Piptocarpha quadrangularis (Vell.) Baker
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Authority
Smith, Gerald L. & Coile, Nancy C. 2007.
(Compositae: Vernonieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 99: 1--94. (Published by NYBG Press) -
Family
Asteraceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, t. 25 from Fl. Flum. here designated as lectotype.
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Synonyms
Chrysocoma quadrangularis Vell., Piptocarpha bakeriana Glaz. ex Domke
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Description
Species Description - Robust scandent to subscandent shrubs, branches arching, widely spreading, strongly 4-angled, lateral branchlets numerous, brown-cinereous-tomentose. Leaves widely spaced along the branchlets; petioles prominently furrowed, decurrent on each side of the stem, cinereous-tomentose, 15-35 mm long; blades large, (7-)10-20(-26) x (2.5-) 4-12(-18) cm, coriaceous, broadly ovate or elliptic, acute to abruptly acuminate at apex, rounded, slightly oblique or cuneate at base, margin remotely toothed, glabrate above, cinereous-stellate-tomentose below, usually eight pairs of prominent lateral veins. Inflorescences axillary, dense corymbose clusters of (20-)40-80 heads. Heads with three florets, in groups of 2-5 on short, stout, tomentose peduncles; involucres cylindric to narrowly turbinate, 6-8 mm x 2-3 mm; phyllaries imbricate in 5-7 series, green or yellowish brown, cinereous-tomentose, subacute at apex, margin sparsely arachnoid, outer ones ovate to elliptic, inner ones oblong or linear. Corollas cream-colored, glabrate, tube 3.5-4 mm long, lobes 3-3.5 mm long; anthers ca. 3.5 mm long, basal auricles elongated, papillate, and blunt at tip, ca. 0.5 mm long. Pappus white, biseriate, inner bristles filiform, ca. 6 mm long, outer bristles linear or a few filiform, unequal, 0.5-1.5 mm long. Achenes 4-4.5(-5) mm long, indistinctly 3-angled, 10-costate, gland-dotted. Chromosome number: 2n = 34, Araujo s.n. (GA, GUA).
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Discussion
Piptocarpha quadrangularis is closely allied to other species that have 4-angled stems. It is distinguished by its more robust habit, large elliptic to broadly ovate leaves, and more dense, axillary glomerules (Fig. 19). The name Piptocarpha isotrichia (DC.) Cabrera & Vittet was misapplied to specimens that we have identified as P. quadrangularis. This misapplication was established in the literature by Cabrera and Vittet (1961) in their floristic treatment of the Vemonieae of Santa Catarina by their reference to specimens that were not Vernonia isotrichia DC. but were actually P. quadrangularis.
Distribution and Ecology: Piptocarpha quadrangularis is found in Rio de Janeiro state and southeastern Minas Gerais growing in upland forests. This species is also found in São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina, where it grows in coastal forests. It occurs as robust shrubs climbing into trees of secondary forests or forming thickets on hillsides in areas exposed to sunlight. Elevation ranges from 50-1800 m. Flowering and fruiting occur from Sep to Nov.
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Common Names
Braço-forte-de-quatro-quinas
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Distribution
Minas Gerais Brazil South America| Paraná Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America| Santa Catarina Brazil South America| São Paulo Brazil South America|