Rhynchosia corylifolia Mart. ex Benth., Fl. Bras.

Bezerra, Luísa Maria De Paula Alves, Cândido, Elisa Silva, Vargas, Wanderleia De, Torke, Benjamin Marland, Lewis, Gwilym Peter & Perez, Ana Paula Fortuna, 2024, Taxonomic revision of Rhynchosia Lour. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae) in South America, Phytotaxa 643 (1), pp. 1-67 : 20-21

7. Rhynchosia corylifolia Mart. ex Benth., Fl. Bras. 15(1B): 202. 1862. Type:— BRAZIL, s. loc. (fl.), Sellow 760 (Lectotype, designated inadvertently [as holotype] by Grear [1978]: K 000502974 [digital image!]). Iconography: Rodriguésia 70: 5. 2019. ( Fig. 2 G–J )

Rhynchosia corylifolia var. erecta Micheli. Mem. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Geneve. 28: 31. 1883. Type: PARAGUAY, “in sylva Mbatobi prope Paraguari ”, B. Balansa 1509 (Lectotype, designated inadvertently [as holotype] by Grear [1978]: G [not seen]; isolectotypes: P 00708595 [digital image!], P 00708596 [digital image!], P 00708597 [digital image!]).

Rhynchosia corylifolia var. orbiculata Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2. 4(9): 902. 1904. Type : PARAGUAY, “ad marginem silvae pr. Caraguatay”, X.1900 (fl.) E. Hassler 3328 (Lectotype, first-step designated by Grear [1978]; second-step designated here: G 00400128 [digital image!]; isolectotypes: F 1539554 [digital image!], G 00400129 [digital image!], GH 00063820 [digital image!], K 000502972 [digital image!], NY 00026943[!], P 00708583 [digital image!]).

Rhynchosia corylifolia fo. glabrior Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier, sér. 2. 4(9): 902. 1904. Type: PARAGUAY, “inter gramine in campo pr. Velenzuela”, E. Hassler 7141 (Holotype: G [not seen]) .

Rhynchosia corylifolia var. discolor Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2. 4(9): 903. 1904. Type: PARAGUAY, “in arenosis pr. Chololó”, E. Hassler 6801 (Lectotype, designated inadvertently [as holotype] by Grear [1978]: G [not seen]; isolectotype: BM 000538503 [digital image!])

Rhynchosia reticulata fo. subumbellata Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2. 4(9): 903. 1904. Type: PARAGUAY, “in campo pr. Valenzuela”, E. Hassler 7097 (Lectotype, designated inadvertently [as holotype] by Grear [1978]: G [not seen]; isolectotype: NY 00026953[!])

Rhynchosia reticulata var. brevipetiolata fo. ovalifolia Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2. 4(9): 903. 1904. Type: PARAGUAY, “in regione cursus superioris fluminis Jejui Guazú”, s.d. (fl.) E. Hassler 4655 (Lectotype, first-step designated by Grear [1978]; second-step designated here: G 00379286 [digital image!]; isolectotypes: BM 000793101 [digital image!], G 00379287 [digital image!], K 000502971 [digital image!], NY 00026952[!], P 00708594 [digital image!]).

Rhynchosia reticulata var. brevipetiolata fo. oblongifolia Chodat & Hassl. Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2. 4(9): 903. 1904. Type: PARAGUAY, “in campis pr. San Estanislao”, E. Hassler 4176 (Lectotype, designated inadvertently [as holotype] by Grear [1978]: G [not seen]; isolectotypes: BM 000538502 [digital image!]; NY 00026951[!]).

Subshrub prostrate, stems simple to branched, pubescent, indumentum white to light yellow, with yellow vesicular glands, but lacking bulbous-based trichomes. Stipules 3–12 × 2–9 mm, free, persistent, lanceolate or ovate, externally pubescent with yellow vesicular glands, but lacking bulbous-based trichomes. Leaves trifoliolate; petiole 0.4–6 cm long; leaf rachis 0.4–1 cm long; stipels lacking; leaflets 1.3–9.2 × 1.1–7 cm, ovate, elliptical, obovate, oblong or rounded, surface bullate, obtuse, retuse or rounded at apex, cuneate to rounded at base, margin entire, pilose to pubescent, with yellow vesicular glands only on the abaxial surface. Inflorescences axillary, corymbiform, 5.5–16.5 cm long, many-flowered, equaling or exceeding the length of the subtending leaf; bracts caducous; pedicel 1–8 mm long. Flowers 6–9 mm long excluding the pedicel; calyx 5.5–12 mm long, pubescent with yellow vesicular glands, but lacking bulbous-based trichomes, lobes narrowly elliptical to lanceolate, all of them equaling or exceeding the corolla in length; standard petal 4.5–10.3 × 3–7 mm, oblong to obovate, rounded at apex, glabrous, lacking vesicular glands and bulbous-based trichomes, claw 1–1.5 mm long, auricle ca. 0.5 mm long; wing petals 6.0–11 × 1–1.5 mm, oblong, claw 1.5–2 mm long, auricle 0.5–1 mm long; keel petals 6–10 × 1.5–2.5 mm, falcate, claw 1.5–2.5 mm long; stamens 6–10 mm long; ovary 3.3–3.7 mm long, densely pubescent, with few light yellow vesicular glands. Fruits 1.1–2.3 × 0.5–0.6 cm, brown, without constrictions between the seeds, oblong or elliptical, pilose to pubescent, with few yellow vesicular glands and bulbous-based trichomes. Seeds 2–3 × 2–3 mm, suborbicular, unicolored, brown to black.

