Schizanthus candidus Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 29: tab. 45. 1843

Morales-Fierro, Vanezza, Munoz-Schick, Melica & Moreira-Munoz, Andres, 2020, Synopsis of Schizanthus Ruiz & Pav. (Solanaceae), a genus endemic to the southern Andes, PhytoKeys 154, pp. 57-102 : 57

3. Schizanthus candidus Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 29: tab. 45. 1843 Fig. 2E-G

Schizanthus albiflorus Phil., Anal. Univ. Chile 91: 124. 1895.

Type.

Chile. Atacama: Coquimbo?, T.C. Bridges 1356 (lectotype designated by Grau and Gronbach 1984, pg. 124 [as type]: K! [K00058348, photo at IND! [IND-0107170]]; isolectotypes: BM! [BM000995488, BM000995489], E! [E00089541], G [n.v., F! neg. 23090], P! [P00477035, P00477036]).

Taxonomic notes.

There are several specimens collected by Bridges numbered as 1356, but only one of them was labelled with the complete original location (" Hills near the valley of Huasco Prov. of Coquimbo ") [E00089541]. The handwriting on the other specimens only states “Coquimbo”, which was (at that time) the name of the Province associated with the locality. In late 1843, the original Province of Coquimbo was divided into two new administrative units, the southern part maintained the name of the original Province (Coquimbo), while the northern section became the Province of Atacama ( Pérez-Rosales 1857). Most of these territories are known today as the Regions of Coquimbo and Atacama; the area where the type material was collected corresponds to the latter. This situation can explain why some publications ( Grau and Gronbach 1984; Rodríguez et al. 2018) have mentioned S. candidus as occurring in the actual Region of Coquimbo, where this species does not grow.

Key characters.

This species has a white flower, the corolla tube can be longer or as long as the calyx; the lower lip of the corolla is reduced, compared to the upper part. Pinnatisect leaves with linear lobes.

Distribution.

Endemic to Chile, in the coast and interior valleys of the Region of Atacama (Provinces of Copiapó and Huasco, 27°50'-29°0' lat. S). 20-200 m a.s.l.

Habitat.

Schizanthus candidus grows abundantly among the rocks over fine sand, in dry places or in seasonally wet quebradas with scattered shrubs; it is rarely found along the roads in open areas. It has been found growing with Leontochir ovallei Phil. ( Alstroemeriaceae ), Cistanthe grandiflora (Lindl.) Schltdl. ( Montiaceae ), Chaetanthera limbata (D.Don) Less. ( Asteraceae ) and Senecio troncosii Phil. ( Asteraceae ). Most abundant in rainy years associated to El Niño events, being a main element of the "blooming desert" ( Muñoz-Schick 1985; Chávez et al. 2019).

Conservation.

Chile. Atacama: Llanos de Challe National Park.

Selected specimens examined.

Chile. Atacama: [ Copiapó Province] Coastal road from Carrizal Bajo to Totoralillo, 27°57'56"S, 71°6'10"W, 179 m a.s.l., 27 Nov 2008, R. Baines, M.F. Gardner, P. Hechenleitner, C. Morter & D. Rae 159 (E); [Huasco Province] Carrizal Bajo, Quebrada Oriente, 28°7'17"S, 71°5'57"W, 11 Oct 2002, A. Moreira 738 (SGO); Quebrada angosta al lado norte de entrada a Aguada Tongoy, entre Huasco y Freirina, 28°30'S, 71°6'W, 90 m a.s.l., 10 Sep 2011, M. Lazo & C. Stone 64 (CONC).

Figures

Figure 2. A distribution of Schizanthus lacteus B examples of S. lacteus in La Chimba National Reserve C Quebrada Peralito D Paposo E distribution of Schizanthus candidus F illustration of S. candidus published with the description of the species (Lindley 1843) G example of S. candidus in Quebrada de Carrizal H distribution of Schizanthus integrifolius I examples of S. integrifolius in Embalse Santa Juana J Rio Cachitos K Alto del Carmen. Photos by M. T. Eyzaguirre (B-D, I, J), A. Moreira-Munoz (G), S. Moreira (K).