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Revision of Andropogon and Diectomis (Poaceae: Sacchareae) in Madagascar and the new Andropogon itremoensis from the Itremo Massif

June 2013
Kew Bulletin 68(2)

Authors:

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

A revision of Andropogon and Diectomis in Madagascar is presented with nine species and two subspecies (including eight native and seven endemic species) in Andropogon, and one species in Diectomis. Andropogon itremoensis from the Itremo Massif is described and illustrated. The Itremo Massif is briefly described and the conservation implications of the new species are discussed. Full typification is presented for species endemic to Madagascar and lectotypes are selected for five names. Distribution maps are presented.

. Summary of Andropogon in Madagascar.

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Revision of Andropogon and Diectomis (Poaceae: Sacchareae)

in Madagascar and the new Andropogon itremoensis from the Itremo

Massif

Maria S. Vorontsova

, Gaetan Ratovonirina

& Tianjanahary Randriamboavonjy

Summary. A revision of Andropogon and Diectomis in Madagascar is presented with nine species and two subspecies

(including eight native and seven endemic species) in Andropogon, and one species in Diectomis.Andropogon itrem-

oensis from the Itremo Massif is described and illustrated. The Itremo Massif is brieﬂy described and the conser-

vation implications of the new species are discussed. Full typiﬁcation is presented for species endemic to

Madagascar and lectotypes are selected for ﬁve names. Distribution maps are presented.

Key Words. Africa, identiﬁcation key, new species.

Introduction

Andropogon L. (Linnaeus 1753: 1045) is a widespread and

common pantropical genus with an estimated 106 –126

species (Clayton et al. 2013;Simonet al. 2013), a member

of Poaceae tribe Sacchareae Martinov, subtribe

Andropogoninae Presl (classiﬁcation ﬁde Soreng et al.

2013). Andropogon includes grasses with sessile and

pedicelled spikelets arranged on paired or digitate

(rarely solitary) non-deﬂexed racemes, with the

callus of the sessile spikelet inserted in the

crateriform or cupuliform tip of the internode,

and the fertile upper lemma of the sessile spikelet

two-toothed and bearing an awn from the sinus.

The genus in its traditional delimitation is either

paraphyletic or polyphyletic (Skendzic et al. 2007)

and no global treatment exists. Diectomis Kunth is a

monotypic pantropical weedy genus with an un-

branched inﬂorescence and pedicellate spikelets

larger than the sessile spikelets, recognised as

separate from Andropogon due its distinct morphol-

ogy and phylogenetic placement (Skendzic et al.

2007; Soreng et al. 2013); Clayton (1967), Bosser

(1969), Clayton & Renvoize (1986), and Clayton et

al. (2013) treat it as part of Andropogon.

This revision builds on that of Bosser (1969),

recording an additional four species (Table 1). The

species level diversity is surprisingly low compared to

Africa and South America, with only nine species

recorded. It is worth noting that collecting density

of Poaceae in Madagascar is also signiﬁcantly lower

than in most of Africa and it is likely that the

species number will rise with increased recording.

Andropogon is a complex speciose genus and the

consistency of species concepts across broad geo-

graphical areas can be problematic. Effort has been

made to compare material from Madagascar to

similar species from other tropical regions, especially

continental Africa. Revision of African Andropogon is

outside the scope of this work but a brief compar-

ison between some of the Madagascar endemics and

the most morphologically similar species in Africa

(A. africanus Franch. (Franchet 1895:325),A.

appendiculatus Nees (Nees von Esenbeck 1841: 105),

A. mannii Hook. f. (Hooker 1864: 232), and A.

tenuiberbis Hack. (Hackel 1889: 435)) is presented in

Table 2.

The user should note that this treatment is based

primarily on dry herbarium material and it may be

necessary to dry the inﬂorescences to be conﬁdent of

identiﬁcation. Appearance of Andropogon changes

signiﬁcantly as the plant dries: the red colouring

becomes more apparent, and trichomes on the

racemes bend away from the raceme, the awns bend,

and the racemes themselves can change shape. The

trichomes on the inﬂorescences are particularly criti-

cal for distinguishing between the species in

Madagascar.

Materials and Methods

All descriptions and measurements were compiled

directly from specimens collected in Madagascar. Full

Accepted for publication 23 April 2013.

Herbarium, Library, Art & Archives, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK. e-mail: M.Vorontsova@kew.org

Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre, Lot II J 131 Ambodivoanjo, Ivandry, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68: 1 Y15 (2013)

DOI 10.1007/S12225-013-9443-3

ISSN: 0075-5974 (print)

ISSN: 1874-933X (electronic)

synonymy and typiﬁcation is presented for species

endemic to Madagascar; commonly used synonyms are

listed for other taxa. All specimens cited have been

seen by the author.

Key to Andropogon and Diectomis in Madagascar

1. Racemes always single; annual . . . ......................................... Diectomis fastigiata

1’. Racemes paired to digitate; perennial . . .................................................. 2

2. Plant rhizomatous, single stemmed, trailing to ascendant, most leaves on the culm .................. 3

2’. Plant tufted, erect, most leaves basal . . . .................................................. 4

3. Culms branched many times, lower glume of the pedicelled spikelet 6.5 –8.8 mm long, upper glume of the sessile

spikeletwedgedbetweenthepedicelandtheinternodebutlowerglumefree................. A. andringitrensis

3’. Culms not branched or branched once, lower glume of the pedicelled spikelet 9.5 –11 mm long, all of the

sessile spikelet wedged between the pedicel and the internode . . .................... A. itremoensis

4. Racemes paired, never more than 2 racemes per culm ....................................... 5

4’. Racemes 2 –9...................................................................... 6

5. Awn 20 –30 mm long; pedicelled spikelet with an awn 4 –7 mm long . . .................A. chinensis

5’.Awn12–20 mm long; pedicelled spikelet with an awn 1 –2.5mmlong...................A. tsaratananensis

6. Inﬂorescences white plumose with trichomes over 5 mm long .................................. 7

6’.Inﬂorescences reddish-purplish with trichomes less than 5 mm long ............................. 8

7. Spikelets 2.5 –3 mm; trichomes 8 –12 mm long ....................... A. eucomus subsp. eucomus

7’. Spikelets 4 –5 mm; trichomes 5 –7 mm long . ........................ A. eucomus subsp. huillensis

8. Robust plant to 150 cm; leaves drying green-brown; ligule hardened, 3 –11 mm long on basal leaves,

obtusetoacute.............................................. A. trichozygus

8’. Plant shorter than 100 cm; leaves often drying red; ligule a ciliolate membrane, 0.3 –1.2 mm long on basal leaves,

truncate.................................................................................... 9

9. Leaves ﬁliform, rolled, less than 1 mm diam. . . ................................... A. imerinensis

9’. Leaves linear, ﬂat or folded, 2 –4 mm wide . . ............................................ 10

10. Racemes (4) 5 –9...........................................................A. ibityensis

10’. Racemes 2 –3(4)......................................................... A. ivohibensis

Taxonomic treatment

1. Andropogon andringitrensis (A. Camus)Voronts.comb.

nov. Type: Madagascar, Fianarantsoa, Andringitra massif,

1800 –2400 m alt., April 1921, Perrier de la Bâthie 13719

(lectotype P00224732, selected here; isolectotypes

P00224731, P02662246). The lectotype is chosen due to

its superior ﬂowering material.

http://www.ipni.org/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77128350-1

Basionym: Dichanthium andringitrense A. Camus, Bull.

