Sabdariffa cordofana (Turcz.) Mwachala & R.L.Barrett, 2025

Sabdariffa cordofana (Turcz.) Mwachala & R.L.Barrett View in CoL , comb. nov.

( Fig. 12 e, f View Fig .)

Hibiscus cordofanus Turcz., Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. View in CoL 31: 193 (1858). Type: Sudan: Cordofan [Kordofan], 1837–1838, C.G.T. Kotschy 65 (holo: KW 001000983 ) .

Hibiscus verrucosus var. punctatus A.Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. View in CoL 1: 59 (1847); Hibiscus cannabinus var. punctatus (A.Rich.) Hochr., Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. View in CoL Genève 20: 82 (1917); Hibiscus asper var. punctatus (A.Rich.) Berhaut View in CoL , Fl. Sénégal 160 (1954). Type citation: ‘Crescit in provincia Chiré (Ant. Petit), et in montibus prope Tchélatchékanné, non procul a convalle fluvii Taccazé, mense Novembre fructus maturos gerens (Schimper).’ Type: Ethiopia: Vallis Taccaze near Djeladjekanne, 29 Sep. 1840, G.W.Schimper 24 (syn: TUB 002650); Ethiopia: in montibus propre Dscheladscheranne, 3 Nov. 1839, G.W.Schimper 717 (syn: BR 0000008403360, TUB 002645, TUB 002646).

Descriptions and illustrations

Turczaninow (1858, p. 193); Andrews (1952, p. 28); von Cufodontis (1959, p. 557); Wilson (1999, p. 68, p.p., as H. asper ).

Notes

Hibiscus verrucosus var. punctatus ( Richard 1847, p. 59) View in CoL is here considered to be a synonym of S. cordofana View in CoL . Application of the name Hibiscus tripartitus Forssk. View in CoL (currently considered a synonym of S. cannabina View in CoL ) should also be considered in this regard as this might lack a woolly tomentum on the calyx, though the maturity of the type (in fruit) makes this difficult to assess. If H. tripartitus View in CoL is found to be the same as S. cordofana View in CoL , H. tripartitus View in CoL would have priority but on current evidence we retain H. tripartitus View in CoL under S. cannabina View in CoL .

Sabdariffa cordofana View in CoL is allied to S. verrucosa View in CoL in having epicalyx lobes with distinct marginal ribs when dry but appears to differ consistently from S. verrucosa View in CoL with climax leaves that are 3–5-lobed for at least half the length ( v. variously entire, shallowly lobed or possibly deeply lobed when the plants mature), small ( v. large ), scattered aculei on the stems, and the epicalyx and calyx glabrous except for large, prominent aculei on the margins ( v. epicalyx and calyx with a few stiff hairs and long, very prominent aculeli on margins and ribs).

Some specimens from Sudan (e.g. H.Gillett 77; P 00925200) and Cameroon (e.g. E. de Garine EG925; P 01080937) approach S. aspera in having deeply divided climax leaves but differ markedly in the calyx characters and our present concepts likely still represent an oversimplification of variation in this species complex across tropical Africa

Distribution

Known to occur in Ethiopia, Sudan and Chad. Probably more widespread in East Africa to northern Cameroon but a critical examination of specimens currently assigned to S. aspera and S. cannabina is required to determine the full distribution.