Abstract:
In a taxonomic revision of Helictotrichon for southern
Africa, Schweickerdt (1937) recognized 12 indigenous
species. Except for one, all of these species are
endemic to southern Africa, several of which are rare
and known from very few collections. A possible new
species of Helictotrichon, H. sp. (Ellis 4663), is mentioned
by Gibbs Russell et al. (1990). During a taxonomic
revision of the genus, the status of this new species
was confirmed and a second new species was
identified. Note that at PRE, specimens of the second
new species were initially identified as H. namaquense
Schweick., hence the distribution map supplied for H.
namaquense in Gibbs Russell et al. (1990) applies to
this new species. In the present contribution, the two
new species are described, illustrated and compared with
similar members of the genus.
