Tradescantia cerinthoides Kunth, Enum. Pl. 4: 83. 1843.

Pellegrini, Marco O. O., 2018, Wandering throughout South America: Taxonomic revision of Tradescantia subg. Austrotradescantia (D. R. Hunt) M. Pell. (Commelinaceae), PhytoKeys 101, pp. 1-97 : 12-15

2. Tradescantia cerinthoides Kunth, Enum. Pl. 4: 83. 1843. Figs 10 , 11

Tradescantia blossfeldiana Mildbr., Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 222. 1940. Neotype (designated here). ARGENTINA. Originally cultivated at the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, cuttings sent to Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, by W. Curtis, fl., 19 Mar 1951, H. Blossfeld s.n. (K barcode K000501910!; isoneotype: K barcode K000501909!).

Tradescantia crassula var. gaudichaudii C.B.Clarke in De Candolle & De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 3: 294. 1881. Lectotype (designated here). BRAZIL. Santa Catarina: s.loc., fl., s.dat., C. Gaudichaud 112 (P barcode P02173932!; isolectotype: P barcode P02173933!). Syn. nov.

Tradescantia cymbispatha var. villosissima C.B.Clarke in De Candolle & De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 3: 296. 1881. Lectotype (designated here). BRAZIL. Provincia de São Paulo, fl., fr., 1816-1821, A. Saint-Hilaire C2 1500 (P barcode P02174044!; isolectotype: P barcode P02174047!).

Tradescantia koernickeana Seub. in Martius, Fl. bras. 3(1): 249. 1855. Lectotype (designated by Pellegrini et al. 2016) BRAZIL Rio Grande do Sul: Rio Pardo, fl., 23 Sep 1833, F. Sellow 3033a (B barcode B100521013!; isolectotypes: K barcodes K001040251!, K001096644!, P barcode P02174008!).

Type material.

Lectotype (designated by Pellegrini et al. 2016). BRAZIL. Brasilia meridionalis, fl., fr., Dec 1836, F. Sellow 2963 (B barcode B100521011!; isolectotypes: B barcode B100521012!, K barcode K000363273!; MO barcode MO3021307!).

Description.

Herbs ca. 10-60 cm tall, with a definite base, terrestrial or rupicolous, rarely epiphytes. Stems erect, succulent, little branched, branching at the base, rarely branching at the upper half; internodes 1-7.4 cm long at base, distally shorter, green with vertical reddish-purple striations to vinaceous, glabrous to velutine to hirsute to glandular-pubescent, light-brown to hyaline hairs. Leaves distichously-alternate to spirally-alternate, sessile; ptyxis convolute; sheaths 0.3-1.3 cm long, green to pink to vinaceous, glabrous or velutine to hispid, margins densely setose to hispid, hairs hyaline to light brown to golden, sometimes also with some glandular hairs; blades 1.5-17.5 × 0.6-3 cm, elliptic to broadly elliptic to ovate to broadly ovate to obovate to broadly obovate, falcate to complicate, succulent, velutine to hispid on both sides or adaxially glabrous to sparsely hispid, abaxially hispid, hairs hyaline to light brown to golden, commonly also with a mixture of glandular hairs, adaxially light to medium to dark green, sometimes with vinaceous stripes, abaxially green to vinaceous, turning olive-green to brown when dry, base cordate to obtuse, rarely cuneate, margin green to vinaceous, ciliolate to ciliate, slightly revolute, apex acute to obtuse; midvein conspicuous, adaxially impressed, secondary veins conspicuous, adaxially slightly impressed, abaxially slightly impressed, becoming more evident on both sides when dry. Synflorescences terminal or axillar in the distal portion of the stems, composed of a solitary main florescence, 1 per leaf axis. Inflorescences (main florescences) consisting of a pedunculate double-cincinni fused back to back; peduncles 0.4-5.5 cm long, green to vinaceous, glabrous to velutine to hispid, hairs hyaline to light brown to golden, commonly also with a mixture of glandular hairs; peduncle bracts absent; supernumerary bracts absent; cincinni bracts 0.8-5.1 × 0.5-2.1 cm, leaf-like, similar to each other, broadly elliptic to ovate to broadly ovate, velutine to hispid on both sides or adaxially glabrous to sparsely hispid, abaxially hispid, hairs hyaline to light brown to golden, adaxially light to medium to dark green, rarely with vinaceous stripes, abaxially green to vinaceous, base cordate to obtuse, not saccate, margin ciliolate to ciliate, slightly revolute, apex acute to obtuse; double cincinni 6-22-flowered. Flowers 1.3-1.6 cm diam., pedicels 0.5-2 cm long, green to vinaceous, velutine to hispid, hairs hyaline to light brown, commonly also with a mixture of glandular hairs; floral buds ovoid; sepals 5-7.8 × 2.2-3.4 mm, not keeled, green to vinaceous, velutine to hispid, commonly also with a mixture of glandular hairs, hairs hyaline to light brown, rarely golden; petals 4.9-7.8 × 4.4-7.2 mm, flat, white or white with pink apex to light pink to pink to lilac; filaments 4.7-6.7 mm long, anthers 0.8-1 × 1-1.4 mm; ovary 1-1.5 × 0.9-1.5 cm, style 2.9-5.7 cm long; pistil longer than the stamens. Capsules 3.5-4.5 × 2.3-3.6 cm. Seeds 1.2-2.2 × 0.9-1.7 mm, testa medium to dark grey, cleft towards the embryotega, costate; hilum longer than ½ the length of the seed.

