Hilliardiella aristata H. Rob.
Creators: name: Swelankomo, N.
name: Manning, J. C.
name: Magee, A. R.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Magnoliopsida
Asterales
Asteraceae
Hilliardiella
Hilliardiella aristata

description: 7. Hilliardiella aristata (DC.) H.Rob. in Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 112: 230 (1999).
Webbia aristata DC., Prod. 5: 73 (1836). Vernonia natalensis Sch. Bip. ex Walp., Rep. 2: 947 (1843), as nom. nov. [non Vernonia aristata Less. (1829)]; Harv. in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap. 3: 51 (1865); Oliv & Hiern. in Fl. Trop. Afr. 3: 277 (1877); Wood, Natal Plants 4 (2): t. 333 (1906); Hilliard, Comp.Natal:42: 1977; Pope in FZ 6 (1): 95 (1992). Cacalia aristata (DC.) O.Kuntze, Rev. Gen.: 138 (1898).
Type: [Eastern Cape], ‘ad Zw. Key [Kei] et Basche [Bashee]’, Drège 5074 [G-DC—microfiche!, lecto., designated by Hilliard, Comp. Natal: 43 (1977)]
Vernonia pseudonatalensis Wild in Kirkia 11: 11 (1978). Hilliardiella pseudonatalensis (Wild) H. Rob. et al. in PhytoKeys 60: 88 (2016).
Type: [Gauteng], ‘ 12 km NW of Johannesburg, Strubens Valley’, 9 Jan 1954, Mogg 24302 (SRGH, holo. —digital image!; J, iso.).
Herbaceous perennial, 0.1–1.2 m tall, with erect annual stems from woody rootstock; stem simple or rarely branched, closely leafy, striate, densely appressed silvery-silky and sparsely gland-dotted; eglandular vestiture of short-stalked medifixed T-shaped hairs. Leaves sessile, linear-oblanceolate to elliptic, rarely ovate or sub-orbicular, 30–80 × 5–20 mm, acute or acuminate, base cuneate, margins ± plane, both surfaces ± equally densely silvery-silky and gland dotted, unicolorous or slightly discolorous, with prominent pinnate venation on underside, eglandular hairs short-stalked medifixed T -shaped. Capitula corymbose or sub-umbellate, (10)15- to 20 (40)-flowered. Involucre campanulate, 5–10 mm diam. when pressed; bracts ±4-seriate, densely silvery-silkytomentose and sparsely gland-dotted, eglandular hairs medifixed Tshaped, outer two series subulate, 1.5–2.0 × 0.5–1.0 mm, inner two series narrowly lanceolate, long-acuminate and conduplicate or smoothly acute, conspicuously bristle-tipped, 5.0–9.0 ×1.0 mm. Florets mauvepurple, corolla 5–7 mm long, sparsely gland-dotted and strigose on outer part and lobes, eglandular hairs medifixed T-shaped, lobes 1.5–2.0 mm long. Anthers saggitate with ovate apical appendages. Style up to 4 mm long, branches ± 2 mm long. Cypselas sub-cylindric, 4- or 5-ribbed, 2.0– 2.5 mm long, gland-dotted and silky-strigose; pappus bi-seriate,outer scales 1–2 mm long, inner bristles 4–6 mm long, whitish. Flowering time: August to April. (Figs. 1B, 2G, 3G, 4C and 17).
Distribution and habitat: widely distributed through east-tropical Africa and the northern and eastern parts of southern Africa, from Limpopo and Northwest provinces through Gauteng, eastern Free State and Lesotho, Mpumalanga, western Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal to Stutterheim in Eastern Cape (Fig. 18), occurring in open and stony grassland and savanna, from near sea level to 2200 m.
Diagnosis: Hilliardiella aristata is the only species in the genus with a densely silvery-silky indumentum on both surfaces of the leaves, rarely slightly thinner on the upper surface, the blades mostly linear-oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic but rarely ovate or almost sub-orbicular in some specimens from Swaziland. The involucral bracts are distinctive, mostly narrowly lanceolate and long-attenuate-conduplicate or smoothly acute, with a conspicuously bristle-like apex (Fig. 2G). Both H. elaeagnoides (Fig. 1D) and H. capensis (Fig. 1A) have more or less discolorous leaves with the upper surface thinly silky and the lower surface densely silvery-silky, and the inner involucral bracts more or less abruptly contracted to an apiculate tip (Fig. 2E and F). Intermediates among all three species are known, however, and introgression seems likely where they co-occur (see also Hilliard, 1977: 42).
