Salsola sp. A of Flora Zambesiaca from the coast of Mozambique is Caroxylon littoralis (Amaranthaceae subfam. Salsoloideae), hitherto only known from Madagascar. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Friis, Ib; Holt, Sune
• Is Part Of: Webbia. Volume 72:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Conservation assessment -- coastal habitats -- identification -- distribution -- taxonomy; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2016.1258788
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0083-7792

Abstract

Abstract: We have identified plants from the coast of the Inhambane Province, Mozambique, with the incompletely known species Salsola sp. A of Flora Zambesiaca and with Caroxylon littoralis (Moq.) Akhani & Roalson ( Salsola littoralis Moq.), a species hitherto believed to be endemic to Madagascar and Île Europa. We have placed Salsola sp. A in synonymy of C. littoralis, amended the description of the combined taxon and mapped its distribution. There is continuous variation between Salsola littoralis var. littoralis and var. glabra Botsch. and we cannot uphold the infraspecific taxa. Caroxylon littoralis differs from most other species of Caroxylon in being a coastal, perennial species with opposite leaves and deviating anther appendages, and it does not develop a dorsal wing on the fruiting perianth. The fruit is an achene. The taxonomic position of C. littoralis should be clarified by the study of DNA sequences in comparison with already known sequences of Old World Salsoleae. We assess the conservation status based on the extended distribution of the species as Least Concern to Near Threatened (LC-NT); the species may be potentially threatened if development of tourism in the coastal zone threatens the limited number of locations.