Specimens seen.

ARGENTINA. Without province: s.loc., fl., 27 Nov 1936, W.A. Archer 4594 (US); fl., 27 Apr 1961, F. Mennega 3801 (U); fl., 11 Aug 1967, Delfk s.n. (L barcode L1432944). Buenos Aires: s.loc., fl., s.dat., N.M. Bacigalupo 351/67 (K, SI); Isla Martín García, fl., fr., 23 Jan 1997, J. Hurrell & M. Belgrano 3415 (LP); La Plata, Gonnet, 15 bis entre Papini y Bordenave, fl., 26 Nov 2000, Delucchi 2451 (LP). Corrientes: Capital, Corrientes, fl., fr., 30 Nov 1972, M.C. Kirchmair 4 (CORD, CTES). Distrito Federal: Buenos Aires, fl., 16 Dec 2005, M. Grabiele 27 (CORD). Misiones: Departamento de Guarani, Arroyo El Paraiso y ruta, fl., 23 Sep 1993, M. Rodriguez et al. 704 (US); Eldorado, Salto Küppers, fl., 26 Aug 2002, M. Grabiele 13 (CORD). BRAZIL. Without province: s.loc., fl., fr., s.dat., s.leg. 66 (K barcode K001248110); fl., Nov 1875, F. Lauth 7588 (P); cultivated at the Missouri Botanical Garden, fl., 28 Mar 1972, W.G. D’Arcy 5788 (INPA). Minas Gerais: São João Del Rei, fl., Oct 1969, J. Mattos s.n. (CESJ no. 67765). Paraná: Balsa Nova, Campina da Cascavel, fl., 8 Nov 1976, G. Hatschbach 39180 (MBM, MO, US); Chácara Payquera, fl., fr., 8 Jan 2003, E.E. Kauano 22 (MBM); Ponte dos Arcos, fl., 13 Oct 2015, C. Kozera 2416 & A. Sanches (MBM); Sprea, fl., 25 Oct 1973, G. Hatschbach 32951 (K, MBM); Rodovia BR-277, Serra São Luiz do Purunã, fl., fr., 12 Dec 1965, R. Reitz & R.M. Klein 17441 (HBR, P, US); fl., fr., 28 Oct. 1996, O.S. Ribas & M.F. Luz 1531 (MBM); fl., fr., 7 Nov 1998, W. Amaral & D. Dunaiski 384 (MBM); região dos Campos Gerais, fl., fr., 6 Oct 2012, F. Santos-Silva et al. 166 (RB, UPCB); Candói, Três Pinheiros, fl., fr., 18 Jun 2004, R. Goldenberg 630 et al. (UPCB, MBM); Vale do Rio Iguaçu, Barra do Rio Jordão, fl., fr., 23 Feb 1996, G. Hatschbach 64469 et al. (MBM); Castro, Carambeí, Rio São João, fl., fr., 3 Oct 1964, G. Hatschbach 11674 (MBM, US); Curitiba, estrada Curitiba-Ponta Grossa km 38, Serra São Luiz de Purunã, fl., fr., 18 Oct 1961, E. Pereira 6081 (RB); fl., fr., 18 Oct 1961, E. Pereira & G. Pabst 6084 (RB); Guarapuava, Canta Galo, fl., fr., 4 Feb 1969, G. Hatschbach & P.F. Ravenna 23112 (MBM, MO, UEC); Colônia São Judas Tadeu, fl., fr., 8 Dec 1982, G. Hatschbach 45805 (CORD, MBM, US); Lapa, Gruta do Monge, fl., fr., 1 Dec 1982, P.I. Oliveira 711 (MBM, MO, US); Serrinha, fl., fr., 17 Oct 1948, G. Hatschbach 1065 (MBM); Palmeira, Fazenda Santa Rita, fl., fr., 22 Nov 1987, L.T. Drombowski 14087 (MBM); Piraí do Sul, Fazenda Santa Rita, fl., 2 Nov 1998, O.S. Ribas 2812 (MBM); Ponta Grossa, fl., fr., 18 Oct 1965, G.L. Monteiro s.n. (RFA no. 7951); fl., Nov 1969, L. Krieger 7344 (CESJ, K); fl., 18 Dec 1971, L. Krieger 11280 (CESJ, K); Parque Estadual de Vila Velha, fl., fr., 21 Jan 1965, L.B. Smith & R.M. Klein 14911 (HBR, P, R); fl., fr., 9 Nov 1966, P. Occhioni 3487 (RFA); fl., fr., 15 Oct 1989, A.C. Cervi et al. 2820 (MBM); fl., 14 Oct 1997, A.C. Cervi 6358 (UPCB); próximo à Fortaleza, fl., 9 Nov 2002, R. Gonçalves 25 (UPCB); fl., 2 Feb 2011, G.A. Dettke 565 (ICN); fl., 17 Oct 2013, J.M. Silva & J.T. Motta 8377 (MBM); Buraco do Padre, fl., 27 Oct 1995, O.S. Ribas & L.B.S. Pereira 