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Australian Systematic Botany Australian Systematic Botany Society
Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of plants
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 21(6)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Rothia (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae)

J. S. Boatwright A B , P. M. Tilney A and B.-E. van Wyk A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa.

B Corresponding author. Email: jsboatwright@hotmail.com

Australian Systematic Botany 21(6) 422-430 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB08033
Submitted: 24 July 2008  Accepted: 27 October 2008   Published: 23 December 2008

Abstract

Rothia Pers. is a genus of papilionoid legumes that consists of two species, R. indica (L.) Druce and R. hirsuta (Guill. & Perr.) Baker. The genus is a member of the tribe Crotalarieae and is widely distributed in Africa, Asia and Australia. Recent molecular systematic studies have shown the genus to be closely related to Robynsiophyton Wilczek and Pearsonia Dümmer; however, it is easily distinguished from these by its 10 small, rounded anthers and subequally lobed calyx (as opposed to the large, elongate anthers of Pearsonia or the 9 stamens of Robynsiophyton). These three genera share characters such as uniform anthers, straight styles and the presence of angelate esters of lupanine-type alkaloids. Leaf and fruit anatomy of Rothia and Robynsiophyton were also studied but revealed no informative differences. Both genera have dorsiventral leaves with mucilage cells in the epidermis and thin-walled fruits. A taxonomic revision of Rothia is presented, including a key to the species, correct nomenclature, descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps.


Acknowledgements

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and University of Johannesburg are thanked for financial support. The curators and staff of the listed herbaria are thanked for making specimens available for loan or study. Lorna Ngugi (Queensland Herbarium, Australia) is thanked for supplying digital images of the type specimen of Rothia indica subsp. australis and Dr J.-N. Labat (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle) for images of the type specimen of R. hirsuta. Hester Steyn (National Herbarium, Pretoria) kindly provided the map of Asia and Australia.


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