Pteronia aspera Thunb., Fl. Cap.

Bello, A. O., Boatwright, J. S., Tilney, P. M., Van der Bank, M. & Magee, A. R., 2017, A taxonomic revision of the Pteronia camphorata group (Astereae, Asteraceae) *, South African Journal of Botany 113, pp. 277-287 : 280-283

1. Pteronia aspera Thunb., Fl. Cap. 2: 631 (1823);

DC. Prodr. 5: 364 (1836). Pterophorus asper (Thunb.) Less. Syn. Gen. Compos. 195 (1832). Pteronia camphorata var. aspera (Thunb.) Harv. in Harv. & Sond. Fl. Cap. 3: 110 (1865). Type: South Africa. Precise locality unknown: ‘Caput Bonae Spei’ [Cape of Good Hope], Thunberg s.n. THUNB-UPS 18664 (UPS, holo. – microfiche!).

Pteronia camphorata L. var. longifolia Harv. in Harv. & Sond. Fl. Cap. 3: 110 (1865); Hutch. & Phillips in Ann. S. African Mus. 9: 298 (1917), syn. nov. Type: South Africa. Western Cape, Caledon (3419): ‘ Rivier Zonderende’ [Riviersonderend] (–BB), Ecklon & Zeyher 2776 (TCD!, lecto., here designated; SAM!, isolecto.). [Note: Four original collections exist. We designate the Ecklon & Zeyher 2776 collection as Harvey specifically included this collection after his description, while the other collections were listed only later with the habitat.]

Pteronia camphorata sensu Harv. in Harv. & Sond. Fl. Cap. 3: 110 (1865), excl. type; Hutch.& Phillips in Ann.S. African Mus.9: 296 (1917).

Pterophora camphorata sensu Lessing, Syn. Gen. Compos. 195 (1832), excl. type.

Pteronia camphorata var. armata sensu Harv. in Harv. & Sond. Fl. Cap. 3: 110 (1865), excl. type; Hutch. & Phillips in Ann. S. African Mus. 9: 297 (1917).

Evergreen perennial shrubs up to 2 m high; much branched, branches finely setulose with increasing density towards the upper part to densely setose all over the surface. Leaves alternate, somewhat dense, spreading, simple, acicular, 8–40 × 0.6–1.0 mm, subterete or somewhat flattened upward, coriaceous, glabrescent or rigidly setose all over the surface, leaf setae sometimes involute; mucronate, margins setulose-ciliate towards the base, fasciculate. Capitula homogamous, discoid, 15- to 25-flowered, terminal, in clusters of 2 to 6; sometimes solitary, pedunculate, peduncles up to 25 mm long; bearing smaller leaves. Involucre subcampanulate to campanulate, 10–16 × 13– 20 mm, 3-seriate; involucral bracts glabrous, stereome sometimes prominent; margins serrate, narrowly scarious; outermost bracts rarely setulose, ovate to lanceolate or linear, 4–6 mm long, apex acute; middle bracts lanceolate to broadly ovate, 5–8 mm long, apex acute; innermost bracts lanceolate to broadly ovate, 10– 13 mm long, apex acute to acuminate. Florets bisexual, 15 to 25; corolla yellow, tubular, 9–10 mm long, limb 5-lobed, widening upward, tube sparsely pubescent; anthers 3–4 mm long, apex acute or acuminate, base terete, slightly swollen to swollen; style branched, 10– 13 mm long, branches somewhat flattened, about 2.9 mm long, densely stimatic-papillate. Pappus uniseriate, bristles, connate at base, 6–9 mm long, slightly shorter than florets at fruiting stage, straw-coloured. Cypselas ovate, 3–4 × 1.5–2.0 mm, dorsoventrally flattened, marginal ribs slightly prominent, usually contracted into a neck at apex, glabrous, brown, shiny. Fig. 5 .

