Sesuvium humifusum (Turpin) Bohley & G. Kadereit, comb. nov., 2017

Bohley, Katharina, Winter, Pieter J. D. & Kadereit, Gudrun, 2017, Data from: A revision of Sesuvium (Aizoaceae, Sesuvioideae), Data in brief 48 (1), pp. 109071-109071 : 134

Sesuvium humifusum (Turpin) Bohley & G. Kadereit, comb. nov.

Cypselea humifusa Turpin, Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 7: 219, plate 121. 1806.

Radiana petiolata Raf., Specch. 1: 88. 1814.

— TYPE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. P. A. Poiteau s. n. (lectotype: P, P 01900032 digital image!, designated here.)

Millegrana surian Juss ., Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. 2: 146. 1841, syn. nov.— TYPE: no type indicated. Note: Steudel cites C. humifusa as synonym of M. surian.

Very slender and small annual plant with a procumbent habit; tips of shoots ascend only slightly; internodes are pale pink with a smooth surface covered with small flat hyaline bladder cells (visible with magnification). Leaves in opposite pairs, up to 10 mm long, with the two members of the pair unequal in size; lamina elliptic to ovate with an obtuse base, dark green, midvein sometimes a lighter shade, veins clearly visible in fresh material; petiolate; lateral flaps colorless with fimbriate margins, sheathing the node. Flowers 3–4 mm long, white, with a 5-parted perianth, slightly bell-shaped; tepals unequal (two with broad and three with narrow membranous margins), upper half free; pedicels approximately the length of the flower, upright during anthesis but slowly become pendant towards maturity of the fruit. Stamens three. Ovary glabrous, with 2(–3) carpels and the same number of short papillous laminate styles ( Fig. 7b). Fruit a circumscissile capsule, beehive-shaped, opens below the middle. Seeds numerous (up to around 100 per capsule), around 0.2 mm in length and rounded reniform, shiny, lightbrown color. Figure 7.

Distribution and Habitat — The species is reported to be native in the Caribbean. It is introduced to continental North America with occurrence in several states of the U. S. A (AZ, CA, FL, LA, MS, NV) (USDA, NRCS. 2015). The species is found in alluvial freshwater areas (e.g. seasonally dry rivers and marshes) and vernal pools, but never on saline soil.

Vernacular Name — Panal.

Notes — Long petioles and tiny, greenish white flowers characterize this species. Annual C 4 species, glycophyte. No information on possible pollinators. Capable of self-pollination in the greenhouse. The description of morphological characters is mostly based on living material cultivated in the greenhouse. Due to its small size and the unequal tepals the perianth may appear 3-parted at first sight.

Representative Specimens Examined — BAHAMAS. Inagua, Great Inagua, Smith’ s Thatch Pond, N of Lantern Head , 24 Jun 1978, D. S. Correll 49958 ( NY 01510664 digital image) .

BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES. Virgin Islands ( U. K.): Anagada, vicinity of settlement , 20 Feb 1913, N. L. Britton aeith W. C. Fishlock 1052 ( NY 1510669 digital image) .

CUBA. near Havana, 29 Mar 1905, A. H. Curtiss 698 ( K, NY 1510679 digital image, P P05004447 dgital image) ; C. Wright 596 ( NY 01510668, NY 1510674, NY 1510675, NY 1510685, all digital images) ; Rugel (?) 236b ( NY 1510680 digital image) ; La Habana: Playa de Marianao, 22 Feb 1910, N. L. Britton 4554 ( NY 1510676 digital image) ; Playa de Marianao, 22 Feb 1910, N. L. Britton 4540 ( NY 1510681 digital image) ; Playa de Marianao, 28 Apr 1914, E. L. Ekman 4251 ( NY 1510678 digital image) ; near Playa de Marianao, (Havana), 03 Mar 1922, Fr. León 10654 ( NY 1510684 digital image) ; Las Villas: Rio San Juan, 25 Mar 1910, N. L. Britton 5914 ( NY 1510682 digital image) ; Guajimica Cove, 23 Mar 1910, N. L. Britton et al. 5830 ( NY 1510683 digital image) ; Santa Clara Province [ Villa Clara]: Gavilan, wet edges of Lagoona Grande , Aug 1941, R. A. Hoaeard 6291 ( NY 1510670 and NY 1510671, both digital images) ; Santa Clara, Peninsula de Zapata, in holes on flat limestone towards Bahia de Cochinos , 31 Jan 1924, E. L. Ekman 18354 ( NY 1510677 digital image) .

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. La Romana, Bayahibe , 05 Feb 1976, A. H. Hogier 24806 ( NY 1510667 digital image) ; Monte Río , Azúa, 03 Oct 1964, B. A. Laoastre 1746 ( NY 1510666 digital image) ; A. N. Desoaux s. n. ( P, P 01900033 digital image!) ; St Dominigue, J. B. R. P. Desportes s. n. ( P, P 00678155 digital image) .

HAITI. Bayeux, near Port Margot , 03 Aug 1903, G. V. Nash 40 ( NY 1510672 digital image) .

INSULAR OF FRANCE. Guadeloupe, Duchanaing (?) s. n. ( P, P 05197367 and P 05004453, digital images) ; 19 May 1894, Schnée s. n. ( P, P 05004450 digital image) ; near Moule (?), 1852, Duchanaing (?) s. n. ( P, P 05004454 digital image) ; 26 Sep 1933, R. P. Quentin 760 ( P, P 05004457 digital image) . INSULAR AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES. Virgin Islands ( U. S.): St. John, along Center Line Road by Hurricane Hole , 30 Jun 1989, P. Aceoedo-Rodríguez 2832 ( NY 825740 digital image) . Water Island near St. Thomas, Nov 1880, Eggers 146 (P, P05004451, P05004452 and P05004455, digital images).

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. Grand Turk, about North Wells , 28 Nov 1977, D. S. Correll 49195 ( NY 1510665 digital image).