Croton sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva, 2022

Sodré, Rodolfo Carneiro & Silva, Marcos José da, 2022, Croton sertanejus, a new species from Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Brazil, and redescription of C. echioides (Euphorbiaceae), European Journal of Taxonomy 839, pp. 14-38 : 16-24

Croton sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77305496-1

Figs 1–2

Diagnosis

Croton sertanejus sp. nov. differs from C. echioides due to pseudomonopodial branching, with an elongated main stem with shortened secondary branches in an alternate arrangement (vs di- or trichotomous branching in C. echioides ), petiole 0.4–1.7(–2) cm long (vs (1.8–) 3–8.1 cm), leaf blade base with 4–6 subsessile nectary glands facing both surfaces (vs with 2 stipitate nectary glands facing the abaxial surface), equal pistillate sepals (vs subequal or strongly unequal), and styles 2–3 mm long (vs 4–5.5 mm).

Etymology

ʻ Sertanejo ʼ, in Portuguese, refers to people native to the Caatinga region, also known as ʻ sertão ʼ, that extends to all the states of northeast Brazil and the northern Minas Gerais.

Material examined

Type BRAZIL • Bahia, Oliveira dos Brejinhos, 6 km ao Sul da cidade pela vicinal “ Corredor da Barra ”; 12°22′02.7″ S, 42°54′14.3″ W; 884 m a.s.l.; 20 Dec. 2017; fl.; R. C. Sodré, A. O. Souza & U.S. Amaral 3350; holotype: BOTU; isotypes: CEPEC, NY, TEPB, UFG .

