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In the frame of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Geschollia, a genus originally accepted as monotypic to include G. anomala. This genus was characterized by the single, synanthous, terete leaf; long racemose inflorescence; tepals connate for ca. 1 mm and reflexed at anthesis; spreading to patent stamens; and small polygonal seeds. Our morphological studies in combination with phylogenetic analyses evidence that Geschollia is indeed a strongly supported monophyletic group, which includes eight species matching most of the features cited above. In this context, we here describe five new species in this genus and accordingly expand the original characterization of Geschollia to accommodate these new taxa. Furthermore, two new combinations are presented for previously described species. An identification key is provided for all accepted species in the genus.

As part of a taxonomic revision of Rhodocodon, five new species are here described based on distinct syndromes of morphological characters and biogeographical patterns. Rhodocodon petrae resembles R. calcicola but differs in flower morphology and leaf size. Rhodocodon viridans is related to R. intermedius but differs in its proliferous bulb, synanthous leaves, green flowers and long style. Rhodocodon rubescens shows affinities to R. rotundus and R. campanulatus in general appearance but the former shows a different vegetative habit, thicker peduncle, shorter pedicels and larger flowers. Rhodocodon perrieri and R. siederi are related to R. mascarenensis but the two new species differ by the number and morphology of leaves, and flower morphology. A complete morphological description for all new species is provided, including data on biology, ecology and distribution. Furthermore, an identification key for all currently known Rhodocodon species is presented to facilitate future taxonomic work in this genus.

As part of a taxonomic revision of tribe Urgineeae, and informed by morphological and phylogenetic evidence obtained in the last decade, we present 17 new combinations in Austronea, Indurgia, Schizobasis, Tenicroa, Thuranthos, Urgineopsis, and Vera-duthiea. These are for taxa recently described in Drimia sensu latissimo or otherwise named during the past century. We include type information for all considered taxa and designate lectotypes for Drimia pauciflora, Urginea salmonea and U. sebirii. We discuss recent analytic and synthetic approaches to taxonomic arrangements for the Urgineeae and reinforce the support of an analytic treatment that recognises several genera characterised by distinct syndromes of morphological characters, biogeography and molecular evidence.

Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae, a treatment we favour. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) belongs to tribe Massonieae of Hyacinthoideae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004) and is confined to South Africa and southwestern Namibia. Our studies in Massonia reveal that the taxonomy of the genus, as presented in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species concepts have been overlooked and misunderstood (Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, 2017, 2018, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015, Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, 2016). Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Massonia, the study of herbarium vouchers in the main South African herbaria and natural populations, revealed the existence of some populations of Massonia growing in the surroundings of Elands Bay (Western Cape Province of South Africa), that represent an undescribed species based on a distinct combination of morphological features, especially regarding flower morphology which show permanently erect perigone segments at anthesis, being unique in the genus. These plants were first collected by W.F. Barker in August 1966 in fruit near Elands Bay and after cultivating them at Kirstenbosch in the following 2 years, Barker deposited 4 herbarium vouchers including plants in flower and fruit, and also photographs of the plants. Barker left the plants unnamed in the original collection in fruit in August 1966 but later, after seeing flowers in cultivation, she named the plants as "Polyxena? Massonia?" evidencing her doubts on their generic placement in June 1968. Finally she recognized it as a new species as "Massonia? inaequalis Barker ms." in May 1969. However, this na

As part of a taxonomic revision of Urgineeae, combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples from a large range of its distribution, here we describe Austronea, a new genus from South Africa and southern Namibia. This genus is related to Fusifilum based on general inflorescence and flower morphology, but it differs from it by the leaves usually leathery and sometimes thickened; the capitate to subcorymbose raceme commonly nodding at early developing stages; the reddish to green-yellowish tepals, rarely white (see flower buds), which are usually connate at the base to form a distinct cup and patent free lobes, rarely tepals nearly free from the base; the filaments linear to lanceolate, smooth or rarely papillate below; and the ovary green to yellow-orange. These differences are also supported by our genetic studies (not shown) in which Fusifilum and Austronea form two well supported sister clades. Seven new species of Austronea are described from South Africa and Namibia and 11 new combinations in the genus are presented. An identification key is provided for all 18 accepted species in the new genus.

Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) belongs to tribe Massonieae of Hyacinthoideae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004) confined to South Africa and southwestern Namibia. Our studies in Massonia reveal that the taxonomy of the genus, as presented in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species concepts have been either overlooked or misunderstood (Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, 2017, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015). Neobakeria Schlechter (1924: 149) was characterized as having uniseriate filaments which are distinctly connate above the perigone, and included 7 species placed by Baker in Polyxena Kunth (1843: 294) subgenus Astemma Baker (1897: 419) such as Neobakeria angustifolia (Linnaeus 1782: 193) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. burchellii (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. comata (Baker 1897: 419) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. haemanthoides (Baker 1888: 1727) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. marginata (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150); N. namaquensis Schlechter (1924: 150) and N. rugulosa (Baker 1897: 420) Schlechter (1924: 150), N. namaquensis being the type (Müller-Doblies & Müller-Doblies 1997). Two additional species were later described in this genus, as Neobakeria heterandra Isaac (1939: 729) and N. visseriae Barnes (1933: 72). All Neobakeria species are currently placed in Massonia or in Daubenya Lindley (1835: 1813), except Neobakeria visseriae. Schlechter (1924) related his new genus Neobakeria to Polyxena and Massonia, but he differenced Polyxena by the biseriate and almost free filaments above the perigone and Massonia by the uniseriate filam

Asparagaceae (subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae) is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae, an option of our choice. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014). The genus Massonia Houttuyn (1780: 424) occurs in South Africa and in southwestern Namibia and it belongs to subfamily Hyacinthoideae, tribe Massonieae (Speta 1998a, 1998b, Wetschnig et al. 2002, Pfosser et al. 2003, Manning et al. 2004). Originally, this genus was described to include a single species, Massonia depressa Houttuyn (1780: 424). However, botanical exploration of South Africa in the nineteenth century led Baker (1897) to accept 33 species in the genus. Recent studies in Massonia reduced the number of accepted species to 6 (van der Merwe 2002, Manning & Goldblatt 2003, Summerfield 2004), 8 (Jessop 1976), 12 (Müller-Doblies & Müller-Doblies 1997), or 14 (Species-2000 2017). Our studies on Massonia revealed that the taxonomy of the genus, as accepted in recent revisions, is not satisfactory and several species have been overlooked and misunderstood (Wetschnig et al. 2012, 2014, 2016, Martínez-Azorín et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, Pinter et al. 2013, 2015). Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Massonia, the study of natural populations, cultivated material as well as herbarium vouchers, revealed existence of some populations of Massonia growing on gypcrete outcrops in Knersvlakte (Western Cape Province) that represent a distinct undescribed species based on clear morphological characters, ecology, and biogeography. Therefore, a formal description for this species, named Massonia gypsicola, is presented below including data on morphology, habitat, biology and distribution.

As part of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) based on morphological and genetic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus from south-eastern South Africa. Aulostemon includes Drimia mzimvubuensis, a species recently placed in Sagittanthera. However, distinct morphological character states, especially regarding connation of stamen filaments to form a distinct tube that surrounds the gynoecium, the free anthers, the lack of bracteoles and its isolated phylogenetic position within subfamily Urgineoideae, support the description of the new genus.

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, we here clarify concepts of Massonia echinata, M. latebrosa and M. tenella—all frequently misunderstood or reduced to synonymy. We discuss their history, biology, habitat preferences and distribution. Our study also shows that the current concept of M. echinata, including M. angustifolia and M. lanceolata as synonyms, includes two unpublished species which we here describe as M. pseudoechinata and M. roggeveldensis. A new combination in Massonia is proposed for Haemanthus sessiliflorus.

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of the genus Eliokarmos we here describe a new species from Pella se Berge in South Africa. Eliokarmos craibii sp. nov. is at first sight related to E. decus-montium and E. pendens, but the former can be clearly differentiated by the 2(−3) succulent, appressed, proteranthous leaves with lateral portions bent upwards, giving the appearance of thickened raised margins; the dimorphic filaments; the yellow ovary which is slightly verrucose in the upper half and white below; and the pyriform, apiculate seeds with papillate testa. A complete description is presented for this species, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported. Affinities and divergences with E. decus-montium and E. pendens are also discussed.

