taxonID	type	description	language	source
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	diagnosis	Similar to Ledebouria, but differing by tepals being united into a tube for 1 / 3 to half their length (not free); the filaments are adnate to tepals, with the free portions being very short and arising from the tepals tube at two levels (not free and inserted at the base); the developing capsule has a cap composed by the withered tepals that with development detaches from the basis, becomes membranous and finally falls off (no cap formed, tepals fleshy if persistent).	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	type_taxon	Type: — Occultia ledebourioides (Baker) Stedje & Rulkens (holotype, K!, lectotype) ≡ Hyacinthus ledebourioides Baker	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	description	Short bulbous herbs. Bulb ovoid to subglobose with pale and papery outer scales, and thick and white inner scales. Leaves one to several, linear to ovate, often with a distinct pseudopetiole; lamina glabrous, green, sometimes spotted darker green adaxially or sometimes with purple markings at base or abaxially. Peduncle erect to slightly curved, usually somewhat longer than the leaves. Inflorescence a short raceme, relatively lax with up to 40 flowers; pedicels patent to erecto-patent, short. Perianth campanulate, white and green to pinkish, about 4 mm long; united into a tube for 1 / 3 to half its length, free parts spreading. Stamens adnate to tepals and free portions very short making the anthers look as they are almost sessile and arising in two levels from top of tepals tube (Fig 1 B). Ovary sessile, subglobose. Fruit a depressed globose and emarginated capsule. When the capsule develops, the perianth is detached from its basis, becomes membranous and falls off early, or sometimes forms a cap on the developing capsule (Figs. 1 D, 3 C). Seeds mostly one per locule, sometimes two, globose or subglobose, if two in a locule somewhat flattened at one side.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — “ Occultia ” is derived from the Latin verb “ occulere ”, meaning: “ to conceal ”. Plants of this genus are concealed in several ways. Plants are very small and are thus easily overlooked. Also, leaves and other aboveground plant parts are produced for a very short time span every year. Finally, at first sight these plants may easily be confused with Ledebouria unless the tiny flowers are carefully examined.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Southern Malawi, central and north-eastern Mozambique. In Mozambique, plants of the genus Occultia have been observed by one of the authors (A. Rulkens) in the provinces of Sofala, Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado. In Malawi, the genus is distributed in the central and southern regions.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB1DE0DFF63FC5AFA72A5F2.taxon	discussion	Taxonomic and phylogenetic note: — This new genus is clearly separated from Ledebouria, Drimiopsis and Resnova in floral characters. Even if these three genera may show tepals united at the base, the tepals tubes never reach 1 / 3 to half of the tepals length (measured on softened flowers of herbarium specimens), and the stamens are always inserted at the base of the tepals or very close to the base. The filaments are very short in Occultia and have a certain length in Ledebouria. Furthermore, the tepals of Occultia become membranous and detached from their basis, but may form a cap on the developing capsule. Those of Ledebouria and Drimiopsis are, if persistent on the developing capsule, always attached to the base of the capsule and may become fleshy with time, never forming a membranous cap. Diagnostic key So far, two species are recognized in Occultia. They can be separated based on leaf characters, flower colour and ecology.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — MALAWI. Zomba and E end of Lake Chilwa (Shirwa), October 1861, Meller s. n. (K!, lectotype designated here). Figs. 1, 3 A – C.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	description	Bulbous herb 5 ‒ 8 cm high; bulb ovoid to subglobose with pale and papery outer scales, up to 3 cm high. Leaves 3 – 6 or more, often with a distinct pseudopetiole up to 3 cm long; lamina oblong to linear-oblong, green or sometimes with purple markings at base, glabrous, to 6 cm long, 3 – 10 mm wide. Peduncle erect to slightly curved, 3 – 6 cm long. Inflorescence usully 2 ‒ 4 cm long, relatively lax with up to 25 flowers; pedicels patent to erecto-patent, 2 ‒ 3 mm long in flower. Perianth cylindrical, white to pinkish, 3 – 4 mm long; tepals with slender dark keel united into a tube for 1 / 3 to half its length, free parts spreading. Stamens adnate to tepals and arising in 2 levels, at top of perianth tube, filaments very short. Ovary sessile, subglobose c. 1 mm long; style c. 1 mm long; stigma capitate. Capsule depressed globose, emarginate, c. 3 mm wide. Seeds mostly one per locule, globose, ca 1,5 mm in diameter.