Wissadula decora S. Moore (1895: 312)

Bovini, Massimo G. & Baumgratz, José Fernando A., 2016, Taxonomic revision of Wissadula (Malvoideae, Malvaceae) in Brazil, Phytotaxa 243 (3), pp. 201-234 : 217-219

7. Wissadula decora S. Moore (1895: 312) .

Type:— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso, juxta ao Paraguai, 1891, fl., S. Moore 1061 (holotype: BM!, RB, photo!).

Subshrubs or shrubs 1–2 m tall, erects. Branches canescent, trichomes hyaline, glandular and fasciculate. Stipules 0.5– 0.6 cm long., linear, free, caducous, pubescent, trichomes glandular and fasciculate. Leaves with petioles 0.6–2.5 cm long, canescent, trichomes glandular and fasciculate; lamina 1.7–6 × 1.5–3.5 cm, membranaceous, green discolour, base cordate, apex acuminate, acute or cuspidate, margin serrate; adaxial surface pubescent, trichomes hyaline, glandular, fasciculate and multiradiate, rare trichomes simple; abaxial surface velutinous, trichomes hyaline, glandular, fasciculate and multiradiate-stipitate. Synflorescence frondose-bracteate, pyramidal, lax; coflorescences double-raceme, 6–10 cm long; accessory axis reduced, 2(–3) flowers; anthopodium 0.9–1 cm long, pubescent, trichomes fasciculate, rare glandular. Flowers with pedicel 7–9 mm long, indumentum and trichomes like the anthopodium; calyx 4.8–5 mm long, sepals free to the middle below to medium portion, few accrescent in fruit, adaxial surface pubescent, trichomes fasciculate, abaxial surface puberulous; corolla 1–1.1 cm diam, yellow, without dark center; staminal column with few trichomes hyaline, simple and fasciculate-stipitate, free portion of filaments ca. 3 mm long, few trichomes hyaline, simple; ovary 3–4-celled, 3 ovules per cell; style ca. 5 mm long. Schizocarp 1–1.1 cm diam; 3–4 mericarps, 0.9–1× 0.4–0.5 cm, spines ca. 2 mm long, constriccion inconspicuous, pubescent, trichomes glandular and fasciculate; seeds 3, ca. 2 mm long, hilum tomentose, trichomes simple, long. ( Figs. 6d–f ).

Representative Specimens Examined— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso do Sul: margem da Lagoa Gaíba, 16 September 1908, fl., fr., J. C. Diogo 297 (R) ; Pantanal do Rio Negro , fl., fr., 14 September 1987, B. Dubs 354 ( MBM) .

Etymology— The epithet decora came from the Latin word decorus (elegant), possibly referring to the elegant appearance of the plant.

Distribution— It occurs in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, where is found only in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Note— Wissadula decora is easily identified by its delicate, small leaves and fruits with 3 to 4 mericarps, which were described for the first time in this study. This species is closely related to W. gymnanthemum (Griseb.) K.Schum. a species endemic to Argentina, which differs in the large size of its flowers (ca. 1.4 cm diam), indumentum, and a remarkably serrate leaf margin.

The herbarium specimen with type material for W. decora (BM) consists of two samples: the type specimen and parts of the collection of F.C. Hoehne 3015 from Corumbá, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, which corresponds to W. boliviana (entire leaf margin and flowers with ca. 1 cm diam). Wissadula decora has a serrate leaf margin and flowers with smaller diameter than W. boliviana .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Wissadula cuspidata (R.E.Fr.) Bovini. a. fertile branch. b. detail of branch. c. fruit. W. decora S. Moore. d. fertile branch. e. detail of branch. f. fruit. W. excelsior (Cav.) C. Presl. g. fertile branch. h. detail of branch. i. fruit. W. glechomifolia (A.St.-Hill.) R.E. Fries. j. fertile branch. k. detail of branch. l. fruit. (a–c: Cordeiro 69, CTES, IAN; d–f: Dubs 354, MBM; g–i: Bovini 2479, RB; j–l: Bovini 2649, RB). Scale bars: a, d, g, j = 5 cm; b, e, h, k, l = 1mm; c, f = 2mm; i = 5 mm.