Abstract
Field explorations in the Northern Cape province of South Africa revealed an undescribed species of Coilonox, sharing diagnostic characters of the genus. These include ovate-oblong tepals of a fleshy texture with a darker longitudinal midrib band visible on both sides and associated with 3-5 aggregated nerves, sub-homomorphic stamens with narrowly subulate filaments, and most notably, a gynoecium with an ovate-oblong, smooth and subcylindrical ovary and elongated and thin style, commonly deflexed and ending into a subcapitate stigma covered by elongated, abundant glands. However, the new species clearly differs from the currently known species in the genus by distinct morphological characters, such as the small overall plant size; filiform, small, apically twisted leaves; sessile to shortly pedicellate flowers; and comparatively small flowers, fruits and seeds. Coilonox spiciflorum, a new species occurring in quartzite fields and on quarzitic outcrops in Namaqualand, South Africa, is here described. A complete morphological description of the new species, as well as data on ecology, distribution, and differences with related species, are provided. In addition, a new combination, C. gildenhuysii, is established for another South African congener from the Northern Cape.