Four new species of Schefflera (Araliaceae) from Espírito Santo state, Brazil

KEWBULLETIN 60: 77-85 (2005)

77

Fournew species of Schefflera(Araliaceae)from EspfritoSantostate, Brazil Pedro Fiaschil & Jose Rubens Pirani1 Summary. Four new species of ScheffleraJ. R. Forst. & G. Forst. from the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, are described and illustrated: S. capixaba Fiaschi, S. grandigemma Fiaschi, S. kollmannii Fiaschi and S. ruschiana Fiaschi & Pirani. All of them are endemic to the rainforests of the mountains of the Espirito Santo state, and three (S. grandigemma, S. kollmannii and S. ruschiana) are endemic to the vicinity of the municipality of Santa Teresa. Resumo. Quatro especies novas de ScheffleraJ. R. Forst. & G. Forst. do estado do Espirito Santo, Brasil, sao descritas e ilustradas: S. capixaba Fiaschi, S. grandigemma Fiaschi, S. kollmannii Fiaschi e S. ruschiana Fiaschi & Pirani. Todas sto end&micas das florestas ombr6filas de regi6es montanhosas do estado do Espirito Santo, sendo tres delas (S. grandigemma, S. kollmannii e S. ruschiana) end&micas dos arredores do municipio de Santa Teresa.

Introduction The genus Schefflera in a wider sense encompasses nearly 600 accepted species with many others still to be described (Frodin & Govaerts 2003). Most are distributed within the tropics, where they are best represented at higher elevations in southeastern Asia, Malesia, New Caledonia, and the Neotropics, where there are three centres of diversity: Central America, the Guayana Shield in the border between Brazil and Venezuela, and the tropical Andes (Frodin 1995, Wen et al. 2001). In Brazil, the genus is best represented in the Atlantic Coastal forests of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, Western Amazonia and in the Central Plateau, where the Espinhaco Range in Minas Gerais is home to several endemic species (Fiaschi 2002). As a result of a taxonomic study of the genus Schefflera (Araliaceae) in Southeastern Brazil, some new species from Espirito Santo state were recognised and are here described and illustrated. Three are endemic to the mountains near Santa Teresa, and one (S. capixaba) from the municipality of Cariacica. With some six species, this region has a great diversity of Schefflerawhen compared to other small areas of the Brazilian coastal rainforests (Fiaschi 2002), but due to the lack of old collections, these new species here described had not been collected until the last 20 years. All cited specimens have been seen by the first author.

Schefflera capixaba Fiaschi sp. nov. a S. longipetiolatae (Pohl ex DC.) Frodin & Fiaschi stipularum basibus maioribus 12 - 19 (non 4.5 - 7.5) mm longis, lobis maioribus 5 - 7.5 (non usque 3) mm longis, petiolis maioribus (20 -)43 - 59 (non usque 30) cm longis, ramis primariis inflorescentiae 2, maioribus 92 - 97 (non usque 30) cm longis, inflorescentiis partialibus plus quam 30 (non usque 20)-floribus, pedicellis floralibus elongatis (7 - 12 mm non 2 - 5 mm longis), petalis staminibusque maioribus 4.1 - 4.7 (non usque 3) mm longis differt. Typus: Brazil, Espirito Santo, Cariacica, Reserva Biol6gica de Duas Bocas, Trilha para o C6rrego do Pau Oco, c. 20'17'28"S, 40031'20" - 40031'35"W, 680 - 750 m, 8 March 2001, Fiaschi, Alves, Konno, Sousa & Unwin 690 (holotypus SPF; isotypi K, MBML, NY). Slender unbranched treelets,6 - 7 m high. Branchlets 9 - 12 mm diameter, ochre-yellow-sericeous. Leaves at the terminal of the stem, grouped together portion or internodes up to 3.5 cm long, with (7 -)8 - 12leaflets. Stipules well-developed, 12 - 19 mm long at base, deeply divided at the apex into two lobes 5 - 7.5 mm long, abaxial surface almost glabrous, adaxially glabrous; petiole (20 -)43 - 59 cm long, cylindrical, smooth or slightly striate longitudinally, lenticellate at base, glabrous to glabrescent. Leaflets horizontal, smooth, chartaceous, surfaces uniform to slightly contrasting, adaxial one completely glabrous and abaxial glabrescent, scattered-sericeous on main and

