Galactia marginalis Bentham (1837: 62)

Ceolin, Guilherme B. & Miotto, Sílvia T. S., 2013, Synopsis of the genus Galactia (Phaseoleae, Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) in Brazil, Phytotaxa 134 (1), pp. 1-26 : 10

18. Galactia marginalis Bentham (1837: 62) . Type: — USA. Texas: Drummond 145 (lectotype US![photo]) ( Figs. 1B , 5A ) .

Stoloniferous-prostrate to erect herbs; leaves unifoliolate; petiole present; inflorescence 1–5 flowered, sessile or the peduncle up to 15 mm long.

Selected specimen: — BRAZIL. Rio Grande do Sul: Rio Pardo , 30º12´S, 52º28´W, 20 October 2007, G.B. Ceolin 127 (ICN) .

Distribution: —the species has a noteworthy disjunction in geographic distribution, occurring in southwestern USA and southern South America ( Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil (RS)).

Habitat and ecology:—Pampa biome, growing in open grassland, often among grass tussocks; in dry, shallow and rocky soils.

Notes: —the species is resistant to grazing and burning and able to form large populations from its xylopodium and stolons.

Phenology:— Flowering and fruiting from October to February.

Figures

FIGURE 1: A. Galactia latisiliqua. B. Galactia marginalis. C. Galactia gracillima. D. Galactia neesii.

FIGURE 5. A. Individual of Galactia marginalis showing the inflorescence few-flowered and shorter than the subtended leaf. B. Small population of Galactia glaucescens showing terminal inflorescence (senescent; arrow). C. Detail of Galactia eriosematoides showing the nodose aspect of the inflorescence as well as the wine red coloured insect guides on the outer surface of the standard petal. D. Two individuals of Galactia decumbens showing the inflorescence larger than subtended leaf and flowers aggregated at the apex.