Chlorophytum vespertinum (Asparagaceae, Anthericeae), a New Species from Zambia and Tanzania

Roy E. Gereau; Shakkie Kativu; Pierre Meerts; Lari Merrett; Jo Osborne; Kaj Vollesen

doi:10.3417/2023857

Roy E. Gereau Missouri Botanical Garden
Shakkie Kativu University of Zimbabwe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7913-2804
Pierre Meerts Meise Botanic Garden https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4215-027X
Lari Merrett Mutinondo Wilderness Area
Jo Osborne Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Kaj Vollesen Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/2023857

Keywords: Brachystegia woodland, distribution, ecology, IUCN conservation status, morphology, taxonomy, termite mounds

Abstract

Chlorophytum vespertinum Vollesen from Zambia and Tanzania is described and illustrated. The species exhibits characters unique in Chlorophytum Ker Gawl.: pendulous flowers and fruits, flowers that open late in the afternoon and close before midnight, and leaves with a long-extended reflexed or recoiled tip. Its affinities are discussed in the context of recent taxonomic work on the genus. The species is distributed from central northern Zambia to southwestern Tanzania and usually grows on termite mounds in Brachystegia Benth. woodland or in surrounding areas. Chlorophytum vespertinum is assigned a preliminary IUCN Red List status of Vulnerable.