Arctotis gazanioides (Asteraceae: Arctotideae), a new species from the Bokkeveld Plateau, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Background: A taxonomic revision of Arctotis L. (Asteraceae) is ongoing. A previ-ous botanical survey of the Avontuur Nature Reserve on the Bokkeveld Plateau, Northern Cape, located a potentially unnamed Arctotis taxon associated with seasonally wet sites. Objectives: To compare the morphology of the Arctotis from the Avontuur Na-ture Reserve with morphologically comparable species of Arctotis and to deter-mine its taxonomic status. Method: The morphology of fresh collections, herbarium specimens, and rele-vant type material was examined. All relevant literature was consulted. Results: The Avontuur Arctotis is morphologically distinct from A. acaulis L. var. acaulis, A. acaulis var. undulata DC. and A. verbascifolia Harv. Conclusion: Arctotis gazanioides R.J.McKenzie & Helme is described as a new species distinguished by its branching rhizomatous root system with abundant fibrous adventitious roots, and discolorous leaves that are simple lanceolate, lanceolate-ovate to lanceolate-elliptic, or pinnatisect with a lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptic terminal lobe.