Hyacinthaceae (Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae) are commonly hysteranthous or proteranthous plants, in which leaves and inflorescences usually are not present simultaneously. Consequently, to facilitate future identification, type “specimens” were sometimes prepared to combine fragments gathered at different times so as to include as many vegetative and reproductive structures as possible. However, this is not acceptable under the rules of nomenclature. We here lectotypify four species names of Hyacinthaceae for which the intended types do not conform to the ICN (Melbourne Code). Furthermore, seven new combinations are presented to transfer recently described units of Ornithogaloideae and Urgineoideae to their proper genera, characterized by distinct and consistent morphological syndromes.

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, a new species, M. obermeyerae is here described from South Africa. This species is at first sight similar to M. depressa, but it differs in the inflorescence and flower morphology, as well as its distribution. A complete morphological description of the new species and data on biology, habitat, and distribution are presented. Comments on typification of Massonia grandiflora, a name that has been misapplied to M. obermeyerae, are also presented, including the identification of a previously designated lectotype and a newly selected epitype.

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of the genus Stellarioides we here describe a new species from South Africa, Stellarioides exigua. This taxon is, at first sight, related to S. arida and S. tenuifolia s.l., but it can be clearly differentiated by the small general size; the filiform, free leaves; the small narrowly lanceolate capsules and the small seeds. A complete description of the species is presented, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported. Affinities and divergences with other taxonomically closely related taxa are also discussed.

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., a new species, Massonia dentata Mart.-Azorín, V.R.Clark, M.Pinter, M.B.Crespo & Wetschnig, is here described from the Nuweveldberge on South Africa’s southern Great Escarpment. This new species is, at first sight, related to M. calvata Baker and M. echinata L.f., but it differs in floral and vegetative characters, such as the dentate perigone segments and bracts, leaves with numerous emergences, each bearing a thickened trichome, as well as in its ecology and distribution. A complete description of the new species and data on its biology, habitat, and distribution are presented. The close relative Massonia calvata Baker, an overlooked endemic from the Sneeuberg Centre of Floristic Endemism in South Africa, is lectotypified.

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, a new species, M. saniensis is here described from Lesotho (southern Africa). This species is at first sight similar to both M. wittebergensis and M. jasminiflora, but it differs in vegetative, floral, and molecular characters as well as by its distribution. A complete morphological description of the new species and data on biology, habitat, and distribution are presented.

As part of an ongoing study towards a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., a new species, Massonia amoena Mart.-Azorín, M.Pinter & Wetschnig, is here described from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This new species is characterized by the leaves bearing heterogeneous circular to elongate pustules and the strongly reflexed perigone segments at anthesis. It is at first sight related to Massonia jasminiflora Burch. ex Baker, M. wittebergensis U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies and M. saniensis Wetschnig, Mart.-Azorín & M.Pinter, but differs in vegetative and floral characters, as well as in its allopatric distribution. A complete morphological description of the new species and data on biology, habitat, and distribution are presented.

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae, we here describe a new genus from south-eastern South Africa. Sagittanthera gen. nov. is at first sight related to Rhadamanthus and Tenicroa, but it can be clearly differentiated by the presence of bracteoles and the anthers connate to form a cone-like structure dehiscing by minute apical pores. This genus is based on Rhadamanthus cyanelloides, an enigmatic species occurring in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was described on the basis of incomplete material. Recently, Drimia cremnophila and D. mzimvubuensis, two species that match the diagnostic characters of the new genus, were described from the same region. A complete description is presented for Sagittanthera, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are also reported. Two species are accepted in this genus, and the necessary combinations are stated. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pollen is released by vibration. This fact together with morphological features of the androecium clearly evidence that buzz pollination occurs in this new genus.

In the course of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., Massonia citrina M.Pinter, Deutsch, U.Müll.- Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies, a new species of this genus from the Western Cape Province (South Africa), is here described. This species is similar to members of the M. depressa group, but it can be easily distinguished by its yellow filaments and style and the longer perigone-filament tube. A complete morphological description of the new species is presented.