Acceptedfor publicationAugust2004. 1 Departamentode Botinica,Institutode Biociencias,Universidade de ShoPauloda USP-SP.Ruado Matio,travessa14, no. 321. Cx.Postal11461, 05422970 - S?o Paulo,SP,Brazil. ? The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

78

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 60(1)

secondary veins and on the margin. Median leaflet: petiolule 3.8 - 6.5 cm long, laterally compressed, on adaxial surface, slightly striate canaliculate longitudinally, blade 11.2 - 21.3 x 2.7 - 6.0 cm, narrowly elliptic to obovate or oblanceolate, symmetric to slightly asymmetric, apex acuminate to attenuate, mucronate, base obtuse to rounded, margin entire, slightly revolute. Basal leaflets:petiolule 1.4 - 2.5 cm long, blade 6.7 - 14.2 x 3.4 - 5.2 cm, similar to median one, generally asymmetric; venation main vein prominent on both brochidodromous, surfaces, more so on abaxial one; secondary veins 9 12, prominent only on abaxial surface; intersecondary veins absent. Inflorescence pseudolateral, pendulous; peduncle 4.5 cm long, rachis absent or up to 3 mm long; primary branches 2, 92 - 97 cm long, sericeous, towards the apex, with secondary glabrescent branches spirally arranged only on the distal half; secondary branches 20 - 24, from which (2) 3 - 5 are terminal, 5.5 - 12.7 cm long; partial inflorescences with 20 - 36 flowers; bracts 2 mm long; floral bracts 1 mm long. Pedicels 7 - 12 mm long; calyx ochre-yellow to rusty-sericeous, lacinia evident; petals 4.1 - 4.7 x 1.8 - 2.3 mm, narrowly ovate, sericeous on abaxial surface and glabrous on adaxial one; filaments 0.8 mm long; anthers apiculate, 2.6 x 1.6 mm; styles free, reflexed in fruit. Fruits presumably drupaceous, not seen. Fig. 1. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Known

only

from

one

collection made in the rainforests of the vicinities of Cariacica, Espirito Santo state. Schefflera capixaba can be clearly distinguished from other species of Schefflera from eastern Brazil by the stipules with prolonged apical lobes (5 - 7.5 mm long), and by the pendulous inflorescence with two primary branches each to almost 1 m long, the partial inflorescences bearing c. 30 bisexual flowers with elongated (usually more than 1 cm long) pedicels. It is probably related to Scheffleralongipetiolata(Pohl ex DC.) Frodin & Fiaschi, sharing the elongated stipules with the apex deeply lobed, the typology of the inflorescences (composed of usually two elongated and pendent primary branches with racemosely arranged umbels), and the habit, which fits Chamberlain's architectural model for tropical plants (Halle et al. 1978). It is characteristic of plants with modular growth yet seemingly unbranched, because the subsequent module from the axillary meristem continues the axis of growth of the monocaulous plant. Another feature that appears to be shared by these two species is the presence of a single type of flower (male or bisexual) on each individual - given that only one inflorescence is produced in each flowering period. Herbarium material seen by the first author, suggests that this pattern is usual, although further investigation is required. ? TheBoardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

The specific epithet here proposed takes note of this species evidently being restricted to the rainforests of Espirito Santo, where it has been collected only once, at the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve, in the municipality of Cariacica, near Vit6ria. It was collected at the final stage of flowering and at the start of fruiting in March.

