Authority:

Bohs, Lynn A. 1994. Cyphomandra (Solanaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 63: 154. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family:

Solanaceae

Synonyms:

Cyphomandra corymbiflora Sendtn., Cyphomandra macrophylla L.B.Sm. & Downs, Cyphomandra kleinii L.B.Sm. & Downs

Description:

Description - Leaf blades glabrous to densely puberulent, pubescent, or pilose adaxially, moderately to densely pubescent on veins, glabrous to densely puberulent-pubescent(-pilose) abaxially, more densely so on veins. Crown leaves with blade ovate, 4-19 cm long, 4-16 cm wide, length:width ratio ca. 1-2:1, the base cordate with basal lobes 0.5-4(-6) cm long. Inflorescence unbranched or branched, 15-40(-60)-flowered, (2-)6-16 cm long; peduncle 1.5-5(-6.5) cm long; pedicels (5-)10-15(-20) mm long, 15-25 mm long in fruit. Calyx radius 3-5(-11) mm, the lobes 2-4(-10) mm long, 1-2 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate. Corolla radius (5-)7-15(-17) mm, the tube 1-3 mm long, the lobes (4-)5-13(-15) mm long, (1-)2.5-7 mm wide. Fruit ellipsoidal to globose, acute or obtuse at apex, 1-3 cm long, 1-2 cm in diam.; seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, densely puberulent.

Discussion:

Fruits that matured in the University of Vermont greenhouses had a pleasant taste but were difficult to eat because of their pubescent skin and abundant seeds. This species has potential as an ornamental.

Great morphological variability is present within this taxon, particularly in pubescence, calyx size and shape, corolla size, and fruit shape. Specimens vary from being nearly glabrous to densely pubescent or pilose. All intermediate states of pubescence can be found on herbarium material, so it is impossible to distinguish distinct taxonomic entities based on pubescence characters, as Smith and Downs (1966) attempted to do. The calyx lobes vary from broad to long and narrow, and the corolla diameters range from about 10 mm (in the type of C. macrophylla) to around 30 mm. Again, intermediate sizes and shapes are present.

The element segregated by Smith and Downs as C. macrophylla is somewhat distinct in having very small flowers, generally large leaves, and elongated, acute fruits. Unfortunately, the only fruits available are very young, and fruits are lacking on most other specimens that have very small corollas. Large leaves are not unique to C. macrophylla, and occur in many collections of C. corymbiflora. Therefore, C. macrophylla is not maintained.

Sendtner did not designate a holotype for C. corymbiflora, and the only information given in his protologue is "Brasilia australiore legit Sellovius." Annotations in Sendtner’s handwriting appear on Sellow specimens at P, K, and W; none of these has a collection number. Another annotated specimen was present at B with the Sellow number 45, but it has been destroyed. Without collection localities or numbers it is not possible to determine if these specimens are in fact duplicates, but they probably are, in spite of the lack of the number 45 on the specimens at P, K, and W. The P specimen has a label saying "donné por le Mus. de Berlin, 1899," so it is probably a duplicate of the B specimen. I have chosen this P sheet as the lectotype. Whether the K and W sheets should be considered isolectotypes is an open question.

Phenology: Fruiting specimens have been collected in January, March, July, August, and October through December.

Distribution:

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

Common Names:

Baga de veado, baga de veado gigante, Tomate de monte