Variants with fewer, larger capitula and conduplicate involucral bracts were segregated as Vernonia pseudonatalensis Wild (1978). The taxon was not maintained by Pope (1992) but was subsequently reinstated as Hilliardiella pseudonatalensis (Wild) H.Rob. et al. by Robinson et al. (2016) without further comment. This form certainly appears to be superficially distinctive but the existence of various intermediates makes it difficult to separate consistently. It occurs scattered throughout the range of typical H. aristata and was not deemed worthy of particular mention by Hilliard (1977) despite her extensive field knowledge of the species. In the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary, we follow Pope (1992) in treating it as part of the natural variation in H. aristata. It is especially significant that both Ecklon 136 (SAM) and Tyson 1262 (SAM) comprise individuals of both variants without any suggestion by the collectors that they were taxonomically distinct.
Additional specimens seen:
Swaziland. 2631 (Mbabane): Ngwenya Mountains (–AA), 18 Nov 1956, Compton 26332 (PRE); Malolotja Nature Reserve, Nkomati Viewpoint, road near donga (–AA), 13 Nov 1988, Braun 458 (PRE); Lubombo Mountains, 1 mile [1.6 km] N of top Blue Jay gate top of mountain (–AA), 21 Nov 1976, Culverwell 355 (PRE); Mbabane (–AA), 15 Jan 1951, Compton 22375 (NBG); Waverley Mine (–AC), 17 Oct 1956, Compton 26095 (PRE); Mbabane, Black Mbuluzi Valley (–AC), 4 Nov 1958, Compton 28256 (NBG, PRE); 23 Jan 1956, Compton 25416 (PRE); Manzini, Ngwane Park, site for Botanic Garden (–AD), 26 Sep 2002, Dlamini A2807 (PRE); Middelveld, Balegane (–BA), Dec 1972, Horler 227 (PRE); Manzini, Mpisi (–BC), 13 Nov 1959, I ' Ons 59 / 12 (NBG, PRE); 20 Dec 1961, Compton 31176 (NBG, PRE); Mankaiana (–CA), 9 Oct 1959, Compton 29207 (PRE); between Hlatikulu and Goedgegun (–CB), 10 Jan 1957, Compton 26473 (PRE).
South Africa. LIMPOPO. 2229 (Waterpoort): road from Cloud's End to Bluegumspoort (–DD), 12 Dec 1981, Welman 222 (PRE). 2230 (Messina): Venda, Tate Vondo (–CD), 4 Nov 1979, Van Wyk 3108 (PRE). 2329 (Polokwane): Louis Trichardt (–BB), Dec 1922, Breijer TRV 24197 (PRE); Pietersburg (–CD), Jan 1923, Wager TRV 23106 (PRE); Veekraal near Haenertsburg (–DD), Feb 1962, Van der Merwe 51 (PRE). 2330 (Tzaneen): Duiwelskloof, Westfalia Estate (–CA), 10 Oct 1958, Scheepers 504 (PRE); Woodbush (–CA), Nov 1941, Van Warmelo 206 (PRE); Nov 1909, Jenkins TRV 7430 (PRE); Duiwelskloof (–CA), 17 Jul 1929, Galpin 9412 (PRE); Modjadji Reserve (–CB), 14 Apr 1937, Krige 53 (PRE); Woodbush, Kratzenstein (–CC), 25 Apr 1931, Hoffmann 72 (PRE); Tzaneen (–CC), 30 Oct 1913, Mogg PRE 472 (PRE); Woodbush, Mountain Home Farm (–CC), 18 Dec 1935, Mogg 13990 (PRE); George's Valley, Landgoed Farm, on road parallel to Groot Letaba Valley (–CC), 6 Nov 1996, Nienaber 84 (PRE). 2427 (Thabazimbi): Kransberg (–BC), 31 Mar 1980, Westfall 1027 (PRE); Kransberg, 1.5 km NE of quarry (–BC), 28 Jan 1980, Westfall 865 (PRE). 2430 (Pilgrim's Rest): The Downs, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve near Barra-House (–AA), 26 Sep 1984, S talmans 182 (PRE); Erasmuskop, near grave of Oswald Pirow (–BB), 14 Nov 1980, Krijt 2266 (PRE).
