Lopholaena phippsii (Compositae: Senecioneae: Othonninae), a new species from Zimbabwe, and a synopsis of the genus.

Hind, D. J. Nicholas

Lopholaena phippsii (Compositae: Senecioneae: Othonninae), a new species from Zimbabwe, and a synopsis of the genus.

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Hind, D. J. Nicholas

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December 20, 2025

Abstract

A new species of Lopholaena DC. (Compositae: Senecioneae: Othonninae), Lopholaena phippsii D.J.N.Hind, is described from Mt Binga, on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. The new species is illustrated, and comments provided on the etymology, distribution, altitudinal range, habitat and ecology, phenology and its proposed conservation status. A synopsis of Lopholaena, commonly known as Fluff bush, is also provided, with a generic description, a key to species, the currently accepted names, synonymy in chronological order, classical type citations (simply a transcription from the basionym protologue), and the location of known type material and their barcodes (when available). Under each accepted name comments on distribution, altitudinal range, habitat and ecology, phenology, habit, its proposed conservation status, together with known vernacular names, appear. Lectotypification is undertaken for Lopholaena brevipes E.Phillips & C.A.Sm., L. glaucescens E.Phillips & C.A.Sm., Othonna coriifolia Sond., Senecio avasimontanus Dinter, Senecio trianthemos O.Hoffm., and Senecio ussanguensis O.Hoffm. (a re-selection). Second-step lectotypification was also carried out for Lopholaena brickellioides S.Moore, Lopholaena pauciflora Thell., Othonna disticha N.E.Br., and Senecio dolichopappus O.Hoffm. (this is effectively a re-second-step lectotypification). A study of type material of Senecio avasimontanus Dinter shows that this was misplaced in Senecio L., Othonna L. (and later in Curio P.V.Heath), and is confirmed as conspecific with L. cneorifolia, as originally suggested by Merxmüller, but certainly not conspecific with Kleinia longiflora DC. Curio avasimontanus (Dinter) P.V.Heath is provided as a synon. nov. under Lopholaena cneorifolia (DC.) S.Moore. Lopholaena alata P.A.Duvign. is a synon. nov. of L. acutifolia R.E.Fr. Lopholaena dolichopappa (O.Hoffm.) S.Moore is now considered a synon. nov. of L. whyteana (Britton) E.Phillips & C.A.Sm. A nomenclator of all relevant names in Lopholaena is provided, together with a table showing the distribution of species. Eighteen species are now recognised in the genus.