Diagnostic characters

Pteronia aspera shares the alternate leaves, pubescent branches and smaller fruit with P. camphorata but can be readily distinguished by the prominent serrate margins of the involucral bracts ( Fig. 2 ; entire in P. camphorata ) and the dorsoventrally flattened cypselas with slightly prominent marginal ribs ( Fig. 5E ; isodiametric and prominent white or creamish marginal ribs in P. camphorata ). In the northern parts of its distribution the leaves are usually shorter and densely hairy.

Distribution and ecology

This species is the most widely distributed in the group extending from the Kamiesberg Mountains through to the Cape Peninsula and eastward to the Langeberg and Rooiberg Mountains ( Fig. 6 ). It occurs from sea level to 1230 m. Flowering is in spring to early summer (September to December).

Specimens examined

South Africa. NORTHERN CAPE: 3018 (Kamiesberg): Kamiesberg, peak east of Rooiberg above Karas (–AC), Rourke 2283 (NBG). 3119 (Calvinia): Nieuwoudtville, Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (–AC), Pretorius 147 (NBG, PRE); Nieuwoudtville, Groot Tuin 653 (–AC), Pretorius 572 (NBG, PRE); Lokenburg (–CA), Leistner 430 (PRE).

WESTERN CAPE: 3118 (Vanrhynsdorp): Gifberg, east slopes of Plateau (–DA), Esterhuysen 22129 (BOL). 3218 (Clanwilliam): Kliphuisrivier, Kliphuis (–BB), Taylor 11350 (NBG, PRE); Pakhuis Pass (–BB), Compton 6941, 20931, 9637 (NBG), Thode A2121 (PRE), Esterhuysen 3286 (PRE), Lewis 19-9-37 (PRE); Nardouskloof (–BB), Compton 6991 (NBG); Olifants Rivier (–BB), Schlechter 5112 (PRE); Boekenberg (–BC), Compton 5108 (NBG); Elandskloofrivier (–BD), Compton 12493 (NBG); Uitkyk (–DA), Compton 5103, 5090 (NBG); Clanwilliam (–DB), Hanekom 2863 (NBG), Wagener 26823 (NBG); Piketberg Mountain to side of rocky outcrop along Eskom road to Aasvoëlkop (– DC), Trinder-Smith 665 (BOL); Piketberg Mountain (– DD), Barker 10274 (NBG); Piketberg, Groenvlei Farm off R365 (–DD), Cowell et al. MSBP 4020 (NBG). 3219 (Wuppertal): Pakhuis Pass at east boundary of State Forest , North Cederberg, below old road (– AA), Taylor 11882 (NBG); Krakadouw Mountain , Clanwilliam, C.P. (– AA), Leipoldt 504 (NBG); Pakhuis, 20 km from Clanwilliam on road to Biedouw Valley (– AA), Le Roux 2394 (NBG, PRE); Cederberg, Pakhuisberg. 15 km from Clanwilliam on road to Pakhuis (–AA), Rodriquez– Oubina & Cruces 2092 ( PRE); Heuningvlei Forest Station , on road to Groenberg (– AA), Emdon 148 (PRE); Wuppertal, Heuningvlei, beside the road between Wuppertal & Heuningvlei (– AA), Welman 00125 (PRE); Cederberg State Forest : Steemrugkloof (– AC), Richardson 43 (NBG, PRE); Cederberg State Forest research site (– AC), Le Maitre 244, 541 (NBG), Le Maitre 541 (PRE); Nieuwoudt Pass, Cederbergen (–AC), Hafstrom & Acocks 1730 ( PRE); Clanwilliam Division, Cederberg (–CA), Esterhuysen 12258, 20515 (PRE); Cederberg – Gonnafontein, rocky Mountain slope, western Gonnafontein (– CB), Pond UP212 (NBG); Citrusdal, Kromrivier (–CB), Manning 2938 (NBG); Twee Riviere, east of Baliesgatberg (– CB), Stirton & Zantovska 11472 ( NBG, PRE); Middle east slope of Grasruggens Mountain (– CC), Pillans 8779 (NBG, PRE, BOL); Cardouw Pass (–CC), Barker 7603 (NBG), Johnson 303 (NBG), Compton 24343 (NBG). 