The Senecio viminalis, Kleinia longiflora and Curio avasimontanus (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) conundrum

Abstract

Background: As part of an ongoing revision of Senecio, it is apparent that Senecio viminalis Bremek. is a distinct species. It was therefore surprising that together with Kleinia longiflora DC., Kleinia scottioides C.Jeffrey and Senecio garcianus Schltr. it has been listed as a synonym of Curio avasimontanus (Dinter) P.V.Heath in some of the world’s main taxonomic databases. Aim & objectives: To clarify the status of the names and synonyms in this species group and to provide a verifiable reference for nomenclature in taxonomic databases. Methods: Specimens in the National Herbarium (PRE) and all available images of specimens from other herbaria (NBG, NH & SAM) and those on JSTOR were studied. Localities were obtained from the SANBI herbaria collections and the iNaturalist database. A distribution map was prepared in QGIS 3.22.7. Morphological observations were made in the field and from dried specimens and FAA collections. Results: It is established that Senecio viminalis, Kleinia longiflora, Lopholaena cneorifolia and Kleinia scottioides are distinct and valid taxa, whilst Curio avasimontanus is a synonym of Lopholaena cneorifolia (DC.) S.Moore, and Senecio garcianus a synonym of Senecio viminalis. This study provides the corrected nomenclature, comparative descriptions and images to clearly distinguish the three species. Conclusion: Descriptions, illustrations and a distribution map for the three current southern African species are given with some notes on each species. Keywords: Compositae, databases, distribution maps, Lopholaena, nomenclature, taxonomic names, synonyms, taxonomy.