-12 x
9- 12,5 mm, puberulous on the marginal parts of the front
and also wing and keel petals are broad. Other forms,
centred in the Knysna, Oudtshoom and (western) Uniondale
Divisions with outliers in the Ladismith, Prince Albert,
George and Willowmore Divisions, consist of lower forms.
These are ascending or even decumbent, 0,2-0, 6 m tall,
with shorter leaflets, 2-5 mm long, smaller flowers with
narrower, often more short-villous calyx with apiculate
calyx lobe tips, and with smaller petals. The standard blade
is generally elliptic and 7—11 x 6,5-10 mm and is gener-
ally quite glabrous on the front. The wing blades are gener-
ally 5,5 — 8 X 1,8-3 mm and the keel blades 6-7,3 x
3-4,5 mm. Forms in the Slypsteenberg region (Uniondale-
Willowmore Divisions) are low shrubs with rather spread-
ing branches, short leaflets (2-3,5 mm long) and flowers
even smaller than the ones just mentioned.
A. kougaensis has previously been treated as a subspe-
cies of A. chortophila (no. 262), with which it is probably
very closely allied. The A. kougaensis complex is, how-
ever, so characteristic and geographically well separated
that specific distinction is justified.
265. Aspalathus fourcadei L. Bol. in
Ann. Bolus Herb. 4: 124 (1928); Fourcade,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 48 (1941); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 130 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 152 (1965). Type: Cape, north of
Zuur Anys Hills, west of De Jagers Farm (north
of Tsitsikamma Mountains), Humansdorp Divi-
sion, Fourcade 3057 (BOL, holo. !; K, SAM).
An erect, branched shrub of unknown size,
probably 1 -2 m tall, with the appearance of A.
hirta (no. 267). Young branches shortly tomen-
tose. Leaflets needle-like, 5-12 mm long,
straight, glabrous, spine-tipped. Inflorescences
unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, often some
together on the branch ends. Flowers rather
large. Bract minute, subulate-acicular, 1-2
mm long, spine-tipped, puberulous on inner
side. Pedicel 1,5 — 2,5 mm long, tomentose.
Bracteoles 0,5-1 mm long. Calyx globose,
wider than long, densely short-villous; lobes
extremely short (1-2,2 mm), consisting mainly
of a spinelet, 1 — 1,5 mm long. Petals yellow.
Standard blade obovate, 12-13,5 X 12,5-
13,5 mm, densely sericeous on the back, gla-
brous (or with sparse pubescence on the apical
marginal parts of) on the front except for a basal
tuft of hairs. Wing blades somewhat arched
(rounded-falcate), 10,5-11,5 mm long, 3-5
mm broad, pubescent on the lower parts of
basal half and on the upper basal part of the
outside (and on part of the distal half of the
inside). Keel rather rostrate, blades 9,2—10,5
x 4, 5-5, 7 mm, sericeous (-tomentose) on
most parts except the apex. Pistil with dense
sericeous pubescence only on the upper parts of
the ovary and on the style base; ovules 2. Pods
not seen. Figure 137: 10-16.
Known from the lower slopes, at c. 350 m altitude, on
the northern (Lang Kloof) side of the Tsitsikamma Moun-
tains and from Kouga Peak in the Humansdorp and Union-
dale Divisions. Map 1 19.
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 10766; Fourcade 3057.
Distinct by the rostrate sericeous keel, the short calyx
lobes and the spiny, A. hirta- like (no. 267) habit. Probably
most closely allied to A. teres (no. 266) and A. spectabilis
(no. 268).
266. Aspalathus teres Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 215 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 498
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 620
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 18 (1862); Schonl.,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 1: 61 (1919); Martin &
Noel, FI. Albany Bathurst 57 (1960); Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 130 (1963); ibid.
10 (1): 154 (1965). Type: Cape, behind the
Winterhoek Mountains, Uitenhage Division,
Ecklon <5 Zeyher 1460 pro parte (SAM,
lecto. !).
Achyronia teres (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1:
157 (1891).
An erect shrub or small tree, 1 — 3( — 4,5)
m tall with a trunk up to 20 mm diam. , and with
strong branches; young branches short-tomen-
tose. Leaflets needle-like, 7-16 mm long and
3,6: 402
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 403
c. 0,6 mm thick, straight, rigid, glabrous, ta-
pering into a sharp spinelet longer than 1 mm.
Inflorescences unifloral, scattered on the
branches, several to numerous on the adaxial
side. Pedicel (2— )3 ,5 — 4,5 mm long, rather
slender, tomentose. Bracteoles 3—6,5 mm
long. Calyx tube short, broadly campanulate, c.
3-4 mm long, sparsely or densely tomentose;
lobes sharply demarcated from the tube, needle-
like, 3-7,7 mm long, rigid, glabrous green,
ending in a sharp spine. Petals yellow, turning
brownish, with rather short claws. Standard
blade ovate-elliptic, (7,5 — )8,5 — 15,5( — 18,5)
x 7— 10, 5(— 13,5) mm, subacute, tomentose
on the back and sparsely so also on apical parts
of the front and on part of the claw. Wing blades
6,5 — 1 2,5( — 15) x 2,5— 4,5(— 5,3) mm, to-
mentose on the lower basal parts of the outside,
with numerous rows of minute folds on more
than half of the basal-central parts. Keel blades
lunate, 7— 13, 5(— 15,5) x 4— 6,5(— 7,2) mm
with slightly S-curved upper margin rounded at
the base, upcurved towards the slightly tapering
apex; lower-apical third tomentulose. Pistil to-
mentose on ovary and basal third of style;
ovules 3-6. Pod obliquely lanceolate, 14-18
x 3,5— 6,7 mm, rather turgid when ripe, 1—2-
seeded.
Distributed, with its smallest forms, from the eastern
parts of the Knysna Division in the west and with small-
flowered forms, through the Humansdorp Division, and
with larger-flowered forms, in the eastern parts of the
Uitenhage Division and in the Port Elizabeth, Alexandria
and Albany Divisions. The habitat is rocky mountain slopes
(probably Table Mountain sandstone) at moderate or rather
low altitudes, mostly below 700 m altitude, with vegetation
dominated by fynbos.
It is divided into two subspecies differing greatly in
size of flowers and fruits, in particular, but also in total size
and leaf length.
Standard blade less than 10 mm, wing blades less than
8 mm, and keel blades less than 8,5 mm long
266b. subsp. thodei
Standard blade more than 12 mm, wing blades more
than 9 mm, and keel blades more than 1 1 mm
long 266a. subsp. teres
The fact that the flowers of the two taxa are almost
completely alike, except in size, and that they are vicarious,
is the reason for the subspecies rank.
266a. subsp. teres.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1):
130(1963); ibid. 10(1): 155(1965).
A shrub or small tree 1-4,5 m tall. Bract
2,2—5 mm long; pedicel 2-4,5 mm long; brac-
teoles 3-6,5 mm long. Calyx lobes 3, 5-7, 7
mm long. Standard blade (12 — )13 — 15,5
(—18,5) x 7,5— 10, 5(— 13,5) mm; wing blades
9,5-12,5 (-15) x 3— 4,5(— 5,3) mm; keel
blades 11 — 13 ,5( — 15,5) x 5— 6,5( — 7,2) mm.
Pod 14—18 x 3, 5-6, 7 mm. Figure 137: 1-9.
Low mountain slopes in the Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth,
Alexandria (Olifants Kop Pass) and Albany Divisions.
Habitat see under the species. Map 1 19.
Vouchers: Acocks 21258 ; Bolus 9118; Burchell 4640;
Dyer 2224; Fries, Norlindh & Weimarck 1080; Long 597,
1252; Story 2150, 2711.
Also within this subspecies there is great variation in
floral size, the forms in the Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth
Divisions having longer bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes
and larger petals than the forms in the Albany Division,
where the species is fairly common near Grahamstown.
There is gradual transition between these regional races,
however.
266b. subsp. thodei Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 292, 130 (1963); ibid. 10
(1): 158 (1965). Type: Cape, Clarkson,
Humansdorp Division, Thode A797 (PRE,
holo. ! ; K, NH).
Small-sized, but otherwise with the typical
appearance of subsp. teres. Shrubs of unknown
size. Bract 2—4 mm long; bracteoles 3, 5-5, 3
mm long. Calyx lobes 4,3— 6,2 mm long.
Standard blade 7, 3-9, 8 x 6, 8-8, 3 mm; wing
blades 6,4— 7,6 x 2,4-3 mm; keel blades
7—8,3 x 3,8— 4,5 mm. Pod 14—17 x 5-5,5
mm.
Probably restricted to the eastern parts of the Knysna
Division and to the Humansdorp Division. Map 119.
Vouchers: Britten 1227; Fourcade 3220, 3705; Galpin
3931; Thode A797.
Figure 138. Aspalathus hirta subsp. hirta (1-13); A. spectabilis (14 — 21). — 1, 14: floriferous branches; 2, 9, 15:
bracts; 3, 10, 16: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: standard, front view; 5, 11, 18: wing petals; 6, 12, 19: keel petals; 7, 13, 20:
pistils; 17: base of standard, back view; 21: fruit. — 1—7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 934 (Clanwilliam Distr. ); 8 — 13 from
Dahlgren & Peterson 1388 (George Distr.); 14—21 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1438 (cultivated from seed; coll. Riversdale
Distr.). — (1, 8, 14, 21 x2; all others x4.)
3,6:404
Crotalarieae
Figure 139. Aspalathus hirta subsp. hirta (1-8); A. hirta subsp. stellaris (9-16). — 1, 9: floriferous branches; 2,
11: bracts; 3, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: calyx; 5: standard, front view; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 14: keel petals; 8, 15: pistils;
10: flower; 16: fruit. — 1-8 from Maguire 2619 (Potberg, Bredasdorp Distr . ); 9-16 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1444
(Knysna Distr.). — (1, 9 x2; 2-8, 10- 16 x4.)
267. Aspalathus hirta E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 156 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 215
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 504 (1839);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 1 18 (1862); Muir, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 13: 61 ff. (1929); Fourcade,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 20: 50 (1941); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 130 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 140 (1965). Type: Cape, near
Genadendal, Caledon Division, Ecklon (S,
lecto. !).
Achyroma hirta (E. Mey.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891). This species was incorrectly treated under the name
'Aspalathus vulnerans Thunb.’ by E. Mey., Comm. 1: 47
(1836); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 215 (1836); Walp. in
Linnaea 13: 492 (1839), and Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7:621 (1848).
An erect, branched shrub 0,8-2 m tall
with short-tomentose to villous branches with
semiglobose, pubescent short-shoot tubercles.
Leaflets needle-like, 5 — 12( — 15) mm long,
straight, terete or slightly angular, rigid, green,
glabrous (or almost so), ending in an apical,
sharp spinelet often longer than 1 mm. Inflores-
cences unifloral, on lateral short-shoots, or soli-
tary or in pairs on very short lateral branchlets,
often several to numerous on each branch.
Bract subulate or acicular, 0,7-4, 5 mm long.
Calyx tube short, campanulate, 3—4 mm long,
short-tomentose (or smoothly puberulous)
to short-villous; lobes triangular-subulate,
1 ,7 — 5( — 7) mm long, narrowing abruptly into a
sharp spinelet (subsp. hirta) or linear-subulate
with a distinct vein (subsp. stellaris). Petals
bright yellow. Standard blade circular or ob-
ovate, 9-13,5 x 9-13 mm, short-sericeous or
tomentose on the back, glabrous or marginally
puberulous on the front. Wing petals narrowly
elliptic-oblong, 7-11 x 2,5—4 mm, glabrous.
Crotalarieae
3,6: 405
Keel blades lunate, 7- 1 1 X 3-4 mm, obtuse,
glabrous (rarely partly pubescent); upper mar-
gin slightly concave. Pistil with tomentose
ovary and style base; ovules 2 (rarely 3 or 4).
Pod broadly lanceolate, 11-13,5 x 4-5,2
mm, densely woolly or (subsp. stellaris ) seri-
ceous.
Distributed over a wide area from the Vanrhynsdorp
Division in the north-west through the Worcester-Paarl
Divisions to the Riviersonderend Mountains (Caledon Divi-
sion) and eastwards, mainly south of the Little Karoo, to the
Kamanassie Mountains and Kouga Valley (Uniondale Divi-
sion) in the east.
The species is highly variable; a regionally limited
population has been treated as a separate subspecies, subsp.
stellaris.
Calyx lobes less than 4 mm long, tapering into a
narrow spine; calyx and pod tomentose to villous
267a. subsp. hirta
Calyx lobes more than 4 mm long, linear-subulate,
with a distinct midvein; calyx smoothly pu-
berulous; pod sericeous 267b. subsp. stellaris
A. hirta and A. hystrix (no. 270) are more or less
vicarious, and obviously closely allied, the latter always
with grey-pubescent leaves. Similar to A. hirta are also A.
spectabilis (no. 268) and A. fourcadei (no. 265), both of
which may comprise distinct ± local derivatives from the
widely distributed A . hirta.
267a. subsp. hirta.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10 (1):
142(1965).
Synonyms as for the species, above.
