Croton glechomifolius Müller Argoviensis (1865: 126)

Pereira, Amanda Da Paixão Noronha, Riina, Ricarda & Caruzo, Maria Beatriz Rossi, 2022, Croton (Euphorbiaceae) of the Brazilian state of Paraná: an annotated checklist, species distribution, and identification key, Phytotaxa 570 (3), pp. 231-274 : 246

15. Croton glechomifolius Müller Argoviensis (1865: 126) .

Type:— BRAZIL. Parana ́: s.loc., 15 November 1828, F. Sellow s.n. (holotype B †, photo F 249290 !); São Paulo: “in campis graminosis ad furnas”, March 1826, L . Riedel 263 (neotype LE 00018218 !, designated by Sodré et al. 2019). ( Fig. 9 , A–E)

Croton glechomifolius is a prostate subshrub (sometimes growing under other plants) with reniform leaves, flowers and capsules facing downwards, which is uncommon characters in species of Croton from Paraná. It is similar morphologically to C. glandulosus (see comments in C. glandulosus ). The species belongs to section Geiseleria subsect. Ocalia ( Riina et al. 2021) .

Distribution and habitat:— It occurs in Argentina, Brazil (PR, RS, SC, SP), and Paraguay ( Caruzo et al. 2020, Riina et al. 2021), growing in open vegetation (‘campo limpo or ‘campo sujo’) and, rarely, in sandy soil, between 530 and 1290 m elevation. ( Fig. 8 ).

Phenology:— Flowering from September to December, and fruiting from December to April.

Representative specimens:— BRAZIL. Paraná: Balsa Nova, Serra São Luiz , 21 October 1998, E . Barbosa & J . Cordeiro 173 ( MBM). Campo Mourão, Cerrado Valtra , 24°00’36.69”S, 52°21’47.24”W, 535 m, 19 October 2016, A. P. N . Pereira , F. S . Petrongari e O. L. M . Silva 33 ( SP). Palmas, Santo Agostinho, 15 December 1989, G . Hatschbach & V . Nicolack 53661 ( MBM). Ponta Grossa, Vila Velha, 15 January 1987, A . Krapovickas & C. L . Cristóbal 40840 ( CTES, MBM). São José dos Pinhais, Aeroporto Afonso Pena, 10 October 2009, R . Ristow , A. C. L . Miranda , V. C. M . Guimarães & V. Q. B . Lima 262 ( MBM) .

Figures

FIGURE 8. Map showing the known geographic distributions of Croton fuscus, C. glandulosus, C. glechomifolius, and C. gracilipes in Paraná state.

FIGURE 9. Croton glechomifolius. A. Creeping habit. B. Reniform leaves. C. Leaf base with blackish trichomes. The arrow points to a stipitate acropetiolar nectary gland. D. Pistillate flowers with bifid styles. E. Hispid capsules. C. gracilipes. F. Sessile acropetiolar nectary glands. G. Inflorescence with unisexual lower cymules. H. Staminate flower.I. Capsule. J. Pistillate flowers, with bifid styles; arrow points to petals transformed into globose glands (colleters). C. grandivelus. K. Leaf. L. Congested inflorescence. M. Staminate flowers. Photos: A.P.N. Pereira.