Paratypes BRAZIL – Bahia • Barra, Conglomerado BA-360 ; 10°58′48″ S, 44°33′36″ W; 20 Dec. 2017; fl.; A.S. Soares 401; RB, UB • Barra do Mendes , Carretão , estrada para Canarina; 11°49′33″ S, 42°3′17″ W; 750 m a.s.l.; 15 Dec. 2009; fl.; E. Melo, F. França & B.M. Silva 7505; ALCB, HUEFS • ibid.; E. Melo, F. França & B.M. Silva 7507; HUEFS • ca 10 km na estrada de terra para Seabra; 11°53′41″ S, 42°2′53″ W; 750 m a.s.l.; 16 Dec. 2009; fl.; E. Melo, F. França & B.M. Silva 7539; HUEFS • ibid.; E. Melo, F. França & B.M. Silva 7541; ALCB, HUEFS • ca 16.5 km na estrada de terra para Seabra, Lagoa do Peixe ; 11°56′22″ S, 42°2′3″ W; 743 m a.s.l.; 16 Dec. 2009; fl.; E. Melo et al. 7563; HUEFS • ca 27 km na estrada de terra para Seabra; 12°1′13″ S, 41°59′58″ W; 750 m a.s.l.; 16 Dec. 2009; fl.; E. Melo, F. França & B.M. Silva 7580; ALCB, HUEFS • Brotas de Macaúbas, estrada para a BR-242; 12°17′7″ S, 42°34′7″ W; 519 m a.s.l.; 30 Jan. 2008; fl.; J.L. Ferreira, E. Melo & B.M. Silva 266; HUEFS • ibid.; J.L. Ferreira, E. Melo & B.M. Silva 268; HUEFS • Brumado; 28 Oct. 1965; fl.; A.P. Duarte 9544; HUEFS, NY, RB, SPF • Caetité; 15 Jan. 1983; fl.; M.L. Guedes et al. 2787; ALCB • ramal a 29 km na estrada Caetité/Brumado, ca 3 km ramal adentro; 19 Feb. 1992; fr.; A.M. Carvalho et al. 3784; CEPEC, NY • Campo Formoso; 21 Apr. 1981; fr.; W.N. Fonseca 386; RB • Canudos , Bedengó , Ramal a 5 km da BR-115, sentido Euclides da Cunha; 10°4′42″ S, 39°7′46″ W; 560 m a.s.l.; 24 Jun. 2005; no fl. or fr.; D.S. Carneiro-Torres et al. 514; HUEFS • Carfanaum, entre Lapa Cercada e Lapa da Igreja, proximidades do povoado de Cercadinho; 11°44′17.71″ S, 41°27′20.55″ W; 748 m a.s.l.; 19 Mar. 2016; fl. and fr.; P.H.A. Melo & F.F. Pezzini 4885; HUEFS • ibid.; 11°44′2.4″ S, 41°27′41.7″ W; 731 m a.s.l.; 9Apr. 2017; fl.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6744; HUEFS • ibid.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6752; HRCB • margem esquerda da BR-122, a 22 km de Cafarnaum, sentido Morro do Chapéu; 11°31′58.7″ S, 41°23′12.2″ W; 737 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 2017; fl.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6783; HRCB, HUEFS • ibid.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6792; HRCB, HUEFS • ibid.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6794; HRCB, HUEFS • Contendas do Sincorá, estrada entre Sussuarana e Contendas do Sincorá; 13°48′56″ S, 41°3′57″ W; 404 m a.s.l.; 15 Mar. 2015; fr.; A.G. Azevedo-Neto et al. 14; HUEFS • Curaçá, Comunidade de Patamuté ; 9°25′19″ S, 39°28′13″ W; 420 m a.s.l.; 23 Mar. 2012; fl.; E. Melo et al. 11078; HUEFS • Glória, Complexo Itaparica , margem do lago; 9°4′11″ S, 38°24′13″ W; 333 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 2007; fl.; M. Oliveira et al. 2831; MAC, UFP • Iaçu, Fazenda Lapa , Lagedo Alto ; Apr. 1974; fl.; G.C.P. Pinto 42272; ALCB • rodovia Itaberaba/Milagres, entre Iaçu e Milagres, a 10–20 km a E de Iaçu, 400–500 m a.s.l.; 25 Dec. 1979; fl.; S.A. Mori & F.P. Benton 13243; CEPEC, NY • BA-046, trecho entre Milagres e Iaçu, a 25 km ao SE de Iaçu, 300 m a.s.l.; 28 Feb. 1980; fl. and fr.; S.A. Mori 13272; CEPEC, NY • Fazenda Lapa; 12°42′ S, 39°56′1 W; 26 Feb. 1983; fl. and fr.; H.P. Bautista 716; HUEFS • Fazenda Suíbra, Morro do Gado Bravo ; 12°43′ S, 40°7′ W; 14 Mar. 1985; fl. and fr.; L.R. Noblick 3687; CEPEC, HUEFS • rodovia Iaçu/Milagres (BA-046) km 13, coletas no início do ramal para as fazendas Suíbra e Morros; 12°49′ S, 40°10′ W; 240 m a.s.l.; 22 Mar. 1988; fl.; S. Ginzbarg, L.A. Mattos-Silva & H.S. Brito 803; CEPEC, NY • Morro da Garrafa ; 12°45′18″ S, 39°51′0″ W; 250 m a.s.l.; 23 Feb. 1997; fr.; E. Melo et al. 2116; HUEFS, HUESB, SP • Ibipeba, estrada para Ibititá; 11°37′6″ S, 42°0′3″ W; 742 m a.s.l.; 25 Oct. 2009; fr.; E. Melo et al. 6881; ALCB, HUEFS • Irecê, Lapão , Morro Pelado ; 11°24′22″ S, 41°49′22″ W; 787 m a.s.l.; 27 Oct. 2009; fr.; M.L. Guedes et al. 16178; ALCB, HUEFS • Área do CETEP; 11°19′0″ S, 41°49′49″ W; 22 Feb. 2016; fl. and fr.; G. Costa & A.C.S. Moraes 1656; ALCB, HUEFS, HURB • 11°19′0″ S, 41°49′42″ W; 25 Feb. 2016; fr.; G. Costa & A.C.S. Moraes 1742; ALCB, HUEFS, HURB • ibid.; G. Costa & A.C.S. Moraes 1746; ALCB, HUEFS, HURB • Itatim, Morro do Agenor ; 12°43′ S, 39°46′ W; 310–430 m a.s.l.; 25 Feb. 1996; fl.; E. Melo et al. 1483; CEN, HUEFS, MAC • Morro da Quixaba ; 12.7119° S, 39.6981° W; 410 m a.s.l.; 14 Dec. 1996; fl.; E. Melo et al. 1889; HUEFS, SP, VIES • Morro do Bastião ; 12°45′12″ S, 39°46′59″ W; 282 m a.s.l.; 25 Jan. 1997; fl.; E. Melo et al. 1919; HUEFS, HUESB, UEC • ibid.; 24 May 1997; fl.; V.M. Monteiro, C. Aguiar & J. Resende 68; HUEFS • Itiúba, Serra de Itiúba , about 6 km E of Itiúba; 10°41′ S, 39°48′ W; 500 m a.s.l.; 19 Feb. 1974; fl.; R.M. Harley 16214; RB • Fazenda Experimental da EPABA ; 10°43′ S, 39°48′ W; 27 May 1983; fl. and fr.; G.C.P. Pinto & H.P. Bautista 109/83; CEPEC, K, NY • 10 km da cidade de Itiúba; 10°41′14″ S, 39°48′17″ W; 24 Jun. 2005; no fl. or fr.; D.S. CarneiroTorres et al. 531; HUEFS • Ituaçu, Morro da Mangabeira ; 22 Dec. 1983; fl.; E.P. Gouveia 60/83; ALCB • ibid.; E.P. Gouveia s.n.; ALCB [51564[ • Jacobina; 8 Apr. 1991; fr.; M. Andrade Neto s.n.; EAC [ 17121 ], K [ 001184431 ], NY [ 01281082 ] • Jaguari, Fazenda Pé de Laje , próximo ao povoado de Gameleira; 10°12′52.4″ S, 40°8′8.2″ W; 644 m a.s.l.; 18 Apr. 2017; fl.; E.D.S. Almeida & J.G.B. Silva 81; HVASF, HUEFS • Jeremoabo, estrada de chão sentido Canudos; 10°4′7″ S, 38°28′21″ W; 297 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun. 2007; no fl. or fr.; D.S. Carneiro-Torres et al. 981; HUEFS • Jequié, estrada da Barragem de Pedra ; 5 Apr. 1987; fl.; V. Pereira 99; HUEFS • Juazeiro, Serra do Mulato ; 9°44′40″ S, 40°40′39″ W; 26 Mar. 2000; fl.; N.G. Jesus et al. 880; ALCB, SPF • Lagoa Real; 565 m a.s.l.; 17 Dec. 2008; fl.; C. Novello 1; HUEFS, HUEM • ibid.; C. Novello 2; HUEFS, HUEM • Lajedinho, proximidade do povoado de Simpatia; 12°27′7.36″ S, 41°0′41.52″ W; 593 m a.s.l.; 17 Mar. 2016; fl.; P.H.A. Melo & F.F. Pezzini 4833A; HRCB • 12°27′18.9″ S, 41°0′33.3″ W; 591 m a.s.l.; 8 Apr. 2017; fl.