Utricularia roraimensis Brown (1901: 54)

Baleeiro, Paulo C., Gonella, Paulo M., Sano, Paulo T. & Jobson, Richard W., 2022, Unveiling Utricularia amethystina’s true colours: a taxonomic revision of one of the largest species complexes (U. sect. Foliosa, Lentibulariaceae), Phytotaxa 576 (1), pp. 29-54 : 46-47

10. Utricularia roraimensis Brown (1901: 54) — Fig.3–D

Type:— VENEZUELA: Mt. Roraima summit, autumn 1898, McConnell & Quelch 685 (Holotype: K!) .

≡ Calpidisca roraimensis Gleason (1929: 405)

= Utricularia tepuiana Steyermark (1953: 550)

Type:— VENEZUELA: Bolivar: Ptari-tepui, 29 October 1944, Steyermark 59517 (Holotype: F!, Isotype: VEN) .

Illustrations: —( Brown, 1901), Plate 11: figs1–4.

Description:—Terrestrial. Small sized perennial herb. Rhizoids not observed. Stolons few. Leaves spathulate or circular from an attenuate base 4–15 mm long, traps 1 mm long. Inflorescence simple, lax, 40–80 mm long, peduncle glabrous, 0.7 mm thick, bract and bracteoles similar, connate at middle, bract, bracteoles ovate obtuse apex, 1 mm long. Flowers usually 1–2, pedicel erect, filiform, (2–) 3–8 mm long, calyx lobes unequal, vinaceous, chartaceous, concave, glabrous, with inconspicuous simple nerves, upper calyx lobe elliptic or elliptic ovate, cupulate, 2 mm long, lower calyx lip broadly elliptic, apex truncate emarginate, 1 mm long, corolla lilac with a yellow spot bordered by white at base of lower lip, upper lip ovate, rounded or obtuse apex, 3–5 × 2–3 mm, x2> than the calyx, glandular trichomes present, lower lip transversally elliptic, base forming a glandular bilobed swelling which extends for half of lower lip, apex slightly 3-lobed, 3 × 4–5 mm, spur conical or ovate, apex rounded, curved upwards, slightly bigger or smaller than lower corolla lip, c. 3 mm long, filaments slightly straight, anther theca distinct, ovary globose, style very short, stigma lower lip entire truncate, upper lip teeth like. Capsule not observed.

Distribution and ecology: —Endemic to the Venezuelan tepuis, states Amazonas and Bolivar, on the top of tepuis Mount Roraima, Cerro Atabapo region, Meseta de Jaua, Chimanta Massif, Ptari tepui, Tramen tepui and Kukenan tepui. The populations are found at elevation c. 2270m on rocky areas with white sand substrate on top of the table mountains or white sand savannahs at lower elevations (140 m) like Cerro Atabapo ( Fig. 1A, C ). It may also occur in Brazil and Guyana. Apparently, in flower year around.

Etymology: —The species epithet refers to Mt. Roraima, the type specimen locality.

Conservation status: —Least concern (EOO = 34,560 km 2; AOO = 32 km 2). Even though geographically restricted to the Mount Roraima (which receives considerable environmental pressure from visitors) and from a few other tepui tops, this species is not considered under threat due to its remoteness. ( Fig.1 A,C ).

Notes: — Utricularia roraimensis ( Fig.3D ) is distinct from U. amethystina s.str. on the grounds of its divergent morphology and geographic isolation. U. roraimensis possess reduced corolla spur that is usually flattened and curved upwards, glandular trichomes on the upper corolla lip and spur, and vinaceous scape and calyx lobes. Known only from unique habitats of high elevation on the top of table mountains (tepuis).

Additional speciemens examined: — BRAZIL /VENEZUELA/GUIANA. Bolivar, Roraima summit, Sep. 1974, Warren s/n ( K) . Dist. Rocio (ahora Sinfontes): cumbre del Tramen-Tepui, en la porción más noroccidental del macizo del Ilu-(Uru) Tepui, 23 Jan. 1985, Hubber, O. 10.064 ( K) . Rocio, Kukenan ( Mataui )—Tepui, cumbre meridional, no collection date, Hubber, O. 10.554 ( K) . VENEZUELA. AMAZONAS: Atabapo, Cerro Marauca-Huha , cumbre altiplanicie no arbolada, no collection date, Steyermark et al. 125936 ( K) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geographic distribution map of Utricularia sect. Foliosa species. A. Distribution of all 14 species in South and Central Americas. B. Map of the species distribution in the Espinhaco range and Chapada dos Veadeiros National park. C. Map of the species distribution at the Guiana Shield.

FIGURE 3. A. U. amethystina s.str. Type locality Marau peninsula Bahia, B. U. amethystina s.str. Virua National Park, C. U. amethystina s.str. white-flowered specimen, D. U. roraimensis, E. U. amethystina s.str. pink morphotype, F. U. amethystina Type locality, G. U. lindmanii, H–I. U. lunaris, J–N. U. damazioi. J. from Chapada Diamantina, K., M., N. from Chapada dos Veadeiros, L. from Diamantina Plateau.