2 NEW SPECIES OF APODYTES (ICACINACEAE) FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA

Apodytes abbottii Potgieter & Van Wyk and A. geldenhuysii Van Wyk & Po tgieter, two new species from southern Africa, are described, illustra ted and compared with the other African members of the genus. A. abbot tii is a shrub or small tree endemic to rocky sandstone outcrops in so uthern Natal and north-eastern Transkei (Pondoland Centre). It is prob ably allied to the widespread A. dimidiata E. Mey. ex Arn. subsp. dimi diata, with which its range overlaps. Diagnostic characters of A. abbo ttii include its robust though often stunted habit, thick and rigid bl ue-green leaves which are rounded, erect terminal inflorescences and g labrous ovaries. A. geldenhuysii is a rare multistemmed shrub or small slender tree confined to a small area in the mountains of the south-w estern Cape. It is a very distinctive species without any close relati ves. The few-flowered axillary racemes, unusual pale green and translu cent colour of the ripe fruit appendage, intercellular pectic protuber ances in the mesophyll of the leaf lamina, and fibres (in addition to sclereids) in the secondary phloem, immediately distinguish it from al l other African members of the genus. Other diagnostic characters incl ude the relatively small ovate to ovate-elliptic leaves with retuse ap ices, blunt-tipped cylindrical flower buds, glabrous ovaries and narro wly oblong off-white petals which are strongly recurved with markedly incurved apices.