Description similar to that given above,
but calyx tomentose to short-villous, not pu-
berulous, with lobes tapering rather abruptly
into a sharp spine. Pods villous or tomentose,
not sericeous. Figures 138: 1 — 13 & 139: 1-8.
Distribution as described above. The subspecies grows
at moderate altitudes, usually below 500 m, on sandy
ground (Table Mountain Sandstone) in fynbos vegetation,
but certain forms occur on more clayey ground and may be
associated with renosterbos. Map 120.
Vouchers: Acocks 17289; Bolus 7599; Dahlgren &
Peterson 103, 224. 276. 887. 934. 1116. 1470, 1818; Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1458; Schlechter 5842.
A variable taxon. Forms with rather long, slender leaf-
lets and tomentose calyx with calyx lobe spines up to 3 mm
long occur in the Calvinia, Vanrhynsdorp and Clanwilliam
Divisions. The petals in these forms are relatively large.
Shorter leaflets and smaller petals characterize forms from
the Hex River Valley to the Langeberg Mountains; in these
the calyx lobes are also shorter. Both large-flowered and
small-flowered forms occur in the Outeniqua Mountains, in
the Mossel Bay and George Divisions. In the south-western
parts of the distribution area, e.g. on the Potberg (Bredas-
dorp Division) and in the Caledon Division, the stems and
calyx lobes are often woolly and the leaflets rather thick.
267b. subsp. stellaris Dahlg. in Op. bot.
Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280, 130 (1963); ibid. 10
(1); 146 (1965). Type: Cape, near Kruisvalley,
south of Prince Alfred’s Pass, Knysna Division,
Dahlgren & Peterson 1444 (LD, holo.!).
Shrubs 0,9- 1,5 m tall with short tomen-
tose branches. Leaflets rather slender and
straight, with sharp narrow spinelet. Flowers
solitary or in pairs on short-shoots or on tips of
short branchlets. Bract 3-4,5 mm and brac-
teoles 2-4 mm long. Calyx smoothly puberu-
lous, with linear, gradually tapering, 4 — 6( — 7)
mm long, subglabrous lobes with a distinct
midvein. Petals rather small; standard blade
9—11 x 9,5- 12 mm, wing blades, 7, 5-8, 7 x
3,3-4 mm and keel blades, 7, 5-8, 5 x
3, 8-4, 5 mm. Standard back short-sericeous.
Pod 11,5-13 x 4-4,8 mm, grey-sericeous.
Figure 139: 9-16.
Restricted to the northern part of the Knysna Division
and southern part of the Uniondale Division; growing in
rocky places with fynbos vegetation at an altitude of
250-700 m. Map 120.
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 217, 218, 1444;
Dahlgren & Strid3000, 3004, 4855; Fourcade 3491, 3788,
6362; Gray, BOL 26034.
268. Aspalathus spectabilis Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9(1): 290, 130(1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 148 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121:
514 (1968). Type: Cape, Karoo, north of Gar-
cia’s Pass, Riversdale Division, Marloth 12591
(PRE, holo.!).
An erect shrub, 0,6—2 m tall or more,
greatly resembling A. hirta (no. 267), but larger
in most respects. Leaflets needle-like, 5-18
mm long, straight, glabrous, either rather long
and slender (Langeberg forms) or shorter and
relatively thick (Aasvogelberg forms). Bract
lanceolate-subulate, 2, 5-4, 5 mm long, pubes-
cent on lower half, the apical half comprising a
spinelet. Pedicel 2-3 mm long, white-woolly.
Bracteoles 3-5,5 mm long. Calyx tube glo-
bose, villous or short-woolly; lobes only 2—3
mm long, consisting for the most part of a c.
3,6: 406
Crotalarieae
Map 120. — Aspalathus hirta subsp. hirta (squares); A. hirta subsp. stellaris (triangles).
1-5 mm long spinelet. Petals bright yellow.
Standard blade obovate, 15,5 — 19 x 14-18,5
mm, densely sericeous or almost woolly on the
back, glabrous on the front (except a basal hair
tuft). Wing blades glabrous, 13-17 x 4,2-6
mm. Keel blades lunate, 13-16 x 5, 2-7, 2
mm, obtuse, glabrous; upper margin slightly
concave. Pistil densely woolly on the ovary,
glabrous on the style; ovules 3-5. Pod broadly
lanceolate, 17—19 x 8—9 mm, grey-woolly.
Figure 138: 14-21.
Restricted in its distribution to the Aasvogelberg
Mountain, Riversdale Division, and to the Langeberg
Mountains, Riversdale to Mossel Bay or Swellendam Divi-
sions. A. spectabilis in both regions grows at an altitude of
150-300 m on sand or sandstone ground. Map 1 19.
Vouchers: Aasvogelberg: Dahlgren & Peterson 1438 ;
Muir 629. Langeberge: Burchell 6974; Dahlgren & Strid
2295 , 2662, 4908; Marloth 12591; Muir 960, 1229; Zeyher
2369.
The Langeberg forms have 10-18 mm long, rather
slender leaflets, and the pubescence on branches and calyx
is not as short and dense as that of the Aasvogelberg forms,
which have leaflets only 5-10 mm long.
A. spectabilis in, for example, Garcia’s Pass,
Riversdale Division, grows together with the much smaller-
flowered A. hirta (no. 267), the two species being quite
distinct here. A. spectabilis (the Aasvogelberg form) is
autogamous in spite of its large flowers.
269. Aspalathus laricifolia Berg., Descr.
PI. Cap. 204 (1767) non Aspalathus laricifolia
Lam., Encycl. 1: 287 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2:
128 (1800); Diss. bot. Aspalathus 2: 22 (1802);
Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 961 (1802); Thunb., FI. Cap.
edn 2: 577 (1823); E. Mey. in Linnaea 7: 158
(1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 214 (1836);
E. Mey., Comm. 1: 49 (1836); Walp. in Lin-
naea 13: 491 (1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond.
J. Bot. 7: 624 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 120
(1862); Schltr. in Bot. Jb. 27: 144 (1899); H.
Bol. & Wolley-Dod in Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc.
14: 253 (1903); Marloth, FI. S. Afr. 2: 77
(1925); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
Crotalarieae
3,6: 407
136 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 161 (1965). Type: ‘As-
palathus mihi laricifolia, e Cap. b. sp., Grubb’
in Bergius’ herbarium (SBT, holo.!). [The
name has been used to a great extent also for
forms of A. chortophila (no. 262).]
Achyronia laricifolia (Berg.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157
(1891).
Aspalathus canescens L., Mant. 226 (1771); Lam., En-
cycl. 1: 290 (1783); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
bot. Aspalathus 1: 12 (1802); Willd. , Sp. PI. 3:962(1802);
Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 583 (1823); DC.. Prodr. 2: 141
(1825); Steud. in Flora 13: 554 (1930); E. Mey. in Linnaea
7: 161 (1832); Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 213 (1836); E.
Mey., Comm. 1: 52 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 498
(1893); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 625 (1848);
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862); H. Bol. & Wolley-Dod in
Trans. S. Afr. phil. Soc. 14: 253 (1903); Muir, Mem. bot.
Surv. S. Afr. 13: 61 (1929); Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape
Penins. 48 1 ( 1950; as synonym of A. laricifolia). Achyronia
canescens (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157 (1891). Type:
'Aspalathus canescens' , Tulbagh 41 = Aspalathus specimen
no. 40 in LINN (lecto. !). The name A. canescens has been
used incorrectly for forms of A. kougaensis, A. bowieana,
A. joubertiana and other species in the literature. It corre-
sponds to A. laricifolia subsp. canescens below.
Aspalathus laricina DC., Prodr. 2: 141 (1825); E. Mey.
in Linnaea 7: 158 (1832; as synonym of A. laricifolia).
Type: ‘Aspalathus laricifolia. e Cap. b. spei, Masson’ in
Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS, lecto.!). [De Candolle was
unaware of the discrepancy between A. laricifolia Berg, and
Lam.] Synonym of subsp. laricifolia.
Aspalathus neanthes Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 213
(1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 498 (1839; as synonym of A.
canescens). Aspalathus canescens L. var. ((3) sericophylla
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862). Type: Cape, near
‘Duyvelsbosch’ and Puspasvalley, Caledon Division, Eck-
lon & Zeyher 1449 (S, lecto.!; G, L, M, P, PRE, SAM,
W). Synonym of subsp. canescens.
Aspalathus sericantha E. Mey., Comm. 1: 49 (1836).
Aspalathus laricifolia Berg. var. ((3) sericantha (E. Mey.)
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 120 (1862). Type: 'Omsamculo' (Natal)
Drege (undoubtedly erroneous!) (S, lecto.!; K, L, P, W).
Synonym of subsp. laricifolia.
Aspalathus canescens L. var. (a) elongata E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 53 (1836). Type: specimen no. 13221 in Willde-
now’s herbarium (B, holo.!). Synonym of subsp. canes-
cens.
Aspalathus canescens L. var. (P) pauciflora E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 53 (1836). Type: Cape, Table Mountain, Cape
Peninsula, Drege (S, lecto.!; G, L, P, PRE, W). Synonym
of subsp. canescens.
Aspalathus canescens L. var. (y) subvirescens E. Mey.,
Comm. 1: 53 (1836). Type: Cape, Paarlberg, Paarl Divi-
sion, Drege (S, lecto.!; G, K, P, W). Synonym of subsp.
laricifolia.
A procumbent (rarely prostrate) or decum-
bent to ascending shrublet or low shrub, from
less than 0,1 to c. 0,5 m tall, rather sparingly or
occasionally densely branched. Young branch-
es densely villous and ± densely leafy. Leaflets
linear, 3 — 7( — 12) mm long and 0,3— 0,7 mm
broad (thick), subterete, acute to acuminate,
often slightly incurved, non-rigid, from green
and glabrous or subglabrous (subsp. laricifolia)
to densely silvery pubescent (subsp. canes-
cens). Inflorescences unifloral on lateral short-
shoots, along up to 0,15 m distances of the
branch ends. Flowers medium-sized. Bract lin-
ear to subfiliform, (1 — )1 ,5—3,2 x 0,15 —
0,3 mm, weak, sparsely or very densely pubes-
cent. Pedicel 0,5 — 1,5 mm long, densely pu-
bescent. Bracteoles (0,2 — )0,5 — 2( — 3) X
0,1— 0,2 mm. Calyx densely villous or (subsp.
canescens) sericeous-velutinous; lobes nar-
rowly triangular, 1 ,2 — 2,6( — 3) mm long, pu-
bescent (-subglabrous), weak, acuminate or
with short apical mucro. Petals light or bright
yellow. Standard blades (6,7 — )8 — 1 1 ,5(12,5)
x (7 — )8 — 12( — 13) mm, obtuse to retuse,
densely sericeous or tomentose on the back,
glabrous on the front. Wing blades (5 — )6— 9,5
(-10,5) x (1,6— )2— 3,5(— 4) mm, glabrous.
Keel blades lunate, (5,5 — )6,3 — 8,5 x 3-4,8
mm, glabrous, with straight or slightly concave
(or convex) upper margin, slightly rostrate in
some of the eastern silvery hairy forms. Pistil
with long, dense pubescence on the ovary;
ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceolate, (7-)
9,5 — 14( — 17) x (3-)4,5-6,3 mm, very
densely woolly.
Distributed in the south-western divisions of the Cape
Province: the Cape Peninsula and the Somerset West, Stel-
lenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Tulbagh (?), Caledon, Bredas-
dorp, Robertson, Swellendam, Riversdale, Mossel Bay
and, perhaps, George Divisions. At least the majority of
forms occur on sandy substrates of Table Mountain
Sandstone mountains and hills. There is some doubt about
the eastern, small-flowered populations here referred to
subsp. laricifolia. These may grow on clay or limestone,
and in fact could be treated as a separate taxon (species or
subspecies), but studies are needed to establish this [see
Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10 (1): 164—166
(1965)].
The species is here divided into two subspecies which
are largely allopatric, one with glabrous or subglabrous
foliage, the other with dense, grey-pubescent foliage. The
type of pubescence on stem, calyx, petals, etc. is also dif-
ferent. The two subspecies approach each other on the Cape
Peninsula, where there are various intermediates, but
eastwards (in the Bredasdorp-Riversdale Divisions) they
3,6: 408
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6:409
become increasingly different; the silvery pubescent forms,
which are large-flowered and provided with a more rostrate
keel, are concentrated on the higher mountain ranges; the
green-leaved forms, which are smaller-flowered, are found
in the lowlands.
Leaves green, glabrous or sparsely pubescent
269a. subsp. laricifolia
Leaves densely silvery pubescent . . 269b. subsp. canescens
269a. subsp. laricifolia.
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1):
136 (1963); ibid. 10(1): 161 (1965).
Synonyms, see under the species above.
A decumbent to ascending, more rarely
procumbent or prostrate shrublet, from less than
0,1 to c. 0,5 m tall; young branches villous.
