Staavia Dahl,

Claßen-Bockhoff, Regine, Oliver, Edward G. H., Hall, Anthony V. & Quint, Marcus, 2019, A new classification of the South African endemic family Bruniaceae based on molecular and morphological data, TAXON 60 (4), pp. 1138-1155 : 1146

4. Staavia Dahl,

Observ. Bot.: 15. 1787; PillansinJ. S. African Bot. 13: 169. 1947

– Type: Staavia radiata (L.) Dahl.

= Raspalia Brongn. in Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 8: 377, t. 37, fig. 1. 1826 p.p. quoad R. staavioides Pillans.

Growth form: Erect, ericoidundershrubswithclear sympodial branching pattern, lignotubers present ( S. comosa , S. dregeana , S. radiata ) or absent (remaining species). Leaves: erectspreading, imbricate, petiolate, amphistomatic; stipules present. Inflorescences: determinate heads with basipetal flower sequence, always terminal on main axis of sympodial shoot (except S. verticillata ), often enriched by lateral inflorescences, in S. zeyheri with 8–11 inflorescences densely aggregated in compound cluster; uppermost leaves forming an involucre, straw-like and very showy (white) in some species ( S. dodii , S. glutinosa ), contrasting with black centreof inflorescence caused by densely aggregated flowers. Flowers: cup-shaped with copious nectar, attracting beetles and flies; each of lateral flowers subtended by 1 bract and 2 bracteoles. Petals: white, usually with pale pink stains and swollen homogeneous petal bulge. Scent: occasionally present, strong honey-like ( S. comosa , S. radiata ). Stamens: shorter than petals; anthers ovate to oblong, thecae parallel, versatile. Pollen: 3- to 6-colporate, foveolate. Ovary: (half-)inferior, 2-locular, with 1 ovule per locule. Styles: 2, fused, included. Fruit: 1- or 2-seeded, dry, dehiscent; seed nutlike, with cup-shaped aril. 2 n = ca. 44, 46 (up to 88 in S. radiata ). Habitat: dry ( S. comosa , S. dodii , S. radiata ), marshy ( S. brownii , S. verticillata , S. zeyheri ), or mountainous areaswith moisture-bearingclouds ( S. glutinosa , S. dregeana ), 0–1200 m. Flowering time: allyearround ( S. radiata ), May–August ( S. brownii , S. zeyheri ), or September–November (remaining species). Species: 11 spp., concentrated in south-western region of Western Cape, extending eastwardsto Riversdale and northwards to Nieuwoudtville in Northern Cape.