Ipomoea verbasciformis (Meisn.) O'Donell

Wood, John R. I., Munoz-Rodriguez, Pablo, Williams, Bethany R. M. & Scotland, Robert W., 2020, A foundation monograph of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in the New World, PhytoKeys 143, pp. 1-823 : 1

42. Ipomoea verbasciformis (Meisn.) O'Donell , Lilloa 23: 502. 1950. ( O’Donell 1950b: 502

Ipomoea virgata var. verbasciformis Meisn. in Martius et al. , Fl. Brasil. 7: 241. 1869. (Meisner 1869: 241). Type. BRAZIL. Minas Gerais, Caldas, A.F. Regnell Ser.1, 305 (lectotype BR0000530742, designated here; isolectotypes BR, R, RB, S, US).

Type.

Based on Ipomoea virgata Meisn. var. verbasciformis Meisn.

Description.

Erect undershrub to 1.5 m, the whole plant tomentose. Leaves shortly petiolate, 3-5.5 × 1-2.5 cm, diminishing in size upwards, ovate-elliptic, obtuse, mucronulate, broadly cuneate to subtruncate at base, paler abaxially, tomentose on both surfaces; petioles 2-5 mm, tomentose. Inflorescence terminal, elongate, formed of dense, few-flowered pedunculate cymes from the middle leaf axils, often with solitary flowers from the upper axils; peduncles 1-6 cm, tomentose; bracteoles 5-12 mm, ovate, acute, persistent; pedicels 0-5 mm, densely tomentose; sepals subequal, 10-12 × 5 mm, ovate-elliptic, acute,submucronate, lanate, inner with paler hyaline margins; corolla 5-7 cm long, pink, funnel-shaped, pilose; limb c. 3 cm diam. Capsules and seeds not seen.

Distribution.

Possibly endemic to Minas Gerais in Brazil, gowing in cerrado.

BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: C.W.H. Mosén 4288 (S); J.F. Widgren 226 (S); Santa Rosália, Caldas, L.S.K. Gouvea et al. 776 (IPA); São José de Barreiro, entrando por Babilônia, R. Simão-Bianchini & S. Bianchini 1203 (NY, SP); São Roque de Minas, J.N. Nakajima 1731 (HUFU).

Typification.

Meisner cited three syntypes, Regnell Ser.1, 305, Widgren 304 and Widgren 226. The Regnell specimen from Martius’ herbarium at Brussels is here selected as lectotype. It must be presumed to have been seen by Meisner and is excellent material, duplicated at R and US.

Note.

This species is distinct because of the erect habit and the persistent ovate bracts, which almost clasp the calyx as the pedicels are very short.