Wissadula cuspidata (R. E. Fr.) Bovini (2009: 17)

Bovini, Massimo G. & Baumgratz, José Fernando A., 2016, Taxonomic revision of Wissadula (Malvoideae, Malvaceae) in Brazil, Phytotaxa 243 (3), pp. 201-234 : 217

6. Wissadula cuspidata (R. E. Fr.) Bovini (2009: 17) .

Wissadula patens (A.St.-Hil.) Garcke subsp. c uspidata R.E.Fr. (1908: 43). Type:— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso, Santa Anna da Chapada, 28 June 1902, fl., A. Robert 341 (lectotype: BM!, RB, photo!, designated by Bovini 2009).

Shrubs 1–2 m tall, erects. Branches pubescent, trichomes hyaline, minutely glandular, ferrugineous, fasciculate and fasciculate-stipitate, caducous. Stipules ca. 0.5 cm long., linear to lanceolate, apex long acuminate, free, caducous. Leaves with petioles ca. 6 cm long, indumentum and trichomes similar to that of the branches; lamina 2–12.5 × 1.5–6 cm, membranaceous to chartaceous, green discolour, lanceolate to ovate, base attenuate, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire; adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface velutinous, trichomes whitish, fasciculate and multiradiate-stipitate, and venation conspicuous. Synflorescence frondose-bracteate, pyramidal, lax; coflorescences double-racemes, 20–25 cm long; accessory axis reduced, 2(–3) flowers; anthopodium 1.7–2 cm long, pubescent, trichomes ferrugineous and hyaline, fasciculate. Flowers with pedicels 9–10 mm long, indumentum and trichomes like the anthopodium; calyx 3–4 mm long, sepals free to the middle below to medium portion, not accrescent in fruit, adaxial surface pubescent, trichomes fasciculate, ferrugineous and hyaline, abaxial surface puberulous, few trichomes simple, long; corolla 0.8– 0.9 cm diam, beige, without dark center; staminal column with few trichomes hyaline, simple and fasciculate-stipitate, free portion of filaments ca. 2 mm long, few trichomes hyaline, simple; ovary 4–5-celled, 3 ovules per cell; style ca. 3 mm long. Schizocarp 0.8–0.9 cm diam; 4–5 mericarps, 7–8 × 3–4 mm, spines ca. 2 mm long, constriction conspicuous, puberulous, trichomes glandular; seeds 3, ca. 2 mm long, hilum pubescent, trichomes simple, short. Figures 6a–c .

Representative Specimens Examined — BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Aripuanã, Dardanelos, 15 June 1974, fl., M. R. Cordeiro 69 (CTES, IAN).

Etymology— The epithet cuspidata is an allusion to the shape of the cuspidate leaf apex.

Distribution — It occurs in Brazil and is endemic to the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Note— Wissadula cuspidata is characterized mainly by leaves with glabrous adaxial surface, acute to cuspidate apex, and attenuate base. Its corolla also has a smaller diameter (8–9 mm) than that of the most similar species, W. excelsior .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Wissadula cuspidata (R.E.Fr.) Bovini. a. fertile branch. b. detail of branch. c. fruit. W. decora S. Moore. d. fertile branch. e. detail of branch. f. fruit. W. excelsior (Cav.) C. Presl. g. fertile branch. h. detail of branch. i. fruit. W. glechomifolia (A.St.-Hill.) R.E. Fries. j. fertile branch. k. detail of branch. l. fruit. (a–c: Cordeiro 69, CTES, IAN; d–f: Dubs 354, MBM; g–i: Bovini 2479, RB; j–l: Bovini 2649, RB). Scale bars: a, d, g, j = 5 cm; b, e, h, k, l = 1mm; c, f = 2mm; i = 5 mm.