Physalis victoriana J. M. Toledo, 2013

Toledo, José M., 2013, Physalis victoriana (Solanaceae) a new species from Northern Argentina, Phytotaxa 124 (1), pp. 60-64 : 60-63

Physalis victoriana J. M. Toledo sp. nov. ( Fig. 1 , 2 )

Similar to Physalis pubescens var. hygrophila ( Martius 1841: 86) Dunal (1852: 446) in the length of calyx and corolla, triangular calyx lobes, and curved floral pedicels, but differing by being not sticky plants, with antrorse simple trichomes, yellow corolla without macules, and glabrous berries (vs. sticky plants with long glandular trichomes, corolla yellow with brown macules, and hairy berries in P. pubescens var. hygrophylla ).

Type:— ARGENTINA. Jujuy. Departamento Santa Bárbara: Santa Clara , 10 km del Fuerte , 24º18’54” S, 64º 35’25,5” W, 780 m, “a orilla del camino, escasa, de 80 cm alt., frutos comestibles”, 21 April 2012, J. M . Toledo 1675 (holotype CORD 00006789 !, isotype CERNAR!) .

Annual erect herbs, 0.20–1 m tall, with abundant simple, curved, antrorse trichomes, 0.7 mm, and scarce glandular short trichomes, 0.4 mm. Leaves subtriangular, 3–15 cm × 1.5–10 cm, obtuse at base, apically acuminate, margin entire, undulate to slightly lobed, petioles 2–7 cm. Pecidels 5–10 mm. Calyx 3–5 mm, half the length of the corolla or shorter, lobes triangular 1–3 mm. Corolla 5–12 mm, pale yellow without macules, hairy throat with branched glandular trichomes. Stamens 4–8 mm, anthers bluish or greenish blue, 1.5–3 mm, gradually maturing, filaments hairy 2.5–5 mm, stapet hairy. Gynoecium 4–7 mm, ovary green 1.5–2 mm, nectary light green, conspicuous, style 2.5–5 mm, stigma slightly capitate. Fruiting calyx 5-angled, accrescent, 1.5–4.5 × 1.5–3.5 cm, with simple, curved and antrorse trichomes, 0.5 mm, on the outer surface, glandular trichomes 0.2 mm at the upper portion of the inner surface. Berry globose, pendent, glabrous, 7–15 mm in diameter, varying from dark green to dark brown, pericarp sweet without stone cells; fruiting pedicels 10–15 mm. Seeds reniform with reticulate episperm, embryo curved.

Vernacular name:—“Tomatillo”.

Distribution and habitat:—Endemic to the Tucumano-Oranense (“Yungas”) rainforest in northern Argentine (Jujuy Province). It grows near road borders and edges of crop fields, in wet soils few exposed, at 800–900 m elevation ( Fig. 3 ).

Conservation status:—According to IUCN Red list category ( IUCN 2010), the new species should be considered Endangered (EN subcriteria D1—very small or restricted population) since its known, up to the moment, from a single population in a specialized habitat.

Phenology:—Flowering and fruiting specimens have been collected during February and April.

Etymology:—The specific epithet is in honor of the author’s father, Arnaldo Victoriano Toledo, plants lover, and brother, Victor Hugo Toledo, physician and enthusiastic partner during the collection trips of Physalis .

Note:—From herbarium specimens, Physalis victoriana can be confused with P. pruinosa var. argentina J.M. Toledo & Barboza (2005) , due to their similar length of fruiting calyx, 5-angled, and green berry.

Additional specimens examined (paratypes):— ARGENTINA. Jujuy. Dpto. Santa Bárbara: camino al Fuerte, a la orilla del camino, en zona boscosa, 24º19'00.3”S, 64°33'09.0’’W, 847 m, 15 February 2011, G . Barboza 3518 ( CORD); Santa Clara, a 10 Km del Fuerte , 24º18’54"S, 64º35’25.5" W, 21 April 2012, J . Toledo 1673 ( CORD); 24º18’55.6"S, 64º35’16.3" W, 21 April 2012, J . Toledo 1674 ( CERNAR); 24º18’55.6"S, 64º33’42.5"W, 21 April 2012, J . Toledo 1677 ( CERNAR) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Physalis victoriana. A. Habit. B. Flower. C. Extended corolla. D. Gynoecium. E. Flowering calyx. F. Berry and open fruiting calyx. G. Simple, curved, antrorse trichome. H. Glandular short trichome. I. Glandular trichome of the inner face of the fruiting calyx. Drawn from Toledo 1675 by S. Montecchiesi.

FIGURE 2. Physalis victoriana. A. Habit. B. Flower and immature fruiting calyx. C. Fruiting branch. D. Mature berry. (by J. M. Toledo)

FIGURE 3. Physalis victoriana. A. Distribution map. B. Habitat in northwestern Argentina (by J. M. Toledo).