Sulcolluma mirbatensis

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Sulcolluma mirbatensis T.A.McCoy
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 84(2): 103 (100-103; figs. 1-8). 2012 [9 Apr 2012]
Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Caralluma hexagona Lavranos
J. S. African Bot. 29: 105 1963.

Sulcolluma mirbatensis Photo by: © Plantemania

Origin and Habitat: Oman (Arabian Peninsula, Asia-Temperate). This new species occurrence here in the far eastern edge of the Dhofar region marks this as the eastern most representative of the genus Sulcolluma.
Type locality: Dhofar Province, on granites at the base of Jebel Samhan, Dhofar's highest mountain, appox. 8 km N/NE of the small coastal village of Mirbat, alt. 20 m. Latitude: 17° N. Longitude: 54° E
Habitat and ecology: Sulcolluma mirbatensisSN|34114]]SN|34114]] is found growing on granite, instead of the much more prominent limestone, which forms the greater part of the Dhofar [1].

Synonyms:

Sulcolluma mirbatensis T.A.McCoy

See all synonyms of Caralluma hexagona

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Accepted name in llifle Database:
Caralluma hexagona Lavranos
J. S. African Bot. 29: 105 1963.
Synonymy: 14

Caralluma hexagona Lavranos

Monolluma hexagona (Lavranos) Meve & Liede
Sulcolluma hexagona (Lavranos) Plowes

Caralluma foulcheri-delboscii Lavranos

Sulcolluma foulcheri-delboscii (Lavranos) Plowes

Caralluma foulcheri-delboscii var. greenbergiana Lavranos

Sulcolluma foulcheri-delboscii var. greenbergiana (Lavranos) Plowes

Caralluma hexagona var. septentrionalis Lavranos & L.E.Newton

Sulcolluma hexagona var. septentrionalis (Lavranos & L.E.Newton) Plowes

Caralluma shadhbana Lavranos

Sulcolluma shadhbana (Lavranos) Plowes

Caralluma shadhbana var. barhana Lavranos & L.E.Newton

Sulcolluma shadhbana var. barhana (Lavranos & L.E.Newton) Plowes

Sulcolluma mirbatensis T.A.McCoy

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Description: Sulcolluma mirbatensisSN|34114]]SN|34114]] is one of the controversial species of the genus Sulcolluma, a small group of stapeliads generally included within (as a synonym of) Caralluma hexagonaSN|33197]]SN|33197]], suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between them, and hard to name accurately without knowing where they come from, and there remains a considerable confusion surrounding the true identity of this these plants. All sulcollumas exhibit a distinctive groove in the upper surface of their stem tubercles. The most distinctive feature of S. mirbatensis, is its erect inner corona lobes, unlike the other members of the genus whose have their inner corona lobes incumbent on the anthers. Another important character is that S. mirbatensis possesses the smallest flowers of the group [1].

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Carallum exagona group

Caralluma hexagona is extremely variable, three species and three varieties have been described but plants with intermediate or not typical characteristics occur at random in each populations, and often within a single population both flat and campanulate flowers will sometimes be found. Nor the shape and colour of the corolla-lobes is sufficient to distinguish without ambiguity between species. The number of ribs varies from 4 to 6, but seems to be unreliable in certain groups, and is therefore of little use in separating these taxa. It appears that there is inherently a large range of variation in many of the features of these plants and it is possible that this is brought about by highly localized modifications of the very harsh environment in which they occur.

Caralluma foulcheri-delboscii Lavranos: C. has less robust, ascending stems, usually 4-angled and the flowers are rather small, with relatively deep corolla-tube and ascending corolla- and outer corona-lobes. Distribution: Hadramawt region, South Yemen
Caralluma foulcheri-delboscii var. greenbergiana Lavranos: Distribution: Near Mukayras, South Yemen.
Caralluma hexagona Lavranos: (var. exagona) has 4-6 angled, sturdy, usually creeping stems and fairly large flowers. Distribution: Near Al Madhan, South Yemen.
Caralluma hexagona var. septentrionalis Lavranos & L.E.Newton: Distribution: Near Sana'a in North Yemen
Caralluma shadhbana Lavranos: has stems slender and 4-angled. Flowers with ovate-deltoid corolla-lobes, are dark purple or yellow-green with purple-brown dots. Distribution: Near Manakhah, North Yemen.
Caralluma shadhbana var. barhana Lavranos & L.E.Newton: Distribution: 50km west of Ta'izz in North Yemen.
Sulcolluma ericamccoyae T.A.McCoy: has a distinguishing erect growth habit. Distribution:Dhofar Province, Oman.
Sulcolluma mirbatensis T.A.McCoy: has the smallest flowers of the group with distinguishing erect inner corona lobes. Distribution: Oman, Dhofar Province, near the small coastal village of Mirbat.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Tom A. McCoy “Sulcolluma mirbatensis McCoy, an unique new species from the Sultanate of Oman” Cactus and Succulent Journal 84(2):100-103. 2012 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2985/0007-9367-84.2.100

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