Arundinaria alabamensis Triplett, 2023

Triplett, J. K., 2023, Tallapoosa Cane (Arundinaria alabamensis), a new species of temperate bamboo (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from East Central Alabama, Phytotaxa 600 (3), pp. 153-168 : 163-165

Arundinaria alabamensis Triplett , spec. nov.

( Fig. 4–5 ).

TYPE: UNITED STATES. ALABAMA: Lee Co., near Auburn; Mailpost 1541 on Co Rd. 112, near Chewacla Creek. Woodland, with sandy, loamy soil, 32.5451, -85.3885, elev. ca. 170 m, 24 Jul 2005, Triplett & Ozaki 97 (Holotype: JSU; Isotypes: AUA, ISC, MO, UNA, US, UWAL). Nomen vul. Tallapoosa Cane, Alabama Cane, Brittle Cane.

Woody bamboo. Plants of diffuse to (pluri-) caespitose habit. Rhizomes leptomorphic, usually horizontal for only short distance before turning up at the apex to form a culm (therefore often presenting a sympodial branching pattern), hollow (with a central lumen), peripheral air canals present. Culms 3–7 mm in diameter, 1.0– 2.5 m tall, erect, tillering; internodes 13–26 cm long (progressively shorter towards culm apex), terete, hollow, glabrous, flattened behind the branch complement on larger culms but the sulcus not prominent; nodes solitary, the nodal line horizontal, supranodal ridge not prominent; bud one per node (single) on a slight promontory, triangular, the shoulders of the prophyll ciliate. Culm leaves persistent, approximately equaling associated internodes at midculm, typically shorter than associated internodes at the culm base, becoming proportionally longer towards the culm apex; sheaths 10–19 cm long, shortest on lower nodes, becoming progressively longer towards the culm apex, densely pilose, margins ciliate; blades 2–14.5 cm long, triangular to linear-lanceolate, reflexed to erect, pilose, persistent (evergreen), intergrading into top knot leaves; auricles present, well-developed, deciduous; fimbriae 5–10 mm long, ascending to erect; inner ligules 4–7 mm long, a fringe of long cilia; outer ligule absent. Top knot leaves in a loose apical cluster of 5–7(–9); sheaths pilose (becoming glabrous with age), margins ciliate; auricles present; fimbriae 4–14 mm, ascending to erect; blades 9–37 cm long, 2–5.9 cm wide, L:W = 6.3–8.5, linear, linear-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous to subcoriaceous, pubescent (hairs short or long), abaxially (weakly) tessellate, apices acuminate, bases attenuate to cuneate, midrib ± centric. Branching intravaginal (rarely extravaginal); primary branches 1 per node, 12–49 cm long, with (2–) 3 (–4) compressed basal internodes, basal nodes developing 1–2 secondary branches; first elongated internode shorter than subsequent ones (~30%); higher order branches present on older plants, reiterating the 1º branch (i.e., with the same pattern of compressed basal internodes and branching). Foliage leaves 5–8 per complement; sheaths pilose (becoming glabrous with age), margins ciliate, (weakly) tessellate; auricles present; fimbriae 4–14 mm, ascending to erect; inner ligule glabrous or ciliate, fimbriate or lacerate; outer ligule present as a minute rim; blades linear, linear-lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous to subcoriaceous, deciduous, surfaces pilose (sometimes glabrous), abaxially (weakly) tessellate, apices acuminate, bases attenuate to cuneate, midrib ± centric; primary branch foliage leaf blades 5–30 cm long, 0.8–3.4 cm wide; L:W = 8.7–11.4; higher order branch foliage leaf blades 5–28.5 cm long, 0.8–3.3 cm wide. Flowers and Fruit not seen.

Distribution and Ecology:— ( Fig. 1 ) Endemic to the Piedmont Upload section of Eastern Alabama, United States, from the Central Uplands of the Northern Piedmont to the Greenville Slope and Pine Mountain terrane of the Southern Piedmont; 81 to 326 m. In upland oak-hickory-pine forests on slopes, less typically in more mesic sites, seeps, or along small streams.

Phenology:— Lack of specimens in flower or information on the extent of blooming makes it impossible to determine flowering behavior in this species at present.

Etymology:— Arundinaria alabamensis is named for its distribution in Alabama.

Representative specimens examined:— UNITED STATES. Alabama: Cleburne Co.: Heflin, roadside along Highway 78, 33.645833, -85.629444, elev. ca. 314 m, 21 June 2012 Triplett et al. 130621-2 (JSU); Chulafinnee, Hollis Crossroads, 33.544262, -85.648424, elev. ca. 267 m, 13 July 2018, Triplett 180713-6 (JSU); Camp Sequoyah, 33.526317, -85.659330, elev. ca. 280 m, 27 June 2012 Triplett 120627-1 (JSU). Lee Co.: Mailpost 1541 on Co. Rd. 112, near Chewacla Creek, 32.5451, -85.3885, 175, elev. ca. 175 m, 24 July 2005, Triplett & Ozaki 97 (JSU); Chewacla Creek, 32.5451, -85.3885, elev. ca. 175 m, 13 July 2018 Triplett & Barger 180713-1 (JSU); Lochapoca Rd., 32.598765, -85.546022, elev. ca. 203 m, 13 July 2018 Triplett & Barger 180713-4 (JSU); Moores Mill Rd., 32.574001, -85.419279, elev. ca. 168 m, 13 July 2018 Triplett & Barger 180713-2 (JSU). Macon Co.: Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area, 32.4393, -85.65472, elev. ca. 81 m, 24 February 2012 Triplett & Jamison 120224-3 (JSU). Randolph Co.: Wedowee, 33.25307, -85.45384, elev. ca. 326 m, 24 February 2012, Triplett & Jamison 120224-2 (JSU).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Known distribution of Arundinaria alabamensis in Eastern Alabama. Map by Ross H. Martin.

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Arundinaria alabamensis. Photo by J.K. Triplett.

FIGURE 5. Arundinaria alabamensis. A. Region of top knot cluster showing leaf tessellation, fimbriae, and sheath pubescence. B. Habit, in Lee County, Alabama. C. Foliage leaves, highlighting auricles and fimbriae. D. Branch complement. E. Arundinaria gigantea branch complement, for comparison. (Photos by J.K. Triplett).