The taxonomy of Kalanchoe brachyloba Welw. ex Britten, a common species in the western, central, northern, and eastern parts of southern Africa, and further north to central Africa, is reviewed. Although having affinities with K. paniculata Harv., K. brachyloba is a distinctive species characterised by its sessile, arched, oblong-lanceolate leaves that are lengthwise-folded upwards along the midrib, and have a velvety feel to the surface. The leaf margins are coarsely and irregularly serrate-lobed to crenate, rarely entire as in K. paniculata, which has flat to variously floppily folded, subcircular to broadly ovate leaves. K. brachyloba is one of the few southern African species of which the flowers are twisted below the free portions (lobes) of the petals. An amplified description and a distribution map are provided for the species. The name K. brachyloba is lectotypified, and the typification of several of its synonyms is clarified.

Initiated in the 1990s, and coming into production in the early 2000s, organic alcohol and a tequila-like liquor, ‘Agava’ was produced from Agave americana L. (Asparagaceae subfam. Agavoideae / Agavaceae) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for about six years. Although the drink, initially called ‘Spirit of the Blue Agave’, only later ‘Agava’, appeared on the shelves of liquor stores in parts of the country from 2002 to 2008, the industry was not successful. The history of this short-lived venture is documented.

In 1920, William Trelease published the name Agave panamana Trel. (Asparagaceae: Agavoideae / Agavaceae) based on material from Urava Island (Isla Urabá), Panama Bay, along the Pacific coast of Panama. This name is nowadays usually included in the synonymy of the very variable A. angustifolia Haw. [var. angustifolia]. A. panamana is here illustrated and its description comprehensively amplified to enable its comparison with A. angustifolia. Reference is made to the uses and considerable morphological variation found in A. angustifolia.

Of the four generally accepted species of Tulista Raf. sensu stricto (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), three [T. kingiana (Poelln.) Gideon F.Sm & Molteno, T. minima (Ait.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning, and T. pumila (L.) G.D.Rowley] usually have leaves adorned with tubercles of various shapes and sizes. The fourth widely accepted species, T. marginata (Lam.) G.D.Rowley, is predominantly smooth-leaved. It should be noted that T. opalina (M.Hayashi) Breuer, as well as T. minima var. poellnitziana (Uitewaal) Breuer, both tubercle-leaved entities, are sometimes also recognised in Tulista. We here record a population of T. kingiana that comprises warty- and smoothleaved variants in more or less equal number. It has been speculated that the more warty-leaved forms of the otherwise smooth-leaved T. marginata could be of hybrid origin, T. pumila possibly being the other parent of the western forms, and T. minima of the eastern. However, T. marginata has not been recorded near the T. kingiana population. A geographical distribution map is provided for T. kingiana in the south-central Western Cape Province of South Africa, with reference to the vegetation types with which the species is usually associated.

Recent field work in Gran Canaria and Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) yielded records for 30 alien taxa of Cactaceae that had not been reported before, either from the whole area, or from one of the islands. Out of these, 17 are considered locally naturalised and/or potentially invasive: Cylindropuntia bigelovii, C. fulgida, C. pallida, C. prolifera, C. tunicata, Echinocereus rigidissimus, Haageocereus kagenekii, Hylocereus triangularis, Opuntia basilaris, O. elatior, O. ficus-indica × O. tomentosa, O. macrocentra, O. microdasys, O. pilifera, Oreocereus pseudofossulatus, Tephrocactus articulatus and Trichocereus huascha. The same applies to a rather characteristic form of O. ficus-indica that sometimes is referred to as f. amyclaea (syn.: O. megacantha). The presence of Opuntia monacantha and O. robusta, two species with a dubious status in the Canary Islands, is confirmed. Ten further taxa are considered casuals, often relics of cultivation. All taxa are illustrated, and for the naturalised and/or potentially invasive taxa additional information is provided. Two new combinations are proposed for Cylindropuntia fulgida f. mamillata and Tephrocactus articulatus f. papyracanthus.

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier is recorded as naturalised in the Western Cape Province in South Africa's Klein Karoo, which is a recognised Centre of Endemism. The taxonomy, nomenclature, and biology of K. fedtschenkoi, a low-growing, shrub-like species that produces a multitude of plantlets on the margins of detached leaves, is discussed, and the species is described and illustrated.

In southern Africa, the family Crassulaceae consists predominantly of low-growing to medium-sized succulent herbs and shrubs, with only four taxa (three species and a subspecies) attaining tree-like dimensions. We discuss the taxonomy of the three tree-like taxa in the genus Crassula L. (Crassula arborescens (Mill.) Willd. subsp. arborescens, C. arborescens subsp. undulatifolia Toelken, and Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce) that have been accorded National Tree List numbers in South Africa. The species are described, illustrated, and their geographical distribution ranges are mapped. A key to differentiate the taxa is provided.

