Four new Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae) species from the Greater Cape Floristic Region

Four new species of Indigofera, a genus within the Fabaceae family, have been identified in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR), including two endemic to the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape. These discoveries, detailed through morphological descriptions and photographic plates, highlight distinct characteristics such as flower size, leaf structure, and seed morphology. Indigofera barkeri, an annual species from the Richtersveld, features small flowers and laterally flattened seeds, while Indigofera gariepensis is recognized for its magenta flowers and silky-velutinous leaflets in dry riverbeds. The study also includes ecological notes, comparative diagnoses with related species, a distribution map, and IUCN red list assessments, providing critical insights into the biodiversity of this region.

du Preez, B., Schrire, B. D., Dreyer, L. L., Stirton, C. H., Chimphango, S. B. M., & Muasya, A. M. (2023). Four new Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae) species from the Greater Cape Floristic Region. South African Journal of Botany, 162, 680–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.10.003