Abstract:
Petalidium karasbergense, here described as a new species, is only known from the Groot Karasberge (Great Karas Mountains)
in southeastern Namibia where it grows on arid hillsides in dwarf shrubland. Diagnostic morphological characters for
P. karasbergense include the rigid, tapering and often spinescent distal stems and lateral branchlets, grey, grey-white or greyblack
bark (white to cream when young), strigulose, glabrescent vegetative parts, oblanceolate to narrowly obovate leaves,
and the free to almost free bracteole pairs (not connate at the base). A comparison of some of the more prominent features
to differentiate Petalidium karasbergense from P. parvifolium, its morphologically most similar relative, and P. lucens with
which its distribution range marginally overlaps, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation
assessment of Vulnerable VU D1 is recommended for the new species.