Soc. Bot. France 71: 921 (1924 publ. 1925).

Andropogon humbertii A. Camus (1928:631),synon. nov.

Type: Madagascar, Andringitra (Iratsy), Riambava

and Antsifotra river valleys and the surrounding

mountains, limestone on Pic Boby, 2400 –2650 m,

27 Nov. –8 Dec. 1924, Humbert 3922 (lectotype

TAN000430, selected here; isolectotypes: B 10

0167217, BM000923487, G00015945, G00018485,

P00224726, P01861040, US00131205, US00131206).

Single stemmed to loosely tufted ascending perennial,

the culms 40 –60 cm long, green-brown when dry, most

leaves borne on the culm, the shoots not compressed, the

culms branched. Basal leaf sheaths rounded. Leaf sheaths

glabrous, sometimes with a few cilia at the apex. Ligule a

ciliolate membrane, truncate, 1 –2mmlong.Leaf blades

narrow-lanceolate to linear, ﬂat, 10 –20 cm long, 2 –

5 mm wide, sparsely ciliate at base, apically acuminate,

held erect, the margins smooth to ﬁnely serrulate.

Inﬂorescence of 2 –3 terminal exserted racemes, the

racemes 4 –8 cm long, fragile, gently curved, not visibly

villous, the sessile spikelet partly wedged between the

pedicel and internode, the internode and pedicels linear

broadening to 0.4 –0.5 mm wide at the apex, ciliate on

both margins, the cilia sparse, not immediately visible

without magniﬁcation, 0.5 –1.5 mm long. Sessile spikelet

bisexual, 5 –7 mm long; callus c. 0.5 mm long, broadly

Table 1. Summary of Andropogon in Madagascar.

Native and endemic to Madagascar A. andringitrensis

A. ibityensis

A. imerinensis

A. itremoensis

A. ivohibensis

A. trichozygus

A. tsaratananensis

Native to Madagascar A. eucomus subsp. eucomus

A. eucomus subsp. huillensis

Introduced to Madagascar A. chinensis

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

rounded, sparsely ciliate; lower glume free, lanceo-

late, gently depressed between the keels, winged,

apically dentate to erose, glabrous; upper glume

wedged between the pedicel and the internode,

with an awnlet 0.5 –1.5 mm long; upper lemma

bilobed for c. 2/3 of its length, with a geniculate

awn 8 –12 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet staminate,

6.5 –8.8 mm long, the lower glume winged,

apically dentate to erose, muticous or with a mucro

up to 0.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar;

limited to high elevation Andringitra. Rare. Map 1.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Fianarantsoa: sentier du Pic Boby, April 1964, Bosser

19442 (P); sentier du Pic Boby, April 1964, Bosser 19442

bis (P, TAN); au-dessus d'Antanifotsy, Andringitra,

April 1964, Bosser 19653 (P); Andringitra, ﬂanc Nord

du Pic Boby; zone sommitale, 2550 m, Guillaumet 3554

(P); Andringitra, 2000 m, June 1965, Morat 1296 (P);

Massif d'Andringitra, 2000 –2500 m, Feb. 1922, Perrier

de la Bâthie 14540 (P); Massif d'Andringitra, 2000 –

2500 m, Feb. 1922, Perrier de la Bâthie 14541 [a]

(lectoparatype, P).

HABITAT.Wet exposed rocks and Philippia scrub; 800 –

1600 m alt.

NOTES.Growing at higher elevation than any other

Madagascar Andropogon,A. andringitrensis has unique

numerous closely spaced nodes and branched culms

with numerous vegetative shoots, likely adaptations to

an exposed montane habitat. For afﬁnities see notes

under A. itremoensis.

Andropogon andringitrensis resembles the East African

montane species A. abyssinicus Fresen. (Fresenius 1837:

146) which can be distinguished by its annual habit, an

awned pedicelled spikelet, and longer awns on the

upper glume of the sessile spikelet and the upper lemma

of the sessile spikelet.

Table 2. Comparison between morphological characters of the Madagascar endemics Andropogon imerinensis, A. ivohibensis, A.

ibityensis, and A. trichozygus and similar species in continental Africa.

Andropogon

species

Height

(cm) Culms Ligule Leaf blade Raceme

Pedicelled

spikelet awn

length (mm) Distribution

imerinensis 20 –60 not branched truncate,

c. 0.5 mm

ﬁliform, stiff,

erect

2–3, usually

linear when dry

0–1.7 Madagascar

ivohibensis 30 –70 not branched truncate,

0.3 –0.5 mm

linear, not

stiff, curling

(2) 3 (4), usually

linear when dry

none Madagascar

ibityensis 45 –90 not branched truncate,

0.5 –1.2 mm

linear, not

stiff, curling

(4) 5 –9, usually

linear when dry

0–1 Madagascar

trichozygus (35) 50 –

110

not branched

or branched

obtuse to acute,

3–11 mm

linear, stiff,

erect

(2) 3 –8, usually

linear when dry

0–1 Madagascar

appendiculatus 30 –130 not branched truncate, 0.2 –

1.5 mm

linear, not

stiff, erect

3–10, usually

linear when dry

0–1 South Africa,

5–3000 m alt.

mannii 10 –60 not branched truncate,

c. 0.5 mm

linear, not

stiff, curling

3–10, usually

linear when dry

0–1.5 Africa, 2400 –

3200 m alt.

africanus 50 –250 branched truncate,

0.5 –1mm

linear, stiff,

erect

paired, usually

open in a zig-zag

shape or linear

1–6 Tropical Africa,

1300 –1500 m alt.

tenuiberbis 100 –250 branched truncate,

c. 0.5 mm

linear, stiff,

erect

5–40, usually

open in a zig-zag

shape when dry

none Tropical Africa,

1800 –2300 m alt.

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

Map 1. Distribution of Andropogon andringitrensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

This lectotype collection has been chosen due to its

better duplicate distribution than that of the syntype

Perrier de la Bâthie 14541.

