Piptocarpha regnellii (Sch.Bip.) Cabrera
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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. Minas Gerais: Caldas, s.d., Regnell ser. II. n. 150 (lectotype here designated, S, from among syntypes; isolectotype, S).
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Synonyms
Carphobolus regnellii Sch.Bip., Carphobolus regnellii var. subintegrifolia Sch.Bip., Carphobolus semiserrulatus Sch.Bip., Piptocarpha axillaris var. minor Baker
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Description
Species Description - Small slender trees 3-10 m high, wood very brittle, branchlets subopposite, terete, slightly striate, cinereous-tomentulose. Leaves at close intervals along the branchlets, often appearing crowded because of subopposite arrangement; petioles furrowed, brown to cinereous tomentose 5-10(-15) mm long; blades usually small, (3.5-)5-8.5 x (l-)l.5-2.5 (3.5) cm, coriaceous, elliptic, acute to subapiculate at apex, cuneate at base, margins sparsely to prominently toothed, chiefly above middle, glabrous above, cinereous to ferruginous-stellate-tomentose below, 6-12 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescences axillary clusters of 3-8 heads, those of each subopposite leaf pair often appearing as one dense cluster. Heads sessile with 7-8 florets, rarely 6; involucres turbinate, 6-5-7.5 mm x 4-5 mm; phyllaries loosely imbricate in 4-5 series, yellowish brown, slightly darkened, tomentulose at apex, margins ciliate to arachnoid, outer ones triangular-ovate, acute at apex, inner ones elliptic to elliptic-oblong, curved or bowshaped, acute to subobtuse at apex. Corollas light purple to white, glabrate, tube (3-)3.5-4.5 mm long, the lobes 1.5-2.5 mm long; anthers purple, ca. 3 mm long, the basal auricles elongated, papillate at tip, ca. 0.5 mm long. Pappus white to straw-colored, biseriate, inner bristles filiform (5-)5.5-6(-6.5) mm long, outer ones filiform to linear, unequal 0.5-1.5 mm. Achenes (2.5-)3-3.5(-3.7) mm long, 3-4-angled, costate, punctuate-glandular.
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Discussion
There has been much confusion in the nomenclature of Piptocarpha regnellii. This species was first considered as a variety of Vernonia axillaris by Lessing, and he indicated this on herbarium specimens but did not publish a description. This collection was later published under Carphobolus semiser-rulatus by Schultz-Bipontinus (1863), and his recognition of this collection as a species distinct from P axillaris is in agreement with this present treatment. However, similar specimens but with less prominently toothed margins (Regnell ser. II. n. 150) and a collection by Sellow were described as Carphobolus regnellii by Schultz-Bipontius in the same treatment in which he described C. semiserrulatus. Baker (1873) treated C. semiserrulatus and C. regnellii as Piptocarpha axillaris (Less.) Baker var. minor Baker. Baker considered the differences between var. minor and P. axillaris var. axillaris to be only quantitative. Although floral and vegetative characters are of a smaller size in var. minor, it can also be distinguished by its subopposite to opposite leaves and branches, and leaves usually cinereous-tomentose below. Cabrera (1957) recognized Carphobolus regnellii as a species and transferred it to Piptocarpha. This name is recognized as having priority; thus, C. semiserrulatus is recognized as a synonym. .
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Common Names
Vassourãozinho, vassoura preta
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Distribution
Piptocarpha regnellii is found in the highlands of southern Brazil from southeastern Minas Gerais to the inner coastal forests of Santa Catarina. It is a small, slender tree found frequently in secondary forests. In eastern Paraná and Santa Catarina, it is often found growing in a community forest with P axillaris and P angustifolia, both large trees. It also occurs in disturbed areas with P densifolia, a small shrubby tree. Elevation is 350-1650 m. Flowering and fruiting occur from Jul to Nov.
Minas Gerais Brazil South America| Paraná Brazil South America| Santa Catarina Brazil South America| São Paulo Brazil South America|