Schefflera grandigemma Fiaschi sp. nov. a S. ruschiana Fiaschi & Pirani foliis 6 - 9 (non 10 - 11)-foliolatis, apicibus plerumque obtusis ad rotundatis vel retusis ramis primariis (non acutis vel acuminatis), inflorescentiae erectis (non patentibus vel pendulis), ramis tertiariis absentis, pedicellis floralis 2 - 3 (7) (non 5 - 10) mm longis, gemmis floralis maioribus differt; a S. morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin inflorescentiis lateralibus (non terminalibus), foliolis ad basibus cuneatis vel obtusis (non rotundis vel truncatis vel cordatis), apicibus acutis vel rotundis (non attenuatis vel acuminatis), petalis staminibusque maioribus, fructis maioribus (13 - 15 x 13 - 15 mm non 5 - 6.5 x 8 - 11 mm) bene distincta. Typus: Brazil, Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa, Nova Lombardia, Reserva Biol6gica Augusto Ruschi, 800 m, 25 Sept. 2001, Kollmann & Bausen 4723 (holotypus SPF; isotypus MBML). Trees8 - 14 m high. Branchlets 13 - 17 mm diameter, whitish to rusty-sericeous. Leaves densely grouped together at the end of the branchlets or internodes up to 5 mm long, with 6 - 9 leaflets. Stipules 5 - 6 mm long, whitish to greyish-sericeous abaxially, glabrous adaxially, apex entire or slightly bifid; petiole 9 - 30 cm long, cylindrical, longitudinally striate, glabrescent. Leaflets ascending, plane, chartaceous to somewhat leathery, with adaxial surface glabrescent and abaxial one persistently rusty, becoming brownish to greyish-sericeous on mature leaves. Median leaflet: petiolule 3 - 6.5 cm long, laterally compressed, plane to slightly canaliculate on adaxial surface; blade 7.5 - 12 x 3 - 6 cm, narrowly elliptic to obovate, symmetric to slightly asymmetric, apex usually obtuse to rounded (retuse), sometimes acute, mucronate, base cuneate to obtuse (rounded), margin entire, revolute. Basal leaflets:petiolule 0.8 - 2.0 cm long, blade 4- 8 x 1.8 - 4.0 cm, similar to median one, clearly asymmetric; venation brochidodromous; main vein prominent on both surfaces, more intensely on abaxial one; secondary veins 8- 13, prominent only on abaxial surface; intersecondary veins usually present. Inflorescence pseudolateral, erect or with branches pendulous at fruiting, glabrescent; peduncle reduced or up to 1.5 cm long, rachis absent or up to 2 cm long; primary branches 3 - 5, of which 3 are terminal, 7.5 - 14 cm long; secondary branches 8 14, of which 5 - 9 are terminal, 1.5 - 4.5 cm long;

FOURNEW SCHEFFLERA SPECIESFROMBRAZIL

79

1 cm 3 cm

2 mm

10 cm

1 cm 2 mm

OQz Fig. 1. Schefflera capixaba: A flowering stem; B median leaflet; C stipule, lateral view; D umbel; E floral bud; F anther, adaxial view; G BYEMIKO NARUTO. anther, adaxial view. All from Fiaschi et al. 690. DRAWN @TheBoardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

80

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 60(1)

":' '

e

?/.:

-/ ,.•.

i.....:

", :

I

.:~

:

~:

\\"

'I

/

.,L, ./ . I . . . ',..

'

A

5mmI

...

,:

1??

cm

~`?

..:-. .

..

Fig. 2. Schefflera grandigemma: A flowering branch; B stipules; C median leaflet; D umbel; E longitudinal section of the floral bud; F fruit, lateral view. A - B, D - E from Kollmann & Bausen 4723; C from Kollmann & Bausen 1548; F from Fiaschi et al. 1475. DRAWN BY EMIKONARUTO.

? TheBoardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

FOURNEW SCHEFFLERA SPECIESFROM BRAZIL

bracts up to 3 mm long; tertiary branches lacking; 9 - 16-flowered; umbellate, partial inflorescence floral bracts up to 1 mm long. Pedicels 2 - 3 (7) mm long; calyx rusty-sericeous to brownish; petals 4.6 5.2 x 2.2 - 2.9 mm, ovate, apex acute, sericeous abaxially, yellow-greenish adaxially; filaments 1 mm long; anthers 3.1 - 3.2 x 1.3 - 1.6 mm, oblong; styles 2, free, reflexed in fruit. Fruits drupaceous, laterally compressed when dry, 1.2 - 1.5 x 1.3 - 1.6 cm, glabrescent; pedicels 2 - 7 mm long; pyrenes 2, dimidiate, 8 - 9.2 x 5.5 - 6.3 mm. Fig. 2. DISTRIBUTIONAND HABITAT.Endemic

to the rainforests

of the vicinities of Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo state. BRAZIL. Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa, Nova Lombardia, Reserva Biol6gica Augusto Ruschi, c. 800 m, 25 Sept. 2001, Kollmann & Bausen 4723 (holotype: SPF; isotype: MBML); Santa Teresa, Cabeceira do Rio Bonito, radar, c. 950 m, 31 Jan. 2002, Kollmann & Bausen 5423 (MBML, SPF); Santa Teresa, Estagio Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, 2 March 1993, Thomaz 1303 (HRCB, MBML, SPF); 30 Sept. 1999, Demuner et al. 68 (MBML, SPF); Santa Teresa, Santo Ant6nio, Terreno do Boza, c. 750 m, 9 March 1999, Kollmann et al. 2046 (MBML, SPF); 26 Oct. 1999, Demuner et al. 169 (MBML); c. 750 m, 14 Jan. 1999, Kollmann & Bausen 1548 (MBML, SPF) & c. 19'54'38"S, 40035'22"W, c. 710 m, 13 April 2003, Fiaschi et al. 1475 (CEPEC, MBML, NY, SPF). Scheffleragrandigemma resembles S. ruschiana, another new species described here, but can be distinguished from the latter by its erect inflorescence, without tertiary branching, by its leaves with no more than 9 leaflets, with the apex usually obtuse to rounded, but sometimes acute, its larger and short-pedicelled buds, and the much more fleshy fruits (remarkable even when the fruits are dry). It was collected with flowers from September to April and with fruits from January to April.

81

Trees 6 - 16 m high. Branchlets 11 - 17 mm diam., longitudinally striate, glabrescent. Leaves grouped together at the terminal portion of the branchlets, with (11 -) 12 - 13 leaflets. Stipules 5 - 12 mm long, glabrescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially, apex entire or slightly bifid; petiole 27 - 55 cm long, cylindrical, longitudinally striate, glabrescent. Leaflets horizontal, plane, chartaceous, adaxially glabrous and abaxially rusty-sericeous to glabrescent. Median leaflet:petiolule 2.7 - 6.5 cm long, laterally compressed, plane to slightly canaliculate on adaxial surface; blade 10 - 25 x 2.7 - 5.9 cm, narrowly oblong or elliptic to slightly obovate, symmetric to slightly asymmetric, apex acuminate or attenuate, mucronate, base rounded to truncate, sometimes cuneate, margin entire, slightly revolute. Basal leaflets: petiolule 1.5 - 4.5 cm long, blade 6.7 - 14.0 x 2.1 - 4.0 cm, similar to median one; venation brochidodromous; main vein prominent on both surfaces, more intensely below, or only on abaxial one; secondary veins 8 - 12, usually prominent only on abaxial surface; intersecondary veins absent. Inflorescence generally pseudolateral, sometimes terminal, with pendulous branches when fruiting, rusty-sericeous; peduncle reduced or up to 2 cm long, rachis up to 2.5 cm long; primary branches 2 - 4, from which 2 - 3 are terminal, 10 - 25.5 cm long; secondary branches 12 - 16, 2.5 - 10.5 cm long; bracts 2 mm long; tertiary branches 1 - 2.5 cm long; bracts 1 mm long; partial inflorescences umbellate, 8 - 14-flowered. Pedicels 3 - 9 mm long; calyx rustysericeous; petals 3.5 mm long, 2.0 - 2.2 mm wide, elliptic to ovate, apex acute, sericeous abaxially, glabrous adaxially; filaments 0.9 - 1.1 mm long; anthers yellow, 2.4 x 1.5 - 1.7 mm, oblong and apiculate; styles 2, free, reflexed in fruit. Fruits drupaceous, laterally compressed, transversely elliptic to oblate, 6.6 - 8.4 x 12.0 - 16.2 mm, glabrescent; pedicels 4- 7 mm long; pyrenes 2, dimidiate, 5- 6 x 3.5 - 4 mm. Fig. 3. DISTRIBUTIONAND HABITAT.Endemic