NORTH-WEST. 2527 (Rustenburg): Rustenburg Nature Reserve, near offices (–CA), 13 Dec 2001, Koekemoer 2156 (PRE); Rustenburg Nature Reserve (–CA), 4 Nov 1970, Jacobsen 1155 (PRE); Dunningkamp, Uitkomst 499 JQ Farm (–DD), 6 Nov 1970, Coetzee 338 (PRE). 2627 (Potchefstroom): Krugersdorp, Witpoortjie (–BB), Jan 1930, Murray 628 (PRE); Potchefstroom (–CA), 18 Apr 1937, Phillips 310 (PRE).
GAUTENG. 2528 (Pretoria): Fountains Valley (–CA), 22 Oct 1928, Repton 51 (PRE); 22 Oct 1928, Verdoorn 528 (PRE); Klapperkop, 6 miles S of Pretoria (–CA), 2 Oct 1946, Codd 1756 (PRE); 10 miles [16 km] SE of Pretoria on Delmas road (–CA), 26 Nov 1946, Codd 2186 (PRE); Ashbury, hill behind station (–CA), 29 Nov 1925, Smith 1327 (PRE); Waterkloof (–CA), 12 Nov 1928, Mogg 15537 (PRE); Groenkloof Experimental Station (–CA), 29 Sep 1918, Phillips 44450 (PRE); New Muckleneuk (–CA), 25 Sep 1930, Goossens, 104 (PRE); Wonderboom Reserve (–CA), 4 Jan 1946, Repton 2780 (PRE); Pretoria mountain (–CA), 18 Sep 1904, Leendertz 277 (PRE); Irene golf course (–CC), Nov 1926, Smith 3508 (PRE); Groenkloof (–CC), 16 Oct 1919, Phillips 3052 (PRE); Faerie Glen (–CD), 27 Nov 1971, Bohlman & Bornowski 41 (PRE). 2627 (Potchefstroom): Losberg, Elandsfontein (–DA), 13 Dec 1934, Theron 797 (PRE); Roodepoort, Transvaal Botanic Garden, (–BB), 11 Nov 1982, Behr 103 (NBG). 2628 (Johannesburg): Witwatersrand, Kempton Park, (–AA), Nov 1926, Smith 3496 (PRE); Johannesburg, (–AA), Dec 1908, Leendertz TRV 6121 (PRE); Jeppestown, (–AA), Oct 1898, Gil fi llan 68A (PRE); Melville Koppies, (–AA), 24 Oct 1960, Maenae 1287 (NBG); Witwatersrand, Milner Park, (–AA), 18 Nov 1926, Moss 13737 (PRE); Dec 1927, Moss 17589 (PRE); Heidelberg, Hagenspoort Farm slopes of mountain, (–AD), 17 Dec 1951, Prosser 1665 (PRE); Heidelberg, (–AD), 24 Nov 1909, Leendertz TRV 8075 (PRE).
