Croton macrobothrys Baillon (1864: 332)

Pereira, Amanda Da Paixão Noronha, Riina, Ricarda & Caruzo, Maria Beatriz Rossi, 2022, Croton (Euphorbiaceae) of the Brazilian state of Paraná: an annotated checklist, species distribution, and identification key, Phytotaxa 570 (3), pp. 231-274 : 253

23. Croton macrobothrys Baillon (1864: 332) .

Lectotype (designated by Caruzo et al. 2016): — BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos , 1833, M. Vauthier 92 ( P 00633413!; isolectotypes F 0056158F!, G 00434542!, GH 00257954!, GDC 00311416!, GDC G00311415!, MPU 014844!, P 00633414!, P 00633415!) . ( Fig. 13 , J–L)

Croton macrobothrys is a large tree characterized by the presence of copious red latex when the bark is cut, ovatelanceolate leaves, stipitate acropetiolar glands, elongated inflorescences, and long pedicellate flowers. Caruzo et al. (2016) recognized two subspecies for C. macrobothrys , with only the typical one present in Paraná ( C. macrobothrys subsp. macrobothrys ). The species belongs to section Cyclostigma ( van Ee et al. 2011) .

Distribution and habitat:— It occurs in southern (PR, SC, RS) and southeastern Brazil (RJ, SP) ( Caruzo et al. 2016, 2020, Valduga et al. 2021). In Paraná, the species is more common in the east of the state, on the slopes of Serra do Mar. It grows in moist forest, between 50 and 400 m elevation. ( Fig. 12 ).

Phenology:— Flowering from November to December, and fruiting December, January and May.

Representative specimens:— PARANÁ: Cerro Azul , 02 November 2006, A . Dunaiski 3222 ( HFIE, MBM). Guaraqueçaba , Salto Murato , 15 November 1993, G . Hatschbach & J. M . Silva 59776 ( MBM, RB, SPF, W). Guaratuba, Descampado, 15 January 1994, G . Hatschbach & J. M . Silva 59816 ( HUEFS, K, MBM, SPF). Morretes , Colônia Limeira , 08 November 2007, J. M . Silva , J . Cordeiro & C. B . Poliquesi 6139 ( HCF, MBM). Tunas do Paraná, Pacas , 15 December 1999, J. M . Silva & L. M . Abe 3116 ( MBM, SPF, W) .

Figures

FIGURE 12. Map showing the known geographic distributions of Croton longicarpus, C. lundianus, C.macrobothrys, and C. muellerianus in Paraná state.

FIGURE 13. Croton longicarpus. A. Habit. B. Inflorescence. C. Staminate flower. D. Pistillate flower. E. Capsule. C. lundianus. F. Inflorescence with a noticeable sterile region between the pistillate and staminate flowers. G. Staminate flowers. H. Pistillate flowers; note the characteristic white sepals with serrate margins. I. Capsules. C. macrobothrys. J. Trunk, showing red latex where scored with a knife. K. Stipitate acropetiolar nectary glands. L. Young capsule with persistent, bifid stigmas. Photos: A–E: A.P.N. Pereira, F–I: O.L.M. Silva, J–L: R.F. Santos.