847 (MBM); Cachoeira da Mariquinha, fl., fr., 4 Nov 2010, E.L. Siqueira et al. 399 (HCF, MBM); Prudentópolis, Salto São João, fl., 16 Oct 2005, S.L. Jung-Mendaçolli 1148 (IAC); Serrinha, fl., 26 Nov 1911, P. Dusén 13449 (MBM, NY, S); Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Rio Iguaçu, fl., 21 Jun 1995, C.B. Poliquesi & E. Barbosa 293 (MBM); Tibagí, fl., fr., 11 Oct 1959, G. Hatschbach 6382 (MBM, US); Guartelá, Canyon do Guartelá, fl., fr., 4 Nov 1994, M.E. Buim et al. s.n. (FUEL no. 14199); Canyon Rio Iapó, fl., fr., 10 Nov 1992, G. Hatschbach & E. Barbosa 58160 (MBM, US); margem direita do Rio Tibagí, próximo à ponte, fl., fr., 7 Oct 1994, D.C. Lemos et al. s.n. (FUEL no. 14551); Ventania, Fazenda Santa Inês, fl., 19 Oct 2005, D.A. Estevan 979 (FUEL); Vila Velha, Parque Estadual de Vila Velha, fl., fr., 12 Jul 1962, Gomes & J. Mattos 1139 (RB). Rio Grande do Sul: s.loc., fl., 1833, C. Gaudichaud 1794 (P); fl., 23 Sep 1833, F. Sellow 3033 (K, P); NE region montanosa, fl., s.dat., A.E. Burkart 25565 (CORD, K); Arroio dos Ratos, Granja Faxinal, fl., Oct 1976, K. Hagelund 10514 (ICN); Bagé, ca. 12 km de Aceguá, fl., Apr 1985, J. Mattos et al. 28847 (HAS); Barão, sudoeste de Garibaldi, estrada para Carlos Barbosa, fl., fr., 22 Nov 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S. Aona 606 (HUEFS, UEC); fl., fr., 22 Nov 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S Aona 607 (HUEFS, UEC); Bom Jesus, Serra da Rocinha, fl., Nov 1987, J. Meyer et al. 201 (HAS); Caçapava do Sul, Pedra do Segredo, fl., fr., 22 Nov 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S. Aona 621 (HUEFS, UEC); Cambará do Sul, Fortaleza, fl., Apr 1982, J. Mattos & N. Silveira 23312 (HAS); RS-453, ca. 7.4 km a leste do entroncamento da RS-453 com a RS-020, fl., 23 Nov 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S. Aona 603 (HUEFS, UEC); fr., 18 Nov 2008, J.M. Silva et al. 7342 (MBM); Capão da Canoa, estrada entre Riozinho e Maquiné, ca. 22 km leste de Riozinho, fl., fr., 22 Nov 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S. Aona 595 (HUEFS, UEC); Caxias do Sul, estrada para Mulada, fl., fr., 10 Dec 2005, M.C. Machado & L.Y.S. Aona 739 (HUEFS, UEC); Cruz Alta, 10 km S de Cruz Alta, fl., fr., A. Krapovickas & R. Vanni 36768 (CTES); Morro dos Conventos, fl., fr., 8 Nov 1968, A.R. Schultz et al. 5442 (CORD, CTES, ICN); Erechim, campus da URI, fl., 6 Sep 1993, A. Butzke et al. 7140 (US); Farroupilha, fl., 10 Nov 1957, Camargo 2464 (PACA); Garibaldi, fl., 29 Oct 1957, Camargo s.n. (PACA 62807); Guaíba, Fazenda Maximiano, próximo do banhado, fl., 10 Dec 2015, M.O.O. Pellegrini & R.F. Almeida 477 (RB); Itapuã, Granja Neugebauer, fl., fr., 11 Oct 1950, B. Rambo 48966 (HBR, K, LIL); Montenegro, fl., 19 Sept 1957, Camargo 1785 (PACA); Fortaleza, fl., fr., 15 Dec 1952, B. Rambo 52904 (PACA); Nova Prata, ca. 9 km de Nova Prata, em direção à Cascata, fl., fr., Nov 1982, J. Mattos & R. Frosi 23749 (HAS); Pareci Novo, fl., 7 Sep 1949, B. Rambo 43789 (PACA); Pinhal, fl., 25 Nov 1949, A. Sehnem s.n. (PACA no. 47744); Pinheiro Machado, km 13 da rodovia para Pelotas, fl., fr., J. Mattos & N. Silveira 