Apatesia N.E.Br. GC 1927: 12; Ihlenfeldt & Gerbaulet 1990: 457–498; Hartmann 2001: 65–66 Lectotypus A. pillansii N.E.Br. Etym Gk apatesis, deception, because the plants are so similar to Hymenogyne in vegetative state that they can be confused.

Annuals; L flat, oval, those of a pair forming an open basal sheath, only slightly succulent, with prominent bladder cells along the margins, epidermis with wax platelets; Fl in rich cymes representing the entire plant, petals yellow, ciliate in their lower half, filamentous staminodes papillate, filaments with dense, inflated papillae towards their tips, nectary as a ring, hardly lophomorphic, stigmas basally pasted together, not connate; Fr base ± flat, top the same height or higher, short expanding keels radial on valves, valve wings absent or narrow, locules open or partially covered by overarching septa, some seeds enclosed in basal seed pockets derived from false septa, dispersal at first ombrohydrochorous, septa and adnate seed pockets later dispersed by wind as tumble fruit units, 8–12 locules; S smooth to papillate, light to dark brown; Chr 2n = 18; Ecol in sandy places, winter rainfall > 200 mm p.a. (Fig. 1); Distr all western districts in WC, S Africa.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Distribution of Apatesia is restricted to the south western portion of the winter rainfall area, expecting >200 mm rainfall p.a. (Copyright H.E.K. Hartmann)

Full size image

Note: In habit similar to Hymenogyne, but in fruit morphology resembling more closely Conicosia.

Key to the Species of Apatesia

1.

Top of capsule conical

A. helianthoides

–

Top of capsule rounded

2

2.

Septa overarching the locules only distally

A. pillansii

–

Septa overarching the locules throughout their length

A. sabulosa

A. helianthoides (Aiton) N.E.Br. GC 1927: 12 ≡ M. helianthoides Aiton 1789: 193 LT, designated by Ihlenfeldt & Gerbaulet 1990: 480, drawing of Anne Lee (BM) = M. helianthoides Aiton var. glabrum Sonder in Harvey & Sonder 1862: 459 ≡ M. helianthoides Aiton var. glaucum Sonder ex H.Jacobsen 1981: 617 orthographical variant T Zeyher 707 (BM?).

L ovate, narrowing into a broad petiole; Fl ∅ c. 40 mm (Fig. 2); Fr 5-angular with a conical top with centrally raised septa underneath, locules completely open, valve wings absent; S light brown, smooth; Ecol 200–400 mm rainfall p.a. in winter; Distr Clanwilliam, Piquetberg, Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, WC, S Africa.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Apatesia helianthoides a young plant with a first fruit, the flower glowing brightly in the evening sun (Copyright D. Roth)

Full size image

Note: A. helianthoides inhabits the driest parts of the area of the genus.

  • A. maughanii = A. sabulosa

A. pillansii N.E.Br. JB 1928: 138 T Pillans s.n., Oct. 1926 (K)

L narrowly ovate, petiolate; Fl ∅ 20–30 mm; Fr usually circular as seen from above, septa overarching the locules only distally, valve wings absent; S light brown, somewhat papillate; Ecol >400 mm rainfall p.a. in winter; Distr S and coastal part of the area of the genus, WC, S Africa.

Note: The species occurs in the southern coastal parts of the area of the genus.

A. sabulosa (Thunberg) L.Bolus NM3 1950: 229 ≡ M. sabulosum Thunberg 1791: 17 T Thunberg 12012a (UPS!) = A. maughanii N.E.Br. GC 1932: 263 T Maughan Brown s.n. Nov. 1928 (K).

L narrowly ovate, petiolate; Fl ∅ 20–30 mm; Fr rarely 5-angular, top with a central tip formed by the raised valve tips, septa overarching the locules completely; S brown, papillate; Ecol c. 200–300 mm rainfall p.a. in winter; Distr Ceres, Clanwilliam, Vanrhynsdorp, WC, S Africa.

Note: The species grows further inland than A. pillansii and partly sympatrically with A. helianthoides.