2. Andropogon chinensis (Nees)Merr. (Merrill 1917: 101).

Tufted erect perennial, 60 –200 cm high, brownish

when dry, never dark red, most leaves basal, the shoots

not compressed, the culms branched in the upper

part. Basal leaf sheaths keeled or rounded. Leaf sheaths

apically hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate or glabrous mem-

brane, truncate, 2 –2.5 mm long. Leaf blades linear, ﬂat

to folded, 4 –20 cm long, 0.7 –4.5 mm wide, basally

hirsute, apically ﬁliform, held erect or curved, not

curling when dry, the margins smooth. Inﬂorescence of

paired terminal exserted racemes, the racemes 4 –

7 cm long, fragile, with prominent white hair tufts

when dry, the sessile spikelet loosely wedged between

the pedicel and internode, the internode and pedicels

clavate broadening to 0.8 –1 mm wide at the apex,

yellow, ciliate on both margins, the cilia fairly dense,

clearly visible without magniﬁcation when dry, 1 –

4 mm long. Sessile spikelet bisexual, 6 –7 mm long;

callus 0.5 –0.7 mm long, broadly rounded, long-

ciliate; lower glume linear, deeply depressed between

the dorsal keels, glabrous; upper glume with an awn

10 –15 mm long; upper lemma bilobed for c. 1/4 of

its length, with a geniculate awn 20 –30 mm long.

Pedicelled spikelet staminate, 5 –6 mm long, ciliate on

the margins, with an awn 4 –7 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Pantropical, likely introduced in

Madagascar. Rare. Map 2.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.Fianarantsoa:

environs d'Ambatoﬁnandrahana, April 1964, Bosser

19555 (P); environs d'Ambatoﬁnandrahana, April

1964, Bosser 19671 (P, TAN).

HABITAT.Mid-elevation open rocky grassland.

NOTES.This is the ﬁrst record for Andropogon chinensis

in Madagascar. Both collections are mixed with dark

red Schizachyrium Nees, which is vegetatively reminis-

cent of native Andropogon.

3. Andropogon eucomus Nees (Nees von Esenbeck

1841: 104).

Tufted erect perennial, 40 –100 cm high, dark red

when dry, most leaves basal, the shoots not

compressed or weakly compressed, the culms weak-

ly branched in the upper part. Basal leaf sheaths

conspicuously keeled or rounded. Leaf sheaths

glabrous to apically hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate

membrane, truncate, 0.5 –1 mm long. Leaf blades

linear, ﬂat or folded, 4 –25 cm long, 1 –3.5 mm

wide, glabrous to basally hirsute, apically acute,

held erect or curved, not curling when dry, the

margins smooth to ﬁnely serrulate. Inﬂorescence of

3–6 terminal exserted racemes, the racemes 2 –

5 cm long, fragile, plumose when dry, the sessile

spikelet loosely wedged between the pedicel and

internode, the internodes linear broadening to

0.3 –0.4 mm at the apex, the pedicels linear, not

broadening, 0.15 –0.3 mm wide, the internode and

pedicels ciliate on all surfaces or on the margins

only, the cilia dense, obscuring all other parts of

the racemes, 4 –12 mm long. Sessile spikelet

bisexual, 2.5 –5 mm long; callus short, broadly

rounded, long-ciliate; lower glume lanceolate, de-

pressed between the keels, glabrous; upper glume

awnless; upper lemma bilobed for 1/4 –1/2 of its

length, with a geniculate awn 10 –16 mm long.

Pedicelled spikelet suppressed or vestigial.

3a. Andropogon eucomus Nees subsp. eucomus

DISTRIBUTION.African species native to Madagascar

and common throughout the eastern part of

Madagascar. Map 3(black circles).

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

Map 2. Distribution of Andropogon chinensis.DRAWN BY PAWEŁ

FICINSKI.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.Antananarivo: Aug.

1938, Herbier du Jardin Botanique de Tananarive 3563 (P).

Antsiranana: Sava, Andapa, Doany, Andranomilolo; 10 km

au Nord-Ouest d'Andranopositra, 1100 m, 16 Nov. 2006,

Rakotovao, Razakamalala, Ravelonarivo, Ambakamanasy &

Ambakamanasy 3409 (P); Marojejy National Park, path from

park entrance to camp Mantella, 200 m, 19 Oct. 2011,

Vorontsova, Hall, Besnard, Rakotonasolo, Rakotoarinivo &

Rajaonarison 576 (K, MO, P, TAN). Fianarantsoa:

Fianarantsoa, March 1909, Geay 7468 (P); Fianarantsoa,

Scott-Elliot 2259 (K); Sandravinany village, between

Monambondro and Manantenina, 45 m, 30 Oct. 2011,

Vorontsova, Hall, Besnard, Ralimanana, Randriamboavonjy &

Andriantiana 640(K,MO,P,TAN);Bois–Analamahintsy,

Bemarivo, 800 m, Aug. 1907, Perrier de la Bâthie 11037 (P).

Mahajanga: Begandriana, Angodrogodro, 17 Dec. 1942,

Herbier du Jardin Botanique de Tananarive 5565 (P);

Ampasiny entre Maevatanana et Andriba, July 1898,

PerrierdelaBâthie678 (K, P); Jan. 1908, Perrier de la Bâthie

11052 (P); près de Majunga, Jan. 1984, PerrierdelaBâthie

11054 (P). Toamasina: Ste Marie, March 1847, Boivin 1640

(K, P); Soanierana-Ivongo (Est), Nov. 1954, Bosser &

Descoings 76 (P, TAN); Nov. 1956, Bosser & Descoings 77 (P,

TAN); ouest de Foulpointe, Dec. 1962, Bosser 16824 (P);

along route 2 from 45 km S of Tamatave to Tamatave,

50 m, 27 Feb. 1975, Croat 32430 (P, TAN); Brickaville, 6

March 1988, Dransﬁeld SD 906 (K, P, TAN); Herbier du Jardin

BotaniquedeTananarive3412 (P); Environs du Lac Alaotra,

800 –850 m, 10 April 1949, Humbert & Cours 23896 (P);

Ivoloina Est, Dec. 1930, Martine G5 (P); Andasibe, Près

d'Antanambe, 1 Dec. 1989, Morat, Randrianjafy,

Razanajoelina, Nirina, Raharimalala, Ramangason &

Andrianarivo 717 (P); Environs de Tamatave, 25 Sept.

1912, Viguier & Humbert 279 (P); environs de

Tamatave, 4 Sept. 1912, Viguier & Humbert 279 (P);

entre les gares de Rogez et d'Ambatovola, 500 m, 15

Oct. 1912, Viguier & Humbert 717 (P); entre les gares

d'Ambatovola et de Fanovana, 600 m, 16 Oct. 1912,

Viguier & Humbert 730 (P). Toliara: Toliara, Jan.

1963, Bosser 19674 (P); Taolanaro, Ste. Luce, 1 May

1989, Dumetz, Gereau & Rabevohitra 722 (P, TAN);

vallée supérieure de la Sakamalio, 1700 –1705 m,

Jan. 1934, Humbert 13564 (P); vallée de l'Onilahy

près de Tongobory, vallée d'Andiranolahy, 50 –

200 m, 5 Feb. 1947, Humbert 20177 (P). Province

unknown: Boivin s.n. (P × 5 sheets); Commerson s.n.