25312 (HAS); Piratini, Fazenda Cerro Verde, fl., fr., 1 Nov 1998, L.P. Félix 8995 (HST, RB); Porto Alegre, Morro do Osso, fl., 21 Oct 1944, B. Rambo s.n. (PACA 44043); fl., 9 Oct 1947, I. Granck s.n. (PACA no. 37124); Morro da Polícia, fl., 9 Sep 1949, B. Rambo 43324 (PACA); Morro Santana, fl., 6 Nov 1932, B. Rambo 69 (K, LIL, PACA); fl., 1947, K. Emrich s.n. (PACA no. 34269); Vila Manresa, fl., 27 Nov 1945, B. Rambo 30624 (PACA); fl., 27 Nov 1945, B. Rambo 30669 (K, LIL, PACA); fl., 1948, B. Rambo 37887 (PACA); fl., 1 Oct 1948, B. Rambo 37779 (PACA); fl., 18 Oct 1950, B. Rambo 49022 (PACA); fl., 22 Oct 1955, B. Rambo 57077 (PACA); fl., fr., 21 Oct 1951, B. Rambo 51329 (PACA); Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale, escadaria do campus, próximo ao ponto de ônibus, fl., 9 Oct 2014, M.O.O. Pellegrini & F. Santos-Silva 448 (RB); São Francisco de Paula, Linha Feixe, fl., fr., 17 Oct 2003, R.A. Wasum & J. Bordin 1995 (HUCS, K, US); Taimbesinho, fl., 13 Nov 1953, B. Rambo 54493 (PACA); São João do Polêsine, fl., 6 Oct 2011, G.A. Dettke & J. Durigon 951 (ICN); São Leopoldo, arredores de São Leopoldo, fl., Oct 1941, J. Eugênio 433 (NY); São Marcos, km 138 da rodovia Porto Alegre-Vacaria, fl., fr., J. Mattos 20332 (HAS); Soledade, rodovia Porto Alegre-Sarandi, km 232, fl., Nov 1983, J. Mattos et al. s.n. (HAS no. 67962); Vacaria, BR-116, km 57, divisa com Lages, fl., Oct 1982, L.A. Cestaro s.n. (HAS no. 28451); fl., fr., 12 Dec 2015, M.O.O. Pellegrini & R.F. Almeida 482 (RB). Santa Catarina: s.loc., fl., fr., s.dat., D. D’Urville s.n. (P barcodes P02174006, P02173934); Alfredo Wagner, Alto Limeirinha, fl., fr., 25 Nov 2009, A. Korte & A. Kniess 189 (FURB); Araranguá, Sombrio, fl., 19 Oct 1944, R. Reitz c781 (HBR, RB); Florianópolis, Morro da Cruz, fl., fr., Dec 1984, J. Mattos & N. Silveira 28717 (HAS); Rio Vermelho, fl., fr., 23 Nov 1965, R.M. Klein & A. Bresolin 6335 (HBR); Içara, Balneário Rincão, fl., fr., 9 Dec 2010, A. Korte & M.J. Rigon Jr. 5538 (FURB, RB); Laguna, Morro da Glória, fl., fr., 9 Dec 2015, M.O.O. Pellegrini & R.F. Almeida 472 (RB); Palhoça, Campo do Massiambú, fl., 4 Nov 1953, R. Reitz & R.M. Klein 1325 (HBR); fl., fr., 4 Nov 1953, R. Reitz & R.M. Klein 1343 (HBR); Pedra do Urubu, fl., fr., 3 Dec 2010, A. Korte 5432 (FURB); Parque Estadual do Tabuleiro, fl., fr., 2 Dec 2010, A. Korte 5318 (FURB); Guarda do Embaú, fl., 1 Apr 2013, L.A. Funez & A.E. Zermiani 2015 (FURB); Passo de Torres, fl., fr., s.dat., A.E. Burkart 25584 (CORD, K); Parque Estadual da Guarita, mata ao longo da escadaria para o mirante, fl., 8 Dec 2015, M.O.O. Pellegrini & R.F. Almeida 475 (RB); Urubici, estrada Serra do Corvo Branco, fl., fr. 6 Dec 2005, J.R. Stehmann et al. 1752 (UEC); Comunidade São Pedro, fl., fr., 15 Nov 2008, J.M. Silva et al. 7172 (MBM). São Paulo: Atibaia, Pedra Grande, topo do morro, fl., fr., 29 Nov 1961, J. Mattos 9525 (K, RB, SP); Campos do Jordão, cultivada em Vinhedo, Condomínio Marambaia, fl., fr., 10 Aug 2004, S.L. Jung-Mendaçolli 1137 (IAC). URUGUAY. San José: Balneario Kiyú, Río de la Plata, fl., fr., 21 Nov 2007, G.J. Seijo & V. Solis Neffa 3971 (CORD, CTES, FUEL).

