Authority:

Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family:

Ericaceae

Description:

Variety Description - Leaves with petiole 3-8 mm long; blade 2-5.7 × 0.5-1 -7(-1.9) cm, ± flat, apex usually acuminate to acute- (obtuse-)mucronate, margin plane to very slightly re volute at base. Inflorescences to 1-2.8 cm long; bracteoles triangular.

Discussion:

Agarista niederleinii is related most closely to A. uleana, a geographically isolated species of the Pico da Tijuca region in Guanabara. Both species have distinctive, large, thick-walled capsules with subapical placentae, but they can be distinguished by leaf shape and size and by the extent to which the margins are revolute (see key). The species is also easily confused with A. minensis and A. pulchella, both of which have smaller, thinner-walled capsules with usually more or less central placentae. In addition, A. pulchella has cordate-based leaves and usually longer racemes. It is of interest that Sleumer’s (1959) concept of A. niederleinii was quite broad, including all of the plants here referred to A. minensis and even a few here considered to belong to A. pulchella. Although these three species are quite similar in leaf shape and size, they cannot be maintained as a single species because of the great and discontinuous variation in reproductive structures (especially inflorescence and fruit).

Populations of Agarista niederleinii are separable into two morphologically distinctive and more or less elevationally isolated varieties. Variety niederleinii can usually be separated from var. acutifolia by its smaller, usually more or less obtuse-mucronate (vs. acute to acuminate) leaves. Variety niederleinii, from the specimens now available, seems to occur at higher and/or more exposed sites than var. acutifolia, and it is thus likely that the two taxa are ecologically isolated. The two, however, occasionally may grow in close proximity, as they do near Taimbesinho, São Francisco do Paula, and a few intermediate specimens (e.g., Rambo 54523, B) are known. These intermediate plants appear to be highly fertile (most pollen grains stain darkly with cotton blue in lactophenol).

Distribution:

Brazil South America| Paraná Brazil South America| Rio Grande do Sul Brazil South America| Santa Catarina Brazil South America|