M. sulcicaulis Chodat, Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 2, 3: 419 (1903).

Sukhorukov, Alexander P., Sennikov, Alexander N., Nilova, Maya V., Mazei, Yuri, Kushunina, Maria, Marchioretto, Maria Salete & Hanacek, Pavel, 2019, Evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of Microtea (Microteaceae), a basal lineage in the core Caryophyllales, PhytoKeys 115, pp. 1-50 : 26

5. M. sulcicaulis Chodat, Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 2, 3: 419 (1903).

Lectotype.

(designated by Nowicke 1968: 351, first-step lectotype; Sennikov & Sukhorukov, second-step lectotype designated here): PARAGUAY. In regione fluminis Tapiraguay, Aug.[ust] [without year], E. Hassler 4328 (K000601203! isolectotypes B! G! P00743937! P00634433!). Note: This species was synonymized with M. celosioides by Marchioretto and de Siqueira (1998, sub M. paniculata ). We reinstate M. sulcicaulis to specific rank due to (1) strongly perennial life history, (2) stiff (not spreading) inflorescences, (3) larger fruit diameter, (4) alveolate seed surface (in M. celosioides it is rough but without alveolae), and (5) predominant distribution in subtropical South America (Paraguay, South Brazil, and SE Bolivia).

Description. Perennial herb with a taproot; stems up to 60 cm, sparsely branched, glabrous; rosulate leaves at least partially persistent, appressed to the stem, lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 3.0-8.0 × 0.5-1.0 cm, tapering into the short petiole; cauline leaves numerous, continuously decreasing in size towards the inflorescence, sessile; inflorescence a spike, branched, with lateral shoots directed upwards and not spreading or whip-like; pedicels up to 0.5 mm, flowers with a bract and two bracteoles; perianth segments 5, greenish with white margin or yellowish, ovoid; stamens 5-8; stigmas 2, thick; fruit 1.5-2.0 × 1.30-1.50 mm (Fig. 6A ); pericarp readily scraped off the seed, with small finger-shaped outgrowths up to 0.3 mm (Fig. 6B ); seed 1.3-1.5 mm, with alveolate surface (Fig. 6D ).

Habitat.

Rocky and sandy substrates at altitudes up to 1500 m a.s.l.

Distribution.

Subtropical South America (Fig. 19 ).

Specimens examined.

BOLIVIA (the first record for the country): Santa Cruz Dept., Fortin Suarez Arana, 19 Oct 1977, C. Evrard 8203 (BR) as Microtea sp. Previously not reported for this country ( Jørgensen et al. 2015); BRAZIL: Bahia: Rio de Contas Mun., Pico das Almas, 6 Nov 1988, R.M. Harley et al. 25939 (K); Agua Quente Mun., Pico das Almas, 1400 m, 13 Dec 1988, R.M. Harley & D.J.N. Hind 27232 (K); Mun. de Abaira, 13 Dec 1993, W. Ganev 2615 (K); Mato Grosso do Sul: Pacuri, 12 Dec 1982, G. Hatschbach 45918 (G); Rio de Janeiro: 1857, A. Glaziou 16311 (BR); PARAGUAY: Alto Paraguay Dept.: Fuerte Olimpo, 24 Oct 1946, T. Rojas 13637 (E); Amambay Dept.: Pedro Juan Caballero, Bela Vista, 23 Nov 1963, J. Correa Gomes 1465 (G); Pedro Juan Caballero, 19 Oct 1986, T.M. Pedersen 14669 (G); Estancia 5 Hermanos, 2 Nov 1997, I. Basualdo 6437 (G); National Park Cerro Corá, Cerrado, 350 m, 10 Nov 1999, E.M. Zardini & P. Baéz 52218 (P05197108); Caazapá Dept.: Tavai, 7 Dec 1988, F. Mereles 2122 (G); Canindeyú Dept.: Nanduro Kai, 1 Nov 1978, L. Bernandi 18347 (G); Lagunita, 23 Sep 1988, T.N. Pedersen 15089 (G); [without exact location] 11 Oct 1996, B. Jiménez & G. Marin 1616 (BM000527219); Mbaracayú Natural Reserve, 31 Oct 1998, E.M. Zardini & I. Chaparro 49429 (B 10 0058099); Central Dept.: Ypacarai Lake, Dec 1913, E. Hassler 12395 (BM000019236, E, G, L1678248, LY); Concepción.: nr Concepción, Oct 1901, E. Hassler 7605 (G, K000601208, LY, sub M. foliosa ); Cordillera Dept.: Piribebuy, 11 Jan 1877, B. Balansa 2576 (P04598143); Colonia Rosado, 26 Oct 1986, A. Schinini & E. Bordas 24850 (G); San Pedro Dept.: Yaguareté forest, 24 Aug 1995, E. Zardini & A. Vargas 43638 (MW).

Figures

Figure 6. Fruits and seeds of Microtea sulcicaulis and M. bahiensis: A, B fruit of M. sulcicaulis, enclosed in the perianth (Paraguay, Caazapa Dept., Tavai, 7 Dec 1988, F. Mereles 2122, G) C, D seed of M. sulcicaulis (Paraguay, Caazapa Dept., Tavai, 7 Dec 1988, F. Mereles 2122, G) E, F fruit of M. bahiensis (Brazil, Bahia state, Salvador, Dunas de Itapua, nr Hotel Stella Maris, N from Condominio Alamedas da Praia, 8 Jun 1993, P. de Queiroz 3211, PACA) G, H seed of M. bahiensis (Brazil, Bahia state, Salvador, Dunas de Itapua, nr Hotel Stella Maris, N from Condominio Alamedas da Praia, 8 Jun 1993, P. de Queiroz 3211, PACA). Magnification: A, E - 30 x, B, F - 100 x, C, G - 50 x, D, H - 300 x.

Figure 19. Distribution map of Microtea sulcicaulis (circles) and M. bahiensis (star).