Symplocos saxatilis (Symplocaceae), a new dioecious species from Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais, Brazil Luiz M. ARANHA FILHO I ANGELA B. MARTINS 3
JOAo
,
PETER
W. FRITSCH 2
,
FRANK ALMEDA 2 , AND
Programa de Pbs-Graduacao em Biologia Vegetal, Departamento de Botanica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Postal Code 6109, CEP:13083-970, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; e-mail:
[email protected] 'Department of Botany, California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco, California 94103-3009, U.S.A.; e-mail:
[email protected];
[email protected] 3 Departamento de Botanica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Postal Code 6109, CEP:13083-970, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; e-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract. Symplocos saxatilis from Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is newly described and illustrated on the basis of field and herbarium studies. It appears to be restricted to "campo rupestre" (rocky field) habitats. This new species is characterized by its 1- to 3-flowered pedunculate inflorescence, 11 to 14 staminodes of the pistillate flowers, and 0.7-1.5 mm thick endocarp. Key words: Brazil, campo rupestre, Serra do Cipo, Symplocaceae, Symplocos.
The family Symplocaceae (order Ericales sensu Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, 1998, 2003) comprises only the genus Symplocos Jacq. with 250 to 300 species of woody flowering plants (Brand, 1901; Maguire & Huang, 1978; Kelly & Almeda, 2002). This family is distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, southern and eastern Asia, Australia, and the East Indies (Wang et al., 2004). The species described here belongs to section Barberina (Veil.) A.DC. [sensu Brand (1901); in subgenus Epigenia (Vell.) Brand], a monophyletic group according to recent molecular studies (Wang et al., 2004; Fritsch et al., 2006). This section has a basally connate corolla, stamens adnate to the corolla only at the base and either completely distinct or inconspicuously united only at the base, filaments terete, a 3-carpellate ovary, a 1-locular fruit with a single seed, and an embryo with the radicle longer than the cotyledons (Brand, 1901). The species of this group are also morphologically androdioecious, although most or all are functionally dioecious
via nonfunctional pollen in staminodes of female plants (Aranha Filho et al., in prep). The species of section Barberina occur mainly in southern and southeastern Brazil, with several species reaching the northeastern and western regions of Brazil and several others in the Andes (Stahl, 1993, 1996; Bida 1995). In Brazil, species of this section grow mainly in the "cerrado" biome. Several species, however, are found on the lower slopes or in elfin forest habitats in Mata Atlantica. This new species appears to be a rare, narrow endemic of the Serra do Cipo on the Cadeia do Espinhayo, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, growing in "campo rupestre" (rocky field) habitat within the "cerrado" biome. Generally, the "campo rupestre" has been poorly sampled for species of Symplocos. Two new species of the genus from this habitat have recently been described (Aranha Filho et al., 2005), and additional undescribed species are to be expected as the "campo rupestre" flora becomes better documented. The description presented here is based on herbar-
Brittonia, 59(3), 2007, pp. 233-237. © 2007, by The New York Botanical Garden Press, Bronx, NY 1 045 8-5 126 U.S.A.
ISSUED: 27 September 2007
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ium specimens and in situ observations during November, 2004 by the first three authors and January, 2006 by the first author.
Symplocos saxatilis Aranha, P. W. Fritsch & Almeda, sp. nov. Type: BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Serra do Cipo, Municipio of Santana do Riacho, 6 km south of the turn off to Morro do Pilar on the road to Conceigao do Mato Dentro, 19°15'40.7"S, 43°31'59"W, 1350m, 24 Nov. 2004 (d fl), F Almeda, P.
W. Fritsch, J. L. M. Aranha Filho & R. Belinello 8936 (holotype: UEC; isotypes: BHCB, CAS, K, NY). (Figs. 1-2) Frutex glaberrimus, dense ramosus, ramis erectis. Folia rigida, elliptica, late elliptica, oblanceolata vel lanceolata, plerumque sparsim serrulata, interdum integra, ad apicem uncato-retusa vel raro retusa, uncatoobtusa, obtusa; laminis 1-4cm longisx0.4-1.1 cm latis. Inflorescentia 7-21 mm Tonga, 2-3-flora vel fore solitario, pedicellis 2-15 mm longis. Corolla lobis erectis, staminodiis forum pistillatorum 11-14, staminibus forum staminatorum 15-20(-30), pistillodio plerumque omnino evoluto. Fructus 5-8 x 2-3.5 mm, ellipsoideus vel interdum ovoideus, endocarpio 0.7-1.5 mm crasso.