Leaflets (2,5 — )4 — 9( — 12) mm long, 0,3-0, 6
mm thick, green, glabrous or with scattered pa-
tent hairs. Bract (0,5 — )1 ,5—3 mm long, nar-
row, adaxially sparsely pubescent. Bracteoles
(0,5 — )1 — 2,5( — 3) mm long. Calyx villous;
lobes 1,2-3 mm long, villous but apically
usually with a glabrous point (mucro). Petals
bright yellow, sometimes in late stages with red
shades. Standard blade (7 — )8 — 1 1,5( — 12,5) x
(7 — )8 — 1 2( — 13) mm; wing petals (5 — )6,5 —
9,5(— 10,5) X (1,6 — )2 — 3,5( — 4) mm, and keel
blades (5,5 — )6,3— 8,5 x 3 — 4,8 mm, keel al-
ways lunate and obtuse. Pod (7— )9,5 — 14
(-17) x (3-)4,5— 6,3 mm, woolly-villous.
Figure 140: 14-29.
Distribution including the northern parts of the Cape
Peninsula (Muizenberg-Constantiaberg -Table Mountain)
and the mountains from Gordon’s Bay (Somerset West Di-
vision) to near Tulbagh, but not reaching beyond the Breede
River Valley, then, with more scattered occurrences contin-
uing through the Caledon and Bredasdorp Divisions east-
wards at least to the Mossel Bay, perhaps the George Divi-
sion, the eastern forms being ecologically unusual, growing
on limestone or clay substrate, whereas the large-flowered
forms grow on sand. Map 122.
Vouchers: Bolus 7983', Dahlgren & Peterson 472,
686, 727, 798, 1251, 1758; Esterhuysen 11876; Galpin
12268; Parker 4285; Salter 9809; Schlechter 9203.
The eastern forms of the species are often procumbent
or even prostrate and have densely white-villous branches,
small, glabrous leaflets and small flowers. The standard
blades are 7-9,5 mm long and about equally broad, the
wing blades 5-7,5 mm long and the keel blades 5,7-7 mm
long. The pods are also small: 7-8,5 X 3-3,5 mm. Super-
ficially these forms resemble A. calcarea (no. 248). These
forms deserve further study.
Vouchers of small-flowered, eastern forms: Burchell
6321; Dahlgren & Peterson 236, 1321, 1325, 1336; Lewis
3937b ; Muir 1381 ; Nordenstam 1397.
Transitional forms between subsp. laricifolia and
subsp. canescens occur in the northern parts of the Cape
Peninsula. They are decumbent to ascending shrublets with
grey-hairy to (sometimes) glabrescent leaves with some-
what thicker leaflets than usual for subsp. laricifolia. The
fact that floral size and petal shape is similar, on the Penin-
sula, in the two subspecies makes the transition rather
fluent, and in Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Penins. (1950)
Salter claims that A. canescens ‘can scarcely be considered
a variety’. The picture is very different outside the Penin-
sula, however.
Transitional between the subspecies are, to a variable
degree, for example: Acocks 888, 2063, 5376; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1745; Ecklon 82b; Ecklon & Zeyher 1453.
269b. subsp. canescens (L.) Dahlg. in Op.
bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10 (1): 167 (1965). Based
on Aspalathus canescens L., Mant. 226 (1771).
Type, synonyms, etc., see under A. laricifolia,
above.
A decumbent or ascending (-suberect)
shrublet or low shrub, c. 0,15 to 0,4 m tall.
Young branches densely white villous to veluti-
nous. Leaflets (3 — )4 — 7( — 8,5) mm long and
0,5 -0,7 mm thick, weak, densely covered with
short, half-appressed, silvery grey pubescence.
Bract 1,3—3, 2 mm long, densely pubescent.
Bracteoles 0,5— 2,7 mm long. Calyx densely
villous, sericeous or velutinous; lobes 1,5-3
mm long, acuminate to acute, ± sericeous. Pe-
tals bright yellow or partly red. Standard blade,
8,2—12,2 x 8,6-11,7 mm; wing blades
6,5— 9,5(— 10,2) x (2,1 — )2,5 — 3,5( — 4) mm;
and keel blades 6—8,5 x 3,2— 4,8 mm; the keel
in the eastern forms somewhat more beak-like,
but in the western forms lunate-obtuse as in
Figure 140. Aspalathus laricifolia subsp. canescens (1-13); A. laricifolia subsp. laricifolia (14-29). — 1, 7, 14,
22: floriferous branches; 2, 9, 15, 23: bracts; 3, 10, 16, 24: bracteoles (prophylls); 4, 11, 18. 26: wing petals; 5, 12, 19, 27:
keel petals; 6, 21, 29: fruits; 8, 25: flowers; 13, 20, 28: pistils. — 1—5 from Dahlgren & Peterson 644; 6 from Dahlgren &
Peterson 1222 (Cape Peninsula); 7—13 from Compton 11896 (Robertson Distr.); 14-20 from Dahlgren & Peterson 691
(Cape Peninsula); 21 from Wall, French Hoek Pass (Paarl Distr.) (year: 1932); 22-29 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1336
(Riversdale Distr.). — (1, 7, 14, 22 x2; all others x4.)
3,6:410
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6:411
subsp. laricifolia. Pod 9,5-13 x 4, 5-6, 3
mm. Figure 140: 1-13.
Distributed over the whole of the Cape Peninsula and
then eastwards in the mountainous parts of the Caledon
Division and the Langeberg Range in the Robertson, Swel-
lendam and Riversdale Divisions. The habitat is stony or
sandy (Table Mountain Sandstone) mountain slopes at
rather low altitudes (lower than 1 000 m) with fynbos vege-
tation. Map 117.
Vouchers: Acocks 15441; Barker 321 1; Bolus 2767;
Compton 11872, 11896, 15433, Dahlgren & Peterson 608,
644, 821, 1222; Leipoldt 3182; Muir 1446; Salter 7839;
Schlechter 5675; Strey 2954; Wolley-Dod 3353; Zeyher
2328.
The Cape Peninsula forms are rather low, often de-
cumbent, whereas those in the Caledon Division are more
ascending and up to at least 0,4 m tall. The petals of these
forms are slightly larger than those in the Cape Peninsula
population, but floral size decreases somewhat further to-
wards the east, and the keel in these forms becomes more
upcurved and rostrate.
A. laricifolia is perhaps most closely related to A.
bowieana (no. 272), A. hystrix (no. 270), A. hirta (no. 267)
and A. joubertiana (no. 275), all with glabrous keel, but
also with A. kougaensis (no. 264), A. congesta (no. 263)
and A. chortophila (no. 262), the last two of which it resem-
bles most in habit.
270. Aspalathus hystrix L./., Suppl. 322
(1781); Thunb., Prodr. 2: 126 (1800); Diss.
Bot. Aspalathus 1: 12 (1802); Willd., Sp. PI. 3:
955 (1803); Thunb., FI. Cap. edn 2: 577
(1823); E. Mey., Comm. 1: 51 (1836); Walp.
in Linnaea 13: 499 (1839); Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 621 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2:
118 (1862); Compton in Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr.
19: 292 (1931); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9 (1): 130 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 134
(1965); in Bot. Notiser 121: 514 (1968). Type:
‘A. hystrix’ in Thunberg’s herbarium (UPS,
lecto. !). Comments on the choice are given by
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 10 (1): 134
(1965).
The name A. hystrix has been applied to A. lamarck-
iana in Lam., Encycl. 1: 287 (1783); in DC., Prodr. 2: 139
(1825) to A. pinea; and in Eckl. & Zeyh., Enum. 2: 219
(1836) to A. willdenowiana.
Streptosema hystrix (L. f.) Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 128
(1845) [probably used for A. willdenowiana]. Achyronia
hystrix{L. f.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 1: 157(1891).
An erect, rather much branched shrub
1 — 2( — 3) m tall; young branches densely
tomentose or short-woolly, with spreading leaf-
lets. Leaflets needle-like, 5—18 mm long and
0,4-0, 7 mm thick, subterete, straight or
slightly in- or recurved, rigid, ending as a
sharp, narrow, brown spinelet up to about 1 mm
long. Inflorescences unifloral, often concen-
trated, few together, on the branch ends. Bract
linear-subulate, ( 1 ,5 — )2,5 — 5 mm long, white-
pubescent, spine-tipped. Pedicel 0,5—2 mm
long, tomentose. Bracteoles 2—5 mm long.
Calyx campanulate, densely white-tomentose;
lobes narrowly triangular, 3-7 mm long, taper-
ing into a sharp, brown spine. Petals light
yellow. Standard blade circular, 9-13,5 x
10-13 mm, densely tomentose on the back,
puberulous on the marginal-apical parts of the
front; with a short tip. Wing blades narrowly
and obliquely obovate-elliptic, 7-10 x 3-4,2
mm, glabrous or with some pubescence on
apical parts. Keel blades lunate, 7,5— 9,5( — 11)
X 4,2-5,2(-5,5) mm, obtuse, glabrous, with
upper margin ± straight or slightly S-curved.
Pistil densely tomentose on ovary and basal
one-fifth of style; ovules 2(-4). Pod obliquely
lanceolate, (10— )1 1 — 15(— 17) x (3,2-) 3,5-
5 mm, woolly or partly tomentose. Figure 141:
1-8.
Distributed in the mountains north and south of the
Little Karoo and their eastern continuations from the
Laingsburg Division in the west through the Ladismith,
Prince Albert, Oudtshoorn and George Divisions to the
Uniondale and Willowmore Divisions in the east; the main
distribution being centred in the Witteberg-Swartberg
Mountains. The species grows on sandy substrate and in
fynbos vegetation, but in certain regions, e.g. near Ladi-
smith, in more clayey soil and then in a mixed fynbos-
renosterbos community. Map 117.
Vouchers: Bolus 11473; L. Bolus, BOL 13873; Comp-
ton 21131; Dahlgren & Peterson 30, 73, 85, 91, 97, 203,
1360, 1365, 1384, 1469; Esterhuysen 6272; Marloth 2476
11628.
There is variation in floral size, rigidness and sharp-
ness of leaves, and pubescence. Sharp- leaved forms with
relatively small flowers and a more ‘silky’ type of pubes-
cence occur in the Seven Weeks Poort region (Ladismith
Division).
Maps 121-123.— Map 121. Aspalathus joubertiana (asterisks); A. shawii subsp. shawii (line); A. shawii subsp.
longispica (squares); A. shawii subsp. glabripetala (rhomboids). — Map 122. A. laricifolia subsp. laricifolia (line). —
Map 123. A. verbasciformis (asterisks); A. acanthes (dots); A. sceptrum-aureum (squares); A. bowieana (rhomboids);
A. argyrophanes (triangles).
Crotalarieae
3,6:412
Figure 141 . Aspalathus hystrix (1-8); A. lamarckiana (9-15). — 1, 9: floriferous branches; 2, 10: bracts; 3, 11:
bracteoles; 4: standard, side view; 5: apical parts of standard, front view; 6, 13: wing petals; 7, 14: keel petals; 8, 15: pistils;
12: standard, front view. — 1-8 from Compton 13966 ; 9-15 from Compton 7379. — (1 x2; 2-8 x4; 9 x 1,6; 10-15
x2.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:413
271. Aspalathus lamarckiana Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 281, 130 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 138 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121:
514 (1968). Type: Cape, Wittepoort, Ladismith
Division, Compton 7379 (NBG, holo. !; BOL).
A specimen named ‘A hystrix' in herbarium Lamarck
(P) also belongs to this species. See Lam., Encycl. 1: 287
(1783).
An erect, branched shrub 1,5-2 m tall,
similar in nearly all respects to A. hystrix (no.
270), but with much larger flowers and longer
leaflets. Leaflets 15-23 mm long, 0,7-0, 9
mm thick, slightly incurved, grey- or white-
tomentose with apical spinelet 1 mm long or
more. Bract 1,5—2 mm and bracteoles
3 — 5( — 6) mm long. Calyx white-villous; lobes
deltoid-triangular, 5—7 mm long, with apical
spinelet longer than 2 mm. Standard blade
16—20 x 19-21 mm, its front side pubescent
on the apical fifth. Wing blades 13-15 x
5, 5-7, 3 mm. Keel blades 14—15,5 x 7, 5-8, 2
mm. Figure 141: 9-15.
Restricted to a small area near the Laingsburg-Ladi-
smith Division border, at Wittepoort, where it grows in a
rocky valley on sandy soil weathered from a sandstone pla-
teau, in dry fynbos scrub. Map 1 17.
Vouchers: Compton 7379; Dahlgren <6 Strid 4652;
Lam & Meeuse 4447; Van Breda 508; Walgate 347.
The species occurs in the same region as A. hystrix
(no. 270) but is obviously quite distinct, and justifies spe-
cific rank.
272. Aspalathus bowieana ( Benth .)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 273,
130 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 131 (1965). Type:
‘Cape’, Bowie (K, holo.!).
A. canescens L. var. ((3) bowieana Benth. in Hooker,
Lond. J. Bot. 7: 625 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862).
An erect shrub c. 1 m tall or more,
branched, with tomentose branches. Branches
less densely leafy than in related species. Leaf-
lets linear, piniform, usually 8-13 mm long
and 0,5 -0,7 mm thick, subterete or slightly
flat, rather weak (i.e. not very rigid), with
dense, short, silvery sericeous pubescence,
ending in an indistinct little mucro. Inflores-
cences unifloral, often several on each branch.
Bract linear-subulate, 1-2,5 mm long, seri-
ceous, with apical mucro. Pedicel c. 1 mm
long, tomentose. Bracteoles 1,2-3 mm long.
