Pavonia clarkii Fryxell
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Authority
Fryxell, Paul A. 1999.
Cavanilles (Malvaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 76: 1-284. (Published by NYBG Press) -
Family
Malvaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Mexico. San Luis Potosí: S of Valles, 16 Jun 1935, Clark 6863 (holotype, MO).
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - Frútices gráciles sparse pubescentes; laminis foliorum late ovatis; stipulis parvis reflexis; floribus solitariis axil-laribus; bracteis involucellorum 8 linearibus vel leniter spat-uliformibus calycem subaequantibus; corollis rubellis, an-droecio exserto ut videtur; fructibus ignotis.
Species Description - Slender shrubs, the stems sparsely and minutely stellate-pubescent and with denser lines of recurved simple hairs running longitudinally. Leaf blades broadly ovate with a weak tendency to be 3-lobed, 3-5 x 2-4 cm, basally cordate, coarsely crenate (2-3 teeth per cm), acute, palmately 5-nerved, slightly discolorous, sparsely stellate-pubescent, the hairs ca. 0.5 mm diam.; petioles ca. 1/3 length of blade, with pubescence like stem; stipules 2 mm long, subulate, reflexed. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils, the pedicel 1.5 cm long in flower, more densely pubescent than stem, with stellate and recurved hairs; involucel of 8 linear or weakly spatulate, distinct bracts, each 12-13 x 1-1.2 mm at anthesis, sparsely pubescent; calyx ca. 11 mm long at anthesis, essentially ecostate, sparsely stellate-pubescent, less than half-divided, the lobes triangular, 5 x 3.5 mm; petals 3 cm long, apparently rose-pink; staminal column slender, incomplete on specimen but reaching as far as the distal margin of the petals without filaments emerging, therefore presumably exserted, the styles and stigmas unknown. Fruits unknown.
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Discussion
Fryxell (1988a) cited Clark 6863 as pertaining to Pavonia pulidoae, but reexamination of the specimen indicates that it is allied to, but distinct from, P pulidoae. Unfortunately, fruits are lacking on the specimen, the single flower is incomplete, and no further collections from this area have come to light. The principal distinctions between the two species are given in the key. The new species is named in honor of the collector of the type, Ora Melvin Clark (1889-1952).
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Distribution
Known only from the type collection, “in jungles” S of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Mexico North America| San Luis Potosí Mexico North America|