(K); Herb. Petit-Thouars 70 (P).

HABITAT.Roadsides, grassland and savanna, dry bush,

forest edges and forest understory; 0 –1700 m alt.

NOTES.The long cilia together with the awns are likely

to act as a dispersal mechanism for mature sections of

the racemes as they detach.

3b. Andropogon eucomus Nees subsp. huillensis

(Rendle) Sales (2002: 62).

Andropogon huillensis Rendle (1899: 146).

Andropogon perrieri A. Camus (1924 publ. 1925: 922).

Type: Madagascar, Toamasina, hills between

Matitanana and Sakaleony, on laterite, above

400 m alt., tufted perennial good for forage, Aug.

1911, PerrierdelaBâthie10828 (holotype

P00450396; isotype P00450397).

DISTRIBUTION.African species native to Madagascar

and common throughout the eastern part of

Madagascar. Map 3(grey circles).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.Antananarivo: 3

Dec. 1950, Benoist 351 (P); Jan. 1957, Bosser 10661 (P,

TAN); PK 22 route d'Arivonimamo, Feb. 1960, Bosser

13701 (P); près d'Ambatolampy, March 1961, Bosser 15240

(P). Antsiranana: Montagnes entre la haute Andramonta

(bassin de la Lokoho) et la Mafaika (bassin de

l'Antanambalana), 1400 m, 4 Jan. 1951, Humbert &

Capuron 24856 (P); Nov. 1967, Morat 2818 (P, TAN);

Andovoranto, Anivorano, Viguier & Humbert 686 (P).

Fianarantsoa: Ihosy - embranchement Tulear, Feb. 1956,

Bosser 9010 (P, TAN); Feb. 1956, Bosser 9011 (P, TAN);

Alakamisy-Itenina, Feb. 1961, Bosser 19167 (P); Mananjary,

March 1909, Geay 7355 (P); Mananjary, March 1909, Geay

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

Map 3. Distribution of Andropogon eucomus.Black circles

represent Andropogon eucomus subsp. eucomus.Grey circles

represent Andropogon eucomus subsp. huillensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

7681 (P); 1944, Herbier du Jardin Botanique de Tananarive

s.n. (P); Feb. 1965, Morat 2040 (P, TAN); entre la Matitana

et la Sakaleony, 400 m, 9 Aug. 1923, Perrier de la Bâthie

10828 (P); 33 km S of Irondro on National Road 25

towards Manakara, 600 m, 26 March 1993, Turk & Beck

363 (P); from Fianarantsoa to Ranomafana on RN25, just

before the start of Ranomafana National Park, 1200 m, 28

Oct. 2011, Vorontsova, Hall, Besnard, Ralimanana,

Randriamboavonjy & Andriantiana 618 (K, MO, P, TAN);

Sandravinany village, between Manambondro and

Manantenina, 50 m, 30 Oct. 2011, Vorontsova, Hall,

Besnard, Ralimanana, Randriamboavonjy & Andriantiana

641 (K, MO, P, TAN). Mahajanga: Tsaratanana Massif,

above Ankazotokana, 1200 m, 13 May 1974, Gentry 11734

(K);hautevalléedelaSoﬁa vers Antsakabary, 1200 –

1400 m, Nov. 1937, Humbert 18090 (P). Toamasina: route

de Tananarive à la Cote Est, près du passage du Mangoro,

Aug. 1906, Alleizette 1118 (P); station Ivoloina, Anonymous

27623 (P); Moramanga, 26 Dec. 1966, Delhaye 48 (P);

11 km NE de Moramanga, July 1969, Morat 3243 (P,

TAN); environs de Tamatave, 27 Sept. 1912, Viguier &

Humbert 419 (P × 2 sheets); près d'Ampasimpotsy, dans la

vallée de la Sahamarirana, 900 –950 m, 24 Oct. 1912,

Viguier & Humbert 990 (P, P, TAN); Est, 700 m, Sept. 1911,

Perrier de la Bâthie 10900 (P). Toliara: environs de Fort-

Dauphin, April 1960, Bosser 14563 (P); environs de Fort

Dauphin, 19 Oct. 1970, Keraudren-Aymonin & Aymonin

24981 (P).

HABITAT.Roadsides, grassland and savanna, dry bush,

forest edges and marshes; 400 –1500 m alt.

4. Andropogon ibityensis A. Camus (1952: 213). Type:

Madagascar, slopes of Mt Ibity south of Antsirabe, dry

places up to 2000 m, Feb. 1914, Perrier de la Bâthie

10768 (lectotype P00450400, selected here;

isolectotypes K000795154, P00450501).

Leptopogon ibityensis (A. Camus) Roberty (1960: 198).

Tufted erect perennial, 45 –90 cm high, dark red when

dry, most leaves basal, the shoots strongly compressed,

ﬂabellate, the culms not branched or weakly branched

in the upper part. Basal leaf sheaths conspicuously keeled.

Leaf sheaths glabrous to hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate mem-

brane, truncate, 0.5 –1.2 mm long. Leaf blades linear, ﬂat

or folded, 15 –25 cm long, 2 –4 mm wide, basally

hirsute, apically acute, sometimes obtuse, the basal

leaves dark red, curling when dry on specimens, the

margins ﬁnely serrulate. Inﬂorescence of (4) 5 –9 terminal

exserted racemes, the racemes 4 –7.5 cm long, fragile,

not visibly villous, the sessile spikelet loosely wedged

between the pedicel and internode, the internode and

pedicels linear broadening to c. 0.4 mm wide at the apex,

ciliate on both margins, the cilia sparse, not immediately

visible without magniﬁcation, 1 –3mmlong.Sessile

spikelet bisexual, 4.5 –5.5 mm long; callus short, broadly

rounded, ciliate; lower glume lanceolate, depressed

between the keels, glabrous; upper glume awnless;

upper lemma bilobed for 1/3 –1/2 of its length, with a

geniculate awn 8 –13 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet

staminate, 4 –5.5 (6) mm long, muticous or with a

mucro up to 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Moderately rare. Map 4.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Antananarivo: Faratsiho, Feb. 1957, Bosser 10790

(P, TAN); Mt Ibity, Aug. 1963, Bosser 18509 (P); Massif

de l'Ibity, June 1967, Morat 2863 (P, TAN); June 1912,

Perrier de la Bâthie 10801 (P) près de la cime du Mont

Ibity, 2200 m, June 1912, Perrier de la Bâthie 10801 (P);

Vakinankaratra, Antsirabe, 1912, Viguier & Humbert 1498

(P); Massif de l'Ibity, Dec. 1968, Morat 3003 (P).

Fianarantsoa: Ambositra, Dec. 1959, Bosser 13899

(P, TAN); Ambositra, Dec. 1963, Bosser 18634 (P);

Ambositra, Jan. 1964, Bosser 18782 (P); Itremo, Jan.