Calyx globose, or short-campanulate, the tube
c. 4 mm long, densely short-villous (veluti-
nous); lobes short, triangular, only 1,3—2 mm
long, mucronulate. Petals light yellow. Stand-
ard blade triangular-obovate, 12,5-14,5 x
10—13,5 mm, short-velutinuous on the back
and puberulous also on marginal-apical parts of
the front. Wing blades 10,5 — 12 x 3—4 mm,
glabrous. Keel blades lunate, 10,5-11,5 x
5-5,7 mm, obtuse, glabrous, with ± straight
upper margin. Pistil with densely woolly to-
mentose ovary (glabrous below) and style base;
ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure 142: 10- 16.
Restricted to mountains in the George and Knysna
Division (the Outeniquas and their foothills) growing at
altitudes up to c. 850 m. Obviously rare. Map 123.
Vouchers: Barker 6069; Keet 435; Penther 2617;
Schlechter 5890.
Resembling in habit A. kougaensis (no. 264) rather
than A. hystrix (no. 270) but like the latter of these species,
it has a glabrous keel; differing from A. hystrix in the
weaker leaves and the short, more velutinous calyx and
calyx lobes. Its distinctness from A. hystrix needs, how-
ever, to be verified.
273. Aspalathus argyrophanes Dahlg. in
Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 271, 130 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 130 (1965). Type: Cape, Nature
Reserve, Grahamstown, Albany Division,
Comins 1648 (LD, holo.!; GRA).
Called ‘Aspalathus eriophylla Walp.’ in Benth. in
Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 624 (1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 120
(1862); Martin & Noel, FI. Albany Bathurst 57 (1960). A.
eriophylla, according to the protologue, had a hairy keel. Its
identity is uncertain.
An erect, sparingly branched shrub
0,6- 1,5 m tall; young branches densely leafy,
white-woolly. Leaflets linear, piniform, 10 — 20
mm long, slightly incurved, rather soft (not ri-
gid), silvery sericeous, with aristate apex. Inflo-
rescences unifloral, distributed along consider-
able distances of branches. Bract filiform,
3-4,5 mm long, weak, with half-spreading
straight hairs. Pedicel c. 1 mm long, long-seri-
ceous. Bracteoles 1,7-3, 5 mm long. Calyx
small in relation to petals; tube 3-3,5 mm
long, long- and white-sericeous; lobes triangu-
lar-subulate, attenuate, 1,2-2, 8 (usually c. 2)
mm long, weakly sericeous. Petals lemon-yel-
low. Standard blade broadly obovate,
12,5- 15(— 16) x (9,5 — ) 10,5 — 13 mm, retuse,
3,6:414
Crotalarieae
Figure 142. Aspalathus argyrophanes (1—9); A. bowieana (10-16). — 1, 10: floriferous branches; 2, 11: bracts;
3, 12: bracteoles (prophylls); 4: calyx; 5: standard, front view; 6, 14: wing petals; 7, 15: keel petals; 8, 16: pistils; 9: fruit;
13: apical parts of standard, front view. — 1-8 from Comins 1648 ; 9 from Van Dam, Herb. Transv. Mus. 22090\ 10-16
from Keet 435. — (1,9, 10 x2; all others x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:415
white-tomentose on the back, glabrous on the
front. Wing blades (8 — )9 — 10,5( — 1 1) x
3.2- 4 mm, glabrous. Keel blades lunate,
8.2— 9(— 9,5) X 3,5— 4,2 mm, glabrous, ob-
tuse (not tapering-rostrate), with ± straight up-
per margin. Pistil with very long- woolly ovary
and style base; ovules 2. Pod narrowly ovate,
9,5-11,5 x 5,5-6 mm, very long-woolly.
Figure 142: 1 —9.
Restricted to rocky slopes and hillsides in the Albany
Division, at c. 500 m altitude. Map 123.
Vouchers: Comins 1648; Dahlgren & Peterson 1593;
Glass, Herb. Norm. Austr. Afr. 1427; MacOwan 25;
Zeyher 893, 2321.
With much smaller calyx and non-mucronate, weak
bracts and calyx lobes. Slightly similar to forms of A. kou-
gaensis (no. 264) but with glabrous keel.
274. Aspalathus shawii L. Bol. in Ann.
Bolus Herb. 1: 187 (1915). Type: Cape,
Kromme River Valley, Cedarberg Mountains,
Clanwilliam Division, Shaw in BOL 5632
(BOL, holo. !; K).
A. joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. shawii (L. Bol.)
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 281 (1963); ibid.
10(1): 120 0 965).
A. phylicoides Compton in Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr. 19:
392 (1931). Type: Cape, Witteberg, Laingsburg Division,
Compton 2562 (BOL, lecto.!).
A. joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. longispica Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
124 (1965). Type: Cape, Keeromsberg, Worcester Divi-
sion, Esterhuysen 9232 (BOL, holo.!). See below.
A. joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. glabripetala Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
126 (1965). Type: Cape, Koghmans Kloof, Montagu Divi-
sion, Mitchell 44 (CT, holo.!; PRE). See below.
An erect, sparingly branched shrub
0,5- 1,2 m tall, with densely leafy and villous
or woolly branches. Leaflets needle-like,
usually 6—15 mm long, rigid, generally slightly
S-curved, recurved below the apex, which is
pungent, mucronate or spine-tipped, subterete,
usually grey-tomentose or short-villous, except
on the apex, but sometimes glabrescent and
then partly to entirely green. Inflorescences
unifloral, often concentrated in the apical
20-60 mm of the branches but sometimes dis-
persed along 120 mm or more. Bract subulate,
less than 4 mm long. Pedicel 0,8— 1,5 mm
long, tomentose. Bracteoles lacking or small,
less than 0,5(— 2) mm long. Calyx campanu-
late, long-tomentose or villous, lobes subulate
or triangular-subulate, (2— )3— 8(— 9) mm long,
tomentose, usually spine-tipped. Petals pale to
bright yellow. Standard blade 9,5-11,5 X
9,5-13,5 mm, rounded or retuse apically, gla-
brous on the front, tomentose either on most or
(rarely) only on marginal parts, but always gla-
brous on basal parts of the back. Wing blades
(7— )8— 10, 5(— 11,5) x (3 — )3 ,5 — 5(— 5,5) mm,
glabrous, with several rows of minute folds on
basal half. Keel blades lunate-rostrate, apically
slightly tapering, 6,5- 10 x 3,5 — 5( — 5,5) mm,
glabrous. Pistil long-tomentose or woolly on
most parts of ovary and sometimes on upper
side of style base; ovules 2. Pod broadly lan-
ceolate-elliptic, (8,5 — )9,5 — 13 x 3, 5-4, 5
mm, at least partly white-woolly.
Widely distributed in (often arid) mountainous regions
from Calvinia Division in the north-west southwards to the
Montagu Division and eastwards from the Worcester Divi-
sion through the Laingsburg, Ladismith, Prince Albert and
Oudtshoom Divisions to Anthoniesberg and Slypsteenberg
in the Willowmore and Uniondale Divisions.
The species is closely similar to both A. joubertiana
(no. 275), which has softer, sericeous leaves and an even
more rostrate keel, and A. acanthes (no. 276).
It is strongly variable and divisible into three
subspecies according to the following key:
la Standard pubescent only on marginal parts of the
back 274b. subsp. glabripetala
lb Standard pubescent on about half or more of back:
2a Flowers concentrated in the distal 20-50 mm of
the branch; calyx lobes c. 4 mm long or more;
keel blades 7,5 mm long or more
274 a. subsp. shawii
2b Flowers distributed on 50—200 mm long dis-
tances of the branch ends; calyx lobes c. 2,5
mm long or less; keel blades less than 7 mm
long 274c. subsp. longispica
274a. subsp. shawii.
Synonyms: Aspalathus phylicoides Compton and A . jou-
bertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. shawii (L. Bol.) Dahlg.; see
under the species, above.
Erect shrub, 0,6- 1,2 m tall. Leaflets
usually 6—20 mm long, grey-villous but with
apex glabrous to glabrescent, leaves on lower
parts of the branches often glabrous. Flowers
concentrated on short-shoots on the apical
20-50( -60) mm of the branches. Bract up to 4
mm long. Bracteoles up to 1 (-2) mm long but
3,6:416
Crotalarieae
mnm
FIGURE 143. Aspalathus shawii subsp. shawii. — 1, 10: floriferous branches; 2, 11: bracts; 3: bracteole (prophyll); 4:
flower; 5: base of standard, side view; 6, 12: wing petals; 7, 13: keel petals; 8. 14: pistils; 9, 15: fruits. — 1-8 from
Eslerhuysen 20530 (Clanwilliam Distr. ); 9 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1044\ 10-14 from Acocks 18524 (Calvinia Distr.);
15 horn Story 4400. — (1, 10 X2, 2-9. 11-15 x4.)
Crotalarieae
3,6:417
often lacking or very small. Calyx tomentose
with triangular-subulate lobes 4,5-8 (-9,2)
mm long including an apical spinelet. Petals
pale (to bright) yellow. Standard blade usually
10—13,5 x 10-13 mm, tomentose on apical
half or more of the back. Wing blades usually
8,5-10,5 x 3, 5-4, 5 mm. Keel blades vari-
ably rostrate, but usually ± upcurved and taper-
ing, usually 7,5-10 x 4-5 mm. Pod 10-13
x 3,2— 4,3 mm, white- woolly on most of the
surface. Figure 143.
This is the most widely distributed of the subspecies. It
ranges from the Calvinia Division in the north-west,
through the eastern parts of the Cederberg Mountains to the
Matroosberg region (Ceres-Worcester Division) and then
eastwards through the Witteberg and Swartberg Mountains
as far as the Willowmore and Uniondale Divisions in the
east. The soil preferences are not quite clear; the species
may grow in Table Mountain Sandstone sand as well as in
more clayey soil (of e.g. the Witteberg Series). It occurs at
altitudes of from less than 700 m to more than 1 500 m (e.g.
at Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert Division). Map 121 .
Vouchers: Acocks 17441, 18524; Compton 2562,
12181- Dahlgren & Peterson 62, 204, 1044, 1370, 1716;
Esterhuysen 3679, 6328, 24974 ; Leistner 225; Levyns
1785.
The largest-flowered forms occur in the western parts
of the area. Forms with sharply pungent leaves occur in the
Cederberg range, where the keel is also rather beaked.
There is great variation in degree of pubescence of leaves
(grey, pubescent to green, subglabrous) even within the
Witteberg range from where the type of 'A. phylicoides’
was collected. The eastern forms on the whole tend to be
more greenish than the western, often glabrescent ones, and
the flowers tend to be more brightly yellow.
274b. subsp. glabripetala ( Dahlg .)
Dahlg., comb. nov. Type: Cape, Koghmans
Kloof, Montagu Division, Mitchell 44 (CT,
holo. ! ; PRE).
A. joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. glabripetala
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280 (1963); ibid.
10 (1): 126 (1965); see above.
Shrub 0, 5-0,7 m tall, with tail-like
branches. Leaves glabrous or (on branch ends)
sparsely (to densely) woolly. Flowers distri-
buted on branches along a distance of 0, 12 m or
more. Calyx lobes subulate, 3—4,2 mm long,
spine-tipped. Standard blade 11 — 11,5 x 13-
13,5 mm, tomentose on apical-marginal parts
of the back only. Wing blades 9,5—10 x
4, 7-5,5 mm. Keel blades rather prominently
rostrate, c. 7,5 x 4,2 mm. Pod c. 9 x 3,5 mm.
Restricted to the Langeberg Mountains, Montagu Divi-
sion, growing on mountain slopes and summits. Map 121 .
Vouchers: Esterhuysen 23827; Mitchell 44; Tredgold
502.
This is the subspecies of A. shawii which most closely
approaches A. joubertiana (no. 275) both morphologically
and geographically.
274c. subsp. longispica (Dahlg.) Dahlg.,
comb. nov. Type: Cape, Keeromsberg, Wor-
cester Division, Esterhuysen 9232 (BOL,
holo.!).
A. joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh. subsp. longispica Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 280 (1963); ibid. 10 (1):
124 (1965); see above.
Erect or ascending, 0,5 -0,8 m tall. Leaf-
lets 7- 15 mm long, most of them clothed with
grey- woolly pubescence; those on basal parts of
the shrub often small, glabrous and green.
Flowers often distributed along 0,2 m long dis-
tances of the branches or more. Calyx tomen-
tose; lobes short, subulate, 1,7-2, 8 mm long.
Standard blade 9,5—10,5 x 11-12,5 mm, to-
mentose on more than half of the back. Wing
blades 8-9,3 x 4,2-5 mm. Keel blades rather
rostrate, c. 6,5 x 3,7 mm. Pod c. 9,5—10 x
3,5— 4,5 mm. Figure 144: 8-16.
Confined to the Kwadouw Mountain Range and its
extensions (including Keeromsberg and Naudesberg) in the
Worcester and Montagu Divisions. The habitat is mountain
slopes (sometimes shale bands) at up to 1 000 m. Map 121 .
Vouchers: Barker 9142; Compton 5820; Dahlgren &
Peterson 1262; Esterhuysen 9232, 10328, 10869.
