Mimosa gracilis subsp. capillipes var. invisiformis (Benth.) Benth.

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 gracilis subsp. capillipes var. invisiformis (Benth.) Benth.

Type

126/Ib. Mimosa gracilis Bentham subsp. capillipes (Bentham) var. invisiformis Barneby, var. nov., a var. capillipede caulibus saepe rigidiusculis semper hinc inde sparsim debiliter aculeolatis diversa.—Brazil. Goiás: Chapada dos Veadeiros ±15 km w. of Vea

Description

Variety Description - Leaf-formula iii-vi/8-14; otherwise, except for often stiffer, always at least thinly prickly stems (and at times prickly lf-stks), exactly as var. capillipes.

Distribution and Ecology - In cerrado and campo rupestre, (950-)1000- 1600(-l700) m, locally common on Chapada dos Veadeiros in e.-centr. Goiás, extending feebly thence s. and s.-w. to n. end of Sa. Geral do Paranã and n. end of Sa. dos Pireneus.—Fl. XIV. Map 20.

Discussion

Following Bentham’s classification one would be obliged to refer this mimosa to ser. Asperatae, but it differs externally from unarmed M. gracilis var. capillipes solely in the acquisition of aculei, sometimes inconspicuous and few in number. Theoretically it might be supposed to have arisen as a hybrid between M. diplotricha and M. gracilis var. capillipes, which are marginally sympatric on the Chapada. This hypothesis would not account satisfactorily for the abundance of var. invisiformis at elevations above those attained by either supposed parent, nor for its absence elsewhere in their wide common range of dispersal. In practice M. diplotricha is distinguished from var. invisiformis by denser armament, shorter peduncles, and fertility of almost every flower in the capitulum, the pods consequently forming a dense cluster close against the stem.

Distribution

Brazil South America| Paraná Brazil South America|