Distribution and habitat.

Tradescantia cerinthoides is known to occur in Argentina, Brazil (states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay; in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Chaco and Pampa domains (Fig. 11 ). It can be found in grasslands growing in full sun or in shaded conditions, directly over rock or as a terrestrial plant. It can be also found growing in sand dunes and in restinga formations in Southern Brazil.

Phenology.

It was found in bloom and fruit throughout the year but peaking during the rainy season and being less commonly found in bloom during the dry season.

Etymology.

The epithet " cerinthoides " means "similar to pollen grains", probablymaking reference to the moniliform hairs of the filaments. These hairs are theorised by Faden (1992) to simulate pollen grains and deceive pollinators into visiting the flowers of Commelinaceae .

Conservation status.

Tradescantia cerinthoides possesses a wide EOO (ca. 945,153.803 km2), being widely cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant and being potentially an invasive species in the same regions as T. fluminensis . In its natural habitats, T. cerinthoides forms dense subpopulations, reproducing either by clones or sexually by seeds. Thus, following the IUCN recommendations ( IUCN 2001), T. cerinthoides should be considered Least Concern (LC).

Nomenclatural notes.

Tradescantia blossfeldiana was described by Mildbraed (1940) based on cultivated material by H. Blossfeld at the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem (Germany), and originally collected in Argentina. Mildbraed gives a detailed description that gives me no doubt that this species should be treated as a synonym of T. cerinthoides , as proposed by Hunt (2001). Nonetheless, Mildbraed (1940) cites no examined material. It is known that Mildbraed worked in Berlin ( Stafleu and Cowan 1981), however no specimen matching the protologue was ever found at B. Stearn (1955) published a beautiful watercolour for T. blossfeldiana , together with horticultural comments for this species in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine. According to Stearn (1955), the watercolour presented by him was based on the living specimen, still in cultivation at the time at the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, which served as the base for Mildbraed’s description. Cuttings from the original specimens at the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem were then sent to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, by Dr. William Curtis on 1931. The plants flowered several times and vouchers were done in 1931, 1939, 1940, and 1951 and placed at K. After careful study of these voucher specimens at K, I have chosen the specimens collected in 1951, since one of the sheets is clearly the one on which the watercolour, published by Stearn (1955), was based. Thus, specimen K000501910 is here designated as the neotype of T. blossefeldiana , while specimen K000501909 is treated as the isoneotype.

Comments.