Characterized by the long ‘spikes’, pubescent standard
and short calyx lobes.
275. Aspalathus joubertiana Eckl. &
Zeyh., Enum. 2: 214 (1836). Treated as a syno-
nym of A. canescens L. by Walp. (in Linnaea
13: 498; 1839) and Benth. (in Hooker, Lond. J.
Bot. 7: 625; 1848). Type: Cape, ‘Zoetendals-
valley’, ? Bredasdorp Division, Ecklon &
Zeyher 1450 (S, lecto. !).
A. canescens L. var. (6) joubertiana (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 121 (1862). A. joubertiana Eckl. &
Zeyh. subsp. joubertiana, Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9(1): 130(1963); ibid. 10(1): 128(1965).
An ascending shrublet 0,4-0, 7 m tall,
branched at the base, with sparingly branched
or simple, long, tail-like branches, which are
densely leafy and clothed with white-woolly
3,6:418
Crotalarieae
Figure 144. Aspalathus joubertiana (1-7); A. shawii subsp. longispica (8-16). — 1,8: floriferous branches; 2, 9:
flowers; 3, 11; bracts; 4, 10: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 13: wing petals; 6, 14: keel petals; 7, 15: pistils; 16: fruit. — 1-7
from Dahlgren & Peterson 458 (Bredasdorp Distr.); 8-16 from Esterhuysen 9232 (Worcester Distr.). — (1, 8 x2; 2-7,
9-16 x4.)
pubescence. Leaves densely situated. Leaflets
linear, 6-11 mm long, slightly incurved (but
not S-curved), not very rigid or pungent, but
apically mucronate or acuminate, silky seri-
ceous or (leaves of short-shoots on basal parts)
subglabrous. Inflorescences unifloral, distri-
buted on long stretches of the branches. Bract
tooth-like or subulate, 0,7- 1,0 mm, ciliate.
Pedicel 2-3 mm long, tomentose. Bracteoles
c. 0,2 mm long. Calyx tube campanulate,
tomentose; lobes subulate-linear, 3,2— 4,2 mm
long, not stiff or spine-tipped, purplish, ±
pubescent. Petals bright yellow. Standard
blade 9,5-11 x 9,2—11,2 mm, tomentose
only on marginal-apical parts of the back,
otherwise glabrous. Wing blades 8,2-10 x
Crotalarieae
3,6:419
Figure 145. Aspalathus acanthes. — 1: floriferous branch; 2: flower; 3: bracts; 4; bracteole (prophyll); 5: base of
standard, side view; 6: wing petal; 7: keel petal; 8; pistil; 9; fruit wall. — All from Bolus 11259. — (1, 2, 9 x 2; 3-8 x 4.)
3,6-4 mm, glabrous. Keel rostrate, tapering
into a straight beak, 7, 5-8, 7 x 3,5-4 mm,
without or with shallow puckering at base. Pis-
til tomentose on ovary and upper side of style
base; ovules 2. Pods not seen. Figure 144:
1- 7.
Restricted to flats and low hillsides in the Bredasdorp
Division, from west of Napier to the Potberg region,
probably growing on somewhat clayey ground, in mixed
fynbos-renosterbos vegetation at low altitude. Map 121 .
Vouchers: Dahlgren & Peterson 458; Ecklon &
Zeyher 1450; Pillans 9291 .
Obviously closely related to A. shawii (no. 274),
which was included in it by Dahlgren in Op. bot. Soc. bot.
Lund 9(1); 281 (1963) and 10(1): 120(1965). In its beaked
keel it also slightly resembles A. pinea (no. 78) and A.
rostrata (no. 80) (convergent evolution ?), but differs in the
2- ovulate ovary and other details, and also A. vulpina (no.
48) which has, however, flat, broad leaflets.
276. Aspalathus acanthes Eckl. & Zeyh.,
Enum. 2: 215 (1836); Walp. in Linnaea 13: 492
(1839); Benth. in Hooker, Lond. J. Bot. 7: 623
(1848); Harv., FI. Cap. 2: 119 (1862); Muir,
Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 13: 61 (1929); Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 130 (1963);
ibid. 10 (1): 114 (1965); in Bot. Notiser 121:
513 (1968). Type: Cape, near ‘Gideon Joubert’,
Kannaland, near Gauritz River, Riversdale
Division, Ecklon & Zeyher 1459 (S, lecto. !; G,
K, L, M, P, SAM, W).
Achyronia acanthes (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
1: 157(1891).
An erect, very sparingly branched shrub
0,5- 1,5 m tall; branch(es) short-villous or
tomentose, very densely leafy. Leaflets long,
3,6: 420
Crotalarieae
Crotalarieae
3,6: 421
needle-like, 12-22 mm long, c. 0,7 mm thick,
often slightly incurved, mucronate or spine-
tipped (not recurved apically), glabrous, or
those near branch tips sparsely hairy. Inflores-
cences unifloral, dispersed along the
branch(es). Bract subulate, 3-5,5 x 0,5 mm,
puberulous inside. Pedicel 1,5-2, 5 mm long,
tomentose. Bracteoles subulate, 2, 7-4, 5 mm
long. Calyx tube tomentose or short-hairy to
glabrescent, apically spine-tipped. Petals bright
yellow. Standard blade 14-17 x 14-17 mm,
short-sericeous on the back (except on mar-
gins), glabrous on the front. Wing blades
12 — 14( — 15) x 5,2— 6,5(— 7) mm, subgla-
brous (some pubescence present at the upper
basal part). Keel blades lunate, slightly beaked,
8—9 x 4,5 — 5( — 5,5) mm, apically rounded,
glabrous. Pistil rather long- woolly on ovary and
style base; ovules 2. Pod broadly lanceolate,
13,5—15 x 4,8— 5,5 mm, white woolly. Figure
145.
Restricted to the Langeberg Mountains in the Rivers-
dale and Mossel Bay Divisions. Growing on sand and
sandstone ground, in fynbos vegetation. Map 123.
Vouchers: Bolus 11259; Dahlgren & Peterson 1351;
Dahlgren & Strid 2575, 2675, 3966, 4895; Muir 63; Phil-
lips 335; Stokoe, SAM 61756; Thorne SAM 50961; Van
Breda 742.
Similar to A. sceptrum-aureum (no. 278) and A. ver-
bose if ormis (no. 277) but distinct by the tomentose calyx
and 8-11 mm long calyx lobes.
277. Aspalathus verbasciformis Dahlg.
in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 293, 130
(1963); ibid. 10 (1): 113 (1965). Type: Cape,
northern side of Tradouw Pass, Swellendam
Division, Hafstrom & Acocks 2147 (S, holo. !).
Similar in most respects, including habit,
to A. sceptrum-aureum (no. 278) but obviously
not more than 1,2 m tall, with longer, white-
woolly pubescence on branches and calyx.
Leaflets as in A. sceptrum-aureum , sometimes
slightly incurved. Bract 1,5-3, 5 mm long;
bracteoles 1—3 mm long. Pedicel and calyx
with long, woolly pubescence; calyx lobes
narrowly triangular (not ovate), 2-5 mm long,
mucronate-acuminate or partly glabrous. Petals
bright yellow. Standard blade c. 10-12,5 X
11.5- 14,5 mm, sericeous (-lanate) on the back
(marginally glabrous), glabrous on the front ex-
cept on the base; an apical tip may or may not
be present. Wing blades 9—11,5 x 4, 5-6, 5
mm, glabrous. Keel blades lunate to somewhat
rostrate, hardly to considerably beaked,
7,7— 8,7 x 4, 2-4, 8 mm, glabrous. Pistil :
ovary long-woolly; ovules 2; style glabrous.
Pod broadly lanceolate, 12-13,5 x c. 5 mm,
with long- woolly pubescence. Figure 146:
9-21.
Distributed on the Langeberg Mountains in the Mon-
tagu and Swellendam Divisions. The habitat is rocky
slopes, and maybe expected to resemble that of A. scep-
trum-aureum (no. 278). Map 123.
Vouchers: Compton 5818; Esterhuysen 24566;
Hafstrom & Acocks 2147; Levyns 633.
Distinguished from A. sceptrum-aureum mainly by the
woolly rather than velutinous calyx with tapering rather
than ovate calyx lobes, and by the long-woolly rather than
sericeous ovary and pod.
278. Aspalathus sceptrum-aureum
Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (1): 289,
130 (1963); 10 (1): 111 (1965); in Bot. Notiser
121: 513 (1968). Type: Cape, northern entrance
of Outeniqua Pass, George Division, Dahlgren
& Peterson 188 (LD, holo. !).
An erect, very sparingly (or almost not)
branched shrub, ± rod-like, 1,2— 2,5 m tall,
with rather robust, rigid stem, densely beset
with leafy short-shoots; young branches short-
and white- woolly. Leaflets subulate, needle-
like, 5-12 mm long, c. 0,6 mm thick, straight,
rigid, sharply mucronate or spine-tipped, green,
glabrous, subterete or angular. Inflorescences
unifloral, scattered on long parts of the
branch(es). Bract oblong-subulate, 1,5— 2,2 x
0,5-0, 6 mm, mucronate, ciliate. Pedicel
1.5- 2, 2 mm, velutinous. Bracteoles 1-2,2 x
0,3 mm. Calyx tube campanulate, 5,5-6 mm,
shortly and densely silky velutinous; lobes
Figure 146. Aspalathus sceptrum-aureum (1-8); A. verbasciformis (9-21). — 1, 9: floriferous branches; 2, 15:
flowers; 3, 10, 16: bracts; 4, 11, 17: bracteoles (prophylls); 5, 12: wing petals; 6, 13, 19: keel petals; 7, 14, 20: pistils; 8,
21: fruits; 18: base of standard, front view. — 1—7 from Dahlgren & Peterson 188; 8 from Dahlgren & Peterson 1389 ;
9—14 from Wall, Tradouw Pass (Swellendam Distr.); 15-21 from Compton 5818 (Robertson Distr.). — (1, 2, 8, 9 x2;
3-7, 10-21 X4.)
3,6: 422
Crotalarieae
ovate-triangular, rather broad, velutinous,
2,5-5 mm long including an apical mucro.
Petals bright yellow, with rather long claws.
Standard blade 11,2 — 13( — 14,5) x 12,5 — 16
mm, short sericeous on the back (marginally
glabrous) and with some apical marginal pubes-
cence on the front; with indistinct apical tip.
Wing blades 9,5-11,5 x 5,5— 6,5 mm, gla-
brous, widened and rounded apically. Keel
blades rather rostrate, 7-10 x 4,5-5 mm,
obtuse (but somewhat tapering), glabrous. Pis-
til short-sericeous on ovary and style base;
ovules 2. Pod broadly and obliquely lanceolate,
12,5—14,5 x 4,5— 5,2 mm, sericeous or partly
tomentose. Figure 146: 1-8.
Found on Klein Swartberg Mountains (Laingsburg-
Ladismith Divisions) and the Outeniqua Mountains (Oudts-
hoom-George Divisions), growing on rather fine-grained
substrate in a mixed renosterbos-fynbos community. Map
123.
Vouchers: Compton 23142; Dahlgren & Peterson 61,
188, 223, 1367, 1389; Dahlgren & Strid 4673; Levyns
10515; Thorne SAM 51663.
Distinguished by the short-velvety calyx with rather
short, ovate lobes. Otherwise obviously close to A. verbas-
ciformis (no. 277) and A. acanthes (no. 276).
Crotalarieae
3,6:423
INDEX*
Achyronia L. ex Kuntze, 3,6: 1
abietina (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 295
acanthes (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 419
aculeata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 167
acuminata (Lam.) Kuntze, 3,6: 309
aemula (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 51
agardhiana (DC.) Kuntze, 3,6: 290
albens ( L . ) Kuntze , 3 ,6: 290
alopecurus (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 387
alterniflora (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 84
angustissima (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 1 17
anthyllo(i)des (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 69
araneosa (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 163
argentea (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 55
argyraea (DC.) Kuntze, 3,6: 341
arida (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 225
armata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 290
asparagoides (L. f.) Kuntze, 3,6: 135
astroites (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 293
bracleata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 90
burchelliana (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 239
calcarata (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 127
callosa (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 206
canescens (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 407
capillaris (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 91
capitata (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 220
capitella (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 71
carnosa (Berg.) Kuntze, 3,6: 215
cephalotes (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 195
chamissonis (Vogel) Kuntze, 3,6: 261
chenopoda (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 165
ciliaris (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 155
var. (y) capitata Kuntze, 3,6: 165
var. (p idubia Kuntze, 3,6: 155
var. (a) normalis Kuntze, 3,6: 155
cinerascens ( E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 243
collina (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 227
comosa (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 184
contaminata (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 85
corrudaefolia OK., 3,6: 316
costulata (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 233
cytisoides (Lam. ) Kuntze, 3,6. 61
dasyantha (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 59
diffusa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 60
divaricata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 317
elongata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 31
ericifolia (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 178
exilis (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 291
falcata (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 95
fasciculata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 79
ferox (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 251
filicaulis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 1 17
fornicata (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 295
frankenioides (DC.) Kuntze, 3,6: 375
genisroides (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 316
heterophylla (L. f.) Kuntze, 3,6: 27
hirta (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 404
hystrix (L. f.) Kuntze, 3,6: 41 1
incompta (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 243
incurva (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 141
incurvifolia (Walp.) Kuntze, 3,6: 387
jacobaea (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 31
lactea (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 249
lanata (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 95
laricifolia (Berg.) Kuntze, 3,6: 407
lepida (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 286
leptophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 125
leucophaea ( Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 155
lin(e)arifoUa (Burm. f.) Kuntze, 3,6: 45
longifolia (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 385
longipes (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 381
lotoides (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 26
macrantha (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 121
marginalis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 359
marginata (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 67
meyeri (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 31
mollis (Lam.) Kuntze, 3,6: 178
mynillifolia (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 65
nervosa (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 149
nivea (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 285
nudiflora (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 84
obtusata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 253
opaca (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 131
orbiculata (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 65
pallescens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 137
pappeana (Harv.) Kuntze, 3,6: 131, 135
pinea (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 127
pedunculata (L'Herit.) Kuntze, 3,6: 90
polycephala (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 79
prostrata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 141
psoraleoides (Presl) Kuntze, 3,6: 67
pungens (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 309
purpurea (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 57
recurva (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 283
retroflexa (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 353
rostrata (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 130
rubens (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 343
rubro-fusca (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 135
rugosa (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 47
sanguinea (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 275
securifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 63
sericea (Berg.) Kuntze, 3,6: 50
setacea (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 389
spicata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 51
spinescens (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 286
spinosa (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 255
var. horrida (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 255
stenophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 71
suaveolens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 77
subtingens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 263
subulata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 209
tenuifolia (DC.) Kuntze, 3,6: 85
Synonyms are in italics.