1964, Bosser 18936 (P, TAN); Ambositra, April 1964,

Bosser 19548 (P, TAN); Itremo Protected Area,

1700 m, 14 March 2012, Vorontsova, Ratovonirina,

Rakotonasolo, Rajaonarison, Andriamampionina &

Rakotonirina 754 (K, MO, P, TAN). Province

Unknown: Anonymous s.n. (P).

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

Map 4. Distribution of Andropogon ibityensis.DRAWN BY PAWEŁ

FICINSKI.

HABITAT.Grassland, savanna, dry slopes and exposed

limestone rocks; 1700 –2200 m alt.

NOTES.Recognised by the more numerous racemes in

each inﬂorescence, Andropogon ibityensis can be difﬁcult

to identify in the absence of complete inﬂorescences.

Numerous racemes, similar size of ﬂoral parts and the

lack of obvious trichomes on the racemes can cause

confusionwiththewidespreadA. trichozygus which can be

separated by its longer hardened obtuse to acute ligule

(ligule a truncate ciliolate membrane in A. ibityensis)and

its stiff leaves that are usually erect and rolled (softer basal

leaves are ﬂat and curled in A. ibityensis). Vegetatively A.

ibityensis is close to A. ivohibensis and the two species share

the mass of curled dark red leaves at the base of the plant.

Bosser (1969)impliesthatA. ibityensis is a synonym of A.

ivohibensis but the larger number of specimens seen for

this study demonstrate that the number of racemes

correlate with raceme indumentum and distinct distri-

butions of the two species.

The lectotype sheet has been chosen for its best

quality material and author annotation.

5. Andropogon imerinensis Bosser (1968: 521). Type:

Madagascar, Antananarivo, near Antananarivo, sec-

ondary grassland on slopes, Jan. 1955, Bosser 7697

(holotype P00450392; isotypes P00450393, TAN).

Tufted erect perennial, 20 –60 cm high, red-brown

when dry, all leaves basal, the shoots not compressed,

the culms not branched. Basal leaf sheaths keeled. Leaf

sheaths glabrous to apically hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate

membrane, truncate, c. 0.5 mm long. Leaf blades

ﬁliform, ﬂat to rolled, 6 –25 cm long, 0.3 –1mm

wide, glabrous to basally hirsute, apically ﬁliform, all

leaves stiff and more or less erect, never curling when

dry, the margins smooth to ﬁnely serrulate.

Inﬂorescence of 2 –3 terminal exserted racemes, the

racemes 1.5 –4.5 cm long, fragile, with prominent

white hair tufts when dry, the sessile spikelet loosely

wedged between the pedicel and internode, the

internode and pedicels linear broadening to 0.4 –

0.5 mm wide at the apex, ciliate on both margins, the

cilia dense, clearly visible without magniﬁcation when

dry, 1.5 –3 mm long. Sessile spikelet bisexual, 3.5 –

5 mm long; callus short, broadly rounded, ciliate;

lower glume lanceolate, depressed between the keels,

glabrous; upper glume awnless; upper lemma bilobed

for c. 2/3 of its length, with a geniculate awn 10 –

13 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet staminate, 3.5 –5.5 mm

long, muticous or with a mucro up to 1.7 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Moderately rare. Map 5.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Antananarivo: près d’Ivato, 25 Nov. 1950, Benoist 331

(P, TAN); Ivato, Jan. 1955, Bosser 7542 (P); environs de

Tananarive, Jan. 1955, Bosser 7697 (P, TAN); PK26

route d'Arivonimamo, 1200 –1400 m, Dec. 1955,

Bosser 8903 (K, P, TAN); PK 10 route du Sud, Dec.

1959, Bosser 13746 (P, TAN); Ankaratra, Ankatso, 24

Nov. 1935, Herbier du Jardin Botanique de Tananarive

1307 (P, TAN); Saboty, massif de l'Antongona, 4 Dec.

1959, Peltier & Peltier 1571 (P); environs d'Antsirabe,

1700 m, Oct. 1913, Perrier de la Bâthie 10716 (P);

Rotereau s.n. (P); North-west Madagascar, Baron 3002

(K); Central Madagascar, Baron 3169 (K).

HABITAT.Secondary burned dry grassland and savanna

on limestone; 1200 –1700 m alt.

NOTES.Recognisable by its stiff thin erect leaves,

Andropogon imerinensis is similar to A. ivohibensis and the

two species share a small number (2 –4) of racemes and

visible tufts of trichomes in the racemes. Small plants

with reduced leaves can appear different to populations

of larger plants growing in more favourable conditions.

6. Andropogon itremoensis Voronts., sp. nov. Type:

Madagascar, Fianarantsoa, Ambatoantrano, Itremo

Massif, exposed top of limestone rocks, in short

Loudetia simplex grassland, 20°33.85'S, 46°34.80'E,

1700 m, 14 March 2012, Vorontsova, Ratovonirina,

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

Map 5. Distribution of Andropogon imerinensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI

Rakotonasolo, Rajaonarison, Andriamampionina &

Rakotonirina 753 (holotype TAN; isotypes K, MO, P).

http://www.ipni.org/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77128351-1

Rhizomatous ascending perennial, 30 –45 cm high,

green-brown when dry, most leaves borne on the culm,

the shoots not compressed, the culms not branched or

branched once. Basal leaf sheaths rounded. Leaf sheaths

glabrous, sometimes with a few cilia at the apex. Ligule a

ciliolate membrane, rounded, erose, c. 1 mm long. Leaf

blades narrow-lanceolate, ﬂat, 5 –12 cm long, 4 –6mm

wide, glabrous, sometimes with a few cilia at the base,

basally cordate, apically acuminate, held erect, the

margins serrulate. Inﬂorescence of paired terminal exsert-

ed racemes, the racemes 4 –7.5 cm long, fragile, not

visibly villous, the sessile spikelet tightly wedged between

the pedicel and internode, the internode and pedicels

clavate broadening to 0.6 –1 mm wide at the apex, dark

red, ciliate on the lower part of both margins, the cilia

fairly dense, 0.75 –1.5 mm long. Sessile spikelet bisexual,

5.5 –6.5 mm long; callus c. 1 mm long, square, sparsely

ciliate; lower glume narrow-lanceolate, deeply depressed

between the dorsal keels, not winged, glabrous; upper

glume awnless; upper lemma bilobed for 1/3 –1/2 of its

length, with a geniculate awn 12 –15 mm long. Pedicelled

spikelet staminate, 9.5 –11 mm long, muticous or with a

mucro up to 0.5 mm long. Fig. 1.

RECOGNITION.Differs from Andropogon andringitrensis by

its culms with no branches or one branch (vs

multiply branching culms), leaf blades 4 –6mm

wide (vs 2.5 –4 mm wide), lower glume of the

sessile spikelet deeply depressed for the whole

length (vs ﬂat to depressed at the base), and the

lower glume of the pedicelled spikelet 9.5 –11 mm

long (vs 6.5 –8 mm long).

