Ticanto vernalis (Champion ex Benth.) R. Clark & Gagnon, 2022

Clark, Ruth P., Jiang, Kai-Wen & Gagnon, Edeline, 2022, Reinstatement of Ticanto (Leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae) - the final piece in the Caesalpinia group puzzle, PhytoKeys 205, pp. 59-98 : 59

8. Ticanto vernalis (Champion ex Benth.) R. Clark & Gagnon comb. nov.

Basionym.

Caesalpinia vernalis Champion ex Benth., Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 77. 1852.

Type.

China. Hong Kong, Champion in Herb. Bentham 502 (neotype (designated by Vidal and Hul Thol 1976): K [K000789359!])

Description.

Habit a liana. Stems moderately to densely ferruginous tomentose, glabrescent when old, sometimes with scattered recurved prickles. Stipules triangular, 1-2 × ca. 1 mm. Leaves with 8-16 pairs opposite to strongly subopposite pinnae; petiole 1-2.5 cm; rachis 20-43 cm long, with a recurved prickle at the base of each pinna and scattered along the rachis between the pinnae insertions, moderately to densely ferruginous tomentose; pinnae 4.5-8 cm; leaflets 5-10 opposite pairs per pinna, coriaceous, elliptic to ovate, apex acute, mucronulate, terminal leaflets 1.4-2.8 × 0.5-1.5 cm, lateral leaflets 1.2-2.5 × 0.5-1.3 cm, both surfaces glabrous, or lower surface sparsely ferruginous tomentose, or only on midvein; venation reticulate, anastomosing, obscure. Inflorescence a raceme or many-branched panicle 12-35 cm long, in axils of upper leaves or terminal, axes and pedicels densely ferruginous tomentose; bracts not seen, bracteoles ca. 1-2 × 1 mm, apex acuminate, sparsely to densely ferruginous tomentose; pedicels 6-12(-16 in fruit) mm. Flowers with a hypanthium ca. 2 × 4 mm, this moderately to densely ferruginous tomentose; lower (cucullate) lobe ca. 7-11 × 4 mm, sparsely to moderately ferruginous tomentose on centre of outer surface, becoming glabrous towards the edges, other lobes ca. 6-12 × 2 mm, (very) sparsely ferruginous tomentose inner and outer surfaces sparsely ferruginous tomentose; median petal (6-)9 × 2 mm, inrolled, with dense circular patch of hairs at base of blade, and some hairs on claw, particularly on the margins; upper laterals ca. 9 × 3 mm, sparsely tomentose on inner surface of claw; lower laterals ca. 10-11 × 3 mm, sparsely tomentose on inner surface of claw; stamen filaments flattened, ca. 9-12 mm, pale orange tomentose on lower ca. 2/3 on inner surface; anthers ca. 1.5-2 mm long; ovary ca. 2.5 mm long, densely ferruginous tomentose, stipe ca. 1 mm long, style ca. 6 mm, glabrous, ovary 2-ovuled; stigma funnel-shaped, slightly papillate, ca. 1 mm wide. Fruit dehiscent, ligneous, obliquely oblong or sub-elliptic, slightly asymmetrical, apex beaked, venation obscure, sparsely to densely ferruginous tomentose, 4-6 × 2.5-4 × 1-1.3 cm, ventral suture lacking a wing. Seeds (1-)2, lunate, ca. 2.1-2.7 × 1.3-2.1 cm, matt black (Fig. 4 ).

Ecology.

Moist sandy soils, beside rocks along valleys, in thickets; elevation ca. 600 m.

Phenology.

Flowering February-April, fruiting September-December.

Distribution.

China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Zhejiang) (Map 1 ).

Selected specimens examined.

China. Fujian: Hua’an, Eshan, W.D. Han 20542 (NF). Yunxiao, Datian, G.D. Ye s.n. (FJSI). Guangdong: Baoan, Shatian, T. Chung M185 (IBSC). Chaochow, Raoping, Fenghuangshan, N.K. Chun 42662 (IBSC). Guangzhou, Conghua, Daling, Shanshizao, S.J. Li 787 (IBSC). Haifeng, Lianhua, Lügong, Dakeng, G.X. Chen 24 (IBSC). Huidong, Z.Q. Song 2021061 (IBSC). Luofushan, Sulao Taoist Temple, on the way to Dachashan, Y. Tsiang 1751 (IBSC). Meizhou, Fengshun, Yanping, Fengbei Village, X.F. Zeng ZXF01805 (CZH). Hong Kong: Lantau, Tung Chung, S.Y. Hu 12897 (PE). N. T. Lan Nai Chung, Sai Kong, S.Y. Hu 8570 (PE). Zhejiang: Huangyan, Western part, Shidun, N.Z. Wang s.n. (NAS). Jiande, Jiande Forest Farm, J. Zhao et al. 8524205 (PE). Jingning, Wangkeng, M.L. Yu et al. 25125 (HHBG). Jiansae, Laufuyoh, K.W. Jiang, J.P. Wu, Y.F. Zhang, M.S. Zhang et al. YS022 (NPH). ibid., Y.M. Zhang YS023 (IBSC). Linhai, Yongdongkou, Dakeng, s. coll. 196 (HHBG). Ningpo, Tientungssu, H. Migo s.n. (NAS). Suichang, Daban, Yakoumen, M.L. Yu 25756 (NAS). Tiantai, Gaoming, L.S. Que 28517 (ZM). Wencheng, Shuiyanhu, J.P. Feng 499 (HHBG). Yueqing, Dajing, Dianling, Dazhuyuan, mountainside, Hangzhou Botanical Garden Herbarium 2493 (HHBG).

Figures

Map 1. Distribution of all species (excluding T. crista).

Figure 4. T. vernalis (i) habit (ii) leaves (iii) flowers (iv) fruit (photos by Jian-Ping Wu, Zhejiang, China, unvouchered).