Reinstatement of Kalanchoe decumbens Compton (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), an endemic species from eastern southern Africa

Abstract

Summary: Summary: The endemic southern African species Kalanchoe decumbens Compton (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), which was most recently treated as a synonym of K. rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw., is reinstated. These two species are closely related but K. decumbens differs in having narrowly oblong, somewhat clavate, round-tipped leaves that often curl upwards along the margins giving them the appearance of being channelled above. At reproductive maturity plants are often decumbent, with only the upper parts of the peduncles turned upwards. The upper part of the floral tube is most often a near fluorescent orange-red to deep red colour, with the centres of the lobes sometimes slightly yellowish-infused. An amplified description is provided for K. decumbens and the species is illustrated.