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Rare. Map 6.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED.MADAGASCAR.

Antananarivo: route de Betafo a Miandrivazo, 75 km

avant Miandrivazo, afﬂeuvements de quartz poussant

en touffes, 1200 m, April 1969, Morat 3136 (TAN).

Fianarantsoa: environs d'Ambatoﬁnandrahana, Jan.

1964, Bosser 18797 (P, TAN); Massif de l'Intremo,

vicinity of Col de Intremo, bare hillside covered with

pebbles and larger rocks sparse, 1500 –1685 m, 27

Jan. 1975, Croat 29820 (TAN); Itremo Massif,

Soatsihotapaka, 1662 m, 26 Feb. 2013, Vorontsova,

Besnard, Razanatsoa & Rajaonarison 1030 (K, P, TAN).

HABITAT.Short exposed grassland on open high

plateau limestone; 1200 –1700 m alt.

CONSERVATION STATUS.Andropogon itremoensis is

assessed as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN

(2001) criteria B1a: the extent of occurrence is

estimated to be less than 5000 km

and the species is

known to exist at no more than ﬁve locations.

NOTES.Clearly afﬁliated with Andropogon andringitrensis,

the two species share stoloniferous growth form, short

stature, leaf shape, and paired racemes; they are both

rare species of montane regions in the central-

southern part of the high plateau. It is likely that A.

itremoensis and A. andringitrensis belong to a different

radiation of Andropogon in Madagascar than the group

of erect tufted species with ﬂattened shoots and a

dark red drying colour: A. ibityensis, A. imerinensis, A.

ivohibensis,andA. trichozygus.

Andropogon itremoensis can be hard to notice during

vegetation surveys due to its appearance as infrequent

single stems of small stature.

THE ITREMO MASSIF AND PLANT CONSERVATION.The

Itremo Massif is located on the High Plateaux c. 140 km

west of Ambositra, in Ambatoﬁnandrahana District,

Amoron'i Mania Region, Madagascar. The massif is

dominated by quartz, mica and dolomitic marble and

the climate is subhumid with an average annual temper-

ature of 18 –21°C and an annual rainfall of c. 1416 mm

with 4 –6 months dry season from May to October. The

vegetation is dominated by savanna (c. 70%) and also

includes remnant Tapia and gallery forests, rocky and

swamp vegetation (Koechlin et al. 1997, Birkinshaw et al.

2008). Rural livelihoods are based primarily on savanna

zebu farming and regular burning is encroaching on

remnant forest fragments (Kull 2004). Illegal mining for

tourmaline, beryl, and crystal is causing environmental

degradation (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew & Ministère

de l’Environnement et des Forêts 2012). The Royal

Botanic Gardens Kew is working towards the creation

of a new protected area delimited in collaboration with

the local community. The 412 species of vascular plants

recorded within the proposed protected area before

2008 (Birkinshaw et al. 2008) has now been increased

to 549 species, c. 10% of which are local endemics

(Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew & Ministère de

l’Environnement et des Forêts 2012). The description

of Andropogon itremoensis continues the work towards

documenting the fragile biota of this area and

contributes towards the development of conservation

policy for the Itremo Massif.

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

Fig 1. Andropogon itremoensis.Ahabit, ﬂowering culm

continued to the right; Bhabit with rhizome; Craceme pair; D

ligule; Espikelet pair, viewed with the lower glume of the sessile

spikelet at the front; Fspikelet pair, viewed with the upper glume

of the sessile spikelet at the front; Gsessile spikelet with the

dorsal side of the lower glume at the front, including the callus; H

lower glume of the sessile spikelet viewed from the ventral side; J

upper glume of the sessile spikelet; Kupper lemma of the sessile

spikelet, bilobed with a geniculate awn; Llower glume of the

pedicelled spikelet, ventral view; Mlower glume of the pedicelled

spikelet, dorsal view; Nupper glume of the pedicelled spikelet,

ventral view. Scale bar: A03cm;B02cm;C01.5 cm; D–F0

4mm;G–N03 mm. All from Vorontsova et al. 753. DRAWN BY

LUCY T. SMITH.

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

7. Andropogon ivohibensis A. Camus (1924 publ. 1925:

922). Type: Madagascar, Toliara, around Ivohibe,

1000 m alt., prairies on gneiss, tufted perennial with

short shoots, Sept. 1911, Perrier de la Bâthie 11170

(lectotype P00224721, selected here; isolectotype

P00224722).

Andropogon vohiboryensis A. Camus (1931:9),synon. nov.

Type: Madagascar, Vohibory mountain chain W

of Ivohibe, 1000 –1300 m alt., 1 Nov. 1924,

Humbert 3092 (holotype P00224719; isotype

P00450512).

Tufted erect perennial, 30 –70 cm high, dark red

when dry, most leaves basal, the shoots strongly

compressed, ﬂabellate, the culms not branched.

Basal leaf sheaths conspicuously keeled. Leaf sheaths

glabrous to apically hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate

membrane, truncate, 0.3 –0.5 mm long. Leaf blades

linear, ﬂat or folded, 2 –25 cm long, 2.2 –3.2 mm

wide, basally hirsute, apically acute, the basal leaves

dark red, curling when dry on specimens, the

margins ﬁnely serrulate. Inﬂorescence of (2) 3 (4)

terminal exserted racemes, the racemes 2.5 –

6.5 cm long, fragile, with visible white hair tufts

when dry, the sessile spikelet loosely wedged

between the pedicel and internode, the internode

and pedicels linear broadening to 0.4 –0.6 mm wide at

the apex, ciliate on both margins, the cilia dense, clearly

visible without magniﬁcation when dry, 2 –3mmlong.

Sessile spikelet bisexual, 4.5 –5.5 mm long; callus short,

broadly rounded, ciliate; lower glume lanceolate, de-

pressed between the keels, glabrous; upper glume

awnless; upper lemma bilobed for 1/4 –1/2 of its length,

with a geniculate awn 10 –12 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet

staminate, 4.5 –6mmlong,muticous.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Moderately common. Map 7.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Antananarivo: 21 Nov. 1912, Viguier & Humbert

1498 (P). Fianarantsoa: Dec. 1959, Bosser 13847

(P); environs de Ramotsara, Ihosy, Dec. 1963,

Bosser 18736 (P); environs d'Ambatoﬁnandrahana,

Jan. 1964, Bosser 18798 (P, TAN); Midongy du Sud,

Aug. 1926, Decary 4998 (P, TAN); Mont

Kalambatitra, 1450 m, Nov. 1933, Humbert 12113

Map 7. Distribution of Andropogon ivohibensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

Map 6. Distribution of Andropogon itremoensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

(P × 2 sheets); environs d'Ambohimahasoa, Oct.

1911, Perrier de la Bâthie 10820 (lectoparatype, P);

Ankaﬁna, 14 Nov. 1963, Rakotozafy 227 (P, TAN).

