Lasiosiphon esterhuyseniae (Thymelaeaceae: Thymelaeoideae), a new species from Northern Cape (South Africa), and the transfer of two additional southern African species to the genus

We describe a new species, Lasiosiphon esterhuyseniae Magee & J. C. Manning, for a rigid, densely branched shrublet from the Kalahari Region, Northern Cape, South Africa. Due to the relatively restricted range, the lack of recent records (the most recent from 1940) and the lack of information regarding its palatability we recommend an IUCN status of Data Deficient. Two additional southern African taxa with the inflorescence and floral morphology diagnostic for Lasiosiphon, but currently still included in Gnidia, were encountered and new combinations for these species are provided, viz. Lasiosiphon microcephalus (Meisn.) J. C. Manning & Magee and L. rubescens (B. Peterson) J. C. Manning 8c Magee. As a result 29 species of Lasiosiphon are now recognised in southern Africa and a complete listing of these species is provided.