Schefflera kollmannii Fiaschi sp. nov. a S. angustissima (Marchal) Frodin foliis 11 - 13 (non 7 - 11)-foliolatis, foliolis (non ochraceis), castaneis-ferrugineis (non persistenter pilosis), basibus glabrescentis rotundatis vel truncatis vel interdum cuneatis (non attenuatis vel cuneatis), inflorescentiis ferrugineis, inflorescentiis partialibus 8- 14-floribus, petalis staminibusque maioribus; a S. calvae (Cham.) Frodin & Fiaschi foliis 11 - 13 (non 7 - 11)-foliolatis, foliolis juvenibus castaneis-ferrugineis (non cinereis), floribus castaneis-ferrugineis (non albis vel cinereis), petalis staminibusque maioribus differt. Typus: Brazil, Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa, Valsugana Velha, Terreno de A. Majeswsky, c. 750 m, 6 July 2001, Kollmann et al. 3825 (holotypus SPF; isotypus MBML).

to the rainforests

of the vicinities of Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo state. BRAZIL.Espirito Santo, Santa Leopoldina, Rio do Norte, Ribeirao Timbui, Cachoeira do Cravo, c. 600 m, 18 Aug. 1998, Kollmann et al. 366 (MBML); Santa Teresa, Dois Pinheiros, Mata do Banestes, c. 700 m, 31 June 1998, Kollmann et al. 149 (MBML, SPF); EstaCaio Biol6gica da Caixa d'Agua, 2 Dec. 1987, Pizziolo 330 (MBML); Penha, sitio do Zurlo, c. 800 m, 9 July 1998, Kollmann et al. 200 (MBML, SPF); Penha, Estagao Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, ao lado da estrada Fundao - Santa Teresa, 30 May 2001, Kollmann et al. 3752 (MBML); Sao Lourenco, Trilha do Cararvage, c. 800 m, 26 Aug. 1998, Kollmann et al. 452 (MBML); Valsugana Velha, Terreno de A. Majeswsky, c. 750 m, 6 July 2001, Kollmann et al. 3825 (holotypus: SPF; isotypus: MBML); Estagao Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, ? The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 60(1)

82

B

ri:J

5mm

NE 3

cm

3

mm

2cm

5mm.mm

F Fig. 3. Schefflera kollmannii: A flowering branch; B median leaflet; C stipules; D floral bud; E flower without two petals and stamens; F fruit, lateral view. A from Kollmann et al. 3825; B from Pizziolo 330; C, F from Kollmann & Bausen 4517; D from Kollmann et al. 4118. DRAWNBY EMIKONARUTO. @The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

