Vellozia formosa Mello-Silva ex Magri

Magri, R. A., Cabral, A., Prado, J. & Lopes, J. C., 2024, Two new critically endangered species of Vellozia (Velloziaceae) from the Campos Rupestres of Espinhaço Range, Brazil, Phytotaxa 652 (1), pp. 1-9 : 4-7

Vellozia formosa Mello-Silva ex Magri , sp. nov. ( Figs. 3 , 4 and 5 ).

Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Monte Azul, 16 km da estrada Monte Azul-Mato Verde ( BR 122), entrada ao sul da cidade. Paredão rochoso formando amplo anfiteatro. Afloramentos rochosos no terço basal da montanha na trilha do cano d’água, 15º14’02.7” S, 42º49’08.0” W, 1515 m elev., 28 December 2017 (fl.), R. Mello-Silva, A. Cabral, F.K. Kiataki & D.Y.M. Nakamura 4370 (holotype SPF00255779 !, isotypes to be sent to: CEN!, GH!, HUEFS!, K!, NY!, RB!, US!).

Diagnosis. Vellozia formosa is similar in habit to V. nanuzae L.B.Sm & Ayensu (1976: 115) but differs by the leaf lamina hirsute on both surfaces with attenuate apex ( Fig. 4C ) and hypanthium densely covered by subulate emergences ( Fig. 4D ) vs. leaf lamina completely glabrous with acute apex and hypanthium densely covered by capitate emergences in V. nanuzae .

Description. Herbs caespitose, 10–30 cm tall, stems few branched. Leaves tristichous; lamina 3.2–6.5 cm × 2–5 mm, linear-triangular, arcuate, attenuate apex, margins ciliate, conduplicate when dry, hirsute in both surfaces, tomentose near leaf sheath, deciduous, the distal portion of leaf sheath curled after abscission of the lamina. Flowers solitary, subsessile, pedicel hidden by the leaves, 3.76–11.42 mm, glabrous; Hypanthium 6.10–10.15 × 2.3–4.2 mm, oblongellipsoid, densely covered by subulate emergences; Tepals 2.6–3.8 × 0.74–1.1 cm, oblong-elliptical, purple, glabrous; Stamens 18, connate in three phalanges, filaments ca. 10 mm long, connate around the middle portion, anthers 7.5–13 mm, appendages absent; Style 2.2–3.2 cm long; Stigma 3.0– 4.8 mm diameter. Fruits loculicidal capsule, 1.1–2 × 0.7–1.1 cm, dehiscent by longitudinal slits. Seeds ca. 1.4 mm long, black.

Habitat: On sandy fields and sandy soil among quartzite outcrops from approximately 1300 to 1600 meters a.s.l ( Fig. 5C ).

Distribution: Vellozia formosa is restricted to the locality of Serra da Formosa, in the municipality of Monte Azul, on the Northern portion of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais State, Brazil ( Fig. 3 ).

Etymology: The specific epithet was previously chosen by Dr. Renato Mello-Silva and refers to the location where this species occurs, Serra da Formosa, in Northern Minas Gerais State.

Paratypes: BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Monte Azul, Pico da Formosa , 15º13’55” S, 42º48’55” W, 1416 m elev., 26 February 2016 (fl.), D. M. G. Oliveira et al. 20 ( SPF!, RB!) ; Serra da Formosa, grande população no entorno do Pico da Formosa , 15°13’13” S, 42°48’48” W, 1324 m elev., 02 March 2023 (fl., fr.), R. A. Magri et al. 60 ( SPF!) ; Serra da Formosa, subida para o Pico da Formosa , 15°13’56” S, 42°49’04” W, 1520 m elev., 03 March 2023 (fr.), R. A. Magri et al. 67 ( SPF!) .

Phenology: This species was collected with flowers in December, February, and March and with fruits in March.

Conservation Status: Vellozia formosa has an EOO of 0.227 km ² and an AOO of 8 km ². Although the species occurs in a large population in Serra da Formosa, its habitat faces the danger of Livestock industry and Eolic Energy industry and is not inserted in a protected area. This characterizes the species as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the criteria B2ab (i, ii, iii).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Distribution of Vellozia flavida and V. formosa, restricted to the municipality of Monte Azul, Espinhaço Range, near the border of Minas Gerais (MG) and Bahia (BA) states.

FIGURE 4. Vellozia formosa Mello-Silva ex Magri. A and B: General aspect of the plant. C: apical portion of leaf blade showing the indument. D: detail of the hypanthial emergences. Illustration based on specimen R. Mello-Silva 4370 (SPF).

FIGURE 5. Vellozia formosa Mello-Silva ex Magri. A: Habit. B: Detail of the flower of the unique individual found with flowers (March, 2023). C: General view of a population occurring on sandy soil. Credit of photos A and B: R.B. Almeida. C: R.A. Magri.