3,6: 424
Crotalarieae
teres (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 401
ternata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 57
thymifolia (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 215
tridentata (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 35
truncata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 213
ulicina (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 301
uniflora (L.) Kuntze, 3,6: 125
variegata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, 3,6: 213
venosa (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 82
vermiculata (Lam.) Kuntze, 3,6: 289
villosa (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 41
virgata (Thunb.) Kuntze, 3,6: 31
var. (Y) leucocephala (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 31
willdenowiana (Benth.) Kuntze, 3,6: 123
wurmbeana (E. Mey.) Kuntze, 3,6: 284
Alhagi Tourn. ex Adans., 3,6: 2
Anthyllis aspalathoides L., 3,6: 69
asphaltoides L. , 3,6: 69
hermanniae L., 3,6: 1
linifolia L., 3,6: 45
lotoides L., 3,6: 69
ASPALATHUS L.,3,6: 1
subgen. Aspalathus, 3,6: 3
subgen. Ecklonella, 3,6: 3
subgen. Nortieria, 3,6: 3
subgen. Purpureipetala, 3,6: 3
subgen. Rafnioides, 3,6: 3
subgen. Triplobractea, 3,6: 1,3
abietina auct. non Thunb., 3,6: 229
abietina Thunb., 3,6: 295
acanthes Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 419
acanthiloba Dahlg., 3,6: 163
acanthoclada Dahlg., 3,6: 287
acanthophylla Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 261
acicularis c sensu E. Mey., 3,6: 297
acicularis £. Mey., 3,6: 333
subsp. acicularis, 3,6: 333
subsp. planifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 334
acidota Garab. ex Dahlg., 3,6: 73
acifera Dahlg. , 3,6: 299
aciloba Dahlg., 3,6: 379
aciphylla Harv., 3,6: 229
var. (P) nana Harv., 3,6: 367
acocY.su (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 34
aculeata Thunb. , 3,6: 167
acuminata Lam., 3,6: 309
subsp. acuminata, 3,6: 31 1
subsp. magniflora Dahlg., 3,6: 313
subsp. pungens (Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 313
var. (P) inermis E. Mey . , 3,6: 309
acutiflora Dahlg., 3,6: 246
adelphea Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 263
aemula E. Mey., 3,6: 50
var. (P )ramulosa (E. Mey.) Harv., 3,6: 53
affinis Thunb., 3,6: 269
agardhiana DC., 3,6: 290
albanensis Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 375
var. (P) multiflora Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 375
albens auct. non L., 3,6: 241 , 381
albensT., 3,6: 290
var. (p) virens E. Mey., 3,6: 291
albiflora Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 175, 177
alopecuroides E. Mey., 3,6: 389
alopecurus Burch, ex Benth., 3,6: 387
alpestris (Benth.) Dahlg., 3,6: 99
alpina Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 135
alternifolia Harv., 3,6: 84
alternifolia Spreng., 3,6: 84
altissima Dahlg. ,3,6: 51
amoena (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 357
angustifolia (Lam. ) Dahlg., 3,6: 109
subsp. angustifolia, 3,6: 1 1 1
subsp. mbusta(Phill.) Dahlg., 3,6: 111
angustissima E. Mey., 3,6: 1 17
anthylloides L., 3,6: 69
var. (P) kraussiana (Meisn.) Harv., 3,6: 69
appendiculata E. Mey., 3,6: 155
arachnoidea (Walp.) Benth., 3,6: 389
araneosa L., 3,6: 161
var. (P) rigidior E. Mey., 3,6: 159
arenaria Dahlg., 3,6: 275
argentea L., 3,6: 55
var. (P) glabriuscula E. Mey., 3,6: 37
argyraea auct. non DC., 3,6: 243
argyraea Cand., 3,6: 399
argyraea DC., 3,6: 341
argyrella MacOwan, 3,6: 29
argyrophanes Dahlg., 3,6: 413
arida E. Mey., 3,6: 1,225
subsp. arida, 3,6: 225
subsp. erecta (E. Mey.) Dahlg., 3,6: 226
subsp. procumbens (E. Mey.) Dahlg., 3,6: 226
var. (a) erecta E. Mey., 3,6: 226
var. (Y) grandiflora Benth., 3,6: 223
var. (p) procumbens E. Mey., 3,6: 225, 226
aristata Compton, 3,6: 337
aristifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 305
armata Thunb. , 3,6: 290
ascendens E. Mey., 3,6: 31
aspalathoides (L.)Rothm., 3,6: 69
asparagoides/../., 3,6: 135
subsp. asparagoides, 3,6: 136
subsp. rubro-fusca (Eckl. <6 Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 136
astroites L. , 3,6: 293
attenuata Dahlg., 3,6: 331
aulonogena Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 155
aurantiaca Dahlg., 3,6: 325
barbate (Lam.) Dahlg., 3,6: 113
barbigera Dahlg., 3,6: 199
batodes Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 366
subsp. batodes, 3,6: 367
subsp. spinulifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 368
benthamii Harv . , 3,6: 149, 155
bicolor Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 353
bidouwensis Garab. ex Dahlg. , 3,6: 43
biflora E. Mey. , 3,6: 327
subsp. biflora, 3,6: 327
subsp. longicarpa Dahlg., 3,6: 329
bodkinii H. Bol., 3,6: 41
borboniifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 74
bowieana (Benth.) Dahlg., 3,6: 413
bracteata Thunb. ,3,6: 1 , 90
Crotalarieae
3,6: 425
bre\icttrpa {Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 321
burchelliana Benth., 3,6: 239
caespitosa Dahlg., 3,6: 149
calcarata Harv. , 3,6: 127
calcarea Dahlg., 3,6: 377
caledonensis Dahlg., 3,6: 55
callosa L., 3,6: 206
var. (P) brevifolia Benth., 3,6: 207
var. (y)fusca (Thunb.) Harv., 3,6: 209
campestris Dahlg., 3,6: 131
canaliculata E. Mey., 3,6: 71
candicans Ait.f., 3,6: 241
candidula Dahlg., 3,6: 381
canescens L. , 3,6: 399, 407, 417
var. (P) bowieana Benth., 3,6: 413
var. (Q) elongata E. Mey., 3,6: 407
var. (6) joubertiana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 417
var. (P) pauciflora E. Mey., 3,6: 407
var. (P) sericophylla Harv., 3,6: 407
var. (Y ) subvirescens E. Mey., 3,6: 407
capensis (W alp.) Dahlg., 3,6: 1,219
capillaris (Thunb.) Benth., 3,6: 91
capitata L., 3,6: 220
var. (a) major Berg., 3,6: 155
capitella Burch, ex Benth., 3,6: 71
carinata S. Garab. ms., 3,6: 131, 135
carnosa auct. non Berg., 3,6: 219
camosa Berg., 3,6: 215
cephalotes Thunb., 3,6: 195
subsp. cephalotes, 3,6: 197
subsp. obscuriflora Dahlg., 3,6: 197
subsp. violacea Dahlg., 3,6: 197
var. (P) albida Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 197
cerrhantha Eckl. <4 Zeyh., 3,6: 201
chamissonis Vogel, 3,6: 261
chenopoda L. , 3,6: 1, 165
subsp. chenopoda, 3,6: 167
subsp. gracilis (Eckl. <4 Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 167
var. (P) gracilis Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 165, 167
chenopus L., 3,6: 165
chortophila Eckl. <4 Zeyh., 3,6: 395
subsp. chortophila, 3,6: 395
subsp. congesta Dahlg., 3,6: 397
subsp. kougaensis Dahlg., 3,6: 399
chrysantha Dahlg., 3,6: 371
ciliarisZ,., 3,6: 1, 153
var. (P )calycina E. Mey., 3,6: 155
ciliatistyla L. Bol., 3,6: 267
cinerascens E. Mey., 3,6: 243
cinerea Thunb., 3,6: 61
var. (P) spicata Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 63
citrina Dahlg., 3,6: 223
cliffortiifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 393
cliffortioides//. Bol., 3,6: 152
cognata Presl, 3,6: 85
collina Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 227
subsp. collina, 3,6: 229
subsp. luculenta Dahlg., 3,6: 229
commutata {Vogel) Dahlg., 3,6: 103
comosa Thunb., 3,6: 149, 184
var. namaquana Harv., 3,6: 175
compacta Dahlg., 3,6: 99
complicata(Benf/i.)Da/i/g., 3,6: 107
comptonii Dahlg., 3, 6: 43
concava H. Bol., 3,6: 361
concavifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 63
condensata Dahlg., 3,6: 373
conferta Benth., 3,6: 63
confusa Dahlg., 3,6: 153
congesta {Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 397
contaminata (Thunb.) Druce, 3,6: 85
cordata {L.) Dahlg., 3,6: 111
cordicarpa Dahlg., 3,6: 363
comiculata Dahlg., 3,6: 75
corrudaefolia Berg. em. DC., 3,6: 316
corrudifolia auct. non Berg., 3,6: 391
corrudifolia DC., non Berg., 3,6: 316
corrudifolia Berg., 3,6: 315
var. (P) pubescens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 389
corymbosa E. Mey., 3,6: 85
costulata Benth., 3,6: 233
crassifolia Andr., 3,6: 209
crassisepala Dahlg., 3,6: 361
crenata (/.). Dahlg., 3,6: 1 15
cuspidata Dahlg., 3,6: 297
subsp. cuspidata, 3,6: 297
subsp. humifusa Dahlg., 3,6: 299
subsp. stricticlada Dahlg., 3,6: 297
cymbiformisDC., 3,6: 143
var. (a) hirta DC., 3,6: 143
var. (P ) pubescens DC., 3,6: 145
cytisoidesLam., 3,6: 61
var. (P )decumbens Benth., 3,6: 63
dasyantha Eckl. <4 Zeyh., 3,6: 59
deciduifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 193
decora Dahlg., 3,6: 205
densifolia Benth., 3,6: 187
desertorum H. Bol., 3,6: 121
dianthopora Phill., 3,6: 221
diffusa Eckl. <4 Zeyh., 3,6: 60
digitifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 341
divaricata Thunb., 3,6: 317
subsp. brevicarpa Dahlg., 3,6: 321
subsp. divaricata, 3,6: 319
subsp. gracilior Dahlg., 3,6: 320
subsp. horizontalis Dahlg., 3,6: 323
subsp. leptocoma (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 321
var. (y) inermis (E. Mey.) Harv., 3,6: 309
var. (P) microphylla (DC.) Harv. 3,6: 329
var. (a) thunbergii Harv., 3,6: 317
divergens Willd. , 3,6: 321,329
var. (Y) microphylla (DC.) E. Mey., 3,6: 329
var. (P )racemulosa E. Mey., 3,6: 317
dregeana Walp., 3,6: 141
dubiaE. Mey., 3,6: 155
dunsdoniana Alston ex Dahlg., 3,6: 34
echinata E. Mey., 3,6: 389
eWiptica {Phill.) Dahlg., 3,6: 116
elongata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 31, 131
var. densa L. Bol., 3,6: 31
elongata E. Mey., 3,6: 131, 141
var. (P) ramosissima Benth., 3,6: 131
3,6: 426
Crotalarieae
var. (a) virgata Benth., 3,6: 143
empetrifolia (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 358
ericifolia L., 3,6: 178
subsp. ericifolia, 3,6: 179
subsp. minutaDa/i/g., 3,6: 179
subsp. puberula (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 173
subsp. pusilla Dahlg., 3,6: 179
ericoides E. Mey., 3,6: 178
eriophylla Walp., 3,6: 389, 413
erythrodes Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 21 1
esterhuyseniae Dahlg., 3,6: 75
excelsaDa/t/g., 3,6: 219
exigua Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 63
exilis Harv., 3,6: 291
falcata Benth., 3,6: 95
fasciculata(77iun/>.)Da/i/g., 3,6: 1,79
ferox Harv., 3,6: 251
ferruginea Benth., 3,6: 57
ftlicaulis Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 117
filifolia E. Mey., 3,6: 295
flavispina Presl, 3,6: 255, 258
flexuosa Thunb., 3,6: 169
floribunda Benth., 3,6: 209
florifera Dahlg., 3,6: 383
florulenta Dahlg., 3,6: 349
forbesii//arv., 3,6: 201
fomicata Benth., 3,6: 295
fourcadei L. Bol., 3,6: 401
frankenioides DC. , 3,6: 375
frankenioides DC., 3,6: 179
var. (y) albanensis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 375
var. (e)alpina Harv., 3,6: 395
var. (a) chortophila (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 395
var. (p) intermedia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 395
var. (b)poliotes (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 395
fusca Thunb., 3,6: 209
galeata E. Mey., 3,6: 185
galioides auct. non Berg., 3,6: 368
galioides Berg., 3,6: 353
var. (y) brevifolia E. Mey., 3,6: 353
var. (P )foliosa E. Mey., 3,6: 353
galioides L., 3,6: 368
genistoides auct. non L., 3,6: 219
genistoides L., 3,6: 316
gerrardii H. Bol., 3,6: 377
gillii Benth., 3,6: 391
glabrata Dahlg., 3,6: 263
glabrescensDa/i/g., 3,6: 385
glauca Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 255, 260
