Diplusodon verruculosus T.B. Cavalc., 2015

Cavalcanti, Taciana B., 2015, New species in Diplusodon (Lythraceae) from Brazil, Phytotaxa 226 (2), pp. 144-156 : 151-152

4. Diplusodon verruculosus T.B. Cavalc. , sp. nov.

Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Santana do Pirapama, Serra do Cipó, Capelão de São José, subida da Senhorinha, 18º57’14”S, 43º45’31”W, 6 March 2012 (fl., fr.), Zappi et al. 2733 (holotype CEN!, isotype SPF!). Figure 5 .

Species characterized by small, narrow-triangular leaves, with strongly revolute margin and indumentum of short bulbous-based trichomes, flowers with long sepals and epicalyx segments that are distinctly ciliate with bulbous-based trichomes and the androecium has 6 stamens.

Subshrubs with a xylopodium, strongly branched from the base. Upper branches cylindrical, unwinged, strigose, internodes 0.8–2 cm long. Leaves decussate, slightly imbricate, erect, coriaceous, sessile, not discolorous, hyphodromous, blades 3–6 × 1–1.5 mm, narrowly lanceolate, base retuse to cordate, apex acute, margin revolute to the midvein, strigose, blades covered by sparse bulbous-based trichomes giving the leaf surface a verrucose aspect; veins 1, only the midvein visible, hispid; domatia absent. Synflorescence frondose, diplobotryum type, congested; accessory branches absent, principal florescence truncated, paraclades 4–9 mm long; bracts similar to the vegetative leaves in shape and size; flowers sessile, concentrated at the apex of the paraclades; prophylls 5–5.5 × 2.8–3 mm, surpassing the apex of the floral tube, elliptic, slightly keeled, margins subrevolute, base acute, with sparse, fine trichomes, almost glabrous; floral tube 3.5–3.8 mm long, funnel-shaped, with sparse, fine trichomes, almost glabrous; sepals 3.8–4 mm long, triangular, caudate, not deflexed, with sparse and fine trichomes, almost glabrous, strongly ciliate; epicalyx segments 3–3.2 mm long, narrowly triangular, erect, ciliate, the same size as or a little shorter than sepals; corolla ca. 2 cm in diam, deep rose, petals 9–10 × 4.5–5 mm; stamens 6, free portion of the filaments 6–6.5 mm long, included within the sepals; ovary 2.5–2.7 × 2–2.6 mm, obconic, glabrous, style 10–11 mm long, ovules 18–20. Fruits not seen.

Distribution and ecology:—Known only from the municipality of Santana do Pirapama, Minas Gerais. The species grows in campo rupestres at 1,264 –1,400 m. Flowers in February to March.

Etimology:—Specific epithet related to leaf surface covered with small wart-like outgrowths.

Paratype:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Santana do Pirapama, Serra do Cipó, estrada São José da Cachoeira-Inhame, trilha da Senhorinha, 19º0’S, 43º45’47”W, 19 February 2007 (fl.), Zappi et al. 830 ( ESA!, K!).

Comments:— Diplusodon verruculosus is characterized by small, narrowly triangular leaves, with strongly revolute margin and indumentum of short bulbous-based trichomes. The flowers have long sepals and epicalyx segments that are distinctly ciliate with bulbous-based trichomes, and the androecium has 6 stamens. It is vegetatively similar to D. saxatilis Lourteig (1989: 218) , however, D. saxatilis is well defined by its hirsute branches, leaves and floral tube, and short (2.5–3 mm long) epicalyx segments that are distinctly shorter than the sepals and androecium with 12 stamens.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Diplusodon verruculosus (A–H from Zappi et al.2733).A, habit.B, detail of a branch. C, leaf, abaxial surface. D, detail of leaf abaxial surface showing the bulbous-based trichomes; E, leaf, adaxial surface. F, detail of leaf adaxial surface. G, flower with prophylls, without petals. H, prophyll, adaxial surface.