Ipomoea velutinifolia

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

397. Ipomoea velutinifolia J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, sp. nov

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:

Type.

BRAZIL. Maranhão: Mun. Grajaú, 4 km W of Mondelandia on path to Rio Grajau, E.L. Taylor, C.S. Rosario & J.B.F. Silva 1326 (holotype ARIZ, isotypes MG,?NY).

Description.

Perennial climber, stems relatively stout, silky-velutinous. Leaves petiolate, 5-9 × 4-8 cm, ovate, apex acute, mucronate, base very broadly cuneate to subtruncate with rounded auricles, margin undulate, adaxially softly and densely pubescent, abaxially velvety-grey; petioles 2.5-4.5 cm, velvety-grey. Inflorescence of compound axillary cymes, these often racemose in form and sometimes distinctly leafy; peduncles 2.5-5 cm, velvety-grey, often extended as a rhachis and reaching 15 cm; secondary peduncles 0.5-2 cm, velvety-grey; bracteoles caducous, not seen; pedicels 10-12 mm, puberulent; sepals subequal, 7-8 × 6-8 mm, outer ovate, obtuse, inner suborbicular, rounded, abaxially velvety-grey, adaxially glabrous; corolla 4.5-6 cm long, sericeous, funnel-shaped, exterior white, interior pale pink; ovary pubescent.

Illustration.

Figure 194 .

Distribution.

Amazonian forest in disjunct locations of Brazil and Peru.

BRAZIL. Maranhão: type collection.

PERU. Pasco: Oxapampa, Palcazu Dist, San Cristóbal, R. Vásquez et al. 34378 (MO, USM); ibid., Comunidad Nativa Buenos Aires, R. Vásquez et al. 37328 (MO, OXF).

Validation.

This species was described by Wood & Scotland in Wood et al. (2017d: 32) but the phrase "species nova" was not included. This species is validated here.

Notes.

This species appears to be related to Ipomoea sericosepala because of the form of the inflorescence and the distribution of the indumentum on the corolla and almost all vegetative parts. It differs from I. sericosepala in the distinctive velvety-grey indumentum and in the shape and size of the sepals which are subequal, ovate, 7-8 × 6-8 mm. It differs from all related species in the densely pubescent ovary.

Its placement here is unconfirmed.

Figures

Figure 194. Ipomoea velutinifolia. A habit B adaxial leaf surface C abaxial leaf surface D outer sepal E inner sepal F corolla opened out to show stamens G ovary. Drawn by Rosemary Wise from Taylor et al. 1326.