Resurrection of two endemic Cape species of Helichrysum (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae) from amongst the arid-adapted annual lineages

Recent phylogenetic and biogeographic studies have revealed some intraspecific molecular variation within some species of the genus Helichrysum (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae). Here, we study two species, H. tinctum and H. cylindriflorum, endemics of the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, that were shown to be paraphyletic in previous works. The use of DNA sequences, morphological characters and ecological niche data has confirmed the distinctiveness of two species that had previously been included in the synonymy of H. tinctum and H. cylindriflorum. These two species, H. kamiesbergense and H. rubellum, are here resurrected and a complete taxonomic account is provided for each.