MPUMALANGA. 2430 (Pilgrim's Rest): Blyde River Poort Nature Reserve at Three Rondavels lookout point (–DB), 6 Oct 1985, Wendelberger 713 (PRE); Ohrigstad Nature Reserve, (–DC), 18 Nov 1970, Jacobsen 1207 (PRE); Graskop, (–DD), 1 Oct 1943, Holland s.n. (NBG). 2529 (Witbank): Loskop Dam, Nooitgedacht, (–AC), 16 Oct 1968, Theron 1877 (PRE); Middelburg, Broodboomspruit, Doornkop 273 JS Farm (–CB), 2 Oct 1968, Du Plessis 695 (PRE); 5 Oct 1968, Du Plessis, 734 (PRE); 23 Oct 1968, Du Plessis, 811 (PRE). 2530 (Lydenburg): Pilgrims Rest, Mount Anderson (–BA), 25 Nov 1932, Smuts, & Gillett, 2445 (PRE); Pilgrims Rest, Long-Tom Pass (–BA), 11 Sep 1963, Rauh & Schlieben 9784 (PRE); Nelspruit Lowveld Botanical Garden (–BD), 7 Nov 1969, Buitendag 277 (NBG, PRE); Belfast (–CA), 7 Dec 1909, Leendertz TRV 8059 (PRE); Machadodorp (–CB), 16 Nov 1932, Galpin 13,105 (PRE); Machadodorp (–CB), 3 Mar 1917, Pole Evans PRE 16977 (PRE); Nelspruit (–DB), Nov 1927, Munro, PS146 (PRE); 2 Dec 1921, Venn, PRE 44432 (PRE). 2531 (Komatipoort): Kruger National Park, Pretoriuskop (–AB), 26 Nov 1952, Van der Schijff 1472 (PRE); Kruger National Park, 4 miles [6.4 km] S of Pretoriuskop (– AB), 3 Nov 1949, Codd, 5663 (PRE); Barberton, Plaston (–AC), Oct 1931, Holt 69 (PRE). 2629 (Bethal): Ermelo, Nooitgedacht Farm, 2 Nov 1926, Henrici 1142 (PRE). 2630 (Carolina): Ermelo, Athole Pasture Research Station near Amsterdam (–CB), 14 Nov 1935, Norval 79 (PRE); Iswepe (–DC), 12 Nov 1949, Sidey 1939 (SAM). 2730 (Vryheid): Wakkerstroom, Oshoek (–AD), 24 Nov 1960, Devenish 258 (PRE).
FREE STATE. 2729 (Volksrust): Driekoppe Farm, 42 km SE of Vrede on road to Verkykerskop (–CB), 5 Feb 1987, Retief 2042 (PRE). 2828 (Bethlehem): Golden Gate Highland, Wodehouse Plateau (–BC), 24 Jan 1965, Roberts 3384 (PRE); Golden Gate Highland (–BC), Jan 1963, Liebenberg 6792 (PRE); Fouriesburg, Dumelin Farm (–CA), 24 Jan 1918, Potts 3060 (PRE); Clarens (–CB), Nov 1917, Van Hoepen TRV 18224 (PRE); Golden Gate Nature Park, Ooshek (–DA), 10 Dec 1988, Gertenbach & Groenewald 8830 (PRE); near Clarens (–DA), 12 Jan 2003, Funk 12410 (PRE); Golden Gate, in valley below cave sandstone (–DA), 26 Dec 1983, Plowes 7057 (PRE); Witzieshoek, sheltered mountain slopes (–DB), 15 Apr 1984, Paton 73 (PRE). 2829 (Harrismith): Heron's Valley (–AC), 5 Nov 1982, Blom 219 (PRE); Harrismith Botanical Garden (–AC), 20 Nov 1970, Van der Zeyde s.n. (NBG); Rensburgskop Farm, (–AC), 10 Dec 1980, Jacobsz 637 (NBG, PRE); Swinburne, Rensburgskop, (–AD), 4 Nov 1962, Jacobsz 96 (PRE).
