Croton lundianus (Didr.) Müller Argoviensis (1866: 662)

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 : 253

22. Croton lundianus (Didr.) Müller Argoviensis (1866: 662) .

— Podostachys lundianus Didrichsen (1857: 137) .

Type:— BRAZIL. São Paulo: Taubate ́, November 1833, P.W. Lund s.n. (holotype C 10011178 !) . ( Fig. 13 , F – I)

This subshrub can be recognized by its pair of stipitate acropetiolar nectary glands, inflorescences with a sterile region between the pistillate and staminate flowers. The lobes of the pistillate calyx are slightly laciniate in most of the analyzed specimens and they are white at anthesis. Croton lundianus is similar to C. glandulosus , but they can be differentiated by vegetative and reproductive characters (see comments in C. glandulosus ). The species also resembles C. trinitatis , which has continuous thyrses, and pedicellate pistillate flowers with entire sepals, whereas C. lundianus has discontinuous inflorescences, and subsessile pistillate flowers with slightely laciniate sepals. The species is a member of sect. Geiseleria subsect. Podostachys ( Riina et al. 2021) .

Distribution and habitat:— It is found in Argentina, Brazil (except Amazonian states), and Paraguay ( Riina et al. 2021). Common in open vegetation (‘campo sujo’, ‘campo limpo’), forest edges, disturbed areas, and riverbanks, between 15 and 1055 m elevation. ( Fig. 12 ).

Phenology:— Flowering and fruiting from January to May and September to December.

Representative specimens: — PARANÁ: Cerro Azul, Rio Turvo , 31 October 2006, J . Cordeiro & E . Barbosa 2399 ( HUEFS, MBM, RB). Morretes, Rio Mãe Catira , 06 December 1990, A. C . Cervi & A . Dunaiski Jr. 3189 ( MBM, UPCB). Palmeira, BR-277, próximo ao trevo para Porto Amazonas, 25 April 2009, J. M . Silva , M . Morales & R. H . Fortunato 7174 ( MBM). São José dos Pinhais, BR-277 sentido litoral, próximo ao km 55, entrada para Rio Pequeno I, 927 m, 14 January 2015, A. P. N . Pereira , M. B. R . Caruzo , O. S . Ribas & R. F . Santos 02 ( SP). Tibagi, Sítio Sete Quedas, 24°34’54.6”S, 50°15’24.6”W, 24 October 2014, M. G . Caxambu 5679 ( HCF, UNOP) .

Figures

FIGURE 12. Map showing the known geographic distributions of Croton longicarpus, C. lundianus, C.macrobothrys, and C. muellerianus in Paraná state.

FIGURE 13. Croton longicarpus. A. Habit. B. Inflorescence. C. Staminate flower. D. Pistillate flower. E. Capsule. C. lundianus. F. Inflorescence with a noticeable sterile region between the pistillate and staminate flowers. G. Staminate flowers. H. Pistillate flowers; note the characteristic white sepals with serrate margins. I. Capsules. C. macrobothrys. J. Trunk, showing red latex where scored with a knife. K. Stipitate acropetiolar nectary glands. L. Young capsule with persistent, bifid stigmas. Photos: A–E: A.P.N. Pereira, F–I: O.L.M. Silva, J–L: R.F. Santos.