310 Abstracts In this study, endophytes were isolated from the stems of five different weed plants, with each being characterized according to their different plant growth promotion capabilities. These plant growth promotion capabilities includes the production of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the ability to solubilize phosphate, the ability to produce siderophores (to capture iron) and nitric oxide production (NO). In total six endophytes were isolated and were designated P1-P6 respectively. Isolate P3 was the only isolate capable of significant IAA production. None of the isolates were found to be capable of phosphate solubilisation. All six of the isolates were found to be capable of siderophore production, with P6 producing the highest level of siderophore activity. Furthermore, two of the isolates, namely P5 and P6 were found to be capable of NO production. In the Brassica napus growth promotion pot trials, when comparing the control plants to the plants treated with isolates P1-P6, isolate P6 was found to have the best plant growth promotion effects, because we observed increases in root and stem length, as well as larger leaves when plants were treated with P6. Furthermore, these improvements contributed to an increase in biomass when P6 treated plants were compared to control plants. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.123 FSA contribution in genus Polydora Fenzl (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) N. Simango, N. Swelankomo Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa E-mail address: nyikiwasimango@gmail.com (N. Simango) The delimitation of tribe Vernonieae Cass. has remained unchanged since its description by Cassini (1816) but the circumscription of the genus Vernonia Schreb. has been drastically narrowed, and is now restricted to the New World (eastern North America). All of the African members of the tribe are included in various satellite genera, many of them poorly defined. These segregates include the Palaeotropical genus Polydora Fenzl. Although most of the southern African species of Polydora were treated (as Vernonia) by Oliver & Hiern (1877) in Flora of Tropical Africa and by Pope (1992) in Flora Zambesiaca, no modern treatment exists for the southern African species. We provide the first comprehensive treatment of the genus for southern Africa, with full nomenclature, descriptions, a key to the species, and distribution maps. This study is part of a continuous review of all southern African Vernonieae, together with recent review of the southern African species of Distephanus Cass., Gymnanthemum Cass. and Hilliardiella H.Rob. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.124 Pollinators as likely drivers of diversification in the Drakensberg Mountain Region endemic genus Glumicalyx (Scrophulariaceae) T.J. Springera, T. Van der Nietb, G.V. Crona a School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa b School of Life Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa E-mail address: tamlyn.springer@students.wits.ac.za (T.J. Springer) The Drakensberg Mountain Region (DMR) contains the only true alpine region in southern Africa, forming a centre of plant endemism and ranking fourth richest in vascular plant species richness in South Africa. Despite the high diversity, relatively little evolutionary research has been conducted on modes and drivers of speciation in the flora of the DMR. This study aims to investigate drivers of diversification in the largest of the DMR endemic genera, Glumicalyx Hiern (Scrophulariaceae), by investigating phylogenetic relationships and patterns of morphological variation reflecting divergence along abiotic versus biotic factors. Using DNA sequence data from the nuclear and plastid genome, phylogenetic relationships within the genus were elucidated. Phylogenetic incongruence was detected between nuclear ITS and ETS regions and also between nuclear and plastid DNA regions. This may indicate a history of introgression/hybridization within the genus and/or its recent ancestors, although it may also result from incomplete lineage sorting. Based on patterns of floral evolution, it is hypothesised that reproductive isolation has occurred as a result of adaptations to pollinators. Self-compatibility may facilitate speciation, especially at high altitude where pollinators are often scarce, which requires further investigation using microevolutionary studies. This is one of the first macroevolutionary studies for this region to support likely pollinator-driven diversification. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.125 A test of pollination syndrome theory using the parasitic plant Mystropetalon thomii reveals a surprising outcome S.-L. Steenhuisena, N. Hobbhahnb a Plant Sciences Department, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa b European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), c/o German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Jägerberg 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany E-mail address: SteenhuisenS@ufs.ac.za (S.-L. Steenhuisen) Inferences about likely pollinators from ‘pollination syndromes’ can be difficult due to trait overlap among some syndromes. An example is the rare South African parasitic plant Mystropetalon thomii (Mystropetalaceae), which exhibits features of both bird and rodent pollination syndromes. The unusual brush-like inflorescences exhibit traits conducive to pollination by vertebrates, such as copious amounts of accessible nectar. Their dark red colour suggests bird pollination, but a notable scent suggests small-mammal pollination. The geoflorous inflorescences are most often monoecious, with female flowers maturing before male flowers, but some inflorescences are purely female. Camera-trap footage showed that inflorescences were intensively visited by rodents, while visits by birds and insects were very rare. Visits by Cape grey mongoose and shrews were also recorded, adding to a growing list of South African plants visited by small carnivores. Rodents showed a preference for visiting male- over femalephase inflorescences, probably due to the higher nectar and scent production by male flowers. Large pollen loads on the facial fur of rodents and stigmas indicate efficient pollen transfer by rodents, but tracking of fluorescent dye indicates that most pollen is dispersed within genets. Breeding system experiments showed that both monoecious and gynoecious inflorescences readily set seed in the absence of pollination, suggesting that this parasitic species reproduces at least partially by apomixis and is not reliant on its rodent pollinators. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.126 Is the grass always greener on the other side? Comparing vegetation phenology of a protected area and adjacent communal rangeland during seasons with extreme climatic events A.M. Szewczuk, E.T.F. Witkowski, M.A. Whitecross School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail address: 731959@students.wits.ac.za (A.M. Szewczuk)