Toliara: environs d'Ivohibe, Dec. 1963, Bosser 18662

(P, TAN); Massif de l'Ivakoany, 1250 –1400 m,

Nov. 1933, Humbert 12272 (K, P, TAN); Isalo, partie

Nord, 600 –1000 m, 28 Nov. 1946, Humbert 19547

(P); environs d'Ivohibe, 1000 m, Perrier de la Bâthie

11120 (P). Province unknown: Baron s.n. (P); Bosser

s.n. (P).

HABITAT.Rocky dry grassland and savanna on lime-

stone, tapia forests; 600 –1400 m alt.

NOTES.The identiﬁcation of this species depends on a

combination of characters: c. 3 racemes with visible

hair tufts (similar to those of A. imerinensis), the ﬂat,

dark red leaves curling at the base of the plant when

they dry (like those of A. ibityensis), and the short

truncate ligule (shared with A. imerinensis, A. ibityensis,

and A. eucomus).

The lectotype has been chosen due to its superior

quality ﬂowering material.

8. Andropogon trichozygus Baker (1883: 300).

Type: Madagascar, Central Madagascar, Baron

1807 (holotype K000244635, isotypes P00450504,

P00450505).

Sorghum trichozygum (Baker) Kuntze (1891: 792).

Andropogon madagascariensis Hack. (Hackel 1885: 136).

Type: Madagascar, near Antananarivo, 1880,

Hildebrandt 4052 (lectotype W1916-0028557, selected

here; isolectotypes K000244638, P00450506,

P00450507, P00450508, W1889-0050833,

US00156696).

Tufted erect perennial, (35) 50 –110 cm high, dark red

when dry, most leaves basal, the shoots strongly com-

pressed, ﬂabellate, the culms not branched or weakly

branched in the upper part. Basal leaf sheaths conspicu-

ously keeled. Leaf sheaths glabrous to apically hirsute,

shiny at the base. Ligule scarious, obtuse to acute, 3 –

11 mm long. Leaf blades linear, usually rolled, sometimes

ﬂat or folded, 10 –45 cm long, 0.6 –3 (5.5) mm wide,

glabrous to basally hirsute, shiny, apically acute to

ﬁliform, stiff and more or less erect, never curling when

dry, the margins serrulate. Inﬂorescence of (2) 3 –

8 terminal exserted racemes, the racemes 5 –11 cm

long, fragile, not visibly villous, the sessile spikelet loosely

wedged between the pedicel and internode, the inter-

node and pedicels linear broadening to c. 0.7 mm wide

at the apex, ciliate on both margins, the cilia sparse, not

immediately visible without magniﬁcation, 1 –2mm

long. Sessile spikelet bisexual, 4 –6 mm long; callus short,

broadly rounded, ciliate; lower glume lanceolate,

depressed between the keels, glabrous; upper glume

awnless or mucronate; upper lemma bilobed for 1/4 –

1/3 of its length, with a geniculate awn 8 –10 mm

long. Pedicelled spikelet staminate, 3.6 –6mmlong,

muticous or with a mucro up to 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Common. Map 8.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Antananarivo: route de Tananarive sous Ambatovory,

June 1909, Alleizette 277 (P); Manjakatompo, 20

Nov. 1950, Benoist 517 (P, TAN); Bevalala, Jan.

1953, Bosser 5034 (P); Iharanandriana, Jan. 1954,

Bosser 7180 (P); PK 35 route d'Anjozorobe, Feb.

1954, Bosser 7241 (P); Faratsiho, Jan. 1955, Bosser

7616 (P, TAN); Manankaza, Oct. 1955, Bosser 8521

(P); Ambohimandroso (Ambatolampy), 1500 m,

Dec. 1955, Bosser 8892 (P, TAN); Analabe, route

d'Anjozorobe, Dec. 1958, Bosser 12378 (P, TAN);

Anjozorobe, April 1959, Bosser 12728 (P, TAN);

Antananarivo, Oct. 1880, Hildebrandt 4107 (K, P);

PK 213 route Tananarive –Antsirabe, 23 Nov. 1970,

Keraudren-Aymonin & Aymonin 25155 (P); Mantasoa,

Jan. 1889, Le Myre de Vilers s.n. (P); massif de l'Ibity,

Dec. 1968, Morat 3008 (P); Ambohitantely, 17 Nov.

1963, Peltier & Peltier 4349 (P); Tsinjoarivo, 1500 m,

Map 8. Distribution of Andropogon trichozygus.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

Nov. 1911, PerrierdelaBâthie10825 (P); environs

d'Antsirabe, 1500 m, Jan. 1914, Perrier de la Bâthie

10764 (P, TAN); Antsirabe, 1600 m, May 1913,

Perrier de la Bâthie 15807 (P); Nanisana, 18 May

1907, Rotereau s.n. (P); sud de Tananarive, 20 June

1905, Rotereau s.n. (P); entre Ambatolampy et

Tsinjoarivo, 1600 m, 29 Nov. 1912, Viguier &

Humbert 1806 (P × 2 sheets); la Hutte près d’Ivato,

25 Nov. 1950, Benoist 334 (P, TAN); PK 22 route

Arivonimamo, Feb. 1954, Bosser 7304 (P, TAN);

route d'Arivonimano, 22 April 1962, Boudet 1177

(P). Fianarantsoa: entre Antsirabe et Ambositra,

Nov. 1952, Bosser 3933 (P); Antsampandrano,

1800 m, May 1962, Bosser 16352 (P); Andringitra

au dessus d'Antanifotsy, April 1964, Bosser 19426

(P); Ambatomenaloha, Itremo, April 1964, Bosser

19572 (P, TAN); 113 –116 km N of Fianarantsoa,

1600 m, 28 Jan. 1975, Croat 29980(K,P,TAN);

Andringitra: rebord Est du Plateau d'Andohariana,

2000 m, 13 Jan. 1971, Guillaumet 3728 (P); ouest de

l'Itremo, 1500 –1700 m, 17 Jan. 1955, Humbert

28250 (P); piote du Vohibe, Antoetra, 1600 –

1800 m, May 1969, Morat 3156 (P); from

Fianarantsoa to Ranomafana on RN25, just before

the start of Ranomafana National Park, 1200 m, 28

Oct. 2011, Vorontsova, Hall, Besnard, Ralimanana,

Randriamboavonjy & Andriantiana 619 (K, MO, P,

TAN); from Fianarantsoa to Ranomafana on

RN25,justbeforethestartofRanomafana

National Park, 1200 m, 28 Oct. 2011, Vorontsova,

Hall, Besnard, Ralimanana, Randriamboavonjy &

Andriantiana 624 (K, MO, P, TAN). Toamasina:

entre Andilamena et Ampatakamaroreny, Oct.