83

FOURNEW SCHEFFLERA SPECIESFROM BRAZIL

Trilha Bonita, 5 Sept. 2001, Kollmann & Bausen 4517 (MBML, SPF); Estacdo Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, c. 650 - 800 m, 7 June 1994, Thomaz 643 (MBML); EstaCdo Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, baixo de cachoeira, 10 July 2001, Kollmann et al. 4118 (MBML); Sao Ant6nio, sitio do Boza, c. 700 m, 12 July 2001, Kollmann et al. 4168 (MBML, SPF); Sdo Ant6nio, terreno do Boza, c. 710 m, 13 April 2003, Fiaschi et al. 1474 (CEPEC, MBML, SPF). Schefflerakollmanii is easily recognisable by the leaves with 11 - 13 leaflets with generally rounded or truncate bases and glabrescent laminas. The inflorescence is usually pseudolateral with a rusty or brownish indumentum, becoming pendulous and glabrous in fruit, and the partial inflorescences bear only 8 to 14 flowers, a smaller number than in other eastern Brazilian species of the genus. The chosen specific epithet honours Ludovic Kollmann, because of his fine recent collections of Araliaceae made around Santa Teresa, in the montane region of Espirito Santo state. It was collected with flowers from May to July and with fruits in August, November and December.

ruschiana Fiaschi & Pirani sp. nov. a S. grandigemma Fiaschi foliis (9 -)10 - 11 (non 6 - 9)foliolatis, apicibus plerumque acutis vel acuminatis (non obtusis vel rotundatis vel retusis), ramis primariis inflorescentiae patentis vel pendulis (non erectis), ramis tertiariis praesentis, pedicellis floralis 5 - 10 (non 2 - 3(- 7)) mm longis, gemmis floralis minoribus differt; a S. morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin inflorescentiis lateralibus (non foliolis ad basibus cuneatis (non terminalibus), rotundis vel truncatis vel cordatis), apicibus acutis vel interdum acuminatis (non attenuatis vel longiacuminatis), petalis staminibusque maioribus, fructis maioribus (13- 15 x 13- 15 mm non 11 x 13 mm) differt. Typus: Brazil, Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa, Estagdo Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, c. 19'57'S, 40'32'W, c. 660 m, 30 Jan. 2002, Fiaschi, Marcato, Pirani & GroppoJr 956 (holotypus SPF; isotypus K, MBML, NY). Schefflera

Trees 9 - 10 m high. Branchlets whitish to slightly Leaves grouped together at ochre-yellow-sericeous. the end of the branchlets or internodes up to 1 cm long, with (9 -)10 - 11 leaflets. Stipules 8 mm long, whitish to ochre-yellow-sericeous abaxially, glabrous adaxially, apex entire or slightly bifid; petiole 30 - 42 cm striate, long, cylindrical, longitudinally glabrescent. Leaflets horizontal, smooth, chartaceous, adaxially glabrescent, abaxially persistently rusty, becoming greyish-sericeous at maturity. Median leaflet:

petiolule 6.5 - 7.5 cm long, laterally compressed, slightly canaliculate on adaxial surface; blade 14 16.5 x 4.8 - 5.7 cm, narrowly elliptic to obovate, symmetric, apex acute to acuminate, mucronate, rarely obtuse or rounded, base cuneate, margin entire, slightly revolute. Basal leaflets: petiolule 3.2 4.2 cm long, blade 9.0 - 11.7 x 2.7 - 4.5 cm, similar to median one; venation brochidodromous; main vein on both surfaces, more intensely prominent abaxially; secondary veins 8 - 12, prominent only abaxially; intersecondary veins sometimes present. Inflorescencepseudolateral, pendulous, rusty-sericeous to glabrescent; peduncle up to 2 cm long, rachis absent; primary branches 3, 23 - 24 cm long; secondary branches 21, of which 9 - 10 are terminal, 3 - 6.5 cm long, bracts 3 mm long; tertiary branches 6 - 8, up to 3 cm long, bracts c. 1 mm long; partial inflorescences umbellate, 10 - 15-flowered; floral bracts up to 1 mm long. Pedicels 0.5 - 1 cm long; lacinia reduced, barely calyx rusty-sericeous, noticeable; petals 4.6 x 2.2 - 2.5 mm, ovate, apex sericeous acute, adaxially; abaxially, glabrous filaments 1 mm long; anthers yellow, 3.1 - 3.2 x 1.6 mm, oblong; styles 2, free, reflexed in fruit. Fruits drupaceous, laterally compressed, oblate, 11 x 13 mm, glabrescent; pedicels 0.8 - 1.2 cm long; pyrenes 2, dimidiate, 8.2 x 5.7 - 5.8 mm. Fig. 4. DISTRIBUTIONAND HABITAT.Endemic