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6691; HUEFS • ibid.; P.H.A. Melo & L.C.A. Gonçalves 6734; HRCB, HUEFS • Livramento do Brumado, 3–5 km da cidade, na estrada para Rio de Contas; 13°38′ S, 41°50′ W; 580–600 m a.s.l.; 12 Dec. 1988; fl.; R.M. Harley et al. 27140; CEPEC • ibid.; R.M. Harley et al. 27141; K, NY, SPF • Manoel Vitorino, estrada que liga Manoel Vitorino com Caatingal, a 5 km da BR-116; 350 m a.s.l.; 10 Mar. 1980; fr.; S. Mori 13448; CEPEC, NY • Maracás, estrada para Marcionílio Souza, ca 12.6 km da cidade; 13°14′20″ S, 40°34′15″ W; 395 m a.s.l.; 3 Nov. 2011; fl.; E. Melo et al. 10603; HUEFS • Marcionílio Souza, 8 km ao S de Marcionílio Souza na estrada para Maracás; 13°5′ S, 40°30′ W; 22 Mar. 1988; fl.; S. Ginzbarg, L. A. Mattos-Silva & H. S. Brito 816; NY • Monte Santo; 10°26′ S, 39°19′ W; 11 Jan. 2006; fl.; M. L. Guedes et al. 12037; ALCB • ibid.; 22 Jan. 2016; fl.; F. A. Silva 18; HURB • Morpará; 11°35′50″ S, 43°17′4″ W; 16 Dec. 2007; fl.; A. A. Conceição et al. 2652; HUEFS • estrada para Morpará, beira do Rio Paramirim; 11°42′11″ S, 43°14′2″ W; 444 m a.s.l.; 16 Dec. 2007; fl.; A. A. Conceição et al. 2682; HUEFS • ibid.; A. A. Conceição et al. 2686; HUEFS • Morro do Chapéu, ca 2 km da Comunidade Gruta dos Brejões; 11°0′53″ S, 40°24′19″ W; 650 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2007; no fl. or fr.; D. Cardoso & R. M. Santos 1820; HUEFS • estrada para Cafarnaum; 11°29′50″ S, 41°21′34″ W; 728 m a.s.l.; 1 Feb. 2008; fl.; F. B. L. Silva & F. França 78; HUEFS • Oliveira dos Brejinhos, estrada para Água Quente; 12°20′11″ S, 42°54′29″ W; 673 m a.s.l.; 18 Dec. 2007; fl.; A. A. Conceição et al. 2759; HUEFS • 6 km ao Sul da cidade pela vicinal “Corredor da Barra”; 12°22′02.7″ S, 42°54′14.3″ W; 884 m a.s.l.; 20 Dec. 2017; fl.; R. C. Sodré et al. 3347; BOTU, UFG • ibid.; R. C. Sodré et al. 3348; BOTU, UFG • ibid.; R. C. Sodré et al. 3349; BOTU, UFG • Palmeiras, 12°26′48″ S, 41°31′6″ W; 697 m a.s.l.; 1 Dec. 2011; fl.; S. P. S. Neves 393; HUEFS • subida para a Serra Negra; 12°32′ S, 41°35′ W; 740 m a.s.l.; 29 Jan. 2015; fl.; D. S. Carneiro-Torres et al. 1288; HUEFS • 12°31′51.6″ S, 41°35′17.4″ W; 736 m a.s.l.; 19 Dec. 2017; fl.; R. C. Sodré et al. 3341; UFG • Paulo Afonso; 12 Apr. 1952; fl.; Labouriau 941; RB, SPF • Piatã, Chapada Diamantina, subida da Capela Nossa Senhora Santana; 13°9′2″ S, 41°45′0″ W; 15 Jun. 2014; fl.; M. L. Guedes et al. 21918; ALCB • Piemonte da Diamantina, Miguel Calmon , entorno do Parque de Sete Passagens; 11°22′25″ S, 40°35′14″ W; 546 m a.s.l.; 23 Dec. 2006; fl.; M. L. Guedes et al. 13215; ALCB • João Dourada, Ponto 7; 11°19′51″ S, 41°44′14″ W; 363 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 2013; fl.; M. L. Guedes et al. 20656; ALCB • Pilão Arcado, sentido Brejo de Zacarias; 9°58′31″ S, 42°49′12″ W; 6 Sep. 2005; no fl. or fr.; D. S. Carneiro-Torres et al. 593; HUEFS • sentido Iú Grande – Pilão Arcado Dunas, Barra do Iú; 10°1′25″ S, 42°48′15″ W; 18 Mar. 2006; fr.; D. S. Carneiro-Torres et al. 621; HUEFS • Quijingue, fazenda Urubu, a ca de 3 km E do povoado Quixaba do Mandacaru; 10°55′1″ S, 39°3′49″ W; 270 m a.s.l.; 14 May 2005; fr.; D. Cardoso 515; HUEFS, NY • Remanso, ca 18 km de Remanso, entrada a direita no sentido Remanso; 9°29′20″ S, 42°14′54″ W; 457 m a.s.l.; 28 Dec. 2001; fl.; T. S. Nunes et al. 690; HUEFS • Rio de Contas, 10 km do Rio de Contas na estrada para Marcolino Moura; 13°36′ S, 41°43′ W; 500–600 m a.s.l.; 15 Nov. 1988; fl.; R. M. Harley, D. J. N. Hind & T. B. Cavalcanti 26445; K, NY, RB, SPF, U • caminho para Lagoa Nova; 13°47′42″ S, 41°46′44″ W; 490 m a.s.l.; 5 Feb. 1997; fr.; E. Saar