Xylopodia Weigend, Taxon 55: 467. 2006.

Martin, Claudia M., Zanotti, Christian A., Acuna-Castillo, Rafael, Henning, Tilo, Catari, Juan C. & Weigend, Maximilian, 2022, Taxonomic revision of the peculiar genus Xylopodia (Loasaceae) with a new species from Argentina and Bolivia demonstrating an atypical trans-Andean disjunction, PhytoKeys 194, pp. 47-62 : 47

Xylopodia Weigend, Taxon 55: 467. 2006.

Type species.

Xylopodia klaprothioides Weigend.

Description.

Shrubs with erect branches from horizontal xylopodia; aerial vegetative organs densely hairy, with scabrid and glochidiate trichomes. Leaves simple, opposite, estipulate, petiolate; lamina with 1-3 lobes on each side, margin serrate. Inflorescences terminal dichasia, each flower with 2 bracts. Flowers tetramerous, deflexed. Sepals triangular. Petals cymbiform, greenish-white to green, aestivation valvate. Nectar scales 4, antesepalous, white and green or green and yellow, formed by 4-6 fused staminodes. Free staminodes 4-5, opposite and internal relative to the nectar scale. Fertile stamens arranged in 4 antepetalous groups. Ovary semisuperior with 4 placentae. Fruits semisuperior capsules, subglobose, straight, opening with 4 apical valves. Seeds narrowly ovoidal, testa papillose-reticulate. 2N = 24.

Etymology.

This name makes reference to the well-developed xylopodia (ligneous rhizomes) found in the type species of the genus.

Distribution.

So far, Xylopodia is known in a few widely separated, disjunct localities in strongly seasonal habitats of the tropical Andes in NW Peru, NW and S Bolivia and NW Argentina, from low (850-900 m) to moderate (2,900 m) elevations.

Identification remarks.

Plants of this genus can be recognized from all other Loasaceae by the diagnostic combination of the presence of underground xylopodia, opposite, lobed leaves, tetramerous flowers, petals with longitudinal lamellae and well developed nectar scales.