Further notes on the flora of the southern coastal mountains of Yemen.

Abstract

Two refugia of mesic palaeo-African genoelements in the southern coastal mountains of Yemen, viz. the Maderan area in the Urays range, Abyan, and the Jabal Gedu range, Shabwa, earlier not explored botanically, are briefly described. First records of vascular plants of phytogeographical significance for the southern mountains are given, including Juniperus procera and Mimusops laurifolia. Based on our own collections made in the southern governorates of the Republic of Yemen between 1999 and 2003 new and noteworthy records of vascular plants from other areas are also added. Eight species, Adiantum balfourii, Brachiaria arida, Maerua macrantha, Ophioglossum gomezianum, Portulaca commutata, P. constricta, Psiadia incana and Ruellia lineari-bracteolata, are reported as new for the Arabian Peninsula, the presence of Filago abyssinica is confirmed, and ten species, Campanula erinus, Capillipedium parviflorum, Hermannia testacea, Laportea interrupta, Lindenbergia muraria, Loudetia flavida, Oplismenus burmannii, Portulaca dhofarica, Sorghum versicolor and Wahlenbergia flexuosa, are reported as new for mainland Yemen. Thirty six species are reported to extend their previously known distribution range to or in the southern governorates of Yemen. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography of the taxa, distribution maps are provided for eight species; Maerua macrantha and Ophioglossum gomezianum are illustrated.