et al. PCD 5093; ALCB, K, SPF • ibid.; fl. and fr.; L. Passos et al. PCD 5109; ALCB, CEPEC, K, SPF • São Gabriel, fazenda Boa Sorte; 11°1′ S, 41°39′ W; 798–800 m a.s.l.; 3 Apr. 2009; fl.; R. F. Machado, F. F. Rocha & A. F. Rocha 138; HUEFS • estrada para Jussara; 11°9′54″ S, 41°56′34″ W; 770 m a.s.l.; 25 Oct. 2009; fl. and fr.; E. Melo et al. 6956; ALCB, HUEFS • Senhor do Bonfim, Fazenda Rancharia; 24 Mar. 2007; fl.; L. P. Felix 11562; HUEFS • ibid.; L. P. Felix 11581; HUEFS • Sento Sé, base do Morro da Mina; 9°51′39″ S, 42°3′23″ W; 930 m a.s.l.; 19 Dec. 2007; fl. and fr.; J. G. Carvalho-Sobrinho & C. T. Lima 1728; HST, HUEFS • Umburanas, Ourolândia, estrada para Umburanas, estrada de chão para Pedreira Araras; 10°56′57″ S, 41°4′38″ W; 682 m a.s.l.; 26 Jan. 2008; fl.; M. M. Silva-Castro et al. 1435; HUEFS • Parque Nacional Boqueirão da Onça, rio Murim; 10°30′16.9″ S, 41°19′52.4″ W; 744 m a.s.l.; 29 Jan. 2010; fr.; A. P. Fontana et al. 6426; HUEFS, HVASF • Xique-Xique, 15 km S de Xique-Xique, camino a Santo Inácio; 10°58′ S, 42°41′ W; 400–500 m a.s.l.; 19 Feb. 1997; fr.; M. M. Arbo et al. 7519; CEPEC, CTES, NY. – Ceará • Aiuaba; 6.3712° S, 40.0923° W; 478 m a.s.l.; 21 Feb. 2014; fl.; A. L. B. Sartori et al. 1153; EAC • Campos Sales, Várzea da Vaca; Feb. 1839; fl.; G. Gardner 2441; K [001184426], K [001184427], L [0146109] • Piquet Carneiro, Ibicuã, Miguel Calmon; 17 Apr. 1909; no fl. or fr.; A. Ducke s.n.; MG [2202], RB [187679] • Saboeiro, entre Saboeiro e Aiuaba, no entroncamento da estrada do Algodão; 21 Mar. 1984; fl.; E. Nunes s.n.; EAC [12357], HUEFS [111120] • Tauá, Fazenda Angico; 29 Apr. 1981; fr.; E. Nunes & M. A. Figueiredo s.n.; EAC [10110], HUEFS [106374]. – Minas Gerais • Mato Verde, São João do Bonito, estrada para as lavras na Serra Geral, 2.5 km de São João do Bonito, 12.5 km da rodovia Mato Verde – Monte Azul (BR-122), próximo ao Córrego do Pé da Serra; 15°18′21″ S, 42°49′37″ W; 580 m a.s.l.; 7 Apr. 2004; fl. and fr.; J. R. Pirani et al. 5466; SPF. – Paraíba • Itaporanga, Fazenda Cafula; 7°13′52″ S, 38°9′21.6″ W; 540 m a.s.l.; 2 Nov. 2015; fl.; P. F. Souza 107; CSTR, EAC • São José dos Cordeiros, RPPN-Fazenda Almas; 7°28′15″ S, 36°53′51″ W; 645 m a.s.l.; 24 Jan. 2003; fl.; Z. G. Quirino & J. R. Lima 3; HUEFS • ibid.; Z. G. Quirino & J. R. Lima 15; HUEFS • Manga geral, Área I, Laje do Cara; 7°29′21″ S, 36°55′36″ W; 16 Feb. 2003; fl.; M. R. Barbosa et al. 2686; HUEFS, JPB • ibid.; M. R. Barbosa et al. 2715; HUEFS, JPB • Taperoá, 5 km após a entrada da estrada para Taperoá; 4 Mar. 1994; fl. and fr.; S. I. da Silva s.n.; PEUFR, SPF [137104]. – Pernambuco • Afogados da Ingazeira, estrada para Afogados da Ingazeira, km 35 da BR-292; 10 Feb. 1993; fl.; S. I. da Silva 64; PEUFR, SPF • Betânia, Vale dos Navios; 20 Apr. 1955; fl.; A. Guerra 5528; SPF • Vale do Pajéu; 5 Apr. 2002; fr.; S. M. Freitas Neto et al. 1; HUEFS • Bodocó, arredores da cidade; 12 Feb. 1991; fl.; P. Lisboa & C. Silva 4515-34; EAC • Buíque, fazenda Laranjeiras; 8°37′30″ S, 37°9′15″ W; 799 m a.s.l.; 22 Feb. 1996; fl.; K. Andrade et al. 306; NY, PEUFR • Custódia, proximidades do Reservatório Copiti, Projeto de Transposição do Rio São Francisco; 8°14′53.9″ S, 37°41′33.3″ W; 526 m a.s.l.; 18 Feb. 2009; fl.; M. Oliveira & J. Cardoso Junior 3763; HVASF, HUEFS • estrada formada pela área de influência da linha de transmissão de alta tensão que acompanha o canal do PISF; 8°12′16.48″ S, 37°41′52.1″ W; 434 m a.s.l.; 14 May 2013; fr.; V. M. Cotarelli & J. Silva 2530; HVASF, HUEFS • ibid.; 8°9′55.6″ S, 37°33′20.32″ W; 513 m a.s.l.; 15 Mar. 2016; fl. and fr.; M. Oliveira, A. P. Fontana & A. C. P. Oliveira 6407; RB • Lagoa Grande, Sertão, Fazenda Planaltino, Rodovia PE-574; 8°59′ S, 40°16′ W; 10 Jan. 2018; fl.; M. L. Guedes 30231; ALCB • Petrolândia, trecho do canal da transposição; 8°41′32.6″ S, 38°16′28.3″ W; 391 m a.s.l.; 29 Jan. 2009; fl. and fr.; V.D. Silva et al. 87; HUEFS, HVASF • Petrolina, limite sul do CPATSA; 9°7.5′ S, 40°31.11′ W; 13 Jan. 1983; fl.; G. Fotius 3304; HTSA, RB • ibid.; 24 Jan. 1983; fl.; G. Fotius 3310; HTSA, RB • área da CODEVASF; 9°9.17′ S, 40°29.44′ W; 4 Feb. 1983; fl.; G. Fotius 3333; HTSA, RB • CPATSA; 3 Mar. 1993; fl.; S. I. da Silva 114; PEUFR, SPF • Salgueiro; 9 Mar. 2007; fr.; E. R. Silveira s.n.; EAC [39845] • ibid.; 8°7′ S, 39°7′ W; 3 Mar. 2014; fr.; E. R. Silveira & F. C. L. Pinto s.n.; ALCB [122233] • Santa Maria da Boa Vista, margem da PE 4 em direção à Jutaí; 29 Apr. 1971; fr.; Academia Brasileira de Ciências 406; HUEFS, IPA • Serra Talhada, Estação Experimental do IPA, Pimenteira; 25 Mar. 1995; fl.; A. M. Miranda et al. 2192; MAC, PEUFR, SPF • ibid.; 7.59° S, 38.1916° W; 30 Jan. 1996; fl.; M. L. Gomes 129; IPA, HUEFS • 3 km SW of road from Serra Talhada to Lagoinha, around permanent plot and flux tower; 7°58′5″ S, 38°23′3″ W; 17 Mar. 2017; fl.; P. W. Moonlight & T. Sarkinen 419; HUEFS • ibid.; 18 Mar. 2017; fl.; P. W. Moonlight & T. Sarkinen 430; HUEFS • Sertânia, Centro da Caprino-ovinocultura do IPA, Pimenteira; 8°4′25″ S, 37°12′24″ W; 160 m a.s.l.; 6 Apr. 2001; fl. and fr.; R. M. Harley & A. M. Giulietti 54177; HUEFS, K • Caroalina, Sítio do Sr. Sibas; Jul. 2003; fl.; L. Melo & J. Sampaio 34; IPA, HUEFS • Verdejante, Vila Produtiva Rural de Pilões; 7°52′57.23″ S, 39°2′16.13″ W; 534 m a.s.l.; 21 Feb. 2013; fl.; F. F. S. Silva 751; HUEFS, HVASF. – Piauí • São João do Piauí, Porfírio; 8°21′ S, 42°14′ W; 222 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb. 1995; fl. and fr.; F. G. Alcoforado Filho 477; HUEFS, IPA, K, TEPB • ibid.; 14 Apr. 1995; fl. and fr.; F. G. Alcoforado Filho & J. H. Carvalho 484; IPA, K, TEPB • Embrapa Meio Norte; 8°20′44″ S, 42°19′34″ W; 24 Mar. 2015; fl. and fr.; K. N. C. Castro & J. B. A. Souza 471; CEN • São Raimundo Nonato, Humaitá – São Raimundo Nonato; 15 Dec. 1978; fl.; F. M. T. Freire 11; EAC • Barreirinhas – São Raimundo Nonato; 18 Dec. 1978; fl.; A. Fernandes et al. s.n.; EAC [5151] • fazenda Joá; 27 Jan. 1984; fl.; L. Emperaire 2180a; RB • Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara; 8°25′ S, 42°20′ W; 8 Dec. 2017; fl.; M. Mizushima, P. Rodrigues & R. M. Santos 218; HUEFS. – Sergipe • Poço Verde, Fazenda Santa Maria da Lage; 10°42′30″ S, 38°11′0″ W; 16 Nov. 2010; no fl. or fr.; E. V. R. Ferreira et al. 213; ASE • Assentamento Santa Maria da Lage; 22 Jul. 2015; fr.; E. V. S. Oliveira 563; ASE, HUEFS • locality unknown [caatingas arbustivo-arbórea e arbórea]; Apr. 1989; fl. and fr.; E. L. Araújo s.n.; SPF [137105].