3318 ( Cape Town ): Farm Eersteplaat near Darling, opposite Rondeberg (– AD), Goldblatt & Manning 10374 ( PRE); Mamre road 20 miles [32.19 km] from Cape Town (– BC), Barker 4098 (NBG); Cape Province , Malmesbury Division, 1 km north of Maryka, sandy ground (– BC), Bremer 207 (NBG); Hort. Kirstenbosch, low slopes of Koppie (–CD), Henderson 1241 (NBG); Koeberg, south slopes on sand along N7 (–DA), Goldblatt & Manning 10331 ( NBG); Peninsula west of Langebaai , Malmesbury Division (– DA), Pillans 6970 (BOL); Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve , next to Jan Philipsberg road (– DB), Swanepoel 33 (NBG); Paarl Mountains north of Nantesdam (– DB), Jordaan M79 (NBG); Paardeberg, between Wellington and Malmesbury (– DB), Nicholson & Roets ( NBG); Simonsberg (–DD), Baker 278 (NBG), Tymens s.n. (NBG); Banghoek (–DD), Compton 10338 (NBG); Lemoenkloof Farm, north-east of Stellenbosch ridge, directly west of Silwerminekloof (– DD), Buys 68 (NBG); Botmaskop (–DD), Van Rensburg 337 (NBG, PRE), Van Rensburg 2003 (BOL); Water Affairs road, Banghoek (–DD), Fugler 29 (NBG); Brian Rycroft Nature Reserve , Dwarsriviershoek, Banghoek, Stellenbosch (– DD), Rycroft 3280 (NBG); Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (– DD), Bands s.n. (NBG), Brandon 113 (NBG), Compton 15322 (NBG), Taylor 4571A (NBG); Jonkershoek State Forest – Swartboschkloof (– DD), Kruger 111 (NBG), McDonald 797 ( NBG), Burman 997 (BOL); Slopes of Papegaaiberg (– DD), Nuthie 1124A (PRE); Assegaaibosch (–DD), Merwe 1234 (PRE). 3319 (Wocester): Groot Winterhoek, Porterville; Klein Kliphuis River (– AA), Taylor 9752 (PRE); 5 km north of Tulbagh on way to Winterhoek State Forest (– AA), Mauve & Hugo 58 ( PRE); Gydo Pass, 8 km from Prince Alfred Hamlet along R303 (–AB), Watson & Panero 94-59A ( NBG); Elandsfontein (–AB), Schlechter 1653 (PRE); Tulbagh, slopes above Pastures (–AC), Hansford & Hansford 111 ( NBG); Paarl Division, Bailey's Peak, north-west slopes (–AC), Esterhuysen 5820 (BOL); Theronsberg Pass, Karroid veld near top of Pass (–AD), Goldblatt & Manning 8602 ( PRE); Du Toits Kloof, west side (–CA), Maguire 1112 (NBG), Esterhuysen 14608 (BOL); Bainskloofpas, at Tweede Tol/Borcheri bridge, R303 along roadside (–CA), Watson & Panero 94-73A ( NBG); Molenaarsberg, near Stream (–CA), Compton 20143 (NBG); Wangenheim Farm, Rawsonville (–CB), Walters 1848 (NBG); Rawsonville, langs Rivier (–CB), Compton Herbarium (NBG); Groot Drakenstein Mountain , Duivels