globosa Andr., 3,6: 199
globulosa E. Mey., 3,6: 195
glomerata Benth., 3,6: 383
glomerata L. f., 3,6: 220
glossoides Dahlg., 3,6: 306
gracilifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 368, 371
gracilis Garab., 3,6: 343
grandiflora Benth., 3,6: 189
granulata Dahlg., 3,6: 238
grobleri Dahlg., 3,6: 379
heterophylla L.f., 3,6: 27
subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 26, 27
subsp. lotoides (Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 26, 27
hiatuum Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 395
hilaris Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 395
hirta E. Mey., 3,6: 404
subsp. hirta, 3,6: 405
subsp. stellarisDa/i/g., 3,6: 405
hispida Thunb., 3,6: 173
subsp. albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 177
subsp. hispida, 3,6: 177
horizontal^ (Da/i/g.)Da/i/g., 3,6: 323
horrida Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 255
humilis//. Bol., 3,6: 361
hypnoidesDa/i/g., 3,6: 365
hystrix auct. non L. f., 3,6: 123
hystrix L.f., 3,6:411
incana Dahlg., 3,6: 47
incompta Thunb., 3,6: 243
incurva Thunb., 3,6: 141
incurvifolia Vogel ex Walp., 3,6: 387
inermis (E. Mey.) Benth., 3,6: 309
iniqua Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 263
inops Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 71
intermedia Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 395
intervallaris//. Bol., 3,6: 56
intricata Compton, 3,6: 345
subsp. anthospermoides (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 349
subsp. intricata, 3,6: 347
subsp. oxyclada (Compton) Dahlg., 3,6: 349
involucrata E. Mey., 3,6: 79
isolata (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 179
jacobaea E. Mey., 3,6: 31, 33
joubertiana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 417
subsp. glabripetala Dahlg., 3,6: 415, 417
subsp. joubertiana, 3,6: 417
subsp. longispica Dahlg., 3,6: 415, 417
subsp. shawii (L. Bol.) Dahlg., 3,6: 415
juniperina Thunb., 3,6: 368
subsp. gracilifolia (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 371
subsp. grandis Dahlg. , 3,6: 371
subsp. juniperina, 3,6: 369
subsp. monticola Dahlg., 3,6: 369
kannaensis Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 169
karrooensisDa/i/g., 3,6: 382
katbergensis (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 265
keeromsbergensisDa/i/g., 3,6: 147
kougaensis (Garab. ex Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 399
kraussiana Meisn., 3,6: 69
lactea auct. non Thunb., 3,6: 265
lactea Thunb., 3,6: 249
subsp. adelphea (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 263
subsp. breviloba Dahlg., 3,6: 251
subsp. lactea, 3,6: 251
var. (P) meyeri Harv., 3,6: 249, 265
var. (a) thunbergii Harv., 3,6: 249
var. (y) zeyheri Harv., 3,6: 249, 277
laeta H. Bol', 3,6: 227
lamarckiana Dahlg., 3,6: 413
lanata E. Mey., 3,6: 1, 95
lanceicarpa Dahlg., 3,6: 343
lanceifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 107
lanceolata E. Mey., 3,6: 109
lanifera Dahlg., 3,6: 97
Crotalarieae
3,6:427
laricifolia Berg. , 3,6: 406
subsp. canescens (L.) Dahlg., 3,6: 409
subsp. laricifolia, 3,6: 409
var. (P) sericantha (E. Mey.) Harv., 3,6: 395, 407
laricifolia Lam., 3,6: 406
laricina DC., 3,6: 407
latifolia H. Bol., 3,6: 95
lebeckioidesDa/i/g., 3,6: 85
leiantha (Phill.) Dahlg., 3,6: 115
leipoldtii Schltr., 3,6: 286,287
lenticula//. Bol., 3,6: 331
lepida E. Mey., 3,6: 286,287
leptocoma Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 321
leptocoma Pappe, 3,6: 321
leplophylla Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 123, 125
leptoptera H. Bol., 3,6: 307
lepiothria Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 395
leucocephala E. Mey., 3,6: 31
leucophaea Harv., 3,6: 155
leucophylla Dahlg., 3,6: 247
subsp. leucophylla, 3,6: 247
subsp. septentrionalis Dahlg, 3,6: 249.
linearifolia (Burnt. f.)DC., 3,6: 45
lin(e)arifolia DC. var. (P) discreta Drege, 3,6: 47
linearis (Burnt. /.) Dahlg., 3,6: 85
subsp. latipetala Dahlg., 3,6: 85
linguiloba Dahlg., 3,6: 143
linifolius (L.) E. Mey., 3,6: 45
linifolius Steud., 3,6: 50
longifolia Benth., 3,6: 385
longipes/Zarv., 3,6: 381
lotoides Thunb., 3,6: 26
subsp. lagopus (Thunb.) Dahlg. , 3,6: 27
subsp. lotoides, 3,6: 27
var. (P) sparsiflora Harv., 3,6: 27
var. (y) stachyera (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 27
macrantha Harv., 3,6: 1, 121
macrocarpa Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 129
macrosepala Steud., 3,6: 143
marginalis Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 234
marginata Harv. , 3,6: 67
melanoides Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 193
meyeri Harv . , 3 ,6: 3 1
meyeriana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 155
micrantha E. Mey., 3,6: 175
microcarpa DC., 3,6: 175
microdon Benth., 3,6: 264
var. (P ) granulifera Benth., 3,6: 264
microphylla DC., 3,6: 329
var. (P ) mutica Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 329
microphylla Steud., 3,6: 264
millefolia Dahlg., 3,6: 159
mollis auct. non Lam., 3,6: 171
mollis Lam., 3, 6: 171, 178
var. (P )arcuata Benth., 3,6: 171
var. (p) flexuosa (Thunb.) E. Mey., 3,6: 169
monosperma (DC.) Dahlg., 3,6: 102
multiflora Thunb. , 3,6: 289
mundiana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 267
munita H. Bol., 3,6: 367
muraltioides Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 171
myrtillifolia Benth., 3,6: 65
neanthes Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 407
neglecta Salter, 3,6: 152
nervosa E. Mey., 3,6: 149
nigra L., 3,6: 193
var. (P) involucrata Pappe ex Harv., 3,6: 195
nigrescens E. Mey., 3,6: 193
nivea Thunb., 3,6: 284
nudiflora Harv., 3,6: 3, 84
obliqua Dahlg., 3,6: 265
oblongifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 53
obtusata Thunb., 3,6: 253
obtusifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 281
odontoloba Dahlg., 3,6: 273
oliveri Dahlg., 3,6: 359
opaca Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 131
subsp. opaca, 3,6: 133
subsp. pappeana (Harv.) Dahlg., 3,6: 135
subsp. rostriloba Dahlg., 3,6: 135
orbiculata Benth., 3,6: 65
oresigena Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 155
oxyclada Compton, 3,6: 347
pachyloba Benth., 3,6: 235
subsp. macroclada Dahlg., 3,6: 237
subsp. pachyloba, 3,6: 235
subsp. rugulicarpa Dahlg., 3,6: 237
subsp. succulentifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 237
subsp. villicaulis Dahlg., 3,6: 237
pollens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 193
pallescens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 137
pallidiflora Dahlg., 3,6: 233
papillosa Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 155
pappeana Harv., 3,6: 131, 135
parviflora auct. non Berg., 3,6: 191
parviflora Berg., 3,6: 184
patens Garab. ex Dahlg., 3,6: 93
pedicellata Harv., 3,6: 335
pedunculata Houtt., 3,6: 341
pedunculata L’Herit., 3,6: 90, 327
pendula Dahlg., 3,6: 89
pentheri Gand., 3,6: 269
perfoliata (Lam.) Dahlg., 3,6: 103
subsp. perfoliata, 3,6: 105
subsp. phillipsii Dahlg., 3,6: 106
perforata (Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 106
petersonii Dahlg., 3,6: 249
phylicoides Compton, 3,6: 415
pigmentosa Dahlg., 3,6: 161
pilantha Dahlg., 3,6: 342
pileata L. Bol., 3,6: 199
pilosa L., 3,6: 37
pinea Thunb., 3,6: 127
subsp. caudata Dahlg., 3,6: 129
subsp. pinea, 3,6: 129
pinea sensu Benth. , 3,6: 1
pinguis Thunb., 3,6: 269
subsp. australis Dahlg., 3,6: 271
subsp. longissima Dahlg., 3,6: 273
subsp. occidentals Dahlg., 3,6: 273
subsp. pinguis, 3,6: 271
pinifolia Marloth, 3,6: 85
3,6: 428
Crotalarieae
plukenetiana Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 47
poliotes Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 395
polycephala E. Mey., 3, 6: 1, 79
subsp. lanatifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 81
subsp. polycephala, 3,6: 81
subsp. rigida (Schltr.) Dahlg., 3,6: 81
potbergensis Dahlg., 3,6: 365
priorii Harv., 3,6: 201
proboscidea Dahlg., 3,6: 305
procumbens E. Mey., 3,6: 26
var. ( P) squarrosa E. Mey., 3,6: 27
propinqua E. Mey., 3,6: 185
prostrata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3, 6: 141
psoraleoides ( Presl ) Benth. , 3,6: 67
puberula (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 173
pulicifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 307
pumila Dahlg., 3,6: 75
pungens Thunb., 3,6: 309, 313, 333
purpurascens E. Mey., 3,6: 57
purpurea Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 57
pycnantha Dahlg., 3,6: 245
quadrata L. Bo/., 3,6: 55
quinquefolia L., 3,6: 31
subsp. acocksii Dahlg., 3,6: 34
subsp. compacta Dahlg., 3,6: 34
subsp. quinquefolia, 3,6: 33
subsp. virgata {Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 33
radiata Garab. ex Dahlg., 3,6: 49
subsp. pseudosericea Dahlg., 3,6: 50
subsp. radiata, 3,6: 49
ramosissima Dahlg., 3,6: 342
ramulosa E. Mey., 3,6: 53
rectistyla Dahlg. , 3,6: 183
recurva Benth., 3,6: 283
recurvispina Dahlg., 3,6: 281
remota Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 149
remota L. Bol., 3,6: 378
repens Dahlg., 3,6: 366
retroflexa L., 3,6: 353
subsp. amoena Dahlg., 3,6: 357
subsp. angustipetala Dahlg., 3,6: 357
subsp. bicolor (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 355
subsp. empetrifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 358
subsp. retroflexa, 3,6: 355
var. (3) bicolor (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Harv., 3,6: 353
var. (Y) parviflora Harv., 3,6: 321, 363
rigescens E. Mey., 3,6: 389
var. (3) echinata (E. Mey.) Harv., 3,6: 389
rigida Schltr., 3,6: 79
rigidifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 339
robusta H. Bol., 3,6: 155
rosea Garab. ex Dahlg., 3,6: 199
rostrata Benth., 3,6: 130
rostripetala Dahlg., 3,6: 306
rubens Thunb., 3,6: 342
rubescens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 263
rubiginosa Dahlg. , 3,6: 159
rubrocalyx Garab. ex Compton, 3,6: 227
rubro-fusca Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 135
rugosa Thunb. , 3,6: 45
subsp. lin(e)arifolia (Burm. f.) Dahlg., 3,6: 45
rupestris Dahlg., 3,6: 77
rycroftiiDo/i/g., 3,6: 123
salicifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 35
salteriL. Bol., 3,6: 139
sanguinea Thunb., 3,6: 275
subsp. foliosa Dahlg., 3,6: 277
subsp. sanguinea, 3,6: 277
sarcantha Vogel ex Walp., 3,6: 215
sarcodes Vogel ex Benth., 3,6: 219
scaphoides Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 145
sceptrum-aureum Dahlg., 3,6: 421
schlechteri H. Bol., 3,6: 131
scholliana Presl, 3,6: 31
secunda E. Mey. , 3,6: 3 15
securifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., 3, 6: 63
var. (p) spathulata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp., 3,6: 63
sericantha E. Mey., 3,6: 407
sericea auct. non Berg., 3,6: 51
sericea Berg., 3,6: 50
subsp. aemula (E. Mey.) Dahlg., 3,6: 51
sericea Lam , 3,6: 241
serpens Dahlg., 3,6: 325
setacea Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 389
var. (P) arachnoidea Walp., 3,6: 389
var. (a) canescens Walp., 3,6: 389
var. (a) ecklonii Harv. , 3,6: 389
var. (P) gillii (Benth.) Harv., 3,6: 391
shawii L . Bol. ,3,6:415
subsp. glabripetala (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 417