Description

Shrubs or trees, (1–)1.5–5(–7) m tall, erect, pseudomonopodial branching, with main stem extended bearing lateral alternate branches, frequently with galls; latex scarce, clear; sweetish odor; stems very rigid, cylindric, straight or tortuous, striated or smooth in young branches; whitish, yellowish, or slightly ferrugineous tomentose indumentum of multiradiate or stellate-porrect trichomes with stipe 0.05–0.1 mm long, stellate-porrect trichomes with one-plane whorl of 8–12 free lateral rays and multiradiate trichomes with two or three whorls of 16–30 free lateral rays, in both trichomes lateral rays 0.15–0.7 mm long and central ray 0.15–0.25(–0.7) mm long. Leaves alternate, leaf blades (3–)4–8 times as long as petioles; stipules 0.5–0.8 × 0.15–0.3 mm, triangular, lanceolate or linear, with 4 sessile ovoid glands at base and/or one subglobose gland at apex, with stellate-porrect trichomes on both surfaces; petioles 0.4–1.7(– 2) cm long; leaf blades 2.2–8.9 × 1.2–4.7 cm, oval-elliptic, elliptic, ovate or oval-lanceolate, sometimes lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, membranaceous, base obtuse or rounded, sometimes slightly cordate or truncate with 4–6 patelliform nectary glands 0.2–0.7 mm diam., subsessile with stipe 0.1–0.2 mm long, at least two facing adaxial surface and other two facing abaxial surface; apex acute, obtuse, mucronate or apiculate, sometimes slightly emarginate or acuminate; margin entire or less commonly serrulate with globose sessile glands (colleters); venation brochidodromous with 4–8 pairs of secondary veins impressed on adaxial surface and slightly prominent on abaxial surface; discolorous, adaxial surface dark green with hirtellous indumentum of simple, 2–4-radiate or stellate-porrect trichomes, stellate-porrect trichomes with 6–11 lateral rays, sessile, lateral rays 0.2–0.5 mm long, porrect ray up to 1 mm long; abaxial surface light green with shortly tomentose indumentum of stellate-porrect trichomes with 6–8 lateral rays or multiradiate trichomes with 11–16 lateral rays, both sessile, lateral rays 0.2–0.7 mm long, central ray 0.2–0.8 mm long. Thyrses 2.8–16 cm long, peduncle 0.4–2.5 cm long, terminal, bisexual with 4–10 solitary pistillate flowers sparsely, rarely densely, distributed on ¼–½ of inflorescence axis, or thyrses unisexual staminate, less commonly unisexual pistillate; staminate cymules with 2–4 flowers, staminate flower bracts 0.4–1 × 0.4–0.7 mm, triangular, oval or oblong, margin entire, with 2 or 3 subglobose sessile glands at base, indumentum of stellate-porrect trichomes on external surface and hirsute indumentum of simple trichomes on margin, glabrous internally; 2 staminate flower bracteoles per cymule, 0.3–0.7 × 0.15–0.3 mm, triangular or ovate, with glands and indumentum similar to those of bracts; pistillate flower bracts 0.5–1(–2.2) × 0.3–0.8(–1) mm, triangular, margin entire, with ovoid or subglobose sessile glands, with sessile stellate-porrect trichomes externally, glabrous or glabrescent internally; 2 bracteoles per pistillate flower, 0.3–0.8 × 0.1–0.4 mm, linear or triangular, with subglobose glands at base. Staminate flowers 5–8 mm long; pedicels 1.6–4.7 mm long, glabrous, glabrescent, pubescent or tomentose; calyces 5(6)-partite, greenish with whitish indumentum, lobes 1.4–2 × 0.9–1.3 mm, ovate or largely ovate, united in ⅙–¼ of length, apex obtuse or acute, dorsal surface with shortly tomentose indumentum of

2

stellate-porrect sessile trichomes, villous at the apex, glabrous ventrally; petals 5(6), 2–2.9 × 0.6–1.2 mm, obovate or oblanceolate, apex rounded or obtuse, villous basally along margins at ⅓–½ of length; stamens 15–25(–27), 2.5–3.5 mm long, filaments 2–3 mm long, glabrous or villous only basally, anthers 0.5–0.7 × 0.4–0.7 mm, suborbicular or largely ellipsoid; nectary disks 5-segmented, segments transversely oblong, whitish, receptacle villous. Pistillate flowers 3.5–5.3 mm long, pedicels 0.8–1.5 mm long; sepals 5, 1–1.7 × 0.6–0.8 mm, equal, ovate or triangular, apex acute, margin entire, without glands, externally with pubescent or tomentose indumentum of stellate-porrect or multiradiate sessile trichomes, internally sparsely pubescent or glabrescent; petals globose 0.1–0.2 mm diam. or laminar 0.5–1.3 × 0.05–0.4 mm, linear or triangular, glabrous or with stellate trichomes externally; ovaries 1.2–1.4 × 1.3–1.8 mm, subglobose, with whitish tomentose indumentum of stellate-porrect shortly stipitate trichomes; styles 3, 2–3 mm long, united in ⅙–⅓ of length, then branching into 6 terminal tips, externally with glabrescent or pubescent indumentum of stellate trichomes basally; nectary disks 5-segmented or 5-lobed, segments or lobes transversely oblong, whitish. Capsules 5.7–6 mm diam., globose, greenish, pedicel 1.2–2.5(–4) mm long, columella with three flattened or slightly ascending tips; seeds 4.8–4.9 × 3–3.1 mm, ellipsoid, brownish, with smooth surface, slightly foveolate, caruncle hat-shaped, 1.8–2.2 mm large, whitish.

Distribution, habitat and phenology

Croton sertanejus sp. nov. is endemic to the Caatinga, a Brazilian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest, with records for the states of Bahia, Ceará, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí and Sergipe ( Fig. 3 ). It grows amid the shrubby or arboreal physiognomies of scrub/forest vegetation, close or not to water courses, sometimes associated with rocky outcrops and on sandy or clay soils, between 160 and 930 m of elevation. This species was found with flowers from December to April and fruits from January to May.