Kloof (– CC), Wasserfau 744 (NBG); Paarl Division, Haelhoeksneeukop (–CC), Esterhuysen 9599 (BOL); Franschhoek (–CC), Bolus 51 (NBG), Alexander 18-10-1848 ( PRE); Franschhoek Pass (–CC), Thodes A2198 (NBG); Paarl Division, Franschhoek Peak (–CC), Stokoe 8361 (PRE); Stettynskloof, Limietberg (–CD), Pambaniso 13 (NBG); Riviersonderend Mountains , Jonaskop, roadside to FM tower (– DC), Boucher 4249 (NBG); Gannaberg, Wocester, top of mountain (–DC), Van Jaarsveld 23507 (NBG); Jonaskop near Villiersdorp, road to SABC tower, Table Mountain sandstone (– DC), Boucher 3023 (NBG). 3320 (Montagu): Between Pypsteelfontein & Grootfontein, Waboomsberge (– CA), Moffett & Steensma 4124 ( NBG, PRE); Keurkloof (–CC), Compton 5830 (BOL); Tradouws Pass (–DC), Levyns 594 (NBG); 6 miles [9.66 km] into Tradouws Pass from Barrydale (–DC), Marsh 962 (NBG); Boosmansbos Wilderness Area – Langeberg (– DD), McDonald 1266 ( NBG); Lemoenshoek Peak, lower south slopes (–DD), Walgate 951 (PRE). 3321 (Ladismith): Rooiberg Grove on south slope north-east of Hut (–CB), Taylor 9503 (PRE); Gysmanshoek Pass, near top Riversdale (–CC), Hugo 2738 (NBG); Heidelberg Division Langebergen, south side, Gysmanshoek pass, lower south side (–CC), Strid A + B 37998 (NBG); Middle of Gysmanshoek Pass , 1 m from top on Heidelburg Stream side road (– CC), Marsh 1190 (NBG). 3418 (Simonstown): Zeekoe Vlei (–AB), Schlechter 8483 (PRE); Simonsberg (–AB), Compton 14190 (NBG); Steenbras mouth (–BB), Compton 8016 (NBG); Kogel Bay (– BB), Compton 20083 (NBG); Rooiels (–BD), Parker 4298 (NBG); Kogelberg State Forest Highlands, Palmiet crossing (– BD), Boucher 2002 (NBG). 3419 (Caledon): Rocky ridge, Viljoens Pass, south side (–AA), Galpin 12446 (PRE); Riviersonderend Mountains , head of Baviaaskloof, north-west of Genadendal, south-west of Jonaskop (– AB), Oliver 8457 (NBG); Caledon (–AB), Stokoe 8361 (PRE), Stokoe 17535 (BOL), Parker 4298 (BOL); Riviersonderend Mountains , north slope of Middelberg (– BB), Manning 2143 (NBG). 3420 (Bredasdorp): Hermitage Kloof (–AB), Wurt 391 (NBG); Tradouws (–BA), Thorns s.n. (NBG). PRECISE LOCALITY UNKNOWN: Thode 18741 (PRE); Cape Town , Taylor 6958 ( NBG); Mund 9689 (PRE).

Precise locality unknown:Caput Bonae Spei, Thunberg s.n. THUNB-UPS 18666 (UPS).

Figures

Fig.5. Morphology of Pteronia aspera. A & B – flowering branches.C – involucral bracts.D – style.E – cypselas.F – floret, G – corolla.Vouchers:A,C,D, E1 & F – Pambaniso13 (NBG); B, E2 – Pond UP212 (NBG); G – Stokoe 17535 (BOL). Scales: A & B = 2 cm, (C, D & F) = 2 mm, (E1, E2 & G) = 1 mm.

Fig. 2. Close-up of bracts showing serrate and entire margins of Pteronia species studied.A – P.cederbergensis (Levyn 5101,BOL).B – P.aspera (Esterhuysen 14608,BOL).C – P.camphorata (Esterhuysen 13994, BOL).Scales: A & B = 0.5 mm, C = 1 mm.

Fig. 6. Known distribution of Pteronia aspera.