Ledermanniella maturiniana Beentje [family PODOSTEMACEAE]

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, (2005) Author: H. J. Beentje, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.L.S.
Names
Ledermanniella maturiniana Beentje [family PODOSTEMACEAE], sp. nov. species habitu cum L. bifurcata congruens sed foliis maioribus estipulatis atque e basi non prope apicem divisis, stigmatibus clavatis non filiformibus differt. Type: Kenya, Kiambu/Machakos District: Fourteen Falls, Verdcourt 719 (K!, holo., EA, iso.)
Information
Perennial herb, branched; thalloid part foliaceous, to at least 7 mm wide; stem simple or branched, slightly fleshy, to 11 cm long. Scale leaves absent; filiform leaves ± distichous, branched 3–4 times from near base, 0.9–6.5 cm long, the segments 0.1–0.3 mm wide, flattened, the base half-sheathing. Bracts and bracteoles ?similar to leaves. Flowers 1–many on upper branches, terminal and axillary; spathella ellipsoid, slightly flattened, to 3.2x1.9 mm, tearing irregularly; pedicel elongating to 3–9 mm at anthesis. Tepals 2, subulate, 0.1–0.5 mm long; stamens 2, the filaments connate for 0.5–1.5 mm, free for 0.3–0.7 mm, anthers 0.7–0.8 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide; ovary ellipsoid, 1.2–1.7 mm long, 0.8–1.1 mm in diameter; gynophore 0–0.25 mm long; stigmas club-shaped, 0.2–0.6 mm long. Capsule ellipsoid, 1.3–2 mm long, 8-ribbed; seeds ellipsoid, 0.1–0.2 mm long. Fig. 2 (page 5).
Range
DISTR. K 3–5 not known elsewhere
Altitude range
800–1500 m
Distribution
KENYA Kiambu/Machakos District Fourteen Falls, Oct. 1955, Napper 409!;KENYA Kitui District Kindaruma Dam lake, W end, Dec. 1970, Gillett 19270!KENYA Trans-Nzoia District Mt Elgon, Suam R at Karamoja Drift, Feb. 1935, G.Taylor 3140!
Notes
Conservation As this occurs in a limited distribution area, and pollution in waterways from where it has been collected is now a serious issue, I would suggest this as endangered, EN (B1a, b). This species resembles Ledermanniella bifurcata (Engl.) C.Cusset from Cameroon but differs in the leaves dividing from near base and not only near the apex, the leaves being 0.9–6.5 cm long, not 0.7–2.5 cm, and in lacking visible stipules; in the stigmas being club-shaped and squat and 0.2–0.6 mm long, not filiform and 0.6–0.7 mm.The specific epithet honours Dr S. Maturin, physician and natural philosopher.Specimens from Western Kenya have longer filaments (connate for 1.2–1.5 mm rather than the Eastern 0.5–0.7 mm) and slightly longer stigmas than those from the E part of the country.
Ledermanniella maturiniana Beentje [family PODOSTEMACEAE]
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