Page 16 - CAPPARIS_2006

Volume 93, Number 1 Inocencio et al. 137
2006 Revision of Capparis Sect. Capparis

6. Capparis ovata Desf., Fl. Atlant., Vol. I: 404. s.n. (E). LIBYA. Coefia, Benghazi, Davis 50477 (RNG);
Gebel Nefoussa, Giado, Davis 49678 (RNG); Tripolitania,
1798. Capparis spinosa L. var. ovata (Desf.) Batt.,
Tarhunah, Keith 1038 (K). MOROCCO. Driouch, Inocencio
in Batt. & Trabut., Fl. Alge ´rie: 82. 1888. TYPE:
60029 (MUB); Gorge du Ziz, Er-Rachidia, Jury 17819
[Algeria] ‘‘Habitat in fissuris rupium prope Oran’’ (RNG); Fez, Mateos 6653/95 (RNG); Imzou ˆrene, Jury 15602
s.c. (lectotype, designated here, P 948!). (RNG); Msemrir, Dade ´s, Jury 17776 (RNG); Nador,
Kebdana, Romo 6501 (RNG); Ouarzazate, Brooks E.5349
(RNG); Dj. Sarhoro, Ouarzazate, Davis 53476 (E); River
KEY TO THE SUBSPECIES OF CAPPARIS OVATA IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Yanoile, Inocencio 60021 (MUB); Safi, Inocencio 60024
REGION, THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
(MUB); Taroudannt, Jury 14453 (RNG); Taza, Jury 8602
1a. Young leaves usually ovate to ovate-lanceolate, (RNG); Sidi Belkassen, Ratherford s.n. (RNG); Tnant,
mature leaves ovate, 2.5–5 3 2–4.5 cm; stipules Ratherford BV1281/93 (RNG); Tazeka, Jury 16777 (RNG);
antrorse ..... ......... a. C. ovata subsp. ovata Zaio, Inocencio 60000 (MUB). TUNISIA. Kabylia, Letourneux
1b. Young leaves usually lanceolate, mature leaves s.n. (P); Khargued, Letourneux s.n. (P); Fedj el Kheirs,
ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–4 3 0.9–1.9 cm; stipules Letourneux s.n. (P).
retrorse ..... ...... b. C. ovata subsp. myrtifolia
The sheet 948 at P contains two branches with
Distribution. Figure 2. leaves and without flowers or fruits; the specimen to
the right is selected as a lectotype. It is labelled as
6a. Capparis ovata Desf. subsp. ovata
‘‘Herbier de la Flore Atlantique/ done ´ au Muse ´um par
Capparis sicula Veill. var. kruegeriana Pamp., L’Agricoltura Desfontaines/ Nu/ Capparis ovata.’’ Another label
Col. 22: 459. 1926. Capparis spinosa L. var. rupestris states ‘‘Habitat in fissuris rupium prope Oran.’’ In the
forma kruegeriana (Pamp.) Pamp., Prodr. Fl. Ciren.: protologue, Desfontaines also cites seven pre-Linnae-
234. 1931. Capparis spinosa L. subsp. orientalis (Veill.) an references associated with images of a Capparis
Jafri. var. kruegeriana (Pamp.) Jafri., Flora of Libya.
Vol XII: 4. 1977. species known since at least the 1st century AD from
the coasts of Marmarica (northern Libya and Egypt),
Shrub pendulous, sometimes reaching great dimen- which is without doubt Capparis ovata s. str. However,
sions in shaded sites; twigs straight, up to 3 m long, other authors interpreted these as belonging to C.
dark green or with a reddish tint in younger twigs, spinosa or C. sicula.
adult ones becoming woody, acquiring grayish or
Candolle (1824) raised the question of homonymy
brown color; internodes 1.5–2.5 cm; stipules curved, with Capparis ovata M. Bieb. On account of this
mostly antrorse, sometimes spreading, not decurrent, supposed homonym he proposed naming the species
sometimes very small or early falling, yellow, 0.15– from Algeria with the type material by Desfontaines:
0.4 cm long, up to 0.1 cm wide at the base. Leaves Capparis fontanesii DC. Prodr. Vol. I : 245. 1824.
usually ovate, when young ovate to ovate-lanceolate, TYPE: ‘‘in fissuris rupium Mauritaniae prope Or-
2.5–5.5 3 2–4.5 cm, subcoriaceous; indument lax, an. . . v.s. sine fl. in h. Desf.’’ There is no reason to
trichomes thick and short, 30–40 3 200–250 mm; leaf adopt this view of Candolle because C. ovata M. Bieb.
veins not prominent; base usually rounded or
is a later homonym (Bieberstein, 1808).
somewhat tapering, apices acute; mucro small, 0.5–
1 mm, straight; petioles short, 0.5–1 cm. Flower buds 6b. Capparis ovata Desf. subsp. myrtifolia Ino-
acute; floral pedicels thick, long, 4.5–6.5 cm; flowers cencio, D. Rivera, Obo ´n & Alcaraz, subsp. nov.
slightly zygomorphic; abaxial (odd) sepal slightly TYPE: [Chad] ‘‘Habitat in fissuris rupium Enneri
galeate, 1.5–1.7 cm long, 0.7–0.9 cm deep; stamens Gousa, Tibesti, 3000’, 15 Mar. 1953, Guichard
30 to 80, anthers 2–3 mm, with round apices. Fruit KG/TIB/40’’ (holotype, the specimen with the
obovate, pulp yellow; ripe seeds dark brown, 2–2.2 3 label ‘‘KG/TIB/40’’, P!).
2.2–2.4 3 1.6–1.8 mm.
Foliis angustis lanceolatis, stipulis valde retrorsis a typo
Illustrations. P. Ozenda (1991: 246, fig. 68); differt.
Lewalle & Montfort. (1997: 25); A. Benchelah et al. Shrub pendulous, sometimes reaching great dimen-
(2000: 147); Charco (2001: 283). sions in shaded sites; twigs straight, dark green or with
Phenology. Flowering from April to December. a reddish tint in younger twigs, adult ones becoming
Distribution and habitat. Saharo-Arabian and woody, acquiring grayish or brown color; internodes
Mediterranean Regions. North Africa [Algeria, 1.5–2.5 cm; stipules curved, retrorse, not decurrent,
Libya, Morocco, Tunisia]. On rocks or walls of old 0.2–0.4 cm long, up to 0.1 cm wide at the base.
buildings, at elevations from 0 to 2000 m, often in the Leaves usually ovate-lanceolate, the young leaves
vicinity of human dwellings. usually lanceolate, 2.5–4 3 0.9–1.9 cm, subcoria-
ceous; indument lax, trichomes thick and short, 30–40
Selected specimens examined. ALGERIA. Ahaggar, Tez-
zeit, 1750 m, Maire 180 (P); Bejaia, Reverchon s.n. (E); 3 200–250 mm; leaf veins prominent; base somewhat
Djanet, Tamli of Tafalelet, Lhote 107 (P); Oranais, Faure tapering, apices acute; mucro small, 0.5–1 mm,