Tradescantia cerinthoides is a member of the T. crassula group, due to its erect stems (Fig. 10A ), definite base (Fig, 10B), convolute ptyxis (Fig, 10B), complicate and/or falcate leaves (Fig. 10B, C ), cincinni bracts not saccate at base (Fig. 10K ), petals that range from white to pink to lilac (Fig. 10N ), pistil longer than the stamens (Fig. 10N ), seed cleft towards the embryotega and hilum longer than ½ the length of the seeds (Fig. 10 ) ( Pellegrini 2015, 2016, 2017). It can be easily differentiated from the remaining species of this group by a combination of: sepals not keeled and evenly pubescent (with indumentum ranging from velutine to hispid and generally with a mixture of glandular and eglandular hairs; Fig. 10L, M ). It is highly polymorphic, being together with T. crassula , the only two species in the subgenus where the phyllotaxy has been observed to vary in adult specimens. The individuals presenting spirally-alternate leaves with shortened internodes (i.e. producing rosette leaves) and white petals represent the morphological variation described by Seubert (1855) as T. koernickeana . Also, its leaves are generally densely covered by indumentum on the abaxial side, but some individuals with completely glabrous leaves can also be found. On the other hand, the specimens with spirally-alternate leaves and elongated internodes represent T. cerinthoides as originally described by Kunth (1843). Finally, the specimens with distichously-alternate leaves, with blades generally adaxially green with vinaceous stripes, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, abaxially vinaceous and densely pubescent and petals ranging from pink to lilac, represent the morphological variation described by Mildbraed (1940) as T. blossfeldiana . Nonetheless, T. cerinthoides shows great morphological variation in the same subpopulation. The same subpopulation can present individuals from all three aforementioned morphotypes growing together and, more importantly, with all kinds of intermediate forms between them (Fig. 10N ). The same wide morphological variation was also observed in cultivation, with all morphs crossing and producing viable seeds (pers. observ.). Some of the morphological variation observed in T. cerinthoides can be partially explained by environmental features (e.g. plant stature and growth form, overall plant succulence, leaf shape and colouration etc.). Nonetheless, most of the obviously observed morphological variation seems to have at least a partial genetic background, with characters such as indumentum of the vegetative organs and colouration of the petals being maintained regardless of the environment. This still poorly understood variation seems to be the main cause of the description for all of its species synonyms and also as a cause for this species being so popular in cultivation. In this scenario, it seems illogical to accept several ill-defined species based on non-clear-cut character states, instead of the broader T. cerinthoides as proposed by Hunt (1980, 2001). Populational studies, coupled with reproductive and morphometrical studies, are needed to help us better understand this species’ morphological plasticity. Tradescantia cerinthoides is the most popular species from the T. crassula group, as a potted plant. This is especially due to the beautiful pink to lilac flowers that are common in the cultivated specimens and its generally dense leave indumentum.

Figures

Figure 10. Tradescantia cerinthoides Kunth. A rupicolous subpopulation in the municipality of Vacaria, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil B-C habit B habit, showing the spirally-alternate leaves C habit, showing the distichously-alternate leaves D-F stems and leaf-sheaths D detail of a glabrous stem, vinaceous with green striations and sparsely hispid leaf-sheath, light green with vinaceous striations E detail of a hispid stem, vinaceous with green striations and hispid leaf-sheath, vinaceous with darker striations F detail of a velutine stem, medium green and velutine, pinkish leaf-sheath with vinaceous striations G-J pubescence of the leaf-blades G abaxial side, showing the dark vinaceous colouration and lack of pubescence H abaxial side, showing the vinaceous colouration and sparsely hispid indumentum I adaxial side, showing the medium green colouration and the hispid indumentum J abaxial side, showing the medium green colouration and velutine indumentum K inflorescence, showing the non-saccate cincinni bracts and velutine indumentum L-M floral buds L green floral bud, showing the velutine indumentum M vinaceous floral bud, showing the hispid indumentum N front view of flowers from the same subpopulation (Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), showing the variation of sepal colour (green to dark vinaceous), sepal pubescence (velutine to sparsely hispid to hispid to densely hispid) and petal colour (white to shades of pink to lilac) O dorsal and ventral views of the seed, showing the costate testa cleft towards the embryotega and the hilum longer than 1 / 2 the length of the seed. Photos by M. O. O. Pellegrini.

Figure 11. Distribution of Tradescantia cerinthoides Kunth. Orange- Cerrado; Yellow- Chaco and Pantanal; Olive-green- Pampa; Dark green- Atlantic Forest.