Wissadula stipulata Bovini (2009: 15)

Bovini, Massimo G. & Baumgratz, José Fernando A., 2016, Taxonomic revision of Wissadula (Malvoideae, Malvaceae) in Brazil, Phytotaxa 243 (3), pp. 201-234 : 211-212

1. Wissadula stipulata Bovini (2009: 15) .

Type:— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso do Sul: Bonito, Projeto Guaicurus , arredores, 14 March 2003, fl., fr., Hatschbach et al. 74690 (holotype: MBM!; isotypes: CTES!, RB, photo!) .

Shrubs 1–2.5 m tall, erect. Branches whitish, silky, dense to moderately pubescent, trichomes glandular, rare fasciculate. Stipules 1.5–1.7 cm long, lanceolate, apex long-acuminate, free, persistent, adaxial surface pubescent, trichomes simple, minute, abaxial surface pubescent, trichomes fasciculate. Leaves with petioles 0.5–6.5 cm long, indument and trichomes type similar to those of the branches; lamina 4.5–12 × 2.5–6 cm, leaf brown dark-brown above (when dry), membranaceous to chartaceous, ovate to lanceolate, base cordate to attenuate, lobes up to 1.2 cm long, apex acuminate to acute, margin entire, revolute; adaxial surface usually glabrous (trichomes glandular rare); abaxial surface whitish, velutinous, trichomes multiradiate. Synflorescence frondose-bracteate, pyramidal, lax; coflorescences double-raceme, 25–30 cm long; secondary axis reduced, 2(–3) flowers; anthopodium 1.8–2 cm long, puberulous, trichomes fasciculate. Flowers with pedicel 0.9–1 cm long; indumentum and trichomes like those of the anthopodium; calyx 5–6 mm long, sepals cleft up to the medial region of the calyx, not accrescent during the fructification, adaxial surface moderately puberulous, with simple and long trichomes, abaxial surface puberulous with fasciculate trichomes, margin villous with simple and long trichomes; corolla 1.8–1.9 cm in diameter, white to beige, without dark center; staminal column with hyaline, simple and fasciculate-stipitate trichomes, free portion of filaments about 5 mm long, few trichomes hyaline, simple; ovary 4–celled, 3 ovules per cell; style ca. 6 mm long. Schizocarp 0.7–0.9 cm in diameter; 4 mericarps, 7–8 × 4–5 mm; spines <1 mm long, constriction inconspicuous, glabrous, silky (when dry); seed 1, ca. 2 mm long, hilum villous, trichomes simple.

Representative specimens examined— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso do Sul: Bonito, rodovia Bonito-Anastácio, 19 March 2004, fl., Hatschbach et al. 77251 ( MBM).

Etymology— The epithet “ stipulata ” is related to the presence of large stipules.

Distribution— Thus far, the species occurrence is restricted to the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Note— This species is characterized by a remarkable green discoloration of the leaves when dry, a dark brown adaxial surface that is almost glabrous (with sparse and inconspicuous glandular trichomes), a white-silver abaxial surface, stipules 1.5 to 1.7 cm long (the largest of the genus in Brazil so far), and schizocarps with four glabrous 1–seeded mericarps. Similar species include W. cuspidata and W. excelsior , which have stipules <1.4 cm, glabrous leaf blades ( W. cuspidata ) or hispid ( W. excelsior ), and a larger number of seeds (3).

Wissadula section Wissadula K.Schum. (1891: 438) . Sida contracta Link. (1822: 204) . W. contracta (Link) R.E.Fr., Kungl. (1908: 60) . Type:— MADAGASCAR (holotype: B, destroyed). VENEZUELA. Caracas, prope Tabacal, Funck (as “Galeotti”) 460 (neotype P, designated by Fryxell 2002).

Dagnostic character: ovary with 3 ovules per loculus (rarely 1–2 aborted), and mericarps with 3 seeds (rarely 1–2).