Three New Species of Solanum from Kenya: Using Herbarium Specimens to Document Environmental Change
Herbarium specimens are an underutilized information resource on historic vegetation patterns. We record habitat loss and present evidence that visits to specimen collecting localities can document environmental change. The taxonomic study of Solanum in Africa continues to be
plagued by confusion and ignorance. Despite the almost universal occurrence of Solanum in the flora of Kenya, there continues to be a significant gap in floristic knowledge of this important genus. As a result of studies of herbarium collections and visits to collection localities across
Kenya, we have identified three new species and compiled a list of native species of spiny Solanum. We describe
Solanum polhillii
from the Acacia-Commiphora savanna,
Solanum phoxocarpum
from the Kenyan highlands, and
Solanum malindiense
from the coastal vegetation.
Keywords: HABITAT LOSS; HERBARIUM SPECIMENS; KENYA; SOLANACEAE; SOLANUM; TAXONOMY
Document Type: Regular Paper
Publication date: 01 October 2010
- Systematic Botany is the scientific journal of the American Society of Plant Taxonomists and publishes four issues per year.
2011 Impact Factor: 1.517
2011 ISI Journal Citation Reports® Rankings: 87/190 - Plant Sciences
34/45 - Evolutionary Biology - Editorial Board
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