Jatropha palmatipartita Dehgan
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Authority
Dehgan, Bijan. 2012.
. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 110: 1--274. (Published by NYBG Press) -
Family
Euphorbiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Brazil. Bahia: Mun. Jequié, km 7 da estrada Jequié/Ipiaú, 10 Feb 1983 (fl, seed), A. M. de Caravalho & T. Plowman 1600 (holotype: CEPEC; Isotype: F).
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - Frutex, 1-4 m altus. Folia persistens, stipula indivisus induratus glandulosus; petiolis glabris, 12-22 cm longis; laminis 5-7(-9) aequalis ellipticus-ovatus segmentus, ad basim partitis (primum visum palmatis), 10-13 x 2.3-3.5 cm, margine integris, basi cuneatus, apeces acuminatus longus. Inflorescentia cymis terminalibus capitatus, pedun-culus 9-30 cm longus, bracteae linearis-lanceolatus, 1.5-2.5 cm longus, margine glanduloso-ciliata. Sepala ovata, [male] 7-8.5 x 3.2-3.8 mm, 9 9-10 x 3.5-4 mm, margine glanduloso-ciliata, glabra in superficiebus ambobus; pétala linearis-spathulatus, [male] 16-18 x 2.5-3.5 mm, 9 19-20 x 3-3.4 mm, tubularis-hypocrateriformis, ruber-sanguineus; stamina 6(-7). monodelpha, distinctus; ovarium glabrrimum, disci glandu-lae librae. Stylis 2(-3), bifidus; capsulis fusiformis, 3-lobatis, 2.5-2.7 cm longus et latus; seminibus ochraceus cum ater notatum, ovalis, 1.4 x 0.9 cm, carunculo magnus.
Species Description - Shrubs, 1-4 m tall. Stems: green when young, turning light brown with age, glabrous, leaf scars circular; latex watery in younger shoots. Leaves: persistent, stipules several unbranched, indurate glands, 1-2 mm long; petioles 12-22 cm long and 1-1.4 mm in diam., glabrous; blades deeply 5-7(-9)-lobed, segments mostly equal and parted to the base (appearing nearly palmately compound), elliptic-ovate, 10-13 x 2.3-3. cm, membranous, base cuneate, apex long-acuminate, venation palmate (segments pinnate), margins entire, glabrous on both surfaces. Inflorescences: terminal, capitate cymes, peduncles 9-30 cm long; bracts linear-lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 cm long, margins glandular-ciliate, glabrous on both surfaces. Staminate flowers: sepals ovate, 7-8.5 x 3.2-3.8 mm, apex acuminate, margins glandular-ciliate, glabrous on both surfaces; corollas tubular-salverform, reddish purple with yellow apex, petals linear-spathulate, 16-18 x 2.5-3.2 mm, glabrous on both surfaces; stamens 6(-7), uniseriate, distinct, filaments ca. 2 cm long. Pistillate flowers: like staminate but sepals 9-10 x 3.5-4 mm; petals 19-20 x 3-3.4 mm; glandular discs distinct; carpels 3, ovary glabrous, styles slender, 2(-3), ca. 6 mm long, distinct. Capsules: ± fusiform-spherical, 2.5-2.7 cm long and wide, glabrous, explosively dehiscent. Seeds: yellow-brown with black markings, oval, 1.4 x 0.9 cm, caruncle prominent.
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Discussion
Jatropha palmatipartita is a unique species because of its deeply parted, uniformly spaced, leaf segments with entire margins. It is poorly collected, and I had incorrectly annotated the few available specimens, including the type and isotype [A. M. de Caravalho & T. Plowman 1600 (CEPEC, F],, as J. catingae in 2002. Reassessment of the type specimens and the species’ characteristics that are nearly identical to those of the artificial cross, Jatropha tnartiusii x mollis sima, made its hybrid origin apparent. The specific epithet palmatipartita is selected to represent the palmate arrangement of the parted leaf segments.
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Distribution
Brazil, endemic to a relatively small area in southwestern part of the state of Bahia, ca. 300 m. Flowering and fruiting in early spring and summer.
Bahia Brazil South America|