1962, Bosser 16642 (P); Morarano (ouest du Lac

Alaotra), Dec. 1954, Bosser 7462 (P, TAN); Ankadibevava,

30 Nov. 1966, Delhaye 6 (P). Province unknown: Central

Madagascar, Baron 3136 (K); Central Madagascar, Baron

4293 (K, P); chieﬂy from North-west Madagascar, Baron

4971 (K).

HABITAT.Grassland and savanna, roadsides, often

near ﬂowing water or waterlogged places; 1100 –

1800 m alt.

NOTES.The most common Andropogon endemic to

Madagascar, it is also the largest and can usually be

recognised by its prominent, almost bony to acute

ligule, which has a similar texture to the stiff leaves. The

ligule is longest and easiest to see near the base of the

plant.

Andropogon trichozygus is morphologically similar to

Andropogon appendiculatus, which has broader leaves

and shorter pedicelled spikelets.

The selected lectotype specimen was seen by the

author and is also chosen due to better duplicate

distribution than that of the syntype collection

Hildebrandt 4107.

9. Andropogon tsaratananensis A. Camus (1925: 591).

Type: Madagascar, Antsiranana, Mt Tsaratanana;

savoka with Philippia, up to 2400 m alt., perennial,

April 1924, Perrier de la Bâthie 16370 (holotype

P00450398; isotype P00450399).

Tufted erect perennial, 40 –60 cm high, brownish

when dry, never dark red, most leaves basal, the

shoots not compressed, the culms branched in the

upper part. Basal leaf sheaths keeled. Leaf sheaths

glabrous, or with a few cilia at the apex. Ligule a

ciliolate membrane, truncate, 1 –2 mm long. Leaf

blades linear, ﬂat, 7 –21 cm long, 1.5 –3.5 mm

wide, glabrous or abaxially hispidous, often with a

few cilia at the base, acuminate to ﬁliform, held

erect or curved, not curling when dry, the margins

serrulate. Inﬂorescence of paired terminal exserted

racemes, the racemes 4.5 –7 cm long, fragile,

somewhat visibly villous, the sessile spikelet loosely

wedged between the pedicel and internode, inter-

node and pedicels clavate broadening to 0.5 –

0.7 mm wide at the apex, ciliate on both margins,

the cilia fairly sparse, somewhat visible without

magniﬁcation when dry, 1 –2.5 mm long. Sessile

spikelet bisexual, 5 –7 mm long; callus c. 1 mm

long, square, sparsely ciliate; lower glume lanceo-

late, depressed between the keels, scaberulous on

the keels; upper glume with an awn 1 –2mm

long; upper lemma bilobed for 1/3 –1/2 of its

length, with a geniculate awn 12 –20 mm long.

Pedicelled spikelet staminate, 4 –6mmlong,scabrous

ontheveins,withanawn1–2.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Native and endemic to Madagascar.

Rare. Map 9.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMEN EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Antsiranana: Sava, Andapa, Doany, Andranomololo,

Andramanalana, 1300 m, 27 April 2006, Rakotovao

3081 (P).

HABITAT.Dry forest understorey and Philippia bush;

1250 –2400 m alt.

NOTES.Two enigmatic collections not matching any

other Andropogon species but with no single unique

distinguishing character. Closest to Andropogon

chinensis,A. tsaratananensis has narrower internodes

and pedicels, longer callus, shorter geniculate

awns, and shorter awns on the upper glume of

the sessile spikelet and the lower glume of the

pedicelled spikelet. It differs from other groups of

endemic Andropogon: the racemes are strictly

paired and the plant does not dry dark red unlike

A. imerinensis, A. ivohibensis, A. ibityensis, and A.

trichozygus;theplantistuftedandmostleavesare

atthebaseoftheplantunlikeA. andringitrensis

and A. itremoensis.

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 68(2)

Diectomis fastigiata (Sw.) P. Beauv. (Palisot de

Beauvois 1812: 132).

Andropogon fastigiatus Sw. (Swartz 1788: 26).

Loosely tufted annual, 30 –200 cm high, orange-

brown when dry, most leaves basal, the shoots not

compressed, the culms branched in the upper part.

Basal leaf sheaths rounded. Leaf sheaths glabrous.

Ligule scarious, acute, 3.5 –7 mm long. Leaf blades

linear, ﬂat to folded or rolled, 5 –30 cm long, 1 –

2 mm wide, glabrous, apically ﬁliform, held erect

or curved, not curling when dry, the margins

smooth. Inﬂorescence of single terminal exserted or

partly exserted racemes, the racemes 3 –5cm

long, fragile, with prominent white hair tufts when

dry, the sessile spikelet tightly wedged between the

pedicel and internode, the internode and pedicels

clavate broadening to 0.7 –0.8 mm wide at the

apex, yellow, ciliate on both margins, the cilia

dense, clearly visible without magniﬁcation when

dry, 1 –4.5 mm long. Sessile spikelet bisexual, 4.5 –

5.5 mm long; callus short, broadly rounded, long-

ciliate; lower glume linear, deeply depressed be-

tween the dorsal keels, ciliate between the keels;

upper glume with an awn 10 –20 mm long; upper

lemma bilobed for c. 1/4 of its length, with a

geniculate awn 30 –38 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet

staminate, 5 –9 mm long, around twice the size of

the sessile spikelet, elliptic, foliaceous, orange with

an awn 2 –6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION.Pantropical, likely introduced in

Madagascar. Apparently rare. Map 10.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. MADAGASCAR.

Mahajanga: Bongolava Nord, sud de Port Bergé,

April 1967, Morat 2673 (P); Manasamody, April 1964,

Morat 4565 (P, TAN).

HABITAT.Savanna on basalt; low elevation.

NOTES.Placed in Andropogon by Bosser (1969), Clayton

(1967) and Clayton and Renvoize (1986), it is treated

as a distinct genus by Skendzic et al. (2007) and Soreng

et al. (2013).

REVISION OF ANDROPOGON AND DIECTOMIS IN MADAGASCAR

Map 10. Distribution of Diectomis fastigiata.DRAWN BY PAWEŁ

FICINSKI.

Map 9. Distribution of Andropogon tsaratananensis.DRAWN BY

PAWEŁFICINSKI.

Acknowledgements

This work was generously supported by the Millennium

Seed Bank Project, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Musé-

um National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris), National

Geographic Society Global Exploration Fund - Northern

Europe, and the Bentham-Moxon Trust. The author

would like to thank PawełFicinski for work with

BRAHMS and maps; Lucy Smith for the beautiful

drawing; Hélène Ralimanana, Franck Rakotonasolo,

Roger Rajaonarison, Russell Hall, and Guillaume

Besnard for assistance in the ﬁeld; curators of TAN for

generously providing data; Stuart Cable (K) for logistical

support; Thomas Haevermans (P), Pete Phillipson (P),

and Caroline Loup (P) for assistance at P; and W. D.

(Derek) Clayton (K) for discussion and advice.

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Article

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Aug 2017

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Jan 2007
Aliso

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