Nomenclatural and taxonomic notes: — Grear (1978) cited the collection Hassler 3328 at G as the type of Rhynchosia corylifolia var. orbiculata . There are two duplicates of this collection deposited at G (G 00400128 and G 00400129) and he did not specify a particular specimen as type. The same applies to Rhynchosia reticulata var. brevipetiolata fo. ovalifolia . There are two duplicates of the type collection (Hassler 4655) at G: G 00379286 and G 00379287, and Grear (1978) did not designate which specimen is the type. The type designations of Grear (1978) should be treated as first-step lectotypifications. Our designation of the specimens with barcode number G 00400128 and G 00379286 constitutes the required second-step of Rhynchosia corylifolia var. orbiculata and R. reticulata var. brevipetiolata , respectively (see Turland et al. 2018, Art. 9.17).

We were unable to study the holotype of Rhynchosia corylifolia fo. glabrior in G. We have been informed by the curator that some materials of the genus were sent on loan but have not been returned. We decided to retain this taxon as a synonym of R. corylifolia based on its characters provided in the protologue.

Rhynchosia corylifolia is an easily recognizable species of the genus by having leaflets with a bullate surface ( Fig. 2 G–H ). Also, this is the only South American species which has a corymbiform inflorescence ( Fig. 2 G, I–J ) equaling or exceeding the length of the subtending leaf.

Reproductive phenology: —Flowering from January to March, in May, and from September to December; fruiting from January to March, in May, June and from October to December.

Distribution and habitat: — Rhynchosia corylifolia occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay ( Fig. 5 ). This species can be found mainly in areas of cerrado, in campos rupestres (rocky fields), at forest edges, and in disturbed areas and along roadsides.

Conservation status: —Least Concern (LC). Rhynchosia corylifolia is classified as LC due to its EOO of 2,067,521 km 2 (GeoCAT, accessed in May 2022). The species is widespread in central South America, being frequently observed in ruderal areas such as along roadsides and near villages.

Selected Specimens Examined:— ARGENTINA. Chaco: Resistencia , 28 September 1944 (fl.), T. Rojas 12365 ( NY) . Corrientes: Bella Vista , 9.2 km al S de Bella Vista sobre ruta 27, 27 December 1983 (fr.), C. P. Cowan et al. 4186 ( NY) ; San Miguel, Ea. San Juan Poriajhu, ruta 17, 18 km ruta 12, Potrero Três Marias , 6 December 1992 (fl./fr.), S. G. Tressens, M. Beccaceci, & R. Vanni 4254 ( NY) ; Santo Tomé: Timbó, Ayo , s.d. (fl.), A. Schinini et al. 23456 ( IPA) . Jujuy: Capital, Zapla , 9 November 1974 (fl.), A. Burkart et al. 30470 ( NY) . Misiones: Cainguas, Puerto Rico , 9 February 1955 (fl./fr.), J. E. Montes 14771 ( NY) ; Candelaria, Bompland , 17 February 1975 (fr.), J. F. Chuvarez 684 ( NY) ; ibid. Loreto , 12 December 1944 (fl.), E. Montes 275 ( NY) ; Corpus , 18 September 1945 (fl.), Bertoni 1913 ( NY) .

Salta: La Caldera, Alto la Sierra, cabecera del A. la Sierra , 5 November 1987 (fl.), V. Nunez & L. A. Marmol 325 ( NY) . Santa Fé: Camiño de Reconquista a Dr Barros Pazos , 1 February 1936 (fl./fr.), M. M. Job 774 ( NY) . BOLIVIA. Santa Cruz: El Fuerte, Samaipota , November 1954 (fl.), Cardenas 5194 ( US) ; Florida, Bella Vista, Sendero al Cañadón , bosque com vegetación del Cerrado , 11 December 2007 (fl.), D. Villarroel et al. 1527 ( NY) ; ibid., 10 November 2005 (fl.), L. Arroyo et al. 3071 ( NY) ; Vallegrande, Comuninad de Chapas , 2-3 km S de El Palmar, 26 December 1993 (fl./fr.), I. G. Vargas 3065 ( NY) . BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Rio Brilhante, Aroeira , October 1970 (fl.), G. Hatschbach 25255 ( MBM) . Mato Grosso Do Sul: Dourados, Rio Dourados , 16 May 1976 (fl.), G. Hatschbach 38690 ( MBM) .

