Rubus noli-tangere A.Beek, 2021

Beek, Abraham Van De, 2021, Rubi Capenses: a further contribution to the knowledge of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae) in South Africa, Phytotaxa 515 (1), pp. 1-71 : 37

14. Rubus noli-tangere A.Beek sp. nov.

Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Road to Nature’s Valley , opposite farm, 18 October 2018, Beek 2018.104 (holotype L; isotype NBG). ( Figs 13A–C )

Diagnosis: —A plant of Rubus ser. Scleri with extremely dense and strong prickles (from this the name: ‘do not touch’!) on the primocane is found in the area from Knysna to Hogsback; it is stronger than R. mundtii in all aspects. Because it is well defined and has a substantial distribution it is described as a new species.

Primocane ( Fig. 13D ) high arching, diam. 8–13 mm, angular and deep furrowed, with sessile and sometime few subsessile glands and dense short stellate hairs; prickles 20–35 per 5 cm, somewhat unequal, from 1–4(–6) mm wide base compressed, curved or hooked, up to 8–10 mm long; stipules 10–15 mm, linear, lanceolate or narrow ovate, grey. Leaves (digitate and) bi-jugate pinnate 5- to 7-foliolate, adaxially ( Fig. 13E ) with appressed simple or short stellate hairs, abaxially ( Fig. 13F ) short white tomentose; serrature rather fine, unequal, usually shallowly irregular periodical, with straight or few recurved teeth; petiole 6–10 cm long, short tomentose, with 10–30 somewhat unequal hooked prickles; basal leaflets of digital junction (mostly pedate) sessile, lateral ones 3–5 mm stalked; central leaflet from emarginate or rounded base 41–58 mm long, elliptical, broad (ob-)ovate or orbicular, at tip rounded or rather gradually attenuate into broad short tip, width–length index 0.76–0.86(–1.12), length of petiolule 35–48% of length of leaflet. Flowering branch ( Fig. 13G ) angular, furrowed, short tomentose, with some (sub-)sessile glands; leaves 3- to 5-foliolate, apical ones often lobate, or simple; prickles 3–20 per 5 cm, from 2–10 mm broad base strongly curved or hooked, up to 5–11 mm long. Inflorescence with 2–5 peduncles in axils of leaves, and conic or narrow tip, often with long leafy bracts; peduncles ascending or sometimes almost patent, divided from base, longest with 4–16 flowers; pedicels ( Fig. 13H ) 2–10 mm, white tomentose, with some fine stipitate glands. Flowers: sepals ( Fig. 13I ) patent, 3–4 × 6–9 mm, gradually attenuate into short or long tip, white tomentose, with some subsessile glands; petals pink to purple, obovate, as long as sepals; stamens shorter than styles; anthers glabrous; styles red; ovaries glabrous; receptacle hairy.

Ecology: —Roadsides, hedges, wood margins.

Distribution: —In the wooded regions between Knysna (Western Cape) and Richmond (KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa.

Specimens:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Knysna, Kruisfontein Plantage , 16 October 2018, Beek 2018.96 ( L) ; Road from N2 to Wittedrif , 17 October 2018, Beek 2018.97 ( L) ; Road to Keurboomstrand , corner of the turn off road, 18 October 2018, Beek 2018.103 ( L) . Eastern Cape: Fort Beaufort , 7 December 1981, Henderson 598 ( PRE) ; Road to Hogsback, from Fort Beaufort , about 6 km before the village, 20 October 2018, Beek 2018.106 ( L) ; Komgha, November 1891, Flanagan 1199 ( NBG, PRE) ; Mt. Frere , 24 February 1972, Strey 10801 ( PRE) . KwaZulu-Natal: Richmond, 12 km on Ixopo Road , 20 January 1980, Henderson 90 ( PRE) ; Umzinto, Dumisa, Fairfield Farm , 21 October 1997, Ngcobo 25 ( PRE, ‘ R. immixtus’) .

Figures

FIGURE 13. Rubus noli-tangere. A. Holotype, primocane. B. Holotype, inflorescence. C. Holotype, inflorescence. D. Primocane. E. Leaf adaxially. F. Leaf abaxially. G. Flowering branch. H. Pedicels and flowers. I. Flowers. Photographs:A. van de Beek.