GENUS MORAEA IN WINTER RAINFALL REGION OF SOUTHERN-AFRICA

The genus Moraea (Iridaceae), a close relative of Iris, and believed to have evolved independently of Iris from Dietes, is an exclusively African genus. It ranges from Nigeria and Ethiopia south through the African highlands to the southern tip of Africa where a winter rainfall regime prevails. Moraea appears to have radiated explosively in this region where 54 of the 93 spp. are found, 51 essentially being endemic. The winter rainfall region is also the center of diversity of Moraea and the probable area of origin for the genus. The present revision, the first since Baker''s (1892) treatment in Flora Capensis, included details of phylogeny, ecology, phytogeography and cytology with new chromosome reports for 5 spp. The treatment includes descriptions of 11 new spp. [M. indecora, M. tortilis, M. saxicola, M. macgregorii, M. namibensis, M. gracilenta, M. bubalina, M. inconspicua, M. nubigena, M. barkerae and M. amissa ], 1 new combination, Gynandriris pritzeliana (M. pritzeliana Diels), and 3 new names [M. gawleri (M. crispa Ker.). M. neopavonia (M. pavonia Ker.) and M. elsiae (Homeria simulans Baker)].