Pyramis A. Goldberg

Gonçalez, Victor Martins & Esteves, Gerleni Lopes, 2015, Synopsis of Melochia L. (Byttnerioideae, Malvaceae) in southeastern Brazil, Phytotaxa 226 (3), pp. 217-232 : 224-225

Section Pyramis A. Goldberg

Characterization and distribution. Cyme leaf opposite and/or at the apex of small axillary branches; calyx campanulate; variable petal color, with or without a basal spot; flowers longistylous, partially concrescent then free; capsule pyramidal, pentapterous, rostrate, stipitate, capsule loculicidal through the dorsal and ventral suture, stigma persistent; seeds longitudinally striate.

This section consists of 12 species distributed from the southern United States to Argentina, among which eight occur in Brazil ( Goldberg 1967), three in the Southeast Region.

Melochia betonicifolia Saint-Hilaire (1825: 165) . Type:— BRAZIL, Minas Gerais, Minas Novas, near the presidio of S. Miguel do Jequitinhonha , A. Saint-Hilaire cat. B1 1561 (holotype MPU, photo!; isotype P).

Figs. 1M–S , 4J .

Distribution and habitat: —Endemic to Brazil, occuring in Ceará, Pernambuco, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro in preserved and altered areas, disturbed riversides and clearings at Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Rains Forest. Flowering and fruiting from June to January.

Specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Araçuaí , 29 February 1881, Glaziou 13 577–A ( R) ; BR 122 , 19 March 1995, G. Hatschbach et al. 62048 ( MBM) ; Conselheiro Mata , 03 March 1999, F. Feres et al. 99/31 (UEC) ; Espinosa , 21 November 1992, R. Mello-Silva et al. 775 (SP, SPF) ; 06 November 2002, A. O. Araujo et al. 36 (ESA); Furados , 20 January 1996, M. Brandão 25332 (PAMG) ; Grão-Mogol , 15 April 1981, I. Cordeiro et al. s.n. (SPF 22931) ; Janaúba , 10 November 1992, M. Brandão 21121 (PAMG) ; Januária , 23 May 1997, J. A. Lombardi & A. Salino 1714 (BHCB) ; Manga , 12 February 1990, M. B. Horta et al. s.n. (BHCB 22210) ; 16 February 1990, P. H. A. Pequeno et al. s.n. (BHCB 22207); Porteirinha , 05 December 1991, J. F. Macedo 1451 (PAMG) ; 08 April 2002, T. Ribeiro et al. 378 (SPF, BHCB) ; 08 April 2002, T. Ribeiro et al. 389 (BHCB) ; Santo Hipólito , 30 November 1976, G. J. Shepherd et al. 3850 (UEC, MBM) ; São Pedro do Jequitinhonha , 15 June 1986, G. Hatschbach & J. M. Silva 50410 ( MBM) ; Serranópolis de Minas , 07 June 2010, A. C. Cervi et al. 9680 ( MBM) . Rio de Janeiro: Petrópolis , December 1943, O. C. Góes & D. Constantino 1058 (RB, SP) .

Melochia betonicifolia can be recognized by its blackish leaves in the adaxial surface, triangular stipules, and multiflorous cymes, with up to 20 flowers. The capsules and rostrum dimensions are substantially larger bigger, (up to 15 mm longand 4–5 mm long, repectively) comparing to other species (up to 7 mm long and up to 3 mm long).

The species resembles M. morongii Britt. , both sharing the pyramidal capsule, nevertheless distinguished by its triangular ( v. filiform ) stipules, and brown ( v. black ) seeds. Moreover, M. betonicifolia occurs on the southeast and northeast regions of Brazil, while M. morongii occurs in southeast and midwest regions of the country.

According to Goldberg (1967), M. betonicifolia resembles M. caracasana Jacq. , a species known in Brazil from a single collection from Ceará, and distinguished by its generally axillary inflorescences, and relatively smaller capsules. It is possible that a rigorous analysis of a larger number of collections, especially of M. caracasana , could reveal that both comprise a single species due to their strong morphological similarity.

Conservation status: —Vulnerable ( IUCN 2011) Registered known to exist at no more than ten localities. Additionally, populations are very small, or consist of isolated individuals.

Melochia morongii Britton (1890: 62) . Type:— PARAGUAY, Asunción, Morong 201a (holotype NY; isotype US, K, photos!).

Figs. 4K .

Distribution and habitat: —South America: Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil (GO, MS, MG, RJ and SP) in disturbed areas, cultivation areas, and roadsides in Cerrado. The species was recognized in Brazil from two collections from Goiás and Minas Gerais, and is recorded here for the first time from São Paulo State and Mato Grosso do Sul State. Flowering and fruiting from November to January.

Specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Ituiutaba , 06 January 1989, A. Krapovickas & C. L. Cristobal 42817 ( MBM) ; São Paulo: Jales , 24 January 1950, W. Hoehne s.n. (SP, SPF 12600) ; Rancharia , 22 January 1971, G. Hatschbach 26018 ( MBM) ; Mato Grosso do Sul: 16 November 2002, G. Hatschbach et al. 74308 (SP) .

In addition to the the characters presented in the key, Melochia morongii differs from other pyramidal fruited species by the indumentum of the adaxial surface of the leaf-blades, predominatly with adpressed, simple trichomes, and by its black seeds. The fruits exhibit under-developed, rounded wings, whereas in other species the wings are comparatively more developed and acute to acuminate.

Conservation status: —Endangered ( IUCN 2011). Registered known to exist at no more than five localities, and not found in conservation areas.

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–F. M. regnellii A. Branch with flowers and fruit. B. Indumentum of branch. C. Indumentum of the adaxial surface of leaf-blades. D. Bractlet. E. Globose capsule. F. Schematic diagram of capsule dehiscence. G–L. M. gardneri G. Branch with flowers and fruit. H. Floral dissection showing longistylous form. I. Floral dissection showing brevistylous form. J. Calyx with detail of indumentum. K. Globose capsule showing partially loculicidal and septicidal dehiscence. L. Schematic diagram of capsule dehiscence. M–S. M. betonicifolia M. Branch with flowers and fruit. N. Stipule. O. Petal. P. Calyx with detail of indumentum. Q. Pyramidal capsule. R. Pyramidal capsule showing loculicidal dehiscence. S. Schematic diagram of capsule dehiscence.

FIGURE 4. Scanning Electron Microscopy of seeds in Melochia. A–I. Reticulate seeds: A. M. arenosa; B. M. simplex; C. M. graminifolia; D. M. regnellii; E. M. villosa var. villosa; F. Melochia villosa var. tomentosa; G–H. M. pilosa, H. showing the deciduous hull; I. M. gardneri J–L. Striate seeds: J. M. betonicifolia; K. M. morongii; L. M. pyramidata.