Evergreen dioecious shrubs 0.3-1(-1.5) m tall, much-branched from base or from middle upward, with erect, vaguely striate branches; branchlets densely striate, glabrous; vegetative buds glabrous. Petioles 1-5 mm long, adaxially flattened to concave, abaxially ± rounded, glabrous. Leaf blades 1-4x0.4-1.1 cm, 1.4-5.4 times as long as wide, elliptic to broadly elliptic, oblanceolate or lanceolate, glabrous, thick-coriaceous, dark green adaxially, light green abaxially, occasionally yellowish in dried specimens, base attenuate, apex hooked-retuse, rarely retuse, hooked-obtuse or obtuse, apical gland caducous or less often persistent, margin serrulate with 1-4 teeth or occasionally entire, revolute, marginal glands early caducous, rarely persistent, venation± brochidodromous, primary to tertiary veins visible, not branched near median vein or near margin, median vein impressed or somewhat elevated adaxially and abaxially. Inflorescences cymose or racemose, 7-21 mm long, axillary, glabrous, 1- to 3-flowered, peduncle 4-12 mm long, terminal flower subsessile or with pedicel to 2 mm long, lateral flowers subsessile or with pedicel to 4 mm long, peduncle 2-15 cm long (when 1-flowered); bracts (one per flower or
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inflorescence) early caducous (only scars seen), glabrous, bracteoles 1-3 (one per flower), 0.8-1.5 x 0.4-0.7 mm, elliptic or rarely broadly elliptic, glabrous, pale green (light brown in dried specimens), persistent or caducous, apex acute or rarely obtuserounded, ±keeled, margin sparsely ciliate or less often entire, apical gland caducous or rarely persistent. Flowers 3-7 mm long, hypanthium glabrous; calyx lobes 5, 0.7-1.2 x 0.7-1.2 mm, pale green, subdeltoid to deltoid, erect, glabrous, margin ciliate; corolla lobes 5, 3.2-4.5 x 1.8-2.7 mm, oblong or nearly so, white, somewhat erect and concave, glabrous, margin sparsely ciliate or glabrous; stamens 2- to 4-senate; filaments 0.9-5.3 mm long, white, erect, glabrous, the longer ones exceeding the style and stigma (when present); disc flat, glabrous, green or orange along margin, smooth, 5-lobed, pentagonal. Staminate flowers with hypanthium 0.6-1 mm long, pale green or black, often smooth, rarely±rugose; stamens 15-20(-30); style to 2.5 mm long, rarely wanting, straight to incurved, rarely bifurcate, glabrous, pale green; stigma obsolete, light green; ovary aseptate or with 1-3-septa, septa (when present) incomplete; disc 0.5-0.7 mm in diameter. Pistillate flowers with hypanthium 0.8-1.2 mm long, green, rugose; staminodes 11-14; style 0.8-2.1 mm long, straight, glabrous; stigma capitate, 3-lobed, dark green; ovary 3locular; disc 0.6-0.9 mm in diameter. Fruit 5-8 x 2-3.5 mm, ellipsoid or occasionally ovoid, 1-locular, glabrous; disc conical, calyx lobes erect; endocarp 0.7-1.5 mm thick. Seed one, 4-4.5 x 2.8-3.2 mm, ellipsoid. Distribution and ecology. Known from seven individual plants on the Serra do Cipo in Minas Gerais, Brazil at ca. 1350m elevation, growing in open, often windy rocky sites together with Panicum molinioides Trin., Vellozia subalata L. B. Sm. & Ayensu, and Paepalanthus spp. Phenology. Flowering plants collected in November to February; fruiting in February. Additional specimens examined. BRAZIL. GERAIS:
MINAS
6 km S of the turn off to Morro do Pilar on the
road from Serra do Cipo to Conceicao do Mato Dentro, 19°1537.7"S, 43°320.3"W, 1330m, 22 Nov 2004 (st), Almeda et al. 8912 (CAS, MO, UEC); 13.5 km from the entrance to Cachoeira Veu da Noiva on the road to Conceirc ao do Mato Dentro, 23 Nov 2004 (st), Almeda et al. 8914 (CAS, UEC); MG-010, Serra do Cip6-Conceicao
2007] ARANHA FILHO ET AL.: SYMPLOCOS SAXATILIS (SYMPLOCACEAE)
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FIG. 1. Symplocos saxatilis. A. Habit. B. Representative leaf (abaxial surface). C. Leaf apex showing the apical gland. D. Staminate flower at anthesis, flower buds and subtending bracteoles. E. Staminate flower with corolla and androecium removed to show ovary apex and bifurcate style. E Staminate flower with corolla and androecium removed to show ovary apex, style and non-functional stigma. G. Staminate flower corolla opened outward to show epipetalous stamens. H. Pistillate flower at anthesis and subtending bracteoles. I. Pistillate flower with corolla and androecium removed to show ovary apex, style and stigma. J. Pistillate flower corolla opened outward to show epipetalous staminodes. K. Fruit with persistent calyx. L. Fruit in cross section. (A—G Almeda et al. 8936, UEC; H—J Aranha Filho 34, UEC; K—L Sampaio 6771, UPCB.)
