Cassia ramiflora var. amazonica H.S.Irwin

  • Authors

    Howard S. Irwin, David J. Rogers

  • Authority

    Irwin, Howard S. & Rogers, David J. 1967. Monographic studies in Cassia (Leguminosae -- Caesalpinoideae) II. A taximetric study of section Apoucouita. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 71--120.

  • Family

    Caesalpiniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cassia ramiflora var. amazonica H.S.Irwin

  • Type

    Holotype (NY): Brazil, Para, Rio Tocantins, Itaboca. 11 July 1916. A. Ducke s.n. (MG 16217). Isotypes: (BM, G, MG, R). Fig. 45.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Differt a varietate typica glandulis petiolorum saepe scutellatis, semper sessilibus; glandulis pedunculorum plerumque latioribus quam 0.75 mm et altioribus quam 0.5 mm; bracteolis plerumque oppositis, infra calycem 2 mm nascentibus; calycibus (cum hypanthio) 5-8 mm in diametro, velutinis; petalis plerumque 8-13 mm longis.

    Species Description - Differs from the typical variety in the following respects; petiolar gland often scutellate, consistently sessile; peduncular glands mostly broader than 0.75 mm and higher than 0.5 mm; bracteoles mostly opposite and mostly less than 2 mm below calyx; calyx (including hypanthium) 5-8 mm in diameter, velutinous; petals mostly 8-13 mm long.

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution (Fig. 46) : Brazil, from the Para-Amazonas boundary eastward to the lower Rio Tocantins and the vicinity of Belem, southeastward to Bahia.

  • Discussion

    Graph development in this variety (Fig. 40) indicates a much higher degree of homogeneity. This is not entirely unexpected, for the habitats concerned, especially in Amazonia proper, are less varied than those occupied by the typical variety farther south. The only persistent variants are the 115-192-193 cluster of coastal northeastern Brazil, distinguished by short blunt-tipped and -based leaflets, and puberulent pedicels. These variants are absorbed into the main mass of collections representing the variety as criteria relax but before the northern and southern elements merge.

     

  • Distribution

    Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America| Bahia Brazil South America| Piauí Brazil South America| Rio Grande do Norte Brazil South America| Pernambuco Brazil South America| Ceará Brazil South America|