to the rainforests

of the vicinities of Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo state. BRAZIL. Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa, Estaiao Biol6gica de Santa Lucia, c. 19'57'S, 40'32'W, c. 660 m, 30 Jan. 2002, Fiaschi, Marcato, Pirani & Groppo Jr. 956 (holotype: SPF; isotypes: K, MBML, NY); Santa de Santa Lucia, c. Teresa, Estagio Biol6gica 40032'16"W, c. 600 m, 11 April 2003, 19057'59"S, Fiaschi et al. 1457 (CEPEC, MBML, SPF). Schefflera ruschiana is very similar to S. grandigemma Fiaschi, from which it can be distinguished by features. It is and reproductive vegetative characterised by the presence of leaves with (9) 10 11 horizontal leaflets with the apex usually acute to to rounded). obtuse acuminate (sometimes Distinctive reproductive features include its pendent inflorescences with tertiary branches, its smaller and longer-pedicelled flowers, and the fruits not as fleshy as those found in S. grandigemma. The specific epithet ruschiana was chosen to honour the naturalist Augusto Ruschi, for his valuable work towards the conservation of the forests inhabited by this and two of the other species described here, near the municipality of Santa Teresa, in the mountainous region of Espirito Santo state. It has been collected with flowers in February and with fruits in April.

? The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

KEW BULLETIN VOL. 60(1)

84

3

cm

?' .,

':?

2mm~

.

.

E

;.:"" :

/

i

5 mm

, F

..

Fig. 4. Schefflera ruschiana: A flowering branch; B median leaflet; C floral bud, lateral view; D flower, without some stamens and one petal; E stamen, adaxial view; F stamen, abaxial view; G fruit, lateral view. A - F from Fiaschi et al. 956; G from Fiaschi et al. 1457. DRAWN BY EMIKONARUTO.

? The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005

FOURNEW SCHEFFLERA SPECIESFROM BRAZIL

85

Acknowledgements The authors are very grateful to the staff of the Mello Leitlo Biological Museum, especially Helio Boudet Fernandes, Valdir Demuner & Ludovic Kollmann, for their help during fieldwork and for sending material to SPF Herbarium; to Dr David Frodin, for his assistance to the first author during his stay at K and his fine suggestions, to Tatiana Konno, Marccus Alves, Gardene Souza and Matt Unwin for their help during fieldwork in Espirito Santo State; to FAPESP (grant no and The Margaret Mee Botanical 99/12464-2) Foundation for the financial support to the first author, to Brenda Clifton for the revision of the English text and to Emiko Naruto for inking the illustrations.

References Fiaschi, P. (2002). Estudo taxon6mico do genero Schefflerana Regiao Sudeste do Brasil. Dissertagao de Mestrado, Sdo Paulo. D. G. (1995). Montane Frodin, Neotropical Araliaceae: An Overview. In: S. P. Churchill, H. Balslev, E. Forero &J. L. Luteyn (eds.), Biodiversity and Conservation of Neotropical Montane Forests, p. 421 - 430. New York Botanical Garden, New York. - & Govaerts, R. (2003). World Checklist and Bibliography of Araliaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Halle, F., Oldeman, R. A. A. & Tomlinson, P. B. and Forests: An Trees (1978). Tropical Architectural Analysis. Springer-Verlag, New York. Wen, J., Plunkett, G. M., Mitchell, A. D. & Wagstaff, S. J. (2001). The Evolution of Araliaceae: A Phylogenetic Analysis Based on ITS Sequences of Nuclear Ribosomal DNA. Syst. Bot. 26 (1): 144 167.

? The Boardof Trusteesof the RoyalBotanicGardens,Kew,2005