Paraná: Balsa Nova, Serra de São Luiz , 12 December 1965 (fl.), Reitz & Klein 17447 ( FLOR) ; Coronel Domingos Soares , interior do município, 13 March 2013 (fr.), Campestrini et al. 520 ( FLOR) ; Lapa, via Lapa-União da Vitória , 5 November 1964 (fl.), J. Mattos 11917 ( SP) ; Palmas, Refúgio de Vida Silvestre ( REVIS) dos Campos de Palmas , 19 June 2013 (fr.), Campestrini et al. 245 ( FLOR) ; Ponta Grossa , 01 November 1928 (fl.), F. C. Hoehne s.n. ( SP) ; Ponta Porã , 35 km L, 15 May 1976 (fl./fr.), G. Hatschbach 38668 ( NY) ; Porto Amazonas , campo seco, 16 December 1929 (fl.), Gurgel s/nº ( RB) . Rio Grande Do Sul: Alegrete, junto ao cerro do Tigre , em afloramento rochoso em frente a ele, do outro lado da estrada (lado direito de quem vem de Alegrete), 11 February 1990 (fl./fr.), D. B. Falkenberg & M. E. G. Sobral 5197 ( FLOR) ; Caçapava do Sul , 13 December 1982 (fr.), D.B. Falkenberg 20 ( FLOR) ; beira estrada Caçapava - Pedra do Segredo , à esquerda, na base do maior morro, 21 January 1994 (fl./fr.), D. B. Falkenberg et al. 6472 ( FLOR) ; Caxias do sul - Distrito de Criuva - São Luiz Dalagno , 5 January 2013 (fl.), J. Gaio et al. 301 ( FLOR) ; Morro Redondo - Santo Amor , 3 December 1989 (fl.), J. A. Jarenkow 1486 ( FLOR) ; Pelotas - entre Colônia São José e Sta. Silvana , 30 October 1988 (fl.), J. A. Jarenkow 1017 ( FLOR) ; Porto Alegre, Morro da Glória , 13 October 1932 (fl./ fr.), B. Rambo 379 ( SP) ; “ Province de Rio Grande ”, 1833 (fl.), C. Gaudichaud 1508 (P); Santiago, BR 453, KM 166, após porteira, 24 April 1979 (fl.), J. Valls et al. 4623 ( CEN) ; Tapes, ca. 10 km depois do trevo, em direção a Camaquã , 16 December 1996 (fl./fr.), J. A. Jarenkow 3325 ( FLOR) ; Torres , próximo ao trevo BR 101, 26 October 1985 (fl./fr.), D. B. Falkeberg 2952 ( FLOR) ; Tupanciretã , December 1986 (fr.), M. Sobral 5311 ( FLOR, NY) . Santa Catarina: Água Doce, Campos de Palmas , 4 December 1964 (fl.), L. B. Smith & M. Klein 13548 ( NY) ; Lages UAP16/UAL1, 30 March 2013 (fl.), E. D. Santos et al. 72 ( FLOR) . São Paulo: Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior , 24 September 2021 (fl.), T. C. Monteiro 522 ( BOTU) ; Itapetininga, km 180., Rod. Raposo Tavares , 3 December 1974 (fl./fr.), L. d’A. F. Carvalho 140 ( RB) ; São José dos Campos, 400-800 m ao oeste da estrada para Paraibuna, cabeceira de um vale pequeno, 14 Novemeber 1961 (fl.), I. Minuma 94 ( NY, UB) ; São Paulo, Avenida Paulista , October 1913 (fl./fr.), A. C. Brade 7291 ( SP) ; Villa Mariana , 24 November 1905 (fl./fr.), A. Usteri s/nº ( SP) ; Tatuí , 18 October 1957 (fl.), O. Handro 708 ( SP) . PARAGUAY. Caaguazú, east of Caaguazú, 28 December 1994 (fl.), L. Guerrero 42082 ( NY) ; San Pedro, Alto Paraguay: Primavera , 14 October 1955 (fl.), A. L. Woolston 598 ( NY) . URUGUAY. Montevideo: Montevideo, s.d. (fl.), Sellow D 652 (P) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Rhynchosia species. A–C. R. arenicola. D, E. R. balansae. F. R. claussenii. G–J. R. corylifolia. (A–C, G–J by T.C. Monteiro); (D, E by R. Ripley) and (F. by C. Martins).

FIGURE 5. Geographical distribution of Rhynchosia calycosa, R. claussenii and R. corylifolia in South America.