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Conceicao do Mato Dentro-Diamantina, 16-24 Feb 1973 (fl 5), Sazima & Semir CFSC 3893 (IAC, NY, SPF, UEC, UPCB); Serra do Cipo, 1953 (fl 4 ), SegadasVianna & Loredo Jr. 1221 (R).
Symplocos saxatilis can be distinguished from other species of section Barberina by its erect branches, hooked-retuse or rarely retuse, hooked-obtuse or obtuse leaf apex, pedunculate inflorescence with 1 to 3 flowers, early caducous bract, 11 to 14 staminodes, and 0.7-1.5 mm thick endocarp. Based on its uncommon inflorescence type and unusual endocarp thickness among Brazilian Barberina species, the species here described is similar to Symplocos glaberrima Gontsch. However, S. glaberrima has flexuous branches (Salix-like in appearance), an acuminate or acute leaf apex, and 20 to 25 staminodes. Symplocos saxatilis is often vegetatively similar to S. itatiaiae Wawra in habit, leaf shape, size and margin, but S. itatiaiae has a non-pedunculate inflorescence, several persistent bracts, and an endocarp less than 0.2 mm thick.
Acknowledgments
FIG. 2. Symplocos saxatilis. A. Habit and habitat. B. Pistillate flower. C. Staminate flower. Scale bars in B, C=1 mm. Photographs A—B by J. L. M. Aranha Filho (J. L. M. Aranha Filho 34); C by F. Almeda (F Almeda et al. 8936).
do Mato Dentro, old km 132, 4 Jan 2006 (fl 4), Aranha Filho 34 (HRCB, UEC); 4 Jan 2006 (fl 5), Aranha Filho 35 (UEC); 4 Jan 2006 (fl 5), Aranha Filho 36 (UEC); 4 Jan 2006 (fl d), Aranha Filho 37 (MBM, UEC); km 130, Estrada do Pilar, 3 Feb 1934 (fl d and fr), Sampaio 6771 (BHCB, R, RB, UPCB[collection with two individuals]); km 132 on the road Belo Horizonte-
Field work was supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grant DEB0126631. We thank Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) for supporting the first author; Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Departamento de Botanica) and especially Renato Belinello for field assistence; Celso Paiva (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos'Renovaveis [IBAMA]Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipo) for help in conducting field work; the curators and staff at B, BM, BHCB, CAS, ESA, G, GUA, HB, HRCB, IAC, K, M, MBM, NY, R, RB, RFA, S, SJRP SP, SPF, UEC, UPCB, and W for loaned material; Samira Rolim for the illustration; and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on the manuscript. Literature Cited Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. 1998. An ordinal classification for families of flowering plants. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 85: 531-553.
2007] ARANHA FILHO ET AL.: SYMPLOCOS SAXATILIS (SYMPLOCACEAE) . 2003. An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG II. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 141: 399-436. Aranha Filho, J. L. M., P. W. Fritsch, F. Almeda & A. B. Martins. 2005. Two new species of Symplocos Jacq. (Symplocaceae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 56: 295-303. Bida, A. 1995. Revisao Taxonomica das Especies de Symplocos Jacq. (Symplocaceae) do Brasil. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brand, A. 1901. Symplocaceae. Pp. 26-30. In: A. Engler (editor), Das Pflanzenreich IV.242 (Heft 6). Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig, Germany. Fritsch, P. W., B. C. Cruz, F. Almeda, Y. Wang & S. Shi. 2006. Phylogeny of Symplocos based on DNA
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sequences of the chloroplast trnC-trnD intergenic region. Systematic Botany 31: 181-192. Kelly, L. M. & F. Almeda. 2002. Three new species of Symplocos (Symplocaceae) from Panama and Costa Rica. Novon 12: 369-374. Maguire, B. & Y.-C. Huang. 1978. Symplocaceae. In: B. Maguire & Collaborators, The botany of the Guayana highland—Part X. Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden 29: 223-230. Stahl, B. 1993. The genus Symplocos (Symplocaceae) in Peru. Candollea 48: 351-382. . 1996. The genus Symplocos (Symplocaceae) in Colombia. Candollea 51: 323-364. Wang, Y., P. W. Fritsch, S. Shi, F. Almeda, B. C. Cruz & L. M. Kelly. 2004. Phylogeny and infrageneric classification of Symplocos (Symplocaceae) inferred from DNA sequence data. American Journal of Botany 91: 1901-1914.