subsp. longispica (Dahlg. ) Dahlg. , 3,6: 417
subsp. shawii, 3,6: 415
simii//. Bol., 3,6: 267
subsp. katbergensis Dahlg., 3,6: 265
subsp. simii, 3,6: 267
simsiana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 153, 206
var. (P )montana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 208
singuliflora Dahlg., 3,6: 57
smithii Da/i/g. , 3,6: 245
spathulata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 63
speciosa Steud., 3,6: 293
spectabilis Dahlg. , 3,6: 405
sphaerocephala Schltr., 3,6: 213, 219
spicata auct. non Thunb., 3,6: 197
spicata Thunb., 3,6: 149, 195
subsp. cliffortioides (H. Bol. in Schltr.) Dahlg., 3,6:
152
subsp. neglecta (Salter) Dahlg., 3,6: 152
subsp. spicata, 3,6: 149
var. (P) cephalotes (Thunb.) Harv., 3,6: 199, 201
spiculata Dahlg., 3, 6: 231
spinescens Thunb., 3,6: 286
subsp. lepida (E. Mey.) Dahlg., 3,6: 287
subsp. spinescens, 3,6: 287
spinosa/.., 3,6: 1, 253
subsp. flavispina (Presl ex Benth.) Dahlg. , 3,6: 258
subsp. glauca (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Dahlg., 3,6: 260
subsp. obtusata (Thunb.) Dahlg., 3,6: 253
subsp. spinosa, 3,6: 257
var. (P) flavispina Presl ex Benth. , 3,6: 255, 258
var. (P) horrida (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Benth., 3,6: 255
var. (P) inermis E. Mey., 3,6: 255
Crotalarieae
3,6: 429
var. (P) longifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 255
var. (Y) puberula Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 255
spinosissima Dahlg., 3,6: 303
subsp. spinosissima, 3,6: 303
subsp. tenuiflora Dahlg., 3,6: 304
squarrosa Thunb. , 3,6: 91
stachyera Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 27
staurantha Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 35, 39
slellaris Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 69
stenophylla Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 71
subsp. garciana Dahlg., 3,6: 71
steudeliana Brongn., 3,6: 264
stokoei L. Bol., 3,6: 203
stricticlada (Dahlg.) Dahlg., 3,6: 297
strictus Steud., 3,6: 31
suaveolens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 77
submissaDa/i/g., 3,6: 191
subtingens Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 263
subulata Thunb., 3,6: 209
succulenta E. Mey., 3,6: 269, 271
suffruticosa auct. non (Burm. f.) DC., 3,6: 327
suffruticosa auct. non DC., 3,6: 325
sulphurea Dahlg., 3,6: 221
taylorii Dahlg., 3, 6: 73
tenuifolia auct. non DC., 3,6: 89
tenuifolia DC. , 3,6: 85
tenuissima Dahlg., 3,6: 350
teres Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 401
subsp. teres, 3,6: 403
subsp. thodei Dahlg., 3,6: 403
temata (Thunb.) Druce, 3,6: 57
thymifolia L., 3,6: 175, 179, 215
var. (6) albijlora (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Benth., 3,6: 175,
177
var. albiflora Sond , 3,6: 342
var. (P )incana E. Mey., 3,6: 175
var. (y) hispida E. Mey., 3,6: 175
var. (\) micrantha (E. Mey.) Benth., 3,6: 175
var. (P (puberula Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 173
var. (P) tenuifolia Benth., 3,6: 175
var. (6) vermiculata (Lam.) E. Mey., 3,6: 289
tomentosa E. Mey., 3,6: 375
tridentata L. , 3,6: 35
subsp. fragilisDa/i/g., 3,6: 39
subsp. rotunda Dahlg., 3,6: 39
subsp. staurantha (Eckl. <4 Zeyh.) Dahlg. , 3,6: 39
subsp. tridentata, 3,6: 37
irigona auct. non Thunb. , 3,6: 209
triquetra Thunb., 3,6: 1, 185
truncata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 213
subsp. sphaerocephala (Schltr.) Dahlg., 3,6: 213
tuberculata Walp., 3,6: 239
tulbaghensis Dahlg , 3 ,6: 3 1 3
tylodes Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 207
ulicina Eckl. <5 Zeyh., 3,6: 301
subsp. kardouwensis Dahlg., 3,6: 301
subsp. ulicina, 3,6: 301
undulata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 79
uniflora auct. non L., 3,6: 145
uniflora L., 3,6: 125
subsp. willdenowiana (Benth.) Dahlg., 3,6: 123
vacciniifolia Dahlg., 3,6: 211
variansEcW. <5 Zeyh., 3,6: 181
subsp. isolaia Dahlg., 3,6: 179
subsp. varians, 3,6: 181
variegata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 213
venosa E. Mey., 3,6: 82
veibasciformis Dahlg., 3,6: 421
vermiculata Lam., 3,6: 289
verrucosa auct. non L., 3,6: 123, 269
verrucosa L., 3,6: 239
versicolor E. Mey., 3,6: 227
villosa Thunb., 3,6: 39
virgata Thunb., 3,6: 31
var. (P (globosa Benth., 3,6: 31
var. (Y) leucocephala (E. Mey.) Harv., 3,6: 31
vulnerans Thunb., 3,6: 296
vulnerans Thunb. , 3,6: 404
vulpina Garab. ex Dahlg. , 3,6: 83
wiildenowiana Benth., 3,6: 1, 123
wittebergensis Compton & Barnes, 3,6: 345
subsp. anthospermoides Dahlg., 3,6: 347
subsp. intricata (Compton) Dahlg., 3,6: 345
subsp. oxyclada (Compton) Dahlg., 3,6: 347
subsp. wittebergensis, 3,6: 345
wurmbeana E. Mey., 3,6: 284
zeyheri (Han.) Dahlg. ,3,6: 277
Aster lin(e)arifolius Burm. f., 3,6: 45
Bootia Adans., 3,6: 1
Borbonia L., 3,6: 1
alata Willd. ex Spreng. , 3,6: 1 15
alpestris Benth , 3,6: 99
angustifolia Lam., 3,6: 109
barbata Lam , 3,6: 1 13
candolleana Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 106
ciliata Willd., 3,6: 106
commutata Vogel, 3,6: 103
complicata Benth., 3,6: 107
cordala L , 3.6: 1, 113
cordifolia Lam., 3,6: 113
crenata auct. non L , 3,6: 105
crenata L., 3,6: 1 15
decipiens E. Mey., 3,6: 109
elliptica Phill., 3,6: 1 16
lanceolata L., 3,6: 109
var. (P) angustifolia (Lam.) Walp. , 3,6: 109
var. (P) gracilis Harv., 3,6: 107
var. robusta Phill., 3,6: 109
var. villosa Phill., 3,6: 109
latifolia Benth., 3,6: 116
leiantha Phill., 3,6: 115
monosperma Cand., 3,6: 99
monosperma DC., 3,6: 102
multiflora (Harv.) Phill., 3,6: 105
paniflora auct. non Lam., 3,6: 107
pan-iflora Lam., 3,6: 115
perfoliata Lam., 3,6: 105
perforata Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 106
perforata Thunb. ,3,6: 106
var. (P) breviflora Walp., 3,6: 106
var. (P) pauciflora Harv., 3,6: 106
var. (a) pluriflora Harv., 3,6: 106
3,6: 430
Crotalareeae
pungens Mund ex Benth., 3,6: 99
ruscifolia Sims, 3,6: 1 15
serrulala Thunb. , 3,6: 115
trine r\ia auct. non L., 3,6: 99
undulata aucl. non Thunb., 3,6: 105
undulata Thunb., 3,6: 103
var. ciliata Phill., 3,6: 103
var. fP) multiflora Harv., 3,6: 105
villosa Harv., 3,6: 97
Buchenroedera teretifolia Eckl. & Zeyh. , 3,6: 291
Calicotome Link, 3,6: 2
Clifforlia concavifolia Eckl. & Zeyh., 3,6: 63
ruscifolia L., 3,6: 99
Cyphocalyx Presl, 3,6: 1
aridus (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 225, 226
major Presl, 3,6: 225, 226
CytisusZ.., 3,6: 2
Diallosperma Raf., 3,6: 1
spinosa (L.) Raf., 3,6: 1, 255
Eriocylax Neck., 3,6: 1
Fakeioba Raf., 3,6: 1
creiica (L.) Raf., 3,6: 1
Galega ternata Thunb. , 3,6: 57
Genista L., 3,6: 2
Heierolaihus Presl, 3,6: 1
involucrata (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 79
polycephala (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 79
suaveolens (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 77
Lebeckia contaminata (L. ) Thunb. , 3,6: 85
linearis (Burnt, f.) DC. ,3,6: 85
Lotononis lanceolata (E. Mey.) Benth. , 3,6: 109
Ononis capil laris Thunb. , 3,6: 91
fasciculata Thunb., 3,6: 79
lagopus Thunb., 3,6: 26, 27
spicata Thunb. , 3,6: 5 1
Pachyraphea Presl, 3,6: 1
propinqua (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 185
triquetra (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 185
zeyheriana Presl, 3,6: 187
Paraspalathus Presl, 3,6: 1
aemula (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 51
albanensis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 375
albiflora (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 175, 177
araneosa (L.) Presl, 3,6: 163
arenarioides Presl, 3,6: 175
ascendens (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 31
callosa (L.) Presl, 3,6: 206
cancellata Presl, 3,6: 163
capitata (L.) Presl, 3,6: 220
carnosa (Berg.) Presl, 3,6: 215
cephalotes (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 195
cerrhantha (Eckl . & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 201
cinerea (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 63
crocea Presl, 3,6: 295
cytisoides (Lam.) Presl, 3,6: 61
elongata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 31
ericifolia (L.) Presl, 3,6: 178
ericoides (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 178
fagonioides Presl, 3,6: 208
fdicaulis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 1 17
frankenioides (DC.) Presl, 3,6: 375
globosa (Andr.) Presl, 3,6: 199
heterophylla (L. f.) Presl, 3,6: 27
hispida (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 175
humifusa Presl, 3,6: 26
incurva (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 141
intermedia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 395
jacobaea (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 31, 33
leucocephala (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 31
lotoides (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 26
melanoides (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 193
meyeriana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 155
micrantha (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 175
microcarpa (DC.) Presl, 3,6: 175
mollis (Lam.) Presl, 3,6: 178
nigra (L.) Presl, 3,6: 193
nigrescens (E. Mey . ) Presl, 3,6: 193
pilosa (L.) Presl, 3,6: 37
plukenetiana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 47
procumbens (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 26
psoraleoides Presl, 3,6: 67
purpurascens ( E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 57
scolliana (Presl) Presl, 3,6: 31
sericea (Asp. sericea Berg.), 3,6: 51
sericea (Berg.) Presl, 3,6: 50
simsiana (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 153
spathulata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 63
spicata (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 149
stellaris (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 69
stenophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 71
thymifolia (L.) Presl, 3,6: 215
villosa (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 41
virgata (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 31
Plagiostigma Presl, 3,6: 1
pinea (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 127
Psilolepus Presl, 3,6: 1
bracteatus (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 90
lanatus (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 95
pedunculatus (L’Herit.) Presl, 3,6: 90
Psoralea linearis Burm. f., 3,6: 85
Sarcocalyx Walp., 3,6: 1
capensis Walp., 3,6: 1,219
Sarcophyllum carnosum Thunb. sensu E. Mey., 3,6: 219
Sarcophyllus Thunb., 3,6: 1
carnosus Thunb., 3,6: 1, 219
Scaligera Adans., 3,6: 1
Spartium contaminatum L., 3,6: 85
Streptosema Presl, 3,6: 1
hystrix(L. f.) Presl, 3,6: 123,411
Trineuria Presl, 3,6: 1
appendiculata (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 155
chenopoda (L.) Presl, 3,6: 165
ciliaris (L.) Presl, 3,6: 155
cochleariformis Presl, 3,6: 145
comosa (Aspal. comosa Thunb.), 3,6: 149
comosa (Thunb.) Presl, 3,6: 184
cymbiformis (DC.) Presl, 3,6: 143
deciduifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 193
fuscescens Presl, 3,6: 193
lin(e)arifolia (Burm. f.) Presl, 3,6: 45
marginalis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Presl, 3,6: 359
rigescens (E. Mey.) Presl, 3,6: 389