Vernacular names

The new species is popularly known as ʻCaatinga-brancaʼ (Pernambuco), ʻCassatingaʼ (Bahia), ʻCassutingaʼ (Bahia), ʻMarmeleiroʼ (Bahia), ʻMarmeleiro-de-folha-miúdaʼ (Paraíba), ʻMarmeleiro-pretoʼ (Piauí), ʻQuebra-facaʼ (Bahia, Ceará, Pernambuco, Piauí) or ʻQuebra-facãoʼ (Bahia, Pernambuco, Piauí).

Preliminary conservation status

This species has an Extent of Occurrence estimated to be 494 273 km 2 and Area of Occupancy of 5696 km 2 and is known from more than 100 different locations in seven states, many of them recently collected. Therefore, its conservation status was provisionally assessed as Least Concern. Despite this, the frequent use of its wood for firewood or fences and its leaves and bark in popular medicine or as food for goats may affect the conservation of their natural populations in the near future.

Figures

Fig. 1. Croton sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva sp. nov. A. Flowering branch. B. Detail of older portion of stem with leaf scars. C 1 –C 2. Indumentum of the stems. C 1. Tomentose indumentum. C 2. Hirsute indumentum. D 1 –D 3. Trichomes of the stems. D 1. Stellate trichome. D 2. Multiradiate-porrect trichome. D 3. Stellate-porrect trichome. E. Stipule, ventral surface. F 1 –F 2. Leaves. F 1. Elliptic leaf blade. F 2. Ovate leaf blade. G. Detail of the galls on the leaf blade. H. Extrafloral nectaries of leaf base in adaxial view. I. Colleters of leaf margin in adaxial view. J1–J3. Indumentum of leaf blades. J1. Tomentose indumentum of abaxial surface. J2. Sparse indumentum of simple, stellate-porrect or 2-radiate trichomes of adaxial surface. J 3. Sparse indumentum of stellate trichomes of adaxial surface. K. Inflorescence. L 1. Staminate flower bract, ventral surface. L 2. Staminate flower bracteole, ventral surface. M. Staminate flower. N 1 – N 3. Lobes of staminate flower calyx in dorsal view. N 1. Two lobes showing the union of the calyx. N 2. Dense indumentum of stellate-porrect trichomes. N3. Sparse indumentum of stellate-porrect trichomes. O 1 –O 2. Pistillate flower petals in dorsal view. O 1. Obovate petal. O 2. Oblanceolate petal. P. Stamen. Q 1. Pistillate flower bract, ventral surface. Q 2. Pistillate flower bracteole, ventral surface. R. Pistillate flower. S 1 –S 2. Pistillate flower sepal. S 1. Dorsal view. S 2. Ventral view. T. Gynoecium. U. Nectary disk and reduced petals of the pistillate flowers (cut out sepals and gynoecium removed). V. Fruit. W 1. Fruit columella. W2. Apex of columella with irregular and plane tips. W3. Apex of columella with three slightly ascending tips.X1. Seed, dorsal side. X2. Seed, ventral side. Drawing by Renato Galhardo:A–U = R.C. Sodré et al. 3350, holotype (BOTU); V–X = K.N.C. Castro & J.B.A. Souza 471 (CEN).

Fig. 2. Croton sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva sp. nov. A–B. Habit. C. Flowering branch showing ramifying in alternate branches. D. Inflorescence showing pistillate flowers and staminate buds. E. Pistillate flowers. F. Unisexual staminate inflorescence. G. Fruit. H–I. Fruit columella. J. Apex of columella with irregular and plane tips. K. Seed, dorsal side. L. Seed, ventral surface. A–F = Population from Oliveira dos Brejinhos, Bahia (R.C. Sodré et al. 3350, holotype; BOTU); G–L = K.N.C. Castro & J.B.A. Souza 471 (CEN). Photographs: R.C. Sodré.

Fig. 3. Geographical distribution of Croton echioides Baill. and C. sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva sp. nov. Ecoregions classifiedaccording to Dinerstein et al. (2017) (avaliable athttps://ecoregions2017.appspot.com). Abbreviations for Brazilian States: AL = Alagoas; BA = Bahia; CE = Ceará; ES = Espirito Santo; DF = Federal District; GO = Goiás; MA = Maranhão; MG = Minas Gerais; PB = Paraíba; PE = Pernambuco; PI = Piauí; RJ = Rio de Janeiro; RN = Rio Grande do Norte; SE = Sergipe; SP = São Paulo; TO = Tocantins.