Coleus esculentus var. kolweziensis Meerts & A. J. Paton A 2024, var. nov.

Coleus esculentus var. kolweziensis Meerts & A. J. Paton var. nov. Fig. 4 A – C Type. DR. Congo, Haut-Katanga, Piste Nzilo-Kyamasumba, 10 ° 30 ' 29 " S, 25 ° 26 ' 12 " E, 1435 m elev., 1 Mar 1987, M. Schaijes 3354 (BR [BR 0000021718298], photos). Diagnosis. Differs from the type in the following combination of traits: thyrses borne on pairs of ascending branches, at the 2–5 upper nodes of the stem, forming a panicle; bracts broadly ovate-elliptic, ca. 5 × 3 mm, 5 - veined; rhizome creeping; stem leafy at flowering; leaves narrowly obovate, <15 mm wide, pubescent on veins beneath, very shortly pubescent above. Etymology. All collections of this variety originate from the region of Kolwezi in western Upper Katanga. Distribution. Endemic to SE DR. Congo (Haut-Katanga). Habitat and ecology. Steppic savannah, dry woodland, rocky slopes; 1300–1475 m elev. Additional specimens. DR. Congo, Haut-Katanga, Env. de Sakabinda, sources de la Kengere, 9 Apr 1971, S. Lisowski 23304 (POZG); Env. Kolwezi, près du village Muilu, 8 Apr 1971, S. Lisowski 23703 (POZG); without locality, 1937, Salésiens 1264 (BR); 19 km SSE of Kolwezi, 13 Mar 1983, M. Schaijes 1873 (BR); Piste Kolwezi-Musokantanda (Plateau de la Manika), 10 ° 48 ' 42 " S, 25 ° 15 ' 59 " E, 19 Feb 1989, M. Schaijes 4305 (BR); Note. This new variety has a restricted distribution range in the region of Kolwezi.