Kalanchoe subg. Alatae (Gideon F.Sm.) Smith (2023f: 64)

Smith, Gideon F., 2024, An alternative subgeneric classification of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae subfam. Cotyledonoideae) globally: a nomenclatural and taxonomic review, with a new status for K. subg. Pubescentes, Phytotaxa 665 (3), pp. 201-220 : 211-212

B.5 Kalanchoe subg. Alatae (Gideon F.Sm.) Smith (2023f: 64) ( Fig. 7 ).

Basionym:— Kalanchoe sect. Alatae Smith (2021: 179) .

Type:— Kitchingia uniflora Stapf (1908: 258) , currently accepted name Kalanchoe uniflora (Stapf) Hamet (1910: 52) , lectotype designated by Smith (2021: 179).

Infrageneric designations not validly published:—“ Kalanchoe [unranked] Epidendrae ” Boiteau & Mannoni (1948b: 57).

“ Kalanchoe subg. Alatae ” ( Raymond-Hamet 1933: 547) Gideon F.Sm., Shtein & D.-P.Klein in Smith et al. (2021d: 255).

Description:—Perennial, small to medium-sized, epiphytic, rarely terrestrial or lithophytic, herbaceous, succulent shrublets; ± glabrous throughout. Roots fibrous, plants sprouting from roots very uncommon. Stems herbaceous, generally weak, producing thin, aerial roots. Leaves orbicular to ± cordate, obovate to slightly oblong; not bulbiliferous. Inflorescences not bulbiliferous; pedicels broadening towards flower. Flowers pendulous at anthesis, brightly coloured; corolla generally flimsy; calyx tube formed by fusion of ± ⅓ of sepals, fused portion ± horizontally spreading, free portion spreading or adpressed to corolla tube; corolla tube not obscured by calyx tube, elongated, campanulate-cylindrical, hardly spreading at level of ovary, broadest in apical ⅓, then constricted towards mouth; stamens inserted very low-down in corolla tube at ± level of carpels; filaments shorter than corolla tube; anthers ± included or at least visible at mouth; carpels about as long as styles; nectar scales linear-ribbon-like to linear-rectangular,> 2× longer than wide, distinctly indented above; seeds long, thin, winged at both ends with linear-lanceolate near-transparent tissue. Chromosome number (basic): x = 20.

Kalanchoe subg. Alatae is naturally endemic to Madagascar. The taxonomy of the subgenus was reviewed in Smith et al. (2021d).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Kalanchoe uniflora (Stapf 1908: 258) Hamet (1910: 52) is a representative of K. subg. Alatae (see Stapf 1909 and Smith 2024h for comprehensive discussions). Photograph: Gideon F. Smith.