Chlorophytum vespertinum (Asparagaceae, Anthericeae), a New Species from Zambia and Tanzania.

Gereau, Roy E.; Kativu, Shakkie; Meerts, Pierre; Merrett, Lari; Osborne, Jo; Vollesen, Kaj

Chlorophytum vespertinum (Asparagaceae, Anthericeae), a New Species from Zambia and Tanzania.

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Gereau, Roy E.

ORCID

Kativu, Shakkie

ORCID

Meerts, Pierre

ORCID

Merrett, Lari

Osborne, Jo

ORCID

Vollesen, Kaj

Date published

August 28, 2023

Abstract

Chlorophytum vespertinum Vollesen from Zambia and Tanzania is described and illustrated. The species exhibits characters unique in Chlorophytum Ker Gawl.: pendulous flowers and fruits, flowers that open late in the afternoon and close before midnight, and leaves with a long-extended reflexed or recoiled tip. Its affinities are discussed in the context of recent taxonomic work on the genus. The species is distributed from central northern Zambia to southwestern Tanzania and usually grows on termite mounds in Brachystegia Benth. woodland or in surrounding areas. Chlorophytum vespertinum is assigned a preliminary IUCN Red List status of Vulnerable.