Diplusodon kielmeyeroides var. macrocalyx T.B.Cavalcanti, 2011

Cavalcanti, Taciana B., 2011, New taxa in Diplusodon (Lythraceae) from Brazil, Phytotaxa 38, pp. 29-35 : 32

Diplusodon kielmeyeroides var. macrocalyx T.B.Cavalcanti , var. nov. ( Fig. 2 ).

A varietate typica floribus carnosioribus, segmentis epicalycis sepalisque majoriobus conspicuis differt.

Type:— BRAZIL. Goiás: Alto Paraíso de Goiás, estrada entre Distrito de São Jorge e Colinas do Sul , 14º13’16” S, 47º53’26” W, 14 March 2007 (fl), Pastore et al. 1851 (holotype CEN!, isotypes MO!, SPF!, W!) .

Subshrubs slightly branched. Upper branches subquadrangular, sometimes inconspicuously winged, internodes 5–10 cm long. Petioles 2–10 mm long; leaf blades 40–100 × 40–70 mm wide, obovate to rhombic, margin sometimes ciliate; secondary veins 17–24 on each side of midvein. Inflorescence with lateral branches 20–90 cm long; bracts 10-20 × 4–13 mm; prophylls ca. 8 × 1.5–1.8 mm, reaching the apex of the floral tube; floral tube 10 mm long, fleshy; sepals 6.0- 6.5 mm long, fleshy; epicalyx segments 7–8 mm long, light green, elliptic-lanceolate, flat, longer than the sepals; corolla 7–8 cm in diam., lilac, petals 27–30 × 18–20 mm; stamens 45–50, free portion of the filaments 9–10 mm long, not exserted; ovary ca. 2.8 × 4.5 mm, style ca. 12 mm long, ovules ca. 48. Capsules 9–11 × 8–9 mm, coriaceous; seeds ca. 34, 4–5 × 3.5–4.0 mm.

Distribution and ecology:— Diplusodon kielmeyeroides var. macrocalyx was found in one locality of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, in a dry field growing on sandy soil with quartz, at 774– 790 m. It was represented by two small populations with flowers in March and fruits in April.

Etymology: —The name refers to the large floral calyx tube.

IUCN Red List category:— The species is known only from two populations of Chapada dos Veadeiros. The conservation status of IUCN Red List is estimated as “VUD2” based on the very restricted occupancy (microendemic species).

Paratype:— BRAZIL. Goiás: Alto Paraíso de Goiás, estrada entre Distrito de São Jorge e Colinas do Sul , 14º13’10” S, 47º53’20” W, 9 April 2007 (fl, fr), Pastore & Suganuma 1907 ( CEN, HUEFS, MO, NY, K, SPF, W) .

Discussion: —This new variety is a subshrub with fleshy and consistently larger flowers than var. kielmeyeroides . Of greatest diagnostic value are the longer lanceolate prophylls, floral tube, sepals and epicalyx segments. The epicalyx segments are much longer, expanded, and surpass the sepals. The new variety occurs in northeastern Goiás, while the typical variety occurs in the state of Minas Gerais near the border with the state of Goiás.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Diplusodon kielmeyerioides var. kielmeyerioides. A. part of vegetative branch. B. branch with inflorescence. C. floral bud. D. flower with prophylls, without petals. Diplusodon kielmeyerioides var. macrocalyx. E. leaf, abaxial surface. F. flower with prophyll, without petals. (A–D from Cavalcanti et al. 2266; E–F from Pastore & Suganuma 1907). Illustrated and inked by Jeanito Sebastião Gentilini Filho.