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Huernia keniensis

Huernia keniensis R. E. Fr. in Acta Horti Berg. ix. 79 (1929).

Basionim:

Huernia keniensis

R. E. Fr. in Acta Horti Berg. ix. 79 (1929).

Synonims:

• Huernia keniensis var. globosa

  L. E. Newton in Asklepios 74: 23-25 (1998). 

• Huernia keniensis var. grandiflora

  P. R. O. Bally in Fl. Pl. Africa 38: t. 1511B (1967). 

• Huernia keniensis var. molonyae

  A. C. White & B. Sloane in The Stapelieae, ed. 2. 3: 832 (1937). 

• Huernia keniensis var. nairobiensis

  A. C. White & B. Sloane in The Stapelieae, ed. 2. 3: 837 (1937). 

• Huernia keniensis subsp. quintitia

  Plowes in press. 

Etymology: Mt. Kenya - type locality

Distribution: Kenya (counties Baringo, Kajiado, Laikipia, Makueni, Marsabit, Meru, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyeri, Samburu, Trans Nzoia).

History:

Huernia keniensis was discovered on 1922 by brothers professors Robert E. and Thure Fries at the west side of Mt. Kenya at about 1800 m. It was described by Robert E. Fries in 1929.

The stems of H. keniensis resembles those of H. aspera and becoming almost cylindric as they grow older. They are more distinctly toothed and little more erect. The flowers are larger and more bell shaped. The inner corona lobes are the same dark purple colour as the inner surface of the corolla while by H. aspera is yellow.