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology: — On shallow soil on rocks / On rocky mountain soils, wet ground in Acacia or Combretum ‒ Bauhinia woodland; between 100 – 900 m of elevation.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	conservation	Conservation note: — Data Deficient, probably overlooked.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Southern Malawi and central Mozambique.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB2DE0AFF63F959FD9EA254.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens: — MALAWI. Central Region: Dedza Dist, Lifidizi Breeding Centre, 16 November 1985, Patel & Kwatha 2885 (MAL!). Southern Region: Mangochi Dist, Nankumba Hills, 21 November 1954, Banda 59 (MAL!). Southern Region: Matope, A. J. Rix s. n. (K); Southern Region: Monkey Bay, two miles out on Mangochi Road, 17 December 1978, Blackmore 51 (MAL!). MOZAMBIQUE. Sofala Province: Caia Dist, Sena, November 1859, Kirk s. n. (K!). Zambesiaca Province: Mocuba Distict, Monte Pozo, 16.478975 S 37.264767 E, 305 m of elevation, 26 December 2014, Rulkens 17 A (O!, photo, O-V- 2295940). Zambesiaca Province: Milange Dist, Monte Ithulo, 16.3257 ° S 35.9516 ° E, 538 m of elevation, 14 December 2015, Rulkens 103 (O!, photo, O-V- 2295941). Zambesiaca Province: Mopeia Dist, Cua Cua Lodge, North of Zambezi River, 17.7951 ° S 35.4178 ° E, 44 m of elevation, 12 December 2015, Rulkens 106 (O!, photo, O-V- 2295942).	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	diagnosis	Similar to O. ledebourioides in general appearance of the flowers, but it differs in flowers being white and green, and fragrant. The leaves are usually solitary, ovate, spotted dark green and lying flat at the ground.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — MOZAMBIQUE. Cabo Delgado Province: Ancuabe district, Mopane woodland at base of Mount Yokolo, 13.2098 ° S 40.1094 ° E, 223 m of elevation, collected in nature on 14 December 2015, Rulkens 110, the herbarium specimen prepared from the living cultivated plant on 7 January 2016 (LMA!, holotype).	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	description	Bulbous herb up to 14 cm high; bulb ovoid to subglobose with thick white scales, up to 3 cm high. Leaves 1 (rarely 2 or 3) with a distinct, usually subterranean, pseudopetiole to 2.5 cm long; lamina ovate, to 8 cm long and 6 cm wide, flat on the ground, glabrous, pale green with darker green irregularly shaped spots adaxially, often dark purple abaxially. Inflorescence relatively lax with up to about 40 flowers; pedicels patent to suberect, about 2 mm long in flower. Perianth cylindrical, white, green towards the base at the outer side, about 4 mm long; united into a tube for 1 / 3 to half its length, free parts spreading. Stamens adnate to tepals and arising in two levels from the top of perianth tube, filaments very short. Ovary sessile, subglobose c. 1 mm long; style c. 1 mm long; stigma capitate. Flowers fragrant at late afternoon and night. Capsule and seeds not seen.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology: — Underground of small patches of mophane woodland, or on gneiss inselbergs, soil mainly dark and humus-rich; between 200 – 900 m of elevation.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	conservation	Conservation note: — Data Deficient, probably overlooked.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Northwestern and central Mozambique.	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
03C187FAFFB5DE0AFF63FEB8FD31A7F5.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens: — MOZAMBIQUE. Niassa Province: Mandimba; 06 November 1941, Hornby 3476 (K!). Zambezia Province: Mocuba District, Mopane woodland on Mount Pozo, 16.4848 ° S 37.2925 ° E, 470 m of elevation, collected 5 May 2015, flowered 25 October 2018 in garden at Xai-Xai, Mozambique, Rulkens 50 (LMA!). Niassa Province: Near Lake Nyassa, 1902, Johnson 525 (K!).	en	Stedje, Brita, Rulkens, Antonius J. H., Hankey, Andrew J. (2022): Occultia (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), a new genus from Malawi and Mozambique. Phytotaxa 575 (2): 166-172, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.575.2.6