KWAZULU-NATAL. 2632 (Bela Vista): Ingwavuma, Kosi Nature Reserve, (–DD), 18 Oct 1958, Tinley 239 (PRE). 2729 (Volksrust): Glen Atholl Farm near Charlestown and Volksrust, (–BD), Jan 1925, Smith 5653 (PRE). 2730 (Vryheid): Lancaster Hill, (–DB), 4 Dec 1911, Burtt Davy 11429 (PRE). 2732 (Ubombo): Lala Nek, (–BB), Oct 1972, Stephen, Van Graan & Schwabe 1154 (PRE); Manzingwenya, (–BC), 28 Nov 1969, Moll 4801A (PRE); Lake Sibaya, (–BC), 1973, Law 4 (NBG); Ubombo, Mpangazi, (–DA), 10 Jan 1964, Strey 5105 (PRE). 2829 (Harrismith): Drakensberg, Oliviershoek Pass, (–CA), 20 Dec 1958, Werdermann & Oberdieck 1510 (PRE); Estcourt, Willowford Station, (–DD), 17 Sep. 1944, Acocks 10611 (PRE). 2830 (Dundee): Weenen, (–CC), Dec 1890, Wood PRE 20348 (PRE). 2831 (Nkandla): Eshowe, Kwambonambi Forest, Reserve (–CD), 31 Dec 1935, Forest Of fi cer 13 (PRE). 2929 (Underberg): Cathedral Peak (–AB), Nov 1960, Ruch 2033 (PRE); Impendle, Loteni Nature Reserve (–AD), 18 Jan 1968, Killick 3862 (PRE); Bergville, Estcourt Pasture Research (–BA), 4 Jan 1955, Edwards 457 (PRE); Estcourt, Ntabamhlope (–BA), Dec 1964, Miller 286 (PRE); Tabamhlope Research Station (–BB), 5 Jan 1938, West 583 (PRE); headwaters of Rensburgspruit (–BB), 7 Jan 1947, Story 1729 (PRE). 2930 (Pietermaritzburg): Mooi River, Meteor Ridge (–AA), 2 Nov 1918, Mogg 3428 (PRE); Howick (–AC), 10 Dec 1928, Hutchinson 1864 (PRE); Lions River, Dargle road (–AC), 9 Dec 1920, Sim PRE 44458 (PRE); about 8 miles [12.8 km] from Greytown (–BA), Nov 1936, Wylie NH 28015 (PRE); between Merrivale and Boston (–CA), 23 Dec 1956, Rycroft 2054 (NBG); Pietermaritzburg (–CB), Oct 1956, Sidey 3008 (PRE); Pietermaritzburg, Cedara Experimental Farm, hills above experimental farm (–CB), 7 Dec 1921, Phillips PRE 44456 (PRE); Botha's Hill (–DC), 1 Sep 1950, Martin 484 (NBG); Umlazi, Krantzkloof (–DD), 4 Oct 1918, Bews PRE 503 (PRE). 2931 (Stanger): Durban (–CC), Sep 1891, Thode 6485 (NBG); Dec 1915, Rogers 1495 (PRE, SAM); Durban, Umlazi (–CC), Dec 1915, Rogers 1495 (PRE); Jul 1904, Wood 9571 (PRE). 3029 (Kokstad): Mt. Currie, Palmiet (–AD), 20 Jan 1957, Taylor 5506 (NBG); Kokstad (–CB), Nov 1883, Tyson 12652 (SAM); 13 Jan 1939, Mildred 13 (NBG); Weza Forest (–DA), 2 Jan 1957, Taylor 5332 (NBG).
EASTERN CAPE. 3028 (Matatiele): Mount Fletcher (–DA), 24 Nov 1930, Goossens 250 (PRE). 3126 (Queenstown): Madeira Hill (–DD), 20 Nov 1898, Galpin 2522 (PRE); 18 km from Queenstown on road to Dordrecht (–DD), 13 Jan 1997, Germishuizen 8958 (PRE). 3127 (Lady Frere): Cala (–DA), 6 Mar 1910, Pegler 1720 (PRE); 39 km from Cala turn off on road to Engcobo (–DB), 12 Jan 1997, Germishuizen 8842 (PRE); 25 km from Cala at turn-off to Engcobo (–DB) 12 Jan 1997, Sebothoma 33 (PRE). 3128 (Umtata): Maclear, Ugie, Surat Farm under bluegum plantation (–AA), 29 Jan 1923, Britten 4604 (PRE); R56 ± 17 km out of Elliot to Ugie (–AC), 8 Nov 2000, Nienaber EN1010 (PRE). 3226 (Fort Beaufort): Katberg (–BC), 24 Nov 1902, Sole 387 (PRE). 3227 (Stutterheim): Fort Cunynghame (–AD), 1897, Sim 20098 (PRE); East London, Toise River (–BC), Nov 1923, Munro PS27 (PRE); Dohne (–CB), 1897, Sim 20,115 (PRE); Komgha (–DB), Nov 1893, Flanagan 2210 (SAM). 3326 (Grahamstown): Kat River (–BB), Mar 1835, Drège 5073 (PRE).
description: Published as part of Swelankomo, N., Manning, J. C. & Magee, A. R., 2016, The genus Hilliardiella (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) in southern Africa *, pp. 41-59 in South African Journal of Botany 106 on pages 56-58, DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2016.05.010, http://zenodo.org/record/10496343