We provide information on the discovery of the material known as Kalanchoe rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw. (Crassulaceae) in southern Africa, and clarify the typification of the name Kalanchoe rotundifolia. The plate held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which was previously designated as the lectotype of the name, is in fact a neotype. This plate, published here for the first time, illustrates the staghornleaved form of the species.

Lithops polymorphism appears to be an unexplained phenomenon rather than a well understood one. The author's interest in it arises from its possible link with the putative cryptic function of Lithops leaves' ornamentation, i.e. as a trait subjected to specific evolutionary pressures. He took into account the internal variation of some Lithops species (for example L. julii and L. karasmontana), particularly at population level, as it seems to be a trait that cannot be explained merely as a byproduct of natural genetic variation, nor by means of basic mechanisms of allopatric speciation. Conversely, He suggests it requires a more specific and dedicated explanation, possibly in the context of co-evolution between lithops plants and the perceptive systems of their predators.

The taxonomy of Kalanchoe longiflora Schltr. ex J.M.Wood (Crassulaceae), which is endemic to the Maputaland-Pondoland Region of Endemism in South Africa, is discussed and clarified. An amplified description is provided for the species, and differences from K. sexangularis N.E.Br., a species with which it has been confused in the past, are recorded.

Three species of succulents are recorded as new for the flora of Mt. Mulanje, the highest mountain in south-tropical Africa in the Southern Region of Malawi: The unidentified “Sansevieria sp.” in the “Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje” (Strugnell 2006) is identified as Sansevieria sinus-simiorum (Asparagaceae / Dracaenaceae), as well as Crassula swaziensis and Crassula setulosa (Crassulaceeae) which were already collected on Mt. Mulanje in 1946 and 1979 but the specimens escaped attention until now. Two collections from the Nyika Plateau in the Northern Region of Malawi similar to but clearly different from Crassula setulosa are reported which might represent a new taxon.

A new species of Astroloba, A. tenax Molteno, Van Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm., is described from the northern foothills of the Groot Swartberg Mountain, in the Prince Albert area of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The species is related to the allopatric A. bullulata (Jacq.) Uitewaal, but can easily be distinguished by vegetative and floral characters. Its geographical distribution range overlaps with that of two further entities—A. herrei Uitewaal, and an as yet undescribed species (informally known as ‘Astroloba foliolosa subsp. robusta’, submitted for publication as Astroloba robusta P.Reinecke ex Molteno, Van. Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm.)—both of which flower in winter to spring (June to September), while A. tenax flowers in mid-summer (November to January) in the southern hemisphere. As a result of the different flowering times of these taxa, natural hybrids have not been recorded among the populations.

A re-evaluation of the two cliffdwelling mesembs, Esterhuysenia grahambeckii Van Jaarsv. and E. lucilleae Van Jaarsv. was considered necessary as a result of distinctive differences in vegetative, flower and capsule morphology and the genus Roosia is described accommodating the only two known species. Both are obligatory cliff dwelling species from sandstone cliffs (Cape Supergroup), R. grahambeckii from the Rooiberg between Robertson and Worcester and Roosia lucilleae from several sites on sheer cliffs along the southern slopes of the Hex River Mountains.

Here we introduce a new, distinctive variety of Conophytum: C. flavum subsp. novicium var. kosiesense, named for the Kosies mountain where it grows. This taxon is characterized by the prominent covering of the bodies by a dense layer of trichomes, resulting in a greyish-white appearance. This feature can be seen with the naked eye but is especially evident when the epidermis is viewed using scanning electron microscopy.

Kalanchoe waterbergensis is described from the western Waterberg margin, just east of Thabazimbi and south of the Kransberg and Marakele National Park (Limpopo Province). Kalanchoe waterbergensis is a distinct succulent from the quartzitic sandstone soils growing on gravelly slopes and rocky terrain in savanna. It differs from Kalanchoe rotundifolia by its glaucous leaves which are auriculate at the base and leaf orientation as well as floral features.

A new species of Cotyledon was first described as Cotyledon lutea Van Jaarsveld in 2015, but the name is an illegitimate later homonym. The attempt to correct this nomenclatural problem by publishing the name Cotyledon adscendens resulted in another inadvertent illegitimate later homonym. The situation is here rectified by publishing the new name Cotyledon xanthantha.

Tylecodon celatus is named from plants found near Nuwerus, southern Namaqualand in the Western Cape. It is a cryptic semiscandent dwarf summer deciduous succulent with yellowish green to greenish flowers only known from the Farm Erdvarkgat growing on sandstone of the Flaminkberg Formation (Vanrhynsdorp Group). It is related to T. suffultus and T. similis from the same region.

Sempervivum gurgenidzeae Priszter, a species from the Great Caucasus of Georgia, was omitted from taxonomic databases and nearly all taxonomic treatments. Following Kudrjashova (2003), the name is referred to the synonymy of S. transcaucasicum Muirhead.

A new Cotyledon is described from the Barberton centre of endemism, in Mpumalanga. Cotyledon egglii is a distinct succulent shrublet from serpentine soils growing on steep cliffs and rocky terrain in Savanna. It differs from Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga by its distinctly cuneiform leaves sparingly beset with glandular hairs and corolla bearing horizontally spreading transversely oblong yellowish squamae 2 × 1mm, truncate at the apex.

Biographical information is provided on António de Figueiredo Gomes e Sousa, an agronomist and succulent plant specialist from Portugal, who spent many years working and collecting in Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony in Africa. He was inter alia responsible for bringing the well-publicised Mount Mabu in Mozambique to the attention of the scientific world more than 50 years ago.

The nothogeneric name ×Astrolista Molteno & Figueiredo is established for the naturally occurring hybrid between Astroloba corrugata N.L.Mey. & Gideon F.Sm. and Tulista pumila (L.) G.D.Rowley. The only nothospecies we recognise in ×Astrolista is ×A. bicarinata (Haw.) Molteno & Figueiredo. The plate held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which was previously designated as the lectotype of the name Apicra bicarinata, is in fact a neotype. This plate is here published for the first time.

Astroloba robusta P.Reinecke ex Molteno, Van. Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) is described as a new species. This species occurs across an extensive geographical distribution range that spans the southern Great Karoo, where it occurs on shale flats and rocky undulating slopes. It is related to, but distinct from, A. foliolosa (Haw.) Uitewaal, which occurs further to the east. Astroloba robusta is immediately distinguished by its unique inflorescence with a robust peduncle, as well as its glossysurfaced leaves with whitish margins and keels, among other characters. It also flowers in winter (May–October, mainly in July and August), while A. foliolosa flowers over summer (August–March, mainly October–January).

A review of Crassula zombensis (Crassulaceae), a hardly known species documented only by few collections from Zomba Plateau (Malawi) and the Serra de Gúruè (Mozambique), is provided, describing its history, specimens, localities and habitats. On Zomba Plateau, C. zombensis may grow as an epiphyte on Xerophyta kirkii (Velloziaceae); further species (succulents, orchids, herbs) known to occur epiphytically on Xerophyta spp. in Malawi are listed. The IUCN Red List Conservation Status is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).

The epidermal structure of 66 species and subspecies of the dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E. Br. was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Taxa within this genus possess a number of adaptations to their arid environment including sunken stomata, a prominent wax layer and trichomes. The range of epidermal morphologies present in this genus is described and the use of these to inform infrageneric classification in Conophytum is discussed. In many cases the epidermis of closely related species is similar but this is not always the case across the 16 sections that comprise the genus. Whilst this study confirms the assignment of several recently described taxa to existing sections it suggests that the infrageneric classification of Conophytum needs to be re-evaluated.

A new variety, Astroloba tenax Molteno, Van Jaarsv. & Gideon F.Sm. var. moltenoi Gideon F.Sm. & Van Jaarsv., is described in A. tenax (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae). While in most characters very similar to A. tenax var. tenax, it differs consistently by being a stable, gigantic, nature-based form of the species. This variety, which geographically does not overlap with A. tenax var. tenax, the typical variety, can be easily separated on its size alone. A. tenax var. moltenoi occurs naturally in the south-central Groot Karoo, near Prince Albert in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The species is illustrated and a map is provided of its geographical distribution range.

The caterpillar of Leucaloa eugraphica (Walker, 1865) (Erebidae: Arctiinae), is for the first time recorded feeding on two Mexican century plants, Agave mitis Mart, and A. hiemiflora Gentry (Asparagaceae subfam. Agavoideae / Agavaceae), in South Africa. The polyphagous L. eugraphica is indigenous to South Africa. Although the insect has not been found feeding on agronomic species of agave, crop managers should monitor for its presence in commercial plantations.

The history of Rhipsalis agudoensis N.P. Taylor, originally and erroneously thought to be from Southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul, Agudo), and its discovery in South-eastern Brazil in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, is documented. Images of the recently found locations are provided.

We describe a remarkable new genus and species of columnar cactus from the Montane Dry Forest of Bolivia. It differs from all other cacti known in the country by its combination of densely woolly many-ribbed stems and chiropterophilous flowers. We discuss its ecological adaptations, potential phylogenetic relationships and provide a conservation assessment.