Mimosa somnians subsp. viscida var. aquatica

  • Authors

    Rupert C. Barneby

  • Authority

    Barneby, Rupert C. 1991. Sensitivae Censitae. A description of the genus Mimosa Linnaeus (Mimosaceae) in the New World. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 65: 1-835.

  • Family

    Mimosaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Mimosa somnians subsp. viscida var. aquatica

  • Type

    276/IIIc. Mimosa somnians Humboldt & Bonpland ex Willdenow subsp. viscida (Willdenow) Barneby var. aquatica Barneby, var. nov., caulibus e rhizomate inflato hydrophilo assurgentibus, foliorum subsessilium pinnis 10-13- jugis usque breviusculis (±10-15 mm

  • Description

    Variety Description - Stems from subhorizontal, succulently thickened rhizomes, weakly incurved-ascending 3-9 dm, subglabrous, the stipules ciliolate, the lf-axes remotely strigulose; lvs subsessile, the pinnae of larger ones 10-13-jug., the rachis of longer ones ±15-25 mm, the lfts ± 30-40-jug. and only 2-2.5 mm long; inflorescence of var. leptocaulis; floral bracts ovate, less than 1 mm, much shorter than fl-buds; pods 50-60 x 3.5-4 mm, 6-8-seeded, the body attenuate at base but not or obscurely stipitate.

    Distribution and Ecology - In shallow standing water of sedge meadow (brejo) at 300 m, known only from the type-locality ±20 km s. of Cuiabá, s.-centr. Mato Grosso.—Fl. I—III. Map 41.

  • Discussion

    The type-population of var. aquatica appeared in the field strikingly different from var. leptocaulis in its wet habitat and pluripinnate subsessile leaves, but the inflorescence, and the pod except that its stipe is subobsolete, are essentially the same. I take var. aquatica to be a local derivative of M. somnians subsp. viscida adapted to swampy habitat.

